On Florida’s largest island, which houses NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, an important tourist destination you should check out is Merritt Island.
You can visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can engage with various exhibits, meet an astronaut, and experience the automated thrills of the Shuttle Launch Experience.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be in Merritt Island when an unmanned rocket launches from the space station or the nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Here are some exciting things to do in Merritt Island, Florida.
Things to Do in Merritt Island, Florida
1. Viera East Golf Course
An excellent location is Viera East Golf Course, which received four stars from Golf Digest.
Credit: VieraGolf / vieragolf.com
Every hole at Viera East, a multi-award-winning outstanding public golf facility with Joe Lee’s design, offers views of gorgeous lakes and native marshlands.
Location: Viera East Golf Club, 2300 Clubhouse Drive, 32955 Viera, FL
2. Brevard Veterans Memorial Center
The Brevard Veterans Memorial Center is a free museum, library, and plaza with various military items on display, from the American Revolution to the present Middle Eastern conflicts.
Credit: BrevardCounty / brevardfl.gov
It aims to inform the public about the nation’s military endeavors, both recent and historical.
Location: 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy, 32952 Merritt Island, FL
3. Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary
An artificial dike encircles the natural lagoon that forms the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover the fauna by following the dike’s trail to the streams.
Credit: BrevardCountyGovernment / brevardfl.gov
You may also observe the birds from the bird-watching tower or the Old Humpbacked Troll Bridge, where you can see the rest from a distance.
Location: 805 Sykes Creek Pkwy, 32952 Merritt Island, FL
4. Sam’s House
The oldest single-family dwelling in Brevard County is Sams House (1875). You can find the active displays showcasing the rich history of Pine Island’s residents.
Sams House in Pine Island, the location of the county’s oldest home, provides visitors with a volunteer-led tour.
Credit: FloridaHikes / floridahikes.com
In addition, there are more than 10 kilometers (six miles) of trails that allow for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking through five different environments.
Wading birds, bald eagles, alligators, manatees, bobcats, and many more animals may be visible. Your trip to Pine Island might be unforgettable!
Location: 6195 N. Tropical Trail, 32953 Merritt Island, FL
5. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
To experience space, go to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This Florida spaceport is where rockets take off and ideas are born.
Credit: KennedySpaceCenterTickets / kennedyspacecenter-tickets.com
To experience space for the entire day, set off on your tour early. To get the most out of the experience, spend some time at each session.
Location: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, SR 405, 32899 Kennedy Space Center, FL
6. Florida Air Tours
Some sights can only be photographed from above! Be prepared with a camera so you can capture the panoramic view of Merritt Island and the surrounding surroundings while on a helicopter tour.
Credit: FloridaAirTours / Facebook
You have a choice of at least two helicopter tour providers. Take a flight to explore Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach from the air.
Location: 475 Manor Dr, Merritt Island, FL 32952, United States
7. Duran Golf Club
Duran Golf Club, one of the top 50 practice areas in the US, was chosen as the best public course.
Credit: TripAdvisor / tripadvisor.com
The area provided the course’s plushest greens and was once a productive sod farm. The golfers’ experience can be unique because of the lakes and ponds, sweeping doglegs, native vegetation, and palm trees.
Given that the entire building is lit up until 9 p.m. every day, you are welcome to stay late into the evenings.
Location: 7032 Stadium Parkway, 32940 Viera, FL
8. Flyboarding
If you prefer extreme sports, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try flyboarding! The newest and most popular radical water activity is flyboarding.
Credit: Flickr / flickr.com
In the waterways of California, it is gaining popularity as a water sport. Ever wanted to soar through the air and swim like a dolphin? All you need to do is buckle up the Flyboard, and your fantasy will come true!
Location: 1891 E. Merritt Island Causeway, 32952 Merritt Island, FL
9. Blue Heron Fishing Charters
One of the best fishing sites in Florida is Cocoa Beach, Blue Heron Fishing Charters offers specialized deep sea, near-coastal, and in-shore fishing excursions.
Credit: Florida’sSpaceCoast / visitspacecoast.com
There is something for every angler, regardless of experience level. Allow Captain Frank to take you on an unforgettable fishing and sailing excursion!
Location: Kelly County Park, corner of Beach Line (Hwy. 528) and Banana River Drive, Merritt Island, Florida
10. Cocoa Beach
From Merritt Island, it takes about 18 minutes to go to Cocoa Beach, where your family can enjoy more activities.
Credit: GoFloridaShuttle / gofloridashuttle.com
One of the most reasonably priced holidays in this region is this one. Spend a leisurely day at the beaches or participate in other activities nearby.
For the whole family, this adventure at Cocoa Beach is enjoyable!
11. Eco Manatee Tour
To see the wildlife along the River Aquatic Preserve, sign up for the Paddle Board or Kayak Eco Manatee Tour. Manatees, one of the region’s endangered wildlife species, can be found there.
Credit: GreenEdventures / greenedventures.com
While paddling a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, you might also see dolphins, fish, and various birds.
This two-hour tour is ideal for people of all ability levels and includes professional direction and all necessary equipment.
Location:290 Marine Harbor Dr, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States
12. Kelly Park
Kelly Park gives guests a 15.37-acre park for swimming, boating, and windsurfing with direct access to Banana River.
Credit: ReelEstateBrevard / reelestatebrevard.com
Numerous native bird species, such as Horned Grebes and Green-Winged Teal ducks, can be found in the park.
13. Brevard County’s Mitchell-Ellington Park
The 114-acre Mitchell-Ellington Park in Brevard County is home to many amenities.
Credit: BusinessYab / businessyab.com
In addition to athletic fields, tennis courts, and walking and running routes, the park has two ponds.
Location:591 Cone Rd, Merritt Island, FL 32952, United States
14. KARS Park
Kars Park, situated on an island’s coast, doubles as a campground and a starting point for water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and boating.
Credit: KARSPark / Facebook
There are other tennis courts, a playground, softball grounds, and a beach volleyball court.
Location: Audubon Rd, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States
15. Yummy Florida Private Day Tours
Yummy Florida Private Day Excursions offers three-hour walking tours that include tastings from a range of neighborhood eateries and bills their progressive restaurant tours as “like a pub crawl but with food.” The company welcomes groups of up to 15 tourists.
Credit: NationalGeographic / nationalgeographic.com
Location:290 Marine Harbor Dr, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States
16. Merritt Island Combat Zone Paintball
Combat Zone Paintball, a paintball range and arena on Merritt Island, provide various paintball supplies. The property also has a pro shop, a skate and BMX park, and miniature golf.
Credit: Giftly / giftly.com
Location:2210 W King St, Cocoa, FL 32926, United States
17. SoBe Surf And SUP
At Cocoa Beach, SoBe Surf & SUP provides instruction and equipment rentals for surfing and stand-up paddle boarding.
Credit: SoBeSurf / sobesurf.com
Additionally, they provide two-hour stand-up paddle tours in the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Location: 635 S Plumosa St #11, Merritt Island, FL 32952, United States
Conclusion
There are lots of fun activities for all ages on Merritt island, so you’d have a great time, whether you’re just taking a travel tour or moving into the City.
Use this article as a guide for you to catch up with the best and most enjoyable things to do in Merritt Island. We wish you luck!