Our Top 3 Fascinating Outdoor Activities for Families – Florida’s Space Coast
If you are looking for outdoor activities on Florida’s Space Coast for you and your family, we have put together a list of our top three favorites. Whenever someone mentions Florida, we immediately think theme parks and beaches, but there is so much more.
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Even though Florida is known for their theme parks, there are so many other options that will surround you in nature and give you an up-close look at Florida’s WILD side. So whether you need some down time from all the buzz of the parks, or perhaps are not really in to amusements parks and rides, here is a list of our “Top Three Outdoor Activities to Do on Florida’s Space Coast”.
Top 3 Incredible Outdoor Activities – Florida’s Space Coast
#1 Airboat Ride
If you are looking for the perfect opportunity to get out into nature and see some of Florida’s most beautiful, and mysterious, wildlife, I highly recommend an airboat ride at Midway.
Our one hour ride was both thrilling, and educational, and gave you the ability to see the REAL Florida. Not the theme parks and entertainment, which we also love, but the wide open blue sky, birds building their nests, alligators soaking up the sun’s warm rays, and towering cypress trees “decorated” with Spanish moss, blowing in the wind. This is WILD Florida.
During our ride we were able to see many different types of birds, like bald eagles and herons, and possibly Florida’s most popular wildlife, alligators! At one stop we counted 28 alligators basking in the sun! Our guide, Steve, was very friendly, knowledgeable, and funny!
Good To Know
- Unlike other airboat tours in the area that require you to meet at a public boat launch along the side of the road, Midway offers a permanent air-conditioned location with clean restrooms and ample parking.
- Midway’s airboat captains are U.S. Coast Guard Master Captains and their custom airboat fleet is U.S. Coast Guard Inspected and Certified.
- During the trip you will be directly in the Florida sun, so make sure you have sunscreen on. Bug spray would be a good idea also, especially if there isn’t much wind that day.
❤️A huge thank you to Airboat Rides at Midway for the two complimentary tickets and the discount on our remaining tickets purchased. ❤️
#2 Mondo Combo Kayak Tour
Another one of our favorite outdoor activities for kids in Florida was the Mondo Combo Kayaking Tour with A Day Away Kayak Tours. The tour takes place in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located just outside of Titusville, along the Atlantic Ocean, and is surrounded by the John F. Kennedy Space Center. While the Kennedy Space Center is known mostly for rocket launches and space exploration, the property that surrounds it provides multiple habitats for a large variety of plants and wildlife, including a large number of threatened and endangered species.
Photo Courtesy: A Day Away Kayak Tour
As a family, we decided to book the Mondo Combo Refuge Tour which is three kayak experiences combined into one tour: a manatee tour, a sunset tour, and a bioluminescent tour.
Photo Courtesy: A Day Away Kayak Tour
During your visit, you might get the opportunity to see some of Florida’s wildlife like manatees, dolphins, alligators, horseshoe crabs, bioluminescent jellyfish, wild pigs, bald eagles, ospreys, or one of the over 350 different species of birds that call the Refuge home.
Our guide, Brian, an ex-rocket engineer turned Master Naturalist, contains a plethora of knowledge, and is dedicated to eco-tourism and getting people to reconnect with nature. He made our tour such a memorable experience for our whole family and one we will never forget. Booking our kayak tour was the perfect way to get out in nature and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of Florida.
Good To Know:
- A Day Away Kayak Tours pioneered the bioluminescent kayak tours in the United States over 11 years ago. They offer some of the highest quality kayaks and equipment that are more stable and aquadynamic.
- All of their guides are certified, experienced, and dedicated to reconnecting people with nature.
- We thought their prices were very reasonable for everything they offered. A Day Away also offers discounts for non-profits, military, and large groups.
- And don’t forget your sunscreen and bug spray!
❤️A huge thank you to A Day Away Kayak Tours for our family’s complimentary Mondo Combo Tour.❤️
#3 Brevard Zoo
It’s no secret that we are huge fans of zoos. Because of our family’s love of animals, we always make time to visit local zoos no matter what part of the Unites States we are in. Our trip to Florida’s Space Coast was no exception.
