Staying at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Travel expert Steph Marinkovic visited the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, with her experience underlining another fascinating side of Florida that's well worth exploring.

The excitement was palpable as astronaut Dan Tani strode into the room for our “Meet an Astronaut” chat at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) on a holiday in Florida. Space-mad kids shot up their hands to ask the usual questions: “What did you want to be when you grew up?” (a comedian), “How do you go to the toilet?” (strapped onto the seat), “Do you think aliens are real?” (probably, but it’s unlikely we’ll meet).

But there was no fluffiness about our place in the universe as he reflected on the four months he spent aboard the International Space Station. What struck me most was his overwhelmingly practicality, that he thought space exploration wasn’t for some greater cause, or to invent Velcro and memory foam, but simply something extraordinary we achieved because we could.

I had the opposite feeling as I listened to Tani talk. Turns out, you don’t need to leave Earth to be moved by the thousands of years of human ingenuity that carried us beyond it, to feel part of something more. Sometimes, meeting an astronaut is enough.

That sense of wonder lingered throughout our time at KSCVC in Cape Canaveral, one of the best things to do in Florida. You’ll find some 70 years of spaceflight history, science and human stories that are on display in one sprawling complex.

Space race

According to NASA, the second “golden age” of space exploration has begun: the US and China are dashing back to the moon and Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are battling to become the most indispensable billionaire in the race.

Against this backdrop, our visit to KSCVC felt particularly timely. Our two days – essential to get the most from a complex of this size – left even the most Earth-bound of our group feeling inspired.

In the Heroes and Legends hall, we learnt about the early American pioneers of space travel and saw the controls and gadgets of the recreated Mercury Control Center used between 1958 and 1966. A dramatic reveal of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which orbited the Earth 4,848 times in its 30 years of service and on display as if in flight, was unexpectedly emotional. And a space launch simulator allowed us to experience what astronauts describe as almost the real thing.

A stroke of luck meant our visit coincided with the launch of Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 (check the schedule). Watching from the bleachers at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the MC led the crowd in the countdown to lift off: “four, three, two…”.

Twelve seconds after we yelled “one!”, the first plumes of smoke rose from the treeline. Then, came the rocket itself, followed by cheers from the crowd and, finally, a rolling rumble as the sound caught up to the spacecraft. The delay served as a reminder that the launch of a spacecraft isn’t undertaken lightly.

@stephmarinkovictravels Incredible scenes at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 😍 #rocketlaunch #spacex #spacexfalcon9 #rocket #space #kennedyspacecenter ♬ Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) - Remastered - Elton John

The bleachers offered excellent views of the Kennnedy Space Center’s three launch pads, but the complex’s newest attraction, The Gantry at LC-39, can get visitors even closer to the action – just 2.3 miles away, compared with our 6.2. The four-storey structure also houses a roaring, full-sized model of a rocket engine, interactive exhibits and displays exploring the impact of space travel on Earth.

A gantry featuring a full-sized model of a space rocket engine

While some parts of the complex had veered towards kitsch (the 1969 moon landing theatre show was more Rocky Horror than 2001: A Space Odyssey), the sheer comprehensivness of KSCVC had me hooked – helped in no small part by the fact that I destroyed my opponents in the addictive Hyperdeck VR game.

More than launchpads

It is somewhat of an exaggeration to say Florida is obsessed with space (although it is true that the state ranks second for the most UFO sightings in the US, pipped only by California), but it was hard not to get swept up in all things interplanetary during our trip.

At the appropriately decorated Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center, our base for part of our visit, we ran into astronauts kitted out in iconic NASA flight suits and watched enormous rocket components being shuttled across the Indian River to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Space exploration isn't confined to the launchpads here – it has become part of the region's identity.

A stylishly decorated bedroom at the Morlando Space Mansion in Kissimmee, Florida

That influence extends well beyond the KSCVC. An hour away in Kissimmee, a great place to stay in Florida, the 16,000 sq ft Morlando Space Mansion felt less like a Florida holiday villa and more like a tribute to the state's enduring fascination with the cosmos. At first glance, the 46-guest, Top Tier Reunion vacation home at Reunion Resort is all about the luxe modcons – a gourmet kitchen, bubbling outdoor spa, bowling lanes and basketball courts. But hidden behind an unassuming set of doors is its real showstopper: the Morlando Lunar Space Camp.

Inside, guests complete a series of astronaut-style challenges before boarding a towering shuttle replica that appears to blast off into space. Fortunately, owner Brad gave us the cheat code to skip straight to the launch sequence. Having spent two days immersed in the history of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center, it was surprisingly easy to get caught up in the fantasy.

A space shuttle replica at the Morlando Lunar Space Camp

Yet one of the biggest surprises of the trip was discovering a side of Florida that had nothing to do with rockets at all. In Celebration, the master-planned community developed by Disney, a bike tour offered a glimpse of tree-lined streets, lakeside trails and immaculate clapboard homes that felt a world away from the crowds of the theme parks. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with craft beers at nearby Celebration Brewing Company.

The town of Celebration, Florida, USA pictured from above

Even Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets revealed something about the region's appeal. Alongside sunshine and world-famous attractions, Florida's reputation for bargain shopping is clearly well earned – I picked up two pairs of jeans for less than I would have paid for one back home, with a free T-shirt thrown in for good measure.

It's hard to imagine visiting Florida and skipping the theme parks altogether. But those who venture beyond them – whether to witness a rocket launch, meet an astronaut or simply explore some of Central Florida's lesser-known corners – will discover a state with far more to offer than rollercoasters alone.

Plan a trip to the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex costs from £52/USD$77 per adult plus tax. A ten-minute drive from KSCVC, Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center offers rooms from £127 (USD $185) plus taxes per night, on a room-only basis.

In Kissimmee, the 46-guest Morlando Space Mansion is an excellent base close to Orlando for families travelling together, with rates from £2,965 per night (USD $3,795), or £64 per person, per night at capacity. Save on your trip by comparing flights to Orlando or package deals.

For further information on Kissimmee, visit www.experiencekissimmee.com.