Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral, Florida

The Kennedy Space Center is on Cape Canaveral in Florida. This is America’s spaceport where launches for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Space Shuttle all occurred. There are extensive displays both outside and inside with many spacecraft and rockets to view.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Try the space dots quick frozen ice cream pellets.

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The tour of the space center will take you to the shuttle landing site,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

the Vehicle Assembly Building,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and launchpad 39A.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

If your timing is right be sure to catch a launch, it is one of the most awe inspiring experiences you can have. While attending graduate school in Florida I was lucky enough to see several shuttle launches. For one launch we went to a nearby beach which was several miles away from the launch site. The first thing you experience even before you see the fireball that is the rocket exhaust is a low rumbling in the ground almost like an earthquake. This is miles away from blastoff but you can still feel the ground shake, such unbelievable power.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Magic Kingdom Parade – Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida)

The Magic Kingdom Parade is a large theatrical presentation at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Orlando which dates back to the beginning of the theme park. As of March 9, 2014, the daily parade is called Festival of Fantasy.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

De Soto National Memorial – Bradenton, Florida

The De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton, Florida commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States. The memorial includes 26 acres, where the Manatee River joins Tampa Bay. Eighty percent of the area is mangrove swamp. In May 1539, Hernando de Soto and an army of over 600 soldiers landed in the Tampa Bay area. They arrived in nine ships laden with supplies. The expedition did not yield any gold or other treasure and was a humanitarian nightmare to the indigenous people of the area but it did set up the beginnings of Spanish rule in Florida.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Camp Uzita is a living history camp on site.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Fort Matanzas National Monument – St. Augustine, Florida

Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. To get to the fort there is a park service ferry that is on a first come first served basis.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park – St. Augustine, Florida

No trip to Florida would be complete without seeing an alligator. If you are driving to Florida a sure fire way to see the awesome creatures in all stages of growth is to stop at the St. Augustine Alligator Park in St. Augustine. St. Augustine in itself is a must see stop on any trip to the Sunshine State. Its historic position as the oldest town in America and imposing forts give it an iconic stature. The park began in 1893 as a small exhibit of alligators and has since grown into a modern zoological complex. In addition to the alligators there are a number of birds, mammals and reptiles to see.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos