Merritt Island Living:
Maximize Your Time on the Space Coast
Whether you live here, or you’re planning a weekend getaway to the space coast, you need to know what sights not to miss on Merritt Island. As a Florida staple, Merritt Island is great for families looking for kid-friendly fun, couples looking for a romantic destination, and solo travelers looking for relaxation and adventure. The space coast has something for everyone, but here are the main reasons you should make Merritt Island part of your next trip.
- The weather is always beautiful. Florida’s weather is already tropical and beautiful year-round. But with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Merritt Island is usually sunny with a cooling salty sea breeze.
- The people are easygoing. That’s right, if you’re sick of the hustle and bustle of everyday life you need to experience the friendliness of the Merritt Island locals.
- The food options are amazing. From savory to sweet, no matter what you’re craving there is a restaurant for you on Merritt Island.
- There are great shopping options for everyone. Merritt Island features various unique Florida-original boutiques and several high-end malls. Making it a great shopping destination on the space coast.
- Your visit won’t cost an arm and a leg. Traveling can be expensive. But when you visit Merritt Island, everything from food and souvenirs to activities is reasonably priced. Making it the perfect vacation location for anyone on a budget.
- There is never a bad time of year to visit. While the space coast is a popular vacation destination, Merritt Island is large enough that you’ll never feel crowded by other tourists. In fact, some activities are more fun with more people around.
Now that you know why you should visit Merritt Island, it’s time to decide what attractions you want to experience while you’re here. We’ve collected some of our favorites and listed them below to make planning your next trip a little easier.
15 Can’t-Miss Merritt Island Destinations
If you’re not sure where to start in planning your Merritt Island vacation, you can read our entire list. Otherwise, we’ve divided the activities and destinations into convenient sections. Feel free to skip ahead to the sections that interest you and your family the most.
- Explore Beaches Near Merritt Island
- Enjoy Nature on Merritt Island
- Experience Merritt Island Family Fun
- Embrace History on Merritt Island
- Eat & Drink Around Merritt Island
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is one of Florida’s most popular east coast beaches for a reason. It’s only a 15-minute drive from the heart of Merritt Island and it has plenty of shoreline. That means there is lots of space to accommodate the beachgoers who show up early every morning. If visiting a quintessential Florida beach is on your bucket list, you need to add Cocoa to your itinerary.
If you are driving to Cocoa Beach from Merritt Island, you can breathe easy knowing there are plenty of parking options. Plus, if you forget sunscreen or any other important beach day necessities, no need to drive all the way back to Merritt Island, the Cocoa Beach Pier has plenty of gift shops and convenience stores. Note that if you do choose to visit Cocoa Beach, it gets more crowded as the day goes on. If you have a large group, need a large area, or want to avoid crowds, it’s best to visit early in the morning.
Canaveral National Seashore
If you’re looking for something a little less commercial and a little more natural you need to visit the Canaveral National Seashore. Preserved by the National Park Service the Canaveral National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Florida. Making it easy to connect with nature while visiting a beach. The Canaveral National Seashore is about a 40-minute drive from Merritt Island. But it’s a drive well worth it, just be sure to eat a hearty breakfast before you leave.
Keep in mind, your trip to Canaveral National Seashore won’t be a typical beach day. If you check the calendar and plan your trip accordingly you might be able to participate in sea turtle monitoring. Canaveral helps protect 5 different species of endangered sea turtles. Nesting seasons for the different species happen throughout the year and could be a great family activity for kids interested in nature and science.
Hangars Beach
If you want a beach with the fun of Cocoa Beach, but the tranquility and low crowd levels of Canaveral National Seashore, you need to visit Hangars Beach. Only a 20-minute drive from the heart of Merritt Island, Hangar Beach is where the locals enjoy fun in the sun. Plus, parking at Hangar Beach is free.
Just keep in mind, that if you choose to visit Hangar Beach, make sure you plan ahead. While there are several activities you can participate in like beach bike rentals and nature hikes, there aren’t a lot of amenities. So pack everything ahead of time and check your list twice. And at the end of your beach day, plan to come back to Merritt Island for something good to eat.
