Are you thinking about visiting Cape Canaveral, Florida? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Cape Canaveral worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this town for one to three days because of the many great activities. Cape Canaveral is most notable for the Kennedy Space Center, which attracts visitors from around the world who come to learn about the space program and perhaps even see first hand a rocket launch. A visit to this fascinating place will bring out the kid in all of us, and it is a not-to-be-missed stop for visitors headed to the area.
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Reasons to Visit Cape Canaveral
Museums
The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.
Food
It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.
Resorts
There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.
Beaches
You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.
Shopping
There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.
Is Cape Canaveral worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the low season for travel in Cape Canaveral. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. It's hot and humid in Florida during the summer months, so this isn't the best time to visit.
The weather in Cape Canaveral is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 27°C (80°F). But it can get as warm as 31°C (87°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and relax at a luxurious resort.
Summer Weather in Cape Canaveral
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 27°C (80°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| August | 27°C (80°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| September | 26°C (79°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
Is Cape Canaveral worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the low season for travel in Cape Canaveral. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in Cape Canaveral is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 24°C (74°F). But it can get as warm as 27°C (81°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums.
Autumn Weather in Cape Canaveral
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 24°C (74°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| December | 16°C (62°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Cape Canaveral worth visiting in the Winter?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 15°C (60°F).
The peak season for travel is winter in Cape Canaveral, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open. Weather is a bit cooler and crowds are heavier, but this is a great time to visit.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums and taste delicious cuisine.
Winter Weather in Cape Canaveral
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 15°C (60°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| February | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| March | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Is Cape Canaveral worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the high season for travel in Cape Canaveral, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too. Early spring is an ideal time to visit as the crowds have thinned out and the skies tend to be clear.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (70°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 26°C (79°F).
You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops and spend time at the museums.
Spring Weather in Cape Canaveral
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 24°C (74°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| June | 26°C (78°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Cape Canaveral
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Cape Canaveral with a lively nightlife scene. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Cape Canaveral might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Cape Canaveral here or see if Cape Canaveral is expensive here.
Related
What is Cape Canaveral most famous for?
Cape Canaveral is most famous for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. People visit this impressive town for its great museums. Many people love the food, resorts, beaches, and shopping, too. It is often described as fascinating, wonder-filled, unique, and iconic.
What is the most famous sight in Cape Canaveral?
The most popular sight in Cape Canaveral is The Kennedy Space Center. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Cape Canaveral on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Kennedy Space Center and other attractions here.
How touristy is Cape Canaveral? Is it a popular town to visit?
Cape Canaveral is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Wizard of OZ Museum Ticket with Guided Tour by the Owner: $125
- SUP Paddleboard Lesson and Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach: $95
- Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures ticket: $58
- Cape Canaveral Private Surf Lesson with Experienced Instructor: $70
- Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area: $65
- Wizard of OZ Museum tour: $30
- Two Hour Bioluminescence Kayak Tour Near Orlando: $60
- Cocoa Beach Night Time Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $79
How long should I spend in Cape Canaveral?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Cape Canaveral is one to three days. Since Cape Canaveral has a variety of activities such as museums, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Cape Canaveral? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Cape Canaveral?.
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