Planning a Trip

Getting There -- The nearest airport is Melbourne International Airport (tel. 321/723-6227; www.mlbair.com), 22 miles south of Cocoa Beach, which is served by Continental (tel. 800/525-0280; www.continental.com) and Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com). Orlando International Airport, about 35 miles to the west, is a much larger hub with many more flight options and generally less expensive fares. It's an easy 45-minute drive from the Orlando Airport to the beaches via the Bee Line Expressway (Fla. 528, a toll road) -- it can take almost that long from the Melbourne Airport, where Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National all have car-rental desks. The Melbourne Airport Shuttle (tel. 321/724-1600) will take you from the Melbourne Airport to most local destinations for about $10 to $20 per person.

Visitor Information -- For information on the area, contact the Florida Space Coast Office of Tourism/Brevard County Tourist Development Council, 8810 Astronaut Blvd., Ste. 102, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (tel. 800/872-1969 or 321/868-1126; www.space-coast.com). The office is in the Sheldon Cove building, on Florida A1A a block north of Central Boulevard, and is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. It also operates an information booth at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Getting Around -- A car is essential in this area. If you're not coming by car, you can rent one at the airport. Space Coast Area Transit (tel. 321/633-1878; www.ridescat.com) operates buses ($1.25 adults, 60¢ seniors and students), but routes tend to be circuitous and, therefore, extremely time-consuming.