Enjoy Nature on Merritt Island
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
If you love to spend time outdoors, but the beach isn’t your speed, try visiting a nature reserve. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect option for anyone looking to connect with the great outdoors. It was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. With over 140,000 acres of natural Florida habitat, this nature reserve is home to over 1,5000 species of plants and animals.
The refuge rangers facilitate several family-friendly activities. So whether you’re into exotic bird watching and nature walks or fishing and hunting, there is something for everyone who visits. But don’t forget to check their hours of operation before you visit. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Black Point Wildlife Drive
The Black Point Wildlife Drive is technically inside the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. But it’s the perfect option for people who want to experience nature from the comfort of their own vehicle. This 7-mile, 40-minute one-way drive is an easy way to see waterfowl, wading birds, alligators, river otters, bobcats, and other wildlife up close.
If you want to maximize the wildlife you see on your drive, it’s important to time your trip accordingly. The best time of year to take the drive is between October and March. This is when most of the animals are in their mating seasons and more active around the refuge. The best time of day to visit is either early morning or late afternoon. Plus, for only $10 per vehicle, this drive is a cost-effective way to keep the family entertained. Need a snack for your ride? Consider packing a few of Merritt Island’s favorite Dixie Belle’s Sweet Potato Biscuits.
The Savannahs Golf Course
Nothing says Merritt Island living like a round of golf on the famous Savannahs Golf Course. This uniquely designed course has delighted players since it opened in 1989. Designed by award-winning golf course architect Gordon Lewis, the Savannahs Golf Course is both fun to play and a rewarding challenge for players of all skill levels.
Plus, hole 7 is often regarded as the most challenging golf hold in Central Florida. So when you play the course here on vacation, you can go home with bragging rights.
If you don’t want to travel with your golf clubs, or maybe you forgot them at home, you can rent a professional grade set from the Savannahs clubhouse. And if you need energy before you tee off, don’t forget to visit Dixie Belle’s Grill & Bar for a great meal at a great value.
Experience Merritt Island Family Fun
Kennedy Space Center
We can’t talk about stuff to do on the space coast without mentioning the place that gives our wonderful coast its namesake. A lot of people like to plan their visits around the space launch schedule, but the Kennedy Space Center is fun for the whole family throughout the year. They have a full events calendar that includes astronaut meet and greets, space camps for kids, space-themed film screenings, and much more.
The Kennedy Space Center is a great place to visit even if they don’t have any events happening. It is Merritt Island’s biggest museum. And like any museum, you can spend the whole day exploring exhibits and watching presentations. The museum is divided into different Mission Zones so you can experience all the steps of a space launch in chronological order. Plus, you’ll get up-close insight into the space race, the early pioneers of space travel, and even what’s new in space technology.
Romelia Farms & Petting Zoo
If you’re looking for a hands-on animal experience for your family in Merritt Island, look no further than Romelia Farms & Petting Zoo. Founded in 2021, this animal sanctuary and petting zoo hybrid is an educational opportunity unlike any other. You can get up close and personal with a wide variety of farm and exotic animals. Camels, cows, goats, donkeys, lemurs, sloths, parrots, alpacas, and sheep are among some of the animals you can expect to meet on your trip to Romelia Farms.
Every tour kicks off with an old-fashioned hayride to the petting zoo. Once at the petting zoo, the Romelia Farms staff will guide your group through an education-focused tour. This tour includes a lot of exciting animal encounters and photo opportunities. And if that’s not enough, you can schedule a guided horseback ride for your family around the property. If you’ve always wanted to feed animals, Romelia Farms is a must-see stop for your family. Just don’t forget to feed yourselves before you come!
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Merritt Island has several great kayaking and paddle-boarding opportunities. If your family has small children, we recommend trying kayaking, as it’s easy to put them in a kayak and bring them along for the ride. Now, if everyone in your group is adventurous and has great balance, we recommend paddle boarding. If you truly can’t choose between the two options, do both! You won’t regret it.
And if you’re struggling to find the right place to kayak or paddleboard, be sure to ask the rental shop for recommendations. Certain kayaks and paddleboards you can rent will work better in different bodies of water. What works in the ocean won’t necessarily work in a river or on a lake. Most importantly, don’t forget to secure your electronics in waterproof packaging before shoving off from shore.