Even though the Brevard Zoo is on the smaller size compared to other Florida zoos, it’s actually the size that separates them from all the rest. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to drag exhausted kids though a big zoo on the last day of vacation.
The zoo is divided into six different areas: Expedition Africa, Lands Of Change, Wild Florida, Caribbean Trail, Rain Forest Revealed, and Paws On. Each area offers you the opportunity to “visit” a different continent and meet the amazing animals that live there.
As you make your way along the boardwalk trail throughout the thick Florida forest, you will feel like you are part of the exhibits. The elevated portions of the boardwalk gives you an up-close aerial view into some of the exhibits. All of the exhibits are kid-friendly, offering them a great viewpoint of each animal.
Good to Know:
- The Brevard Zoo has tons of animal encounters like a touch tank, splash pad, and petting zoo. Visitors can also feed a giraffe some leafy greens or take part in a lorikeet and cockatiel feeding. (Additional fee may apply.)
- The Brevard Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Reciprocal Admission program. If you have a membership at another zoo throughout the country, you might get a discount at the Brevard Zoo. Before your visit, make sure you check out the AZA website for a complete list of participating zoos and aquariums.
- They also have one of the best gift shops I’ve ever seen! This isn’t your usual attraction gift shop filled with plastic toys that you know will break before you even get home. This gift shop is filled some of the best “earth conscious” things to help you reduce your dependency on plastic.
❤️ A special thank you to the Brevard Zoo for providing us with two complimentary tickets in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own. ❤️
Where to Stay?
During out visit to Florida’s Space Coast, our family stayed at an Airbnb vacation rental in Cape Canaveral.
As an Airbnb Associate, I may earn a fee when you book through the link above. For our full Disclosure Policy, click here.
The home was recently remodeled and checked all of the boxes for our family’s needs. From a fully stocked kitchen with welcome snacks and waters, to the cleanliness and large pool… there was nothing they forgot.
Even the location of the home was perfect for all of the activities we had planned during our visit. One of the best things about this rental is it’s only a three block walk to the beach! The host even provides a beach wagon filled with toys, chairs, and a cooler.
❤️ A special thank you to Michal for the discount on our family’s stay. ❤️
Get Packing!
These are just some of the many outdoor activities on Florida’s Space Coast that you and your family will enjoy! PERHAPS you will find a different activity that we haven’t tried yet. If you do, please let us know in the comments so we can give it a try next time we are in Florida.
If you are visiting a different part of Florida, make sure you check out some of our other great adventures listed below.
Central East
- Insider’s Guide to Planning Your Kennedy Space Center Tour (Titusville)
- 6 Reasons We Love The Brevard Zoo (Melbourne)
- Kayaking Along Florida’s Space Coast (Merritt Island)
- The Best Airboat Ride In Central Florida (Christmas)
- How Our Family Of 5 Flew Roundtrip To Florida For Less Than $325
Central West
- The Ultimate Guide to ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Tampa)
- EVOS Restaurant (South Tampa)
Central
- Top 10 Toddler Friendly Rides at LEGOLAND Florida (Winter Haven)
Southwest
- Step Back In Time At The South Florida Museum (Bradenton)
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Sarasota)
- Sand & Sea Vacation Rental – Family Friendly (Anna Maria Island)
- Happy Paddler Coastal Island Kayak Eco Tour (Anna Maria Island)
- Bradenton Beach Marina Dolphin Eco Tour (Anna Maria Island)
38 Comments
Donna
It’s my partners dream to do all the space things in this area. I on the other hand am more happy to get back to nature, so this list is great.
Trisha
The Space Coast is full of so many things to do that you could spend weeks there and still not do everything! My youngest LOVES space so the Kennedy Space Center was a must-do. It was such an incredible place too!
Kristine
Great post! It’s going to take me a bit to click through all the links – but I want to! I have been wanting to do the bioluminescent kayak tours, so I’ll be checking that out!
Trisha
When I heard that A Day Away Kayak Tours offered a bioluminescent tour, I was like “Sign me up!” It was such an incredible experience to be kayaking at night.
