From many places in The Villages you can see either the smoke trail or a bit of the flame if you look to the east. But that is if there aren't clouds in the way. I can usually see them from our back yard in the village of Glenbrook.
In 2011, I wanted to see one of the last shuttle launches and drove over to Titusville (about 2 hours away) but the area was jammed with cars and people. We had passed a rest area on south bound I-95 on our way there, and I decided to go back and watch the launch from there. It is only 15 miles from the launch complex and it is a great. People had lawn chars and the nice thing is since it is an interstate rest area there are bathrooms and cold drink vending machines available while you wait for lift off. When the shuttle went up, you could clearly see the rocket and shortly afterward could hear the sound. So if you ever want to see a launch without going all the way to Cape Kennedy, I would suggest this place. Just take route 44 east to I-95. Then head south to the rest area which is just past exit 231 (estimate is at mile marker 235).
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