Guide to Kennedy Space Center launches: Parking, crowds, what to pack

• Florida's Space Coast is a popular tourist destination for viewing rocket launches year-round.
• Launches in Florida take place at either NASA's Kennedy Space Center or the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the closest public viewing location for rocket launches.
• Numerous public parks and beaches in Brevard County also serve as popular, free viewing spots.
• Launch schedules are subject to change due to weather or technical issues, so visitors should be prepared for potential delays.

Summer is here, and that means Florida is about to become the premier destination for tourists flocking to the Sunshine State for its scenic beaches and world-famous theme parks.

But Florida is home to another attraction that also reliably draws visitors all year round: rocket launches.

Florida's "Cape" is home to a region that has earned its designation as the Space Coast. Since NASA's rocket program took off in the 1960s, the state has etched its name in spaceflight history with plenty of iconic missions – from the vaunted Apollo era to the modern-day Artemis moon program.

Have plans to visit Florida in the near future? Between visits to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, consider a short day trip about an hour's drive east to Cape Canaveral to catch a rocket launch.

Here's everything you need to know if you're planning a vacation in Florida and if seeing a rocket launch is on the list.

Where do rocket launches happen in Florida? What to know about Space Coast

Florida's Space Coast, measuring 72 miles along the Atlantic Coast, is famous for being the most active region in the United States for rocket launches.

And all spaceflight missions originating in Florida begin their journeys from one of two launch sites.

On any given week, it's typical for any mix of commercial, civil or military mission to get off the ground from either NASA's Kennedy Space Center or the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station – most of which are uncrewed. Those two launch sites are also the only locations in the United States actively launching astronauts to space.

Where is NASA located in Florida? What is the Kennedy Space Center?

Located on the east coast of Florida on Merritt Island in Brevard County, the Kennedy Space Center is NASA's primary spaceport where a majority of the space agency's missions get off the ground.

The center manages the launches of both crewed and uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station through partnerships with commercial companies like SpaceX.

At the Kennedy Space Center, perhaps no launch site is more iconic than Launch Complex 39A, where the majority of NASA's Apollo moon missions got off the ground – including the groundbreaking Apollo 11 moon landing.

But because SpaceX has construction underway at 39A ahead of a highly anticipated Florida debut of Starship – the world's largest rocket – activity at the launch pad has been reduced. That's shifted the load to the less-prolific Launch Complex 39B a little further north – the site of one Saturn V launch on the Apollo 10 mission in 1969.

In fact, 39B is where NASA launched its own Space Launch System rocket April 1 to commence the landmark Artemis II lunar mission sending four astronauts toward the moon for the first time in five decades.

How to buy tickets to see rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex not only features a theme park and an array of exhibits and displays showcasing U.S. spaceflight history, but is also a popular place to catch rocket launches. In fact, it's considered the closest public viewing location.

Funded entirely by revenue from guests, the visitor center – operated by Delaware North on behalf of NASA – sells tickets for bus tours of the spaceport, as well rocket launch viewings.

The complex has a variety of areas where spectators can view a rocket launch, depending on the mission. That includes areas with bleacher seating and live commentary from experts.

Typically, viewing is included with admission if the launch window is within the normal operating hours of the visitor complex.

But a word of caution: Not every launch is available for public viewing from places beyond the visitor complex. Instead, those special ticketed viewing opportunities are determined by a number of factors, including the time of the launch window and anticipated public interest.

(Note: Those interested in seeing a launch from the complex can stay up to date by signing up for alerts here.)

What is the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida?

The Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is near Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach in Brevard County, Florida.

Though it is part of the Patrick Space Force Base, the station is also a launch site for civil NASA missions and commercial missions like SpaceX's regular Starlink satellite deployments.

But because it is a military base, the public is not able to view launches from the site itself.

What rockets are active in Florida?

