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Today, we want to talk to the adventurers in our midst, the travelers who are always looking for the next place to explore and don’t mind if their favorite traveling companions can’t join in the fun. A solo vacation in Cocoa Beach offers adventures that will speak to your soul, long days of beach laziness and evenings filled with fabulous sunsets, and because you chose Happy Palm Stays, nights filled with deep sleep and happy dreams. If this is your first time traveling alone, these tips and tricks will help make your Florida getaway a vacation that will pale in comparison to all others.
Any vacation can be a letdown without a little research, but when you visit Cocoa Beach, we make it easy to fill in all the empty slots in your itinerary. This may be your first visit, and you may not realize how close the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex is (just 21 miles away) or that the Fat Snook (2464 S Atlantic Avenue) offers the best seafood in the area. You could purchase any of those travel books you see on the shelves of your local Barnes and Noble, or you could simply click on our area guide link and find everything that makes Cocoa Beach (and the surrounding areas) fun and exciting. We put a lot of thought into our guides, ensuring that your vacation in Cocoa Beach will be one you never forget.
Surprisingly, the hardest part of traveling alone is often the simplest. Dining out alone, no one to talk to, no one to share desserts with, and no one to talk about other diners with in low whispers and feeling as if all eyes are watching you is not a fun way to spend a meal, and many will be tempted to stay home and order takeout. But you, our intrepid traveler, deserve to experience an epicurean adventure that reflects a true taste of Florida, and there are ways to enjoy your solo meals that will ensure that you never have fears about dining alone again. You can learn to be comfortable with your own company, perhaps people watching over a southwest scramble from Whisk & Grind (410 N Atlantic Avenue) or you can bring a book along and read your favorite author’s works while devouring a grouper sandwich from Sunset Café (500 W Cocoa Beach Causeway). Surfing through your social media sites while enjoying a lobster dinner at Coconuts on the Beach (2 Minutemen Causeway) can help ward off social anxiety, and when you finish off your meal with their Key Lime Pie, you will be happy that you don’t have to split your pie with anyone else!
The best way to get to know the area you are visiting is by attending a local festival, and because it is hard to feel alone when surrounded by people having the time of their life, attending the Viera County Fest in Melbourne may help you fall in love with traveling alone. Held in Wickham Park in Melbourne on July 13, this wonderful festival is all about the music offering performances by more than a few local bands. In addition to the music, guests will find arts and craft vendors, food trucks, and a beer tent that will make you realize that nothing tastes better on a hot summer’s day than an ice cold beer enjoyed while the music is playing.
You may think that you are alone on this solo journey to the Space Coast, but the truth of the matter is everyone you know and love is with you, supporting you and cheering you on. It’s important that you don’t let them down, so post those pictures you took of little girls in red swimsuits running after seabirds that she has startled off white sand beaches, go live from the Kennedy Space Center, showing off the history and the future of the heavens, and post videos of your surf lessons, taken from the Ron Jon Surf School. Every adventure you experience will be one that your “followers” (also known as friends and family) will experience alongside you, leaving you anything buy alone on this journey in Cocoa Beach.
Solo travelers need to feel safe and comfortable in their vacation accommodations, and when you choose Happy Palm Stays for your summer sanctuary, your safety and comfort is guaranteed. Offering all the comforts of home, fully equipped kitchens, and bedrooms that are tranquil and peaceful, our vacation homes in Cocoa Beach, FL will be the best part of your vacation adventures. Reserve your favorite home sweet vacation home today and fall in love with the magic of a solo journey.
As we pack away another year with the Christmas decorations and toss out the negativity with the last of the empty champagne bottles, many people in the world are starting to feel a little blue. Fortunately, many of our Happy Palm Stays favorite people have included the resolution of traveling more, and what could be a better way to liven up 2024 than with a winter getaway to the tropical paradise of Cocoa Beach? This guide to kicking off the new year with a fabulous Florida vacation in Cocoa Beach will help bring the color back into your life!
