Trying to decide if moving to Cocoa Beach is right for you & your family, and you are hoping there’s more to do than surfing and going to the beach…As a long-time Cocoa Beach resident, I would like to introduce you to the hidden gems of Cocoa Beach.
Surfside Playhouse has been a part of the Cocoa Beach community since 1959 and offers a full calendar of performances throughout the year and seats about 250. Costs of entry depend on the performance. Mainstage is $28 and military and senior discounts are available. See what shows are coming up https://surfsideplayhouse.com/
The Dinosaur Store & Museum has been a part of Cocoa Beach since the mid-1990s and is located on the Cocoa Beach Causeway/520. If you or your kiddos are dinosaur fans…this is worth stopping by. The Dinosaur Store has an array of fossils and minerals on display and for sale. Along with books, posters, and stuffed animals on all your favorite dinosaurs. There is also the dinosaur museum that has full-size replicas of dinosaurs to aw over. https://www.dinosaurstore.com/
The Wizard Of Oz Museum. If lions, tigers & bears, and exploring the emerald city is more your style, we have the Wizard Of Oz museum in Cape Canaveral. Step into a world of wonders with The Wizard of Oz Museum and explore over 2000 items of memorabilia. Uncover the fascinating history behind the classic movie and explore the original props used in the 1939 film. https://wizardofozflorida.com/
Mural walk in downtown Cocoa Beach. Some of my favorite murals are in Cocoa Beach and you can walk from 1st Street South to see the Welcome to Downtown Cocoa Beach Mural to the Cocoa Beach Library lobby mural near 4th St North and discover the dozens of murals in downtown Cocoa Beach. Make certain to see the west side of Jazzy’s Mainly Lobster, the butterfly on the south side of the carwash, and try to count all the sea turtles and mermaids around downtown.
Downtown Cocoa Beach is home to Heidi’s Jazz Club. If you love jazz music or any live music, put Heidi’s Jazz Club on the list of things you need to do in Cocoa Beach. Established in 1992, Heidi’s features live music every Wednesday through Sunday with featured performers on selected Friday and Saturday evenings and Heidi’s Open Jam Session every Sunday evening.
https://www.heidisjazzclub.com/
Laughter is the best medicine and you can get a fix at Gregory’s Comedy Club in Cocoa Beach. This is the only professional comedy club on A1A and they have shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. See what’s on the schedule here https://www.gregorysonthebeach.com/comedy-club
There is a lot to discover on the west end of Minutemen Causeway. You have the Cocoa Beach Country Club where we have a 27-hole golf course that is surrounded by the Banana River, you can choose which of the 3 9-hole courses you would like to play (either Dolphin, Lakes, or River Courses). Grab a bucket of balls and hit the driving range. Maybe just hit the 19th hole bar and restaurant for an adult beverage and something to eat.
http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/413/Cocoa-Beach-Country-Club—A-Public-Faci
The Cocoa Beach Aquatic Center is also located at the west end of Minutemen Causeway and features a 50-meter pool that is heated in the winter and cooled during the summer. The pool is open for lap swims most mornings and it is recommended you reserve a lane. https://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/415/Aquatic-Center
If you love playing tennis or want to learn how to play, then visit the Racquet Club of Cocoa Beach located next to the Cocoa Beach Country Club. They feature 12 lighted courts with 2 of them being clay courts. There are USPTA Certified Tennis Professionals Available On Staff and a tennis pro shop for stringing and accessories. https://www.cocoabeachracquetclub.com/
Wrapping up the west end of Cocoa Beach is the Skate Park located between the High School and Roosevelt Elementary. The park is open 7 days a week weather permitting. Monday to Friday they open mid-afternoon and 10 am on the weekends or on holidays that the schools are closed. https://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/545/Cocoa-Beach-SkatePark
If you are a kayaker or want to kayak, I highly recommend exploring the Thousand Islands and mangrove tunnels near Ramp Road. If you have your own kayak, its free to launch from here. If you need to rent a kayak, there are several companies in Cocoa Beach where you can either rent a kayak or get a tour. If you are here during the summer months, ask about the Bioluminescence.
The Cocoa Beach Pier is not a secret, but it certainly is a gem of Cocoa Beach. Stretching 800’ over the ocean it is a great place to grab something to eat &/or drink. It is a great place to people-watch and see some of the surfers doing their thing in the water. If you are looking for a memorable location to watch a rocket launch, the Cocoa Beach Pier (also known as the Westgate Pier) is a great location. If you are looking for some great sunrise photos, try and get to the Pier 30 minutes before sunrise and get some great shots!