Here's a list of rockets that are actively launching from either launch site in Florida:

• SpaceX Falcon 9, a 230-foot two-stage medium-lift launch vehicle that is the most active in the world
• SpaceX Falcon Heavy, a 230-foot cousin of the Falcon 9 equipped with three reusable core boosters that make it a super heavy-lift launch vehicle
• United Launch Alliance Atlas V, a 191-foot two-stage rocket that can be equipped with up to five solid rocket boosters
• United Launch Alliance Vulcan, a 202-foot successor to Atlas V than can fly with up to six solid rocket boosters mounted to the sides
• Blue Origin New Glenn, a 320-foot two-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle (Note: a recent New Glenn explosion at Blue Origin's launch site at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has likely put the rocket out of commission for months)
• NASA Space Launch System rocket, a 322-foot rocket that is the most powerful rocket NASA has ever launched used in the agency's Artemis moon missions.

Where to watch rocket launches in Florida. Parking, restrooms

Plenty of places around Florida have become popular among spectators to catch the sight of a rocket launch, whether they want to be up close and personal as it thunders off the launch pad, or farther away as it soars overhead.

Without a doubt, though, Brevard County – where both the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are located – is the best and most popular area to watch rocket launches.

Here are some of NASA's recommended viewing spots, as well as a note on whether restrooms and parking are available:

(Note: For a larger list of locations, see this list from FLORIDA TODAY here.)

• Marina Park, 501 Marina Road, Titusville (restrooms, parking)
• Sand Point Park, 101 N. Washington Ave., Titusville (restrooms, parking)
• Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville (parking nearby)
• Manzo Park, 3335 S. Washington Ave., Titusville (restrooms, parking)
• Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville (restrooms, parking)
• Kennedy Point Park, 4915 S. Washington Ave., Titusville (restrooms, parking)
• Westbound Florida Route 528 Causeway over the Banana River Park
• Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road (restrooms, parking)
• Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach (restrooms, parking)
• Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach (restrooms, parking)
• Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach (restrooms, parking)
• Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach (restrooms, parking.)

Looking for some more suggestions for a spot that's ideal for you and your family? The guides below should help:

• Volusia County, including Daytona Beach
• Treasure Coast
• Palm Beach County
• Jacksonville area

What to pack if you're watching a Florida rocket launch

Need some ideas for how to prepare for launch day? Below are some helpful tips from both NASA and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for what to pack, regardless of where you're headed.

• Sun protection, including sunscreen, hats, umbrellas and sunglasses (it's the "Sunshine State," after all)
• Insect repellant
• Soft-sided coolers or lunch boxes
• Reusable plastic or stainless steel water bottles, as well as snacks (launch windows can last for hours)
• Cameras, tripods and binoculars to witness and document the sight
• Blankets or umbrella-style folding camp chairs carried in shoulder bags
• Flashlight or headlamp for evening and early morning launches

Be ready for a scrub

As is often noted, spaceflight is hard.

Rockets often aren't able to get off the ground within a target launch window for a variety of factors, including bad weather or technical issues detected with the spacecraft. If a launch is scrubbed, that means an attempt to start the mission was canceled for the day and a new date and time will have to be selected.

In other words, hope for the best (seeing a powerful rocket thunder into the sky) but be prepared for disappointment if the launch is delayed.

Watch live coverage online with NASA+ streaming app

Don't want to fight the crowds or deal with the Florida heat? That's fine!

There are usually plenty of ways to watch livestreams of missions online.

For instance, NASA content, including some rocket launches, is available to watch through the agency's free NASA+ streaming service on desktop, both from its official site and YouTube. The platform is also available to download as a mobile app on smartphones.

All NASA+ content is also available to those who have Prime Video downloaded on any of their devices – whether it be a smartphone or smart TV.

The content, which does not require a Prime subscription to view, is one of Prime Video's FAST channels (free ad-supported television). Viewers can find it under Prime's Live TV section at the top of the screen when they open the app.

Keep up to date with Florida rocket launch schedule

Schedules for target rocket launch windows are constantly in flux and often are not confirmed far ahead of time. That can make it difficult to keep up with just what missions are launching, and when.

Here are some options:

• FLORIDA TODAY looks to make it easy for you with weekly launch schedules, the most recent of which you can find here.
• NASA's online launch schedule is available here.
• SpaceX, the most active launch services provider in Florida, also maintains an online mission schedule here.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.