Now, for the most part, we are going to encourage our guests to take this time to relax and savor some really important downtime before diving back into their busy schedules that accompany real life, with this one exception. The Game On! Run for Responders 5K benefits Survive First, a charity that supports first responders during their most stressful times. After all the calories consumed through the holidays and all the extra food you will be dining on during your stay in Cocoa Beach, you will also be crossing another resolution off your list, the one about working out more, while you participate in this worthy event. Costing $35 for adults and $25 for children, costs will go up after January 4th, so register online today.
After the run, you and your family will be more than ready to come back to your seasonal sanctuary to rest, relax, and recuperate from the steps you put in, and if a nap seems like a good idea at the time, we encourage you to go for it. Whether you lie back on super soft sofas with the television providing a little background noise to help make the transition easier or you go all out, slipping out of your street clothes and sliding between the silky soft linens that top our premium beds, this week of fun deserves to be filled with a plethora of naps. When was the last time you had the luxury of sawing z’s for a few hours in the middle of the work week? During your escape to Florida you will have all the luxury in the world, napping whenever you want!
The Brevard Zoo, located at 8225 N Wickham Road in Melbourne, offers a chance to slow down the pace a bit as you introduce your kiddos to the joys of a day at the zoo. Home to over 900 animals that represent nearly 200 different species from all over the world, they offer a variety of events, animal encounters, and the opportunity to explore the importance of zoos and how they preserve wildlife, this charming animal habitat also features a sea turtle healing center to help the endangered species not just survive in difficult times but to thrive and hopefully be removed from the endangered rosters.
Relaxation is key to a successful Cocoa Beach getaway and if your moments of relaxation are accompanied by tropical beverages, all the better. Rikki Tiki Tavern, located on a pier at 401 Meade Avenue, offers an exciting way to sip a cool drink as you savor the sun setting over the sea. Winter temps in the 70s allow for outdoor seating on its patio and a full menu of seafood-centric and land lubbers meals will encourage leisurely meals and repeat visits. Be sure to take a selfie under the colorful Cocoa Beach pier sign while you are here, but remember, you don’t have to go far to enjoy your sipping and savoring experiences. All our Happy Palm Stays escapes provide balconies, patios, and decks that invite you to do the same thing you would do at Rikki Tiki Tavern while staying at home in your comfiest clothes! (minus the selfie at the Cocoa Beach pier sign, of course)
Cocoa Beach lies in the heart of the Space Coast and if you have the time, a visit to Kennedy Space Center is destined to bring you magical memories. Explore Rocket Gardens where full-sized rockets from previous launches are planted, visit the US Astronaut Hall of Fame, and walk in the footsteps of all the heroes who have dedicated their lives to the exploration of the final frontier. This adventure is a family-friendly one guaranteed to create memories that your tiniest travelers will remember their entire lives and may even become a new family tradition as you return in 2025, 2026, and every year after, just to explore all the Kennedy Space Center offers.
2024 is looking brighter with each new plan you make, starting with choosing Happy Palm Stays for your first vacation in Cocoa Beach of the new year!
The year-round sun and warm temperatures of Florida’s coastal towns, plus the sand, sun, water, and fun they provide make them an ideal destination for your next girls’ trip with friends. There are several coastal towns to choose from, but if you’re surf buff or space buff, you’ll all love a Cocoa Beach trip on Florida’s “Space Coast.” It’s the perfect mix of all that sand, sun, water, and fun you all crave while also being close to hot spots like Cape Canaveral, and even Orlando. There are plenty of things to do and see. Plan your trip around a festival and celebrate favorite things like seafood, Mardi Gras, surf contests, or holiday celebrations for fun memories to last a lifetime.
It’s in the name – Cocoa Beach! Make it the focus of your girls’ Cocoa Beach trip. Swim, sunbathe, exercise, or spread out a blanket and plant an umbrella for a beach picnic, or to sit and read or gossip with the girls with the waves crashing in the background. If you and your friends need an adrenaline boost, add some excitement with parasailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, or put your new surfing skills to the test.
