Looking for unique things to do in Cocoa Beach, Florida? You’ve come to the right place.
Cocoa Beach is without a doubt one of my favorite beaches in Florida. Sandy beaches, key lime pie, fresh seafood, Cocoa Beach has it all.
To help you plan an enjoyable trip, I’ve compiled a list of the best activities to do in this charming beach city. From bioluminescent kayaking to mini-golf, this list has something for everyone!
Here are 20 unique things to do in Cocoa Beach Florida.
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20 Unique Things To Do In Cocoa Beach Florida
1. Go Bioluminescent Kayaking
Go kayaking at night around Merritt Island National Island Wildlife Refuge on this night time kayak tour. You’ll get to spot bioluminescent dinoflagellates as you paddle through the lagoon on a 2 hour tour.
The lagoon is filled with everything from jellyfish to dolphins to manatees! If you’re seeking a unique experience in Cocoa Beach, this is the tour for you.
2. Play Mini Golf At Golf N Gator
Head to Golf N Gator to play miniature golf. This amusement center has an arcade, go-kart course, alligator swamp, and mini zoo with birds, snakes, and more.
Besides golfing, you’ll get the chance to feed gators hotdogs and hold baby gators! This is an excellent place to take kids, and it’s minutes away from Cocoa Beach.
6355 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Open Sun.-Thurs. 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm. Mini-golf costs $11.99 for adults (12+), $9.99 for children. See pricing here.
3. Kayak Through The Thousands Islands
Spot dolphins and manatees while kayaking through banana river on this mangrove kayak tour through the Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands conservation area is a 338 acre preserve with saltwater marshes and mangrove tunnels.
On this 2 hour tour, you’ll get to spot wildlife and learn about the flora and fauna of the area.
4. Visit The Wizard Of Oz Museum
Located in Cape Canaveral, The Wizard of Oz Museum is an immersive museum that features Wizard of Oz memorabilia.
This museum is filled with interesting collectible items and exhibits that recreate scenes from the Wizard of Oz movies. Regardless of age, this bright and colorful museum is worth stopping by for anyone visiting Cocoa Beach.
7099 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Open weekdays 9am-5pm, weekends 8am-6pm.
5. Visit The Brevard Zoo
The Brevard Zoo is a 75 acre zoo with over 900 animals, with everything from rhinos to jaguars. This zoo has animal feeding exhibits, ziplining courses, kayaking, train rides, and more.
If you’re traveling with kids, you won’t want to miss visiting this place. It’s just a 30 minute drive from Cocoa Beach, across State Road 404 over Banana River.
8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940. Open 9:30am to 5pm. Last admission 3:30pm Costs $31.95 for adults (12+), $19.95 for children (3-11). Purchase tickets online.
6. Cruise Banana River During Sunset
Banana River is the 31-mile lagoon that separates Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral. This shallow saltwater lagoon is filled with wildlife, and has beautiful views.
You can go on a catamaran cruise to relax, enjoy music, and spot dolphins on the river during golden hour. The tours begin in the evening, and last around 2 hours.
500 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, USA.
7. Visit Kennedy’s Space Center
Located on Merritt Island, Kennedy’s Space Center Visitor Complex is a center with unique space exhibits, memorabilia, and bus tours. If you love space and want to learn about the history of NASA, this is a must visit place.
With real life rockets, space simulators, and space shows, this is an excellent place to take kids. It’s 30 minutes from Cocoa Beach, across the Banana River from Cape Canaveral’s Space Force Station.
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Open 9am to 5pm daily. Tickets cost $75 for adults (12+), $65 for children (3-11).
8. Shop At The Dinosaur Store
The Dinosaur store is a unique dinosaur museum and gift shop. The first floor is the gift shop, and the 2nd and 3rd floors are a 26,000 square foot museum.
The museum has many interesting fossils, artifacts, and dinosaur exhibits to look at. If you love history, you won’t want to miss visiting this place.
250 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed Tuesdays. Cost $26 for adults, $22 for kids.
9. Try Key Lime Pie From The Florida Key Lime Pie Co
If you’re visiting Florida for the first time, trying key lime pie is a must. In Cocoa Beach, the Florida Key Lime Pie Company has the best key lime pie. They serve everything from key lime yogurt covered pretzels to key lime pie ice cream.
They also have a store selling hot sauces, taffy, and many unique local products. The store’s located right by Shepard Park, 10 minutes away from Cocoa Beach.
102 Dixie Ln, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open 12am to 6pm daily.
10. Zipline At Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures Park
If you’re up for an adventure, go ziplining at Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures Park. This unique park has 7 different zipline courses up 45 feet high in a canopy of live oak trees.
