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'Where-To' Guide for Shuttle Launch?
jacobcaz asks: "Hello! I will be heading to Florida this week and I'm hoping to get a chance to see the shuttle launch. I'm curious what tips you all might have for out-of-towners to get a chance to see the launch? How close to try to get, places to go where we won't be stuck in traffic for 24 hours, how early to leave, and so forth. Thanks!"
When we went several years back, we ended up watching from a state park about 5 miles NW from the lauch pad. You could see both launch pads from where we were, and had a great view of the entire launch. We got there about 6 hours before the afternoon launch, and got great spots right on the waters edge. (It's actually in Titusville, just past Sand Point Park, if I recall correctly.)
Parking is available too if you get there early enough.
Of course, all of this could have changed since the last time I was down there about 4 years ago!
"Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin
I've been lucky enough to see two shuttle launches. The first was from the NASA Causeway (one of the northern entrance roads crossing the, er, sound or whatever the body of water is). Unfortunately, they don't open that to the public any longer. However, if you have any contacts on the cape I'd check with them -- it might be open for employees and guests... (dunno).
The second time was a night launch. We'd gotten a nice waterfront table at a fantastic place in Port Canaveral, but I've no idea what it was called. [wait...google maps...tada! Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar - www.visitgrills.com] We got a nice table on the deck near the water, watched the boats come and go (we were in town for a friend's wedding and watched them head out on their honeymoon cruise). Somehow, the four of us managed to hang onto the table for hours (having endless amounts of crabs, shrimp, and assorted drinks). Not long after it got dark, the band played the Star Spangled Banner, and about a minute after that, the shuttle launched.
-sniff- it still brings tears to my eyes.
Anyway, it wasn't nearly as cool as when we were on the causeway (you're actually several miles away, if I recall correctly). But, well....crabs, shrimp, and beer!