Inspired Adventure

By Rayme Samuels
Published: August 26, 2008
Last Updated On: March 11, 2011

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Cocoa Beach

Titusville

Melbourne

The Space Coast, known for Kennedy Space Center and the first Ron Jon Surf Shop in Florida, has always drawn outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of all things space-y to its shores. But there is more than surfing and rockets to discover along the 72 miles of coastline from Cocoa Beach to Titusville. Check out these cultural hotspots for a perfect road trip and arouse your inner art aficionado.

It's easy to see how the Space Coast got its name. The area, known for Kennedy Space Center and the first Ron Jon Surf Shop in Florida, has always drawn outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of all things space-y to its shores.

But there is more than surfing and rockets to discover along the 72 miles of coastline from Cocoa Beach to Titusville. The area has a wealth of arts and culture to see, in the form of historical landmarks, museums, festivals and more. Check out these cultural hotspots for a perfect road trip and arouse your inner art aficionado.


1) Eau Gallie Historical District (Downtown Melbourne)

A district overflowing with 100 years of rich history, Eau Gallie is a small and charming settlement on the banks of the Indian River filled with museums, antiques shops, parks and a public pier that together create a welcoming ambiance and ripe breeding ground for culture.

Your first stop should be the eclectic Brevard Art Museum, a venue that broadens the creative minds of visitors through a combination of year-round exhibitions, collections and educational programs. With free admission on Thursdays, this location is a sure bet to connect with your inner artiste.

Pack your bags and hop in the car – your inner art lover has a lot of inspired exploring to do on the Space Coast.

Perfect for visual arts enthusiasts, on Nov. 22-23 the ArtWorks of Old Eau Gallie Fine Art Festival is a popular plain-air show held on the riverfront. During this unique event, all of the participating artists paint on location, sharing the secrets of how to create a masterpiece with a curious audience.


2) Melbourne (Central and West)

Historically known as a training area during the Civil War, Melbourne was founded in the late 1860s and has flourished to become a hotbed of performing arts.

Brevard County's oldest community theater, The Melbourne Civic Theatre, has provided locals with regular performances and workshops for the last 54 years. In September, the Theatre will present "The Underpants," a comedy by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin. October brings "The Passion of Dracula" to the stage. You can view the full list of performances on the Theatre's website.

For those interested in great contemporary jazz, the Space Coast Jazz Festival, held this year on Oct. 25, is the perfect bet. In between musical sets, festivalgoers can flock to the Festival Marketplace to purchase CDs, take part in artist workshops and meet the musicians that inspire all with their melodies.


3) Cocoa Beach

Nestled between the pristine Banana River and the Atlantic Ocean, Cocoa Beach is known as Florida's hub of surfing culture.

For a refreshing change of pace from traditional artsy fare, the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum has dedicated its halls to the preservation of East Coast surfing culture. Not your run-of-the-mill museum, this location boasts a collection of antique surfboards and strong ties to the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop, which receives more than two million enthusiastic visitors per year. (The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum is undergoing renovations and will reopen soon.)

On Oct. 17-19, 2008, the Space Coast will host a three-day Elvis-themed music festival, "Elvis has Landed." The festival will showcase dozens of Elvis tribute artists, and you can vote for the best artists to win the People's Choice Awards. Also on the schedule are concerts, fashion shows, pet look-alikes and lots of vendors.

Traditionalists never fear, because during the multifaceted Space Coast Arts Festival on Nov. 29-30, you can enjoy a juried art fair, performing artists, student exhibitions and a 5K run on Thanksgiving morning to round out a perfect family weekend. For 45 years and running, this event has drawn talented artists from all over the state to promote themselves and their work.


4) Titusville

Also known as "Space City, USA," Titusville sits 15 miles south of Cocoa Beach and is the home of Kennedy Space Center, which presents its KSC Concert Series in the fall. Titusville hosts a plethora of other captivating cultural activities as well.

The North Brevard Historical Museum is the perfect place to admire artifacts from the Seminole Indian tribe, to see sample clothing from the early 1900s and check out important relics from Titusville's colorful past. Guided tours are also available for visitors interested in tracking local history.

The Titusville Chamber of Commerce throws the biggest family event of the year, the Indian River Festival. Held in 2009 on April 16-19, this festival features an arts and crafts show, entertainment and rides all situated on 10 acres along the Indian River Lagoon.

Wherever you choose to visit, a wealth of cultural opportunities abound here. Pack your bags and hop in the car – your inner art lover has a lot of inspired exploring to do on the Space Coast.

To plan your own inspired adventure to the Space Coast, call 800-93-OCEAN (800-936-2326) or visit www.space-coast.com.