One Space Coast activity that should be at the top of your itinerary is a visit to the center. Get a glimpse of the newest attraction, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, or tour through the various “Mission Zones” where activities, attractions, and tours are grouped by chronological era. For a unique experience, “Dine with an Astronaut” to hear stories about their journey to space while enjoying a chef-prepared buffet meal. Put yourself in their shoes at the Astronaut Training Experience and perform a spacewalk using immersive microgravity simulation technology or participate in a launch of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. Tickets are available at the gate or online.
Gather the girls and work on your putting skills, driving skills, or arcade game-playing skills to the test. Golf N Gator boasts two 18-hole mini golf courses along with an animal encounter where you’ll see a variety of alligators and reptiles or hop in a go-kart for the Beachside Grand Prix, a multi-level go-kart experience. For a more beachy experience without the reptiles, Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf also features two 18-hole mini-golf courses. After the round, sample craft beers at the craft beer bar, or cool off with hand-made ice cream!
A girls’ trip is rarely complete without a trip to the spa. Treat yourselves to some total relaxation with a spa day. There are several day spas throughout the Cocoa Beach area. You and your girls can relax your cares away with a treatment like a mani/pedi, facial, body scrub or wrap, and more. End the day completely relaxed and recharged!
An undeniable part of beach life in Cocoa Beach is the surf scene. Learn a new sport – either traditional surfing, windsurfing, or both, or take your skills to the next level, or learn a fun new sport with your girls. Learn from some of the best surf instructors in the state, who will have you going from land lessons and getting familiar with the board to catching your first wave in no time. When everyone’s ready to catch a wave on their own, many surf schools offer rentals outside of class.
You’re definitely going to want to make a stop at Cork + Table during your girls’ trip and attend one of their classes or events. Come for their wine tastings, supper club, and jewelry making, or you can visit their sister store Ginger, Grapefruit, & Rosemary for unique clothing and home décor! No matter what reason you decide to stop by Cork + Table you won’t be disappointed.
No girls’ trip is complete without brunch, and there’s no better place to have brunch in Cocoa Beach than Flavor Kitchen! Make sure you try the braised short ribs of beef omelet or the big banana pancake. For a side, you won’t b disappointed by the truffled blue cheese fries or the pecan wood smoked bacon. As an added bonus they offer bottomless mimosas for only $20/per person. Brunch at Flavor Kitchen is going to be the highlight of your trip.
There are plenty of things to do to design a girls’ getaway that’s unique to you and your friends. We have homes of all sizes, all the way up to 5 bedrooms so you can share the beach fun with all your girls – there’s a vacation rental to suit your needs. Save your cash for memorable experiences and split the kitchen duties in the fully equipped with everything you’ll need to make a delicious home-cooked meal. Stretch out with some popcorn and your favorite shows or movies, or retreat to a private bedroom for some rest and relaxation at the end of the day. Spoil yourselves with a premium unit for upgrades like flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, and more.
Call us today to start planning your Cocoa Beach girls’ adventure! Be sure to ask about our 3-bedroom vacation rentals in Indian Harbour Beach, FL as well!
A fun weekend Cocoa Beach trip is an experience that promises to inspire! The following 3-day itinerary is a great place to start when you’re looking to savor every single second of the adventure.
It’s typical for travelers headed to Cocoa Beach for three days dedicated exclusively to fun and entertainment to be excited to get out and make the most of every moment. However, one of the best ways to kick things off is to simply kick back and relax on the sand! Cocoa Beach is known and loved by visitors from near and far for its spectacular landscapes, mesmerizing shorelines, and ample opportunities to take it all in at your very own pace. Begin your Cocoa Beach weekend away by heading over to Lori Wilson Park at 1500 N. Atlantic Avenue. The park is open daily from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm and is a perfect place to soak up the sun from sugar-white sands that are nestled against deep blue waves. At Lori Wilson Park, visitors will also enjoy access to everything from picnic pavilions and grilling areas when alfresco dining is just the ticket. This scenic park also hosts dunes that can be viewed from convenient boardwalks that wind their way through the breathtaking terrain. Those who happen to be avid bird watchers will want to be sure to have their binoculars on hand as this park is a prime place for both local and migratory birds to gather. For planning purposes, guests should note that Lori Wilson Park is also ADA accessible and enjoys easy parking options as well as restrooms and showers on-site.