Boat Tour
If powering your own water vehicle isn’t for you, taking a Merritt Island boat tour is the next best thing. Merritt Island offers everything from adults-only sunset Tiki Cruises to family-friendly dolphin-watching boat tours. A trip to the space coast wouldn’t be complete without a little time on the water and a boat tour is a great way to have fun in the sun without getting wet.
Merritt Island has boats of all shapes and sizes to accommodate whatever your group looks like. So whether you want an airboat, catamaran, pontoon, or yacht, there is an option that will fit your needs. Just be sure to eat before you take off. Research says the best way to avoid motion sickness, like sea sickness, is to always travel on a full stomach. If you’re looking for something to fill up on before you head out, Dixie Belle’s Grill & Bar offers delicious country-style cooking for a reasonable price.
Embrace History on Merritt Island
Brevard Veterans Memorial
If someone in your family served in the military, Brevard Veterans Memorial might be a great stop to include on your Merritt Island trip. This military tribute is a museum, library, and memorial plaza. And it is completely free for the public to visit. It has a range of unique military artifacts from the Revolutionary War all the way to current-day conflicts.
This 82-acre park has scenic walking trails, a playground for kids, and covered pavilions to rent for picnics and other social gatherings. And if you’re interested in taking home a military souvenir for yourself or a veteran in your family, the gift shop offers a variety of caps, coins, and shirts. All proceeds go towards keeping this beautiful tribute to Florida’s military beautiful.
Sams House At Pine Island
Travel back in time and visit the oldest standing home in Brevard County. The 1875 Sams family cabin is a historic landmark and a great stop for every history buff. Located on the Pine Island Conservation, the Sams house gives visitors the opportunity to see how early Floridian settlers lived. With tour guides in traditional clothing and hands-on historical presentations, this is a learning experience unlike any other on Merritt Island.
Once you’ve visited Sams house, enjoy the rest of your time at the Pine Island Conservation Area by hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing or even kayaking. From Mastodon tusks, pottery sherds, and 19th-century farm tools littered around, this area is rich with exciting history. But don’t explore on an empty stomach, be sure to fuel up before you visit this beloved historical site.
Eat & Drink Around Merritt Island
Dixie Belle’s Grill & Bar
If there’s one stop you can’t miss at Merritt Island, it’s the southern charm and downhome cooking of Dixie Belle’s Grill & Bar. Their commitment to creating a family-friendly restaurant with homestyle country cooking has locals and vacationers coming back again and again. Diners can’t get enough of the highly addictive Merritt Island specialty, the Sweet Potato Biscuit, only found at Dixie Belle’s.
So when you’ve planned a full day of sightseeing and activities, be sure your family is fueled up with the best food Merritt Island has to offer. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Dixie Belle’s is the go-to restaurant for a great meal for a great price.
My Island Ice Cream
When you’re craving something sweet, sometimes the only thing that will fix it is some good old-fashioned ice cream. And My Island Ice Cream is an iconic Merritt Island mom-and-pop ice cream shop. With over 65 flavors nothing beats this one-of-a-kind hometown favorite. From the minute you walk in the door, you’ll smell hand-dipped ice cream and fresh waffle cones.
Plus, the décor is quintessential Merritt Island living. The owners have spent years building a collection of artifacts that represent Florida and the space coast. Sure, you could visit a chain ice cream shop, but when you’re in Merritt Island, you must try My Island Ice Cream at least once.
Big Dog Kombucha
Regular beer breweries are boring, that’s why Merritt Island has Florida’s finest craft Kombucha brewery. Opened in 2021 by married couple Gerhard and Juli Claassen, Big Dog Kombucha offers a fun brewery-like social atmosphere to sample the latest kombucha brews with friends. Their kombucha is made from local honey and fresh fruit. Meaning you can sip knowing no matter what flavor you order, it’ll be the freshest kombucha you’ve ever had.
If you can’t get enough while you’re here, kombucha is a great souvenir to take home from your trip. Because of the fermentation process, you can keep the kombucha warm while you’re traveling, and chill it after you get home for the best experience. Plus, all flavors of Big Dog Kombucha pair great with Dixie Belle’s Sweet Potato Biscuits. Stop by for a dozen to go before you visit Big Dogs or take some on the road with you.
