We're looking forward to being in the Cape Canaveral area on July 2 when the shuttle is scheduled to be launched. Don't think we'll get tickets, but wonder if anyone knows of some great places nearby to watch it go up. I understand you can see it from a long ways away, but anyplace that has a particularly good view?

anywhere along US1 in titusville, this is about as close as you can get. jetty park north of cocoa bch is popular and the bridges from cocoa to merritt island on the beeline.

Of course, the closer you are, the better. But any beach south of Canaveral offers a pretty good view of a launch. Cocoa Beach would be one good area, and there's a public beach you can walk onto. We once watched a launch from as far south as Melbourne Beach, and it was still spectacular from there.

In Titusville, there is a smallish parking area on US 1 (about 50 car cap) on the Indian river that has a perfect view. The best lankmark I can give you is a Holiday Inn a few blocks away. You must arrive early wherever you choose to watch. Check ahead for delays/cancellations--not at all unusual for this to occur.

Check the NASA website, they offer tips where to view launch. Be prepared though they can scrub the launch right up to the last minute becasue of weather conditions in Florida or at the alternate emergency landing sites.

From what I understand, yes, be prepared for scrubs. Also be prepared for hotel rooms to be booked! (A lot of support personnel are flown in from Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center to work the launch.) And be prepared to get in the line on the highway VERY early to watch the launch. And be prepared to stay there for a very long time. (i.e., watch the fluid intake, 'cause there ain't a bathroom nearby.)