Missy
Thank you for sharing these activities. I would like to go on the Mondo Combo Kayak Tour.
Trisha
Missy, I think you and your husband would love it! It’s the perfect activity for nature lovers!
Cindy Mailhot
The Brevard Zoo looks great! We did an air boat ride in Florida when we were there a couple years ago and loved it. So if you are in a kayak and an alligator is around…ummm what then? Always a worry of mine.
Trisha
Thankfully we only saw on alligator on the shore, and it was about 30 feet away from us. Our guide said they want nothing to do with people. Thank goodness! 😉
Stacey Billingsley
These look like great adventures! I’ve always wanted to do an air boat tour. It looks like so much fun. My daughter would love to see all the animals that you encountered on any of these outings.
Trisha
We were amazed at how much wild life we saw during this visit to Florida! It is always great to see animals thriving in their natural habitat.
Pam
I have always wanted to do an airboat tour! We were going to try to squeeze it in this year for Spring Break, but …. next time!
Trisha
Yeah, I hope 2021 is nothing like 2020! 😉
melissa
Those look like amazing adventures! We would especially like the airboat tour and kayak adventure and are adding them to our Florida to-do list! Thanks for sharing!
Trisha
You’re welcome, Melissa! I hope you get to fulfill your Florida to-do list soon!
Lisa Manderino
These look like fun activities. I think it would be nice to have a guide when kayaking.
Trisha
I highly recommend a guided kayak tour! Our guide was so knowledgeable and it was like a mini science lesson for our kids.
Tricia Snow
We love the Brevard Zoo. I love birds and their aviary is amazing. For such a small area it really is a nice zoo with lots of great animals.
Trisha
I couldn’t agree more! I was blown away by the Brevard Zoo and everything they offered. My daughter LOVED the aviary! So many beautiful birds!
Leeanne
Great recommendations of activities and places to stay. My family would love to go on the kayaking tour.
Trisha
Our family are huge fans of kayaking tours when we are on vacation. It helps us to slow down and take in everything that’s around us.
Chantelle
Ohh! I have always wanted to do an airboat tour! These are all great!
Trisha
They are so much fun! It’s crazy how fast they can go across the water!
Brianna Creef
My husband and I are actually considering moving to Florida because of how much it has to offer outside the parks! Thanks for sharing this starter list!
Trisha
You’re welcome, Brianna! I would totally consider moving to Florida if it wasn’t for the humidity in the summer. 😉
Barbara
Great information to consider a visit!
Trisha
I hope you get the chance to visit soon, Barbara!
Chantelle
It’s fun to find activities that aren’t theme parks or beaches! Great list!
Trisha
Thank you, Chantelle! While we still love theme parks, it’s nice to get outside and enjoy nature.
kmf
I’ve always wanted to take a ride on an airboat (goes back to my youth watching Johnny Quest, I guess). And I never thought about kayaking in this area. All three of these ideas seem like perfect alternatives to the theme parks.
Trisha
My husband lived in Florida when he was younger, and he always wanted to go on an airboat ride, but never did. After our tour, he said it was the most fun he has had on vacation!
Sara
There are so many great things to do in Florida besides the amusement parks. Thanks for highlighting some of them.
Trisha
You’re welcome, Sara! I hope you get the chance to visit soon!
Cindy Moore
These activities all look amazing! Alligators creep me out. Hopefully only see them from a distance!
Trisha
My son is a huge fan of alligators so he loved being able to see them in their natural habitat. We only saw one and it was about 30 feet away, which was ok with me.
heather J jandrue
There great activities. Was the kayaking in waters where alligators live? That would make me nervous. LOL!
Trisha
Yes, but we only saw one during the whole trip. Our guide said that they want nothing to do with people, so they keep their distance… and so did I! 😉
Alexandra
I would love to do the kayak tour! And the zoo would be a great option too! Thanks for sharing your insights!
Trisha
You’re very welcome, Alexandra! I hope you get the chance to visit the Space Coast and take part in the kayak tour. Our family had so much fun during the whole thing!