In a nutshell
There are numerous fantastic attractions here apart from the beach though! You can also pay a visit to the incredible Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, an essential part of anybody's Florida experience. There are tours around the enormous launch pads and you can relive the Apollo moon launch in a spine-tingling simulation.
If you're into nature and wildlife, make a point of stopping by the Brevard Zoo with its different country zones - Latin America, Native Florida and Australia. There are over 400 animals including alligators, jaguars, eagles, river otters and kangaroos. There's a great petting zone too - no alligators there! Or, see animals in their natural habitat at the wild Canaveral National seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where you might see endangered species such as Florida's manatee and sea turtles.
The historic Cocoa Beach Pier is jam-packed with restaurants and fun shops, while on the beach you can take a surf lesson and join in one of the most popular local activities. If you just want to look like a surfer, head for the Ron Jon Surf Shop - it's the world's largest and it's open 24 hours a day!
Cocoa Village has oak-lined, cobbled streets, quaint shops and turn-of-the-century architecture, while more conventional shopping can be found at nearby Merritt Square Mall or Melbourne Square Mall which boast JCPenney, Sears, Dillard's and Burdines between them!