Where to view a rocket launch

The Space Coast of Florida has many great locations to view rocket launches.  We are blessed with being the busiest space port in the United States, home to the historical Apollo Launches, the missions to the moon, the beloved Space Shuttles gave us many spectacular memories and recently SpaceX have given us a reason to look to the skies.

At Gray Line Orlando have a long history of bringing travellers to view these launches.  Since the 90s we have worked with Kennedy Space Center bringing guests daily to the visitor complex for sightseeing tours, so it made sense we would partner with them on launch days to ensure guests had a way to come and view the launches from the best locations.

This partnership went into overdrive during the last of the Space Shuttle Launches, with anxious guests wanting to view the launch of the space shuttle land cross it off their bucket list and a limited amount of time to do so.  As the countdown to the final manned crew launch began, the number of visitors that wanted to see them also raced upward.  Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex would always hit maximum capacity and its parking lot would be full to cars, so Gray Line would help transport people in, and we would bring people to the NASA Causeway.  Not to be confused with the segment of land that connects Titusville with Merritt Island, the causeway is stretch of road in the Banana River which is behind the gates of NASA on the interior road system of the Kennedy Space Center.  It connects the space center with the air force base at Cape Canaveral.  

Over the years Gray Line Orlando has brought thousands of guests to view the launch from this location and made many guests dreams come true by helping them view one of the space shuttle flights from this up-close viewing area, which is between 7-8 miles from the launch pads 39A and 39B.

Further back from the direct viewing locations, there are plenty of areas on the Space Coast people can wait down the launch countdown.  Cocoa Beach and Space View Park in Titusville are two of our favorites.  Whilst from these locations you cannot see the rockets on the launch pad, and they are a lot further away, Cocoa Beach at approx. 17 miles from launch pads 39, and Space View Park Titusville is around 12 miles from launch pad, they are good viewing locations if you just want to be in the region and experience the view. During Space Shuttle launches we would offer sightseeing tours to the locations once the up-close viewing areas were sold out.

We have literally been counting down until Crew-1 was ready to launch, and the time is nigh.  This time we are heading to the closest place to watch the launch, it has a direct line of sight across the Banana Creek. The VIP Experience with unparalleled views of the launch pad, you will hear the rumble of the rocket from this viewing location on NASA property.  The Apollo/Saturn V Center is 3.9 miles from the launchpad 39A and has a direct line of sight.  Gray Line Orlando guests will have access to the bleachers at the Banana Creek Viewing Site and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, this is the closest viewing area available to the general public.  

This is truly a once in a lifetime experience, the opportunity to view the first operational flight with astronauts on-board to the International Space Station.  This is a first-class view from where you will be able to feel the vibration of the launch.  Be sure to ride the bus with Gray Line Orlando to this location.   Ticket will be on sale as soon as the launch date and time is announced.  For $229 per person you receive roundtrip transportation from Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista or Merritt Island, a 2 day admission ticket for entrance into the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (for launch day and a then a second admission within 90 days), transportation to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, viewing from the Banana Creek Viewing Site, assistance from a tour escort and all taxes and fees.  This is a great value package and not to be missed.