If getting up early for the sunrise isn’t for you…how about catching the sunset?? We have the Banana River on the west side of Cocoa Beach and have epic sunsets too. Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours offers sunset cruises weather permitting https://www.cocoabeachdolphintours.com/ and the kayak tour companies offer sunset tours too.
I love ice cream & something sweet to eat and we have some great options for both in Cocoa Beach. The Fat Donkey on Minutemen Causeway is my favorite stop to get a scoop or two. A couple doors down from the Fat Donkey is Junk Food Bakery. They have an amazing selection of muffins, cookies, cakes & gelato. Foxtail Coffee has Kelly’s Ice Cream, a handcrafted ice cream made locally that also offers non-dairy alternatives. Oasis Shaved Ice will make you a great snowcone in any flavor. The Ice Cream Hut offers dozens of flavors and amazing milkshakes!
Putt Putt Golf is a staple in most beach towns & we have several options in Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral. The themes between the two courses aren’t the challenges of making the putt, but the extras each location offers. Lighthouse Cove Mini Golf offers 2 eighteen hole courses and is going for both your sweet tooth and love of beer. They offer 8 local craft beers on tap and domestic staples (Bud, Bud Light, & Landshark), and an assortment of wines. 3 scoops Ice Cream shop has 24 flavors, milkshakes, snow cones, and sorbets. If you are hungry, they also offer burgers, hot dogs, wings, and fries. https://lighthousecoveminigolf.com/cocoa-beach/
Gator-N-Golf combines the fun of putt-putt with the thrill of having 30 alligators hanging around the course. You have your choice of 2 eighteen hole courses to concur and there are photo ops available with a baby gator. The added bonus of Gator-N-Golf is the Beachside GrandPrix go-kart track and arcade. You need to be at least 11 years old to ride solo on this multilayer go-kart track. https://golfngator.com/
If you and the kiddos are adrenaline junkies, then you should check out what Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures has to offer. Everything here soars above what you get when putt-putting…you could be 40’ off the ground on one of 7 trails and 40+ different adventures.
https://cocoabeachadventurepark.com/
Deep Sea Fishing. Port Canaveral offers several options to charter a boat to go deep sea fishing. Popular choices are the party boats like Miss Canaveral or Orlando Princess. You can head out for a day trip and they offer night excursions too. If you are looking for a smaller boat, try someone like Captain Scott Lum for a more personalized experience. https://www.centralfloridacharters.com/
If you like to gamble, try your luck aboard the Victory Casinos at Port Canaveral. They set sail to international waters every day and offer several evening cruises too. They offer everything from slots to roulette, and all the card games too. If sports betting is your thing, you can try your luck with Victory Casino. https://victorycasinocruises.com/
Ron Jons Surfshop is an iconic presence in Cocoa Beach and is worth visiting. Bathing suits, t-shirts, flip flops, surfboards, and much more. You can find quality sunglasses, rash guards, and your touristy trinkets too. I enjoy walking through Ron Jons just to see the variety of merchandise they offer. Some things to keep in mind, every purchase is guaranteed to get a couple of the coveted Ron Jons stickers. Brevard County residents should know that Ron Jons will offer you a 15% discount on your purchase too.
I just rattled off 20 things to do in Cocoa Beach and I could keep going. There’s the local music scene, the Friday fest street parties, Sip n Stroll, Surfing Santas, Thunder on the Beach, the Cocoa Beach Air Show, and the Cocoa Beach Art Festival. If you are planning a move to Cocoa Beach & you aren’t certain there will be anything to do OR if you are visiting our great little beach town; let me assure you that you can always find something happening in the Cocoa Beach area or within a short drive from here. If you have any questions about that upcoming move, I am here to help. You can call me directly at 321-795-1854 or drop a comment below.
Eric Larkin is a Broker Associate with Real Broker, LLC. He lives, works, and plays in the Cocoa Beach area. If you have questions about moving or relocating to Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast, let me know! I get calls, texts, direct messages & comments on my posts every day about the real estate market and things that are happening in Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast that I love answering. Ask me your questions on moving, relocating here, or anything about the community. I am here to help. I have been helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs since becoming a real estate agent in 2003. My focus is always on helping, answering your questions, and doing everything possible to make certain you have a smooth transaction from beginning to end.
Planning a move or have questions about our area? Eric Larkin with Real Broker, LLC can help! Schedule a call here https://www.ericlarkin.com/schedule-a-call
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