You’ll get to climb, zipline, and solve 49 different obstacle courses throughout the park. To book a reservation, visit their official website.
6419 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. General admission costs $47.99 for adults (12+), $37.99 for children (7-11). Open Sun-Fri 11am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-5:30pm, closed Thursdays.
11. Get Clam Chowder From Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster
Stop by Jazzy’s Mainely lobster to try New England style seafood in downtown Cocoa Beach. This small restaurant serves everything from Connecticut style hot lobster rolls to New England style clam chowder.
If it’s your first time visiting Florida, make sure to try their classic key lime pie and fried green tomatoes!
12. Solve An Escape Room With Friends
Head to Escape Cocoa Beach to solve an escape room with friends or family. You’ll get an hour to solve unique puzzles and challenges with a group of up to 6. From murdery mystery to rocket science themed escape rooms, this is a fun way to spend a few hours.
5675 N Atlantic Ave #114, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Costs $32 per person.
13. Have A Picnic At Lori Wilson Park
Visit Lori Wilson Park to have a picnic on the beach. Lori Wilson Park has covered picnic pavilions, shower facilities, boardwalks, bathrooms and lifeguards on site.
This is an excellent beach to have a picnic, or go to watch the sunset. It’s within walking distance from Cocoa Beach, and parking is completely free.
1500 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open 6am to 7:30pm daily.
14. Shop At Ron Jon’s Surf Shop
Ron Jon’s Surf Shop is a 52,000 square feet surf shop that sells surf equipment, accessories, and more. With 2 levels, it has an incredible selection of clothing and many interesting items. Whether you’re looking to purchase beach apparel or unique souvenirs, this is the place to go.
4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open daily 9am-11pm.
15. Visit The Brevard Museum Of History
The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science is a unique museum about the Ice Age and Space Age. The museum has lots of interesting exhibits, as well as a butterfly garden and gift shop.
It’s completely free to visit, and is around 20 minutes from Cocoa Beach. It’s open Thursday-Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and closed Sunday-Wednesday.
2201 Michigan Ave, Cocoa, FL 32926. Open Thurs-Sat from 10am-4pm. Closed Sun-Wed.
16. Enjoy Tropical Drinks On The Pier
Stop by Rikki Tiki’s Tavern at the end of Cocoa Beach Pier to enjoy coconut shrimp and drinks while watching the waves. From frozen key lime pie drinks to piña coladas, they serve many unique tropical cocktails worth trying out.
This restaurant is also right by Maui J’s, where you can pick up Hawaiian shaved ice as you stroll along the pier.
401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.
17. Try Gator Bites From Florida’s Seafood Bar And Grill
Head to Florida’s seafood bar and grill to try food from one of the best restaurants in Cocoa Beach. This restaurant serves everything from fried gator bites to seafood boil.
Each dish comes with complimentary hush puppies and powdered sugar so you won’t want to miss trying out this place.
480 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Open Mon-Thurs 11:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-9:30pm, Sunday 1-9pm.
18. Stroll Around Cocoa Riverfront Park
Located in the historic Cocoa village, Cocoa Riverfront Park is a waterfront park with a boardwalk, amphitheater, and children’s park. This is a popular venue for concerts and festivals, and it’s surrounded by shops and restaurants.
If you’re looking for a neat place to stroll around in Cocoa Beach for a few hours, this is the place to go. It’s located right on the water so you’ll have beautiful views of the Indian river as you stroll along.
401 Riveredge Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32922. View Cocoa Riverfront Park’s upcoming concerts and events.
19. Watch A Play At The Cocoa Village Playhouse
The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse or the “Aladdin Theater” is a historic theater from 1924 that features entertaining shows till this day. It’s located in downtown Cocoa village, minutes away from Cocoa Riverfront Park.
View their official schedule for a list of upcoming performances and shows.
300 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $23 for children. Open Tues-Fri from 10am-4pm.
20. Sip Wine and Paint At Painting With A Twist
Painting With A Twist is an art studio that offers unique paint classes, and hosts celebrations. Join them for trivia night to enjoy wine, paint, and trivia with friends!
You can pop in and paint with a reservation, or book a private party to reserve a private room for a celebration. They’re located in Cocoa Village, just 20 minutes from Cocoa Beach.
109 King St, Cocoa, FL 32922. Book a reservation.
Summary
Whether you want to go bioluminescent kayaking or try a classic key lime pie, Cocoa Beach has many unique places for you to visit.
Keep in mind that most of the beaches around Cocoa Beach require parking, so make sure to check for a meter to avoid tickets. If you’re looking for free parking, Lori Wilson Park is an incredible option. Lori Wilson Park is within walking distance from Cocoa Beach and it has easy, free parking.
We hope you found this list helpful!
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