My husband will be going to Cocoa Beach for work and I'm tagging along. Our hotel choices are many but we've settled on Hampton Inn, Courtyard, or Doubletree. We'd like something with an ocean view and balcony. I will have car but I don't want to be off away from everything as I like to walk. Any input would be helpful.

I'm not sure about the Hampton or Courtyard, but I do know where Doubletree is. We have often stayed at the Cocoa Beach Hilton, and Doubletree is just north of that, on the beach. Cocoa Beach Hilton is right where the beachfront building clutter eases up, and next to a park, so we like to walk on the beach south. I do think that the Cocoa Beach Hilton is a nicer property, from outside appearance at least. Both are right on the beach, on the south side. As you go farther north and closer to the center of Cocoa Beach, it's easier to walk to places, but you sacrifice some natural beauty. We have also stayed at Royal Mansions, which is actually at Canaveral, I guess, on the north side of Cocoa. Great place to stay. We stayed a week and brought our bikes, biked everywhere. Wherever you choose, make sure you are beachside and not across the street from the beach.

Thank you Sludick. Hilton is not one of our top choices because it doesn't have balconies and it's undergoing renovation.

At the moment we are going with the Doubletree, but we do have Royal Mansions on our list. How close to Cocoa Beach is it or anything else that I could walk too?

Anyone have ideas on how to spend my time?

Ron Jons Surf Shop is always a good place to meander through and maybe pick up some souveniers if you're interestd. They're located right on A1A and you can't miss the place!

Having lived in Florida and having travelled the state fairly extensively, I think THE nicest beach in Florida is Sebatian's Inlet. It's about 40-50 miles south of Cocoa.

Ron Jon's is a cool place.

Thanks Color and Oneill. I've been to Ron Jon's but it was in a dirt parking lot at the time. I've heard that they've renovated and it's no longer all by itself. Looking forward to going back. Thanks for the tip on Sebatian's Inlet. I'm planning on taking some drives.

Any other tips would be much appreciated. How about favorite eateries? We're not fancy restaurant types though we will go occasionally. Mostly we like mom and pop places and like to get the flavor of the area.

Rusty's or Frankies at the Port. Florida Seafood on the edge of Cocoa Beach heading toward Merritt Island......it's making my mouth water thinking of their rock shrimp now....

I haven't been there for a few years, but when I worked at Cape Canaveral, my wife and I used to frequent Captain Dick's in Port Canaveral. It was a great seafood restaurant, where you could see the boats unloading their catch, and in a few minutes, you would be eating that which was freshly caught.

Besides, Jetty Park in Port Canaveral was an interesting place to just hang out.

Thanks all and keep them coming.

ttt

The Atlantic Ocean Grille on the Cocoa Beach Pier was very good when I was there a few years ago. Request a table next to the window. You will want to check the launch schedule for Cape Canaveral - launches can be seen from the restaurant, so it is almost impossible to get in on those days. Check out www.cocoabeachpier.com for a menu. Have a great trip!