Planning a little weekend getaway here with my husband. Any tidbits from those you who have visited? Would Melborne be too far to stay? - they have better hotel rates. Any hotel recomendatiosn? Comfort Inn type place. Also thinking of doing the casino boat one night, I think called Starlight (or something close), has anyone been? any tips for any touristy stuff greatly appreciated!

The casino boats are Sterling and SunCruz - I think both of them are still active, but definitely one or the other is in operation. Oh let's see....what to do in Cocoa Beach....Ron Jon's Surf Shop, Kennedy Space Center, you know about the gambling boats, deep sea fishing, the beach itself - places to eat would be Rusty's Seafood, Frankie's Wings, Fisherman's Wharf, Lobster Shanty, Florida Seafood, Coconuts Bar, Gregory's (if you want classier settings). We go to Cocoa Beach every year so I'm a tad bit prejudiced, but I've heard Melbourne does have a great beach. Good luck deciding.

A lot of Melbourne Beach has big rocks in the water so I think you'd prefer Cocoa Beach. There's also a beach between Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral called Jetty Park right where the cruise ships go out. (I still prefer Lori Wilson Park area of Cocoa Beach)

Sterling is a much better casino boat than Sun Cruz, although you are a captive audience and can't expect to win much on those things!

Rudy,

I agree with the other posters. I would stay north of Melbourne. Cocoa, New Smyrna, Daytona are all pretty nice.

We like the Sterling Casino. It's free & they have some pretty decent entertainment. Deli/Snack type food & drinks are free as well. Do a search for their website and make reservations in advance, as they book up on weekends!

Have fun!

I live in Orlando and visit the Central Florida beaches all the time - New Smyrna, Ponce Inlet, Cocoa Beach, Ormond Beach, Canaveral National Seashore, Melbourne.

I am from the UK and I love Cape Canavera;/Cocoa Beach area, I go there every year and will be arriving in a week!

Cindy, I was interested that you mentioned Fisherman's Wharf in your response because when I was in Cocoa Beach last October/November, the restaurant was closed. Nothing to do with 9/11 I understand. It was my favourite restaurant and very reasonable. Their seafood and steaks were always first class and their clam chowder unbeatable! Service was immaculate and they always remebered my husband and myself year on year.

I would be thrilled to hear that it's opened again. Has it?

Agree with other posters with one exception. The beaches mentioned are all pretty nice; however, Ormond Beach is nicer than Daytona. Also, Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach are quite a drive from Cape Canaveral. If you want a hotel in Ormond Beach try the Coral Sands which is on a quiet section of the beach in Ormond-by-the-Sea. (They have a website.) The hotel is well maintained and their new cottages are nice - especially the ones near the beach.

All pretty good recommendations so far, but one is a little mystifying: big rocks in the water at Melbourne Beach? I've been there a dozen times and never seen 'em.

Just to give you some comparison, the beaches at Melbourne tend to be a little quiter and more desolate than the area north of there, such as Cocoa Beach. Also, we think Cocoa is a little bit honky-tonk, while Melbourne is quieter, but I guess it's all a matter of what you're looking for.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. We used to live in Myrtle Beach so we're used to tacky! It never bothers us. I think this will be a great short weekend for us. Keep the suggestions coming.

how far is Cape Canaveral, FL from Orlando? Is it a full day trip?

Dina,

Cape Canaveral, FL is approximately 45 miles from the Orlando airport. It's an easy drive on the Bee Line from the airport to the Cape. The speed limit is 70 mph most of the way, however, there is a toll on the road to slow you down.

Duane

Thanks!

I agree with Mel regarding Cocoa Beach being a little tackier than the the beaches further south. We just stayed at the Melbourne Beach Hilton, and had a lovely view of the beach and ocean. If you do a search here for Indialantic or Melbourne Beach, you will get a lot of info. By the way, while we were in FLorida, there was a phenomenon occurring called "red tide."While most of us thought that it would only affect the water quality, it actually was airborne, and you could not step outside without coughing and sneezing. It was really odd. A good trip otherwise though; we were celebrating my Dad's 90th birthday!

There are several budget hotels in the Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach area, including Comfort Inn, Best Western, Days Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson, and Courtyard by Marriott. The Comfort Inn was recently remodeled, and the Hampton Inn and Courtyard are fairly new. All of them are within walking distance of the beach.

Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbor Beach, and Indialantic can be nice but more pricey. The lower prices you are seeing may be for the city of Melbourne, which is on the mainland, not beach side. I like Melbourne, but you are looking at a 30-40 minute drive from there to the Cape Canaveral area.

The rocks mentioned in another post are in the area of Patrick Air Force Base and also near Sebastian Inlet.

Check out www.sterlingcasinolines.com.
It has a lot of information on the gambling cruise you mentioned. Have been on it a couple of times and it was all right. My mom loves the nickel slots and goes fairly often. During busy times (weekends & holidays) it can be hard to get to a machine. You can't start gambling until you sail past the "3-mile limit" so many guests park in front of a slot machine and don't leave until they are done. My parents "tag team". Mom stakes her claim at her favorite machine while Dad makes them up a couple of plates from the buffet and brings them over. Also, check with your hotel to see if they are on Sterling's shuttle route. Most of them are, and it's free of charge if you make an advance reservation with Sterling. The evening cruise doesn't get back into port until after midnight. It's nice not having to drive back (and best not to if you've taken advantage of the complementary drinks).