A short weekend at Cape Canaveral, FL, specially if you can tie it up with the Space Shuttle launch is well worth it.

I had the opportunity to be there last November 16th...and felt truly part of the famous one step forward of humanity! The launch of the Space Shuttle is a true unique experience. Surrounded by people from all countries around the world, I was part of a great moment, a great beautiful day. Just feeling that rambling, seeing the Shuttle climb at 5000 and then 9000 miles per hour. Just seconds of emotion to take that unique snapshot and capture a memory of a lifetime. 

The waiting time...the follow up of astronauts getting ready, the preparation, the moment of true, their faces, their amazing self control, preparation, everything needs to be exact. All explanations from experts and hosts are there, available for all of us future visitors of space, to learn and to see! 

This is the day, to experience something that seems impossible, that nowadays we just take for granted...yep, another shuttle. Is it for real though? Yes! It was...I saw it with my own eyes!!! Countdown, claps, laughs! 

Of course...running towards the Space Center souvenir shop is a MUST, it is truly a blast! because you feel you want to tell the world that you were there!!! 

Close to 3 hours north of Fort Lauderdale, less than 1 hour from Orlando, this could also be a nice holiday combo if you want to include Disney resorts in the mix.

An area filled with hotels, surf shops, plenty of restaurants and bars, nice beaches.... A visit to the Kennedy Space Center is a 2 day trip for sure. 

The Space Center offers many activities for kids and adults of all ages, some of the major attractions include:

1) Shuttle Launch Experience: get a feeling on how the journey begins for the astronauts in the Space Shuttle. Learn from veteran astronaut Charlie Bolden how the whole launching experience feels...really a great feeling!! 

2) KSC Tours:  tours run by bus every 15 minutes. Visitors go to the A/B Camera Stop, and access the "closest possible Space Shuttle Launch Pad viewing site". The tour ends at the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center.  You can visit today's active rocket center, and learn about current active programs.the Launch Center, the 60-foot-tall Launch Complex (LC) 39 Observation Gantry provides "a breathtaking 360-degree view of the two giant Shuttle Launch Pads" , you have the opportunity to view the  Launch Control Center, and the amazing Vehicle Assembly Building.This great tour includes behind-the-scenes segments on what it takes to launch and land every Space Shuttle.

3) IMAX films: I simply loved the latest 3D film narrated by Tom Cruise, Space Station 3D, you truly experience how is live for the astronauts at the Space Station and the incredible reunion with the Space Shuttles that bring supplies and research material. A beautiful snapshot of all possible "challenges, setbacks, triumphs and, ultimately, the shared international victory of men and women whose dreams exceed the limits of life on this Earth."

4) Astronauts encounters, US Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Rocket Garden are some of the other additional attractions. Meet one of the 500 astronauts that have got the chance to visit space and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about their experiences and lifetime unique stories. Test your skills and see all astronaut artifacts and their Hall of Fames, and visit the Rocket Garden for a spectacular view of historic NASA rockets.

7) Apollo Saturn V Center:  a tribute to the famous Apollo crew and their amazing ordeal, this exhibition offers a real rocket to view and admire!

8) International Space Station Center: want to know how it feels to live in Space? Well, this is the best attraction to give you true perspective of how is the true areas in the International Space Station – "the largest, most complex structure ever to be placed into orbit." The exhibition has an observation deck where you can experience just what you can see in the 3D film, and enter a full-scale module that  mirrors the real space center station.

You can sign up to be informed of next launch days or just visit regularly the calendar of future launches.

Want to dream a little bit? Just hop up and enjoy your time at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.