[tomwed]

I want to see a lift-off. I don't want to buy a Cape Canaveral Ticket. This is a website that names the best places to watch the lift-off for free.
The Best Viewing Locations for Kennedy Space Center Launches | USA Today

Do me a solid, if you know the best spot tell me. These are the spots USA recommends:
Brevard County Parks
Cocoa Beach Parks
Titusville Parks
And the Roadside Locations:

Patrick Air Force Base's website notes that State Road 528 provides a clear view of the rocket launch pads, as the road approaches the Port Canaveral area, as does State Road A1A in Cocoa Beach and U.S. Highway 1 in Titusville between State Roads 405 and 402. Drivers choosing to watch a rocket launch from the roadside must use caution when pulling off the road and should select a viewing location that does not impede the flow of traffic.

Additional Locations

Jetty Park (portcanaveral.com) in Port Canaveral is home to public restrooms, picnic tables, a refreshment center and a campground and one of NASA's recommended viewing locations. The park charges a parking or camping fee for all vehicles. Area boaters are able to watch launches from the Intracoastal Waterway and non-restricted portions of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The Coast Guard provides information on restricted areas on Marine Band Channel 16 as each launch approaches. The Kennedy Space Center offers launch viewing tickets for select rocket launches.

thank-you

[justjim]

Thanks for posting all this information. We have watched many launches from Cocoa Beach. One of our favorite spots in the Cocoa Beach Pier. You can't go wrong from any spot on the beach.

[Sandtrap328]

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place. You do haveto realize that the actual launch varies on lots of different things such as wind, rain, etc. The launch is scheduled after dark so you will not see the entire rocket but mainly the bright exhaust.

Cocoa and Cocoa Beach are fun places to visit just for the day, too.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place. You do haveto realize that the actual launch varies on lots of different things such as wind, rain, etc. The launch is scheduled after dark so you will not see the entire rocket but mainly the bright exhaust.

Cocoa and Cocoa Beach are fun places to visit just for the day, too.

thank-you
I really did not know what to expect. Be honest, I can take it, should I wait for a morning launch?
I signed up for Cape Canaveral notifications and that's what they sent me.

I'm trying to organize a neighborhood group to see a launch and I would rather tell the group that my TOTV friends told me that a night launch is not all that interesting than to drive down there and find out.

We are not going anyplace. I'll wait for a morning one if that's best.

[yesi3putt2]

We've watched several launches sitting in our golf cart at the rest area on the Morse Road bridge at Lk Sumter

[justjim]

BTW it is just south of a 2 hour trip to Cocoa Beach via turnpike and 528 Beachline. Also, this time of year motels/hotels are relative cheap. A trip makes for a nice "getaway" plus a chance to see a rocket launch plus some good seafood at several restaurant at Port Canaveral.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by justjim

BTW it is just south of a 2 hour trip to Cocoa Beach via turnpike and 528 Beachline. Also, this time of year motels/hotels are relative cheap. A trip makes for a nice "getaway" plus a chance to see a rocket launch plus some good seafood at several restaurant at Port Canaveral.

Now that would be my kind of launch......

[Phanatic Luvr]

The only downside to going over to see a launch is if they scrub it at the last minute. My husband and his brother, which flew in from Philadelphia for one of the big one's a few years ago, drove over early in the morning, had the perfect spot on the beach, waited for a few hours and at the last minute, it got cancelled. Just food for thought!

[JoMar]

I went for a SpaceX launch that was scrubbed but since there is so much other interesting stuff to see and do it was no big meal. The evening at Port Canaveral, by the ships was a great way to top off the day. If your single minded you can be disappointed, but if you are open to plan B's you could have a fun day.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I've watched a couple of launches from my back patio in the Village of St. James; we back up to Southern Star and have an unobstructed view towards Cape.

[Fraugoofy]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I want to see a lift-off. I don't want to buy a Cape Canaveral Ticket. This is a website that names the best places to watch the lift-off for free.
The Best Viewing Locations for Kennedy Space Center Launches | USA Today

Do me a solid, if you know the best spot tell me. These are the spots USA recommends:
Brevard County Parks
Cocoa Beach Parks
Titusville Parks
And the Roadside Locations:

Patrick Air Force Base's website notes that State Road 528 provides a clear view of the rocket launch pads, as the road approaches the Port Canaveral area, as does State Road A1A in Cocoa Beach and U.S. Highway 1 in Titusville between State Roads 405 and 402. Drivers choosing to watch a rocket launch from the roadside must use caution when pulling off the road and should select a viewing location that does not impede the flow of traffic.

Additional Locations

Jetty Park (portcanaveral.com) in Port Canaveral is home to public restrooms, picnic tables, a refreshment center and a campground and one of NASA's recommended viewing locations. The park charges a parking or camping fee for all vehicles. Area boaters are able to watch launches from the Intracoastal Waterway and non-restricted portions of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The Coast Guard provides information on restricted areas on Marine Band Channel 16 as each launch approaches. The Kennedy Space Center offers launch viewing tickets for select rocket launches.

thank-you

I highly recommend Jetty Park but get there early because it is VERY popular!

[JMEZARIC3]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I want to see a lift-off. I don't want to buy a Cape Canaveral Ticket. This is a website that names the best places to watch the lift-off for free.
The Best Viewing Locations for Kennedy Space Center Launches | USA Today

Do me a solid, if you know the best spot tell me. These are the spots USA recommends:
Brevard County Parks
Cocoa Beach Parks
Titusville Parks
And the Roadside Locations:

Patrick Air Force Base's website notes that State Road 528 provides a clear view of the rocket launch pads, as the road approaches the Port Canaveral area, as does State Road A1A in Cocoa Beach and U.S. Highway 1 in Titusville between State Roads 405 and 402. Drivers choosing to watch a rocket launch from the roadside must use caution when pulling off the road and should select a viewing location that does not impede the flow of traffic.

Additional Locations

Jetty Park (portcanaveral.com) in Port Canaveral is home to public restrooms, picnic tables, a refreshment center and a campground and one of NASA's recommended viewing locations. The park charges a parking or camping fee for all vehicles. Area boaters are able to watch launches from the Intracoastal Waterway and non-restricted portions of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The Coast Guard provides information on restricted areas on Marine Band Channel 16 as each launch approaches. The Kennedy Space Center offers launch viewing tickets for select rocket launches.

thank-you

A few years ago we saw a night launch from Jetty Park.It was a smaller rocket but still very impressive.Take the tour of the Space Center.One of the best tours ever.I(not my wife) wished it was a 3 day tour.