After your day at the beach, basking in the beauty of nature, be sure to make time to take in a performance at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse! Located just 20-minutes from the center of Cocoa Beach, this playhouse hosts Broadway musicals and film screenings as well as local performances throughout the year. Since its first opening in 1924, the playhouse continues to captivate audiences and tickets start at just $26 a person.
End day one of your journey with a trip to Pelican’s Bar & Grill where you can enjoy savory seafood selections and pair it with the perfect tropical beverage option too. Pelican’s Bar & Grill is found at 401 Meade Avenue and offers prime outdoor seating options every day of the week. Drop by Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm with extended hours on Fridays until 10:00 pm. On Saturday, this eatery is open from 8:30 am until 10:00 pm and on Sundays from 8:30 am until 9:00 pm. Whether you go with the seasonal Thai shrimp pasta or opt for the fresh-caught fare of the day, your tastebuds will surely thank you.
A weekend getaway to sunny Cocoa Beach is a great opportunity to learn a new skill on the waves. Consider starting day two of your trip with a surf lesson booked through the experts at the Coca Beach Surf School! These hour-long sessions are sure to inspire and include everything from an overview of water safety to the basic skills needed to make the most of time on the water. Lessons are typically hosted at Westgate Cocoa Beach pier with a group or private lesson available upon request. Follow up your lesson by renting a paddleboard through Cocoa Beach Surf School and spend some time putting that newfound balance to additional use! It’s a great way to wind down after so much adrenaline-pumping fun and simply savor the sights around you.
Keep the surf vibe going by next heading over to the Florida Surf Museum! Located at 4275 N. Atlantic Avenue within Ron Jon Watersports, this one-of-a-kind museum is always a delight! As you take time to browse the exciting exhibits and displays, you’ll learn more about the history of this unique sport within the greater Cocoa Beach area. Displays here host everything from photographs and surf accessories to full vintage boards. The museum is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm daily making it a convenient addition to your itinerary.
Tonight, make your way to downtown Cocoa Beach and enjoy dinner with family or friends at The Tiny Turtle. This is a place to indulge your tastebuds in the flavors of Puerto Rico right in the heart of Florida. The menu makes the most of selections ranging from sofrito nachos to braised island chicken. Flavors abound with every dish, and you won’t want to miss out on the impressive wine and beer selections either. The Tiny Turtle is located at 249 Minutemen Causeway and is open from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday with extended hours until 10:00 pm on Friday. Saturday, they open their doors from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm with Sunday hours set from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Begin day three of your Cocoa Beach adventure with adrenaline-pumping fun at Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures. This family-friendly adventure park offers guests access to everything from climbing walls and zip lines to drop towers and ropes courses. As you soar across the lines, you’ll enjoy unparalleled views and just as much fun! Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures is located at 6419 N. Atlantic Avenue in nearby Cape Canaveral and is open most days of the week from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.
After your thrilling fun at the aerial park, take time to stroll the Cocoa Beach Pier. This area is a perfect place for people-watching, shopping, and dining alike. End your day at Riki Tiki Tavern which is found at the end of the pier and offers up stunning waterfront views and flavors to match. They also frequently host live musical performances adding to the overall fun. Whether you go with a margarita or a pina colada, it’s a savory way to top off a great Cocoa Beach trip!
No matter when you arrive in Cocoa Beach, the team at Happy Palm Stays has the luxurious vacation rental you need to make the most of comfort and style. Reach out today to learn more!