Rockets of every type can explored at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. -- Photos by Phil Raby, Special to Sun Media

"Florida again?" That was the collective groan from my family once I announced our next vacation would be enjoyed in a state we have visited often in the past.

"We are going to the Space Coast. I promise, it's going to be a blast."

No pun intended, but we were going to have the time of our lives. With rockets, surf and sand dotting over 100 km of shoreline, the Space Coast, 90 minutes east of Orlando, is the perfect setting for a family vacation.

INTO INFINITY AND BEYOND

The Space Coast gets its name for being the only place in North America where rockets are launched to explore worlds beyond our own. By offering the chance for the average person to explore and even train on the same grounds where NASA is located, the Kennedy Space Center brings the exciting world of space to everyone.

The centre is on a huge island (about six times the size of Manhattan) that includes a wildlife habitat, the Space Shuttle landing strip and a vehicle assembly building.

It takes a full day to see the whole area, but for those who just want a small taste of what the Kennedy Space Center has to offer, the best thing is to head over the visitor complex. There, families can have an encounter with a real astronaut, visit a rocket garden that relays the story of space exploration or walk through a full-scale replica of the shuttle Explorer.

There are also lots of restaurants and facilities for breaks, such as the Children|s Play Dome, a play area set-up with the little ones in mind.

SURF'S UP, DUDE

You may have never touched a surf board and have no intention of ever doing so, but a visit to the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach is an experience that shouldn't be missed. Open 24 hours a day (yes, you read that right) this store is hopping even at midnight with surfers or wannabes searching for the coolest, sleekest surfing gear around.

Along with a hip clothing line, Ron Jon's also has skateboarding paraphernalia for those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land. A bonus is the customer service. All of the sales associates are surfers or boarders (many are champions in their sports), who will answer any questions you may have regarding the products being sold at the store.

If you want to make sure your friends know that you were there, the staff will gladly give you a free Ron Jon decal for your board (if you have one).

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

If you have ever wanted to touch a giraffe, hand-feed parrots or kayak past a rhino, you will find all of these experiences and more at the Brevard Zoo. Touting itself as the place to discover the Space Coast's wild side, this small zoo offers intimate encounters with wildlife.

Surfer dudes and wannabes can shop at the massive Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach 24 hours a day.

The kayaking programs available do just that. For a $5 per person fee, visitors can choose from two kayaking trips that will get them up close and personal with some of the 550 animals at the zoo.

In Expedition Africa, kayakers will paddle down the Nyami Nyami River alongside giraffes, rhinos and lemurs. The Wetlands Outpost adventure takes visitors along a reconstructed wetland with flora and fauna native to Florida.

MILES OF SAND

Beautiful beaches await those who make their way to the Space Coast. With an average daytime temperature of 22 C, the tempting waters and warm sands are perfect for families who want to relax away from the crowds.

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BOTTOM LINE

ACCOMMODATIONS

There is a variety of beachfront accommodations available starting from approximately $100 per night.

MORE INFORMATION

For more on beaches and accommodations in the Space Coast area, visit space-coast.com. For Kennedy Space Center, contact kennedyspacecenter.com or 321-449-4444. Ron Jon Surf Shop, ronjons.com or 321-799-8888. Brevard Zoo, brevardzoo.org or 321-254-9453.

DINING

Familes can't go wrong at Dixie Crossroads, a family seafood restaurant, dixiecrossroads.com or 321-268-5000. Bernard's Surf is an astronaut hang-out with great food, bernardssurf.com or 321-783-2401.