Things to do in Melbourne

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

John F. Kennedy Space Center

The John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island along the east coast of Florida, USA. It is a NASA manned space launch site named in honor of President Kennedy, who proposed the moon landing initiative. The Apollo spacecraft that sent astronauts to the moon and all space shuttles were launched from here, and it remains an active spaceport for current missions. The core area open to the public is the visitors center: the Rocket Garden displays actual rockets from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs; the space shuttle Atlantis is suspended with its cargo bay doors open, surrounded by dozens of interactive exhibits and a shuttle launch simulator; the Gateway deep-space exhibit hall features a flown Falcon Heavy booster suspended overhead, while the IMAX theater screens space-themed films year-round. Taking a bus past NASA's gates into the working area is a unique experience that sets this place apart from ordinary aerospace museums. The bus passes by the massive aircraft assembly building and stops at an elevated viewing platform overlooking launch pad 39, where you might even spot an active rocket on the pad if you're lucky. Along the way, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is home to frequent sightings of alligators and bald eagles. Another stop on the bus route is the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where a full-scale Saturn V rocket over 100 m long is displayed. You can relive the countdown to the Apollo 8 launch in the firing room theater, watch a reenactment of the Apollo 11 moon landing in the lunar theater, and even touch a real moon rock. It's recommended to schedule the bus tour early after entering to avoid missing the departure time slots for the core area. The visitors center also hosts year-round meet-and-greets with astronauts, where you can listen to veteran astronauts share their space experiences and ask them questions. △ It consists of a work area, a launch center, and a travelers center. The travelers center houses multiple museums and two IMAX theaters. △ You can visit the work area and launch site to learn the story behind rocket launches, and also experience the feeling of Apollo 11's takeoff and landing. △ Various exhibits also allow you to learn about the history of American aerospace and related knowledge.

Wickham Park

Canova Beach Park

Arcade Monsters Melbourne

Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront by IHG

Premiere Theaters Oaks 10

Turkey Creek Sanctuary

Pelican Beach Park

James H. Nance Park

FrogBones Family Shooting Center