Hi Friends!
I feel like everyone who visits Florida has the obvious “visit Disney World” on their must do list and don’t get me wrong, we love Disney; we are annual passholders and go as often as we can, but there are SO many other things to do in and around the area that I think you should also add to your list! If you're looking for a fun day trip from Orlando, I would HIGHLY recommend combining a morning at the Orlando Wetlands with an afternoon at Kennedy Space Center. I feel like this combination gives you the best of both worlds: incredible Florida wildlife and fascinating space exploration, all within about 30ish minutes of each other. When we had family visit at the end of May, we spent the morning exploring the Orlando Wetlands from about 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM before heading to Kennedy Space Center for the rest of the day. It ended up being one of our favorite days of the trip because we got to experience two completely different sides of Florida in a single day!
Why Visit Orlando Wetlands and Kennedy Space Center on the Same Day?
I would say that one of the biggest reasons this combination works so well is the locations of both spots! Both of these places are just east of Orlando, which makes it easy to visit them together without spending hours driving around Central Florida. The Orlando Wetlands is a really peaceful way to start the day with all of the pretty scenery and wildlife to spot, and then the Kennedy Space Center is a different kind of historical and honestly educational experience to see in the afternoon. I think both of them together are a really great balance where there is something for everyone. Plus, if you are visiting, it is a good way to maximize your vacation time!
What Are the Orlando Wetlands?
The Orlando Wetlands Park is a massive conservation area that was originally designed to help filter reclaimed water naturally. It still does that, but now it's one of the best places near Orlando to experience Florida's native wildlife and ecosystems. My Wildlife Ecology major loved being here and I learned so much! The park has miles of walking and biking trails that go through the wetlands, marshes, and wildlife habitats. When we were there, we learned that it is especially popular with birdwatchers and photographers because of how much wildlife there is in the park.
Quick Visitor Information
Location: Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida
Ticket Cost: One of the best things about the Orlando Wetlands is that admission is completely free. Parking is also free, making this a budget friendly activity! There was a donation box that we put money in because our tour guide, Pam, was so great!
Time Needed for Orlando Wetlands: We spent about two hours at the wetlands, which felt like the perfect amount of time for a first visit. But I would say if you are a serious birdwatcher or photographer, you could easily spend half a day exploring the trails! But for most visitors, two hours is enough time to enjoy the park!
Wildlife You May See at Orlando Wetlands
One of the highlights of our visit was the amount of wildlife we saw. During our morning visit, we spotted so so so so so many bird species, many alligators, deer and tons of turtles! When we were there, it was very hot so if you visit in a cooler month, you will likely see more than we did! The park is known for attracting a variety of birds throughout the year, so be sure to bring binoculars if you want to see them closer.
Extra Details
A few things to keep in mind before your visit:
If you are going to walk rather than take a tram ride, I would say to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Bring water, especially during warmer months. Even if you don’t think you need to, please bring water!
Apply sunscreen and bug spray!
The earlier that you get there, the cooler temperatures and better wildlife viewing opportunities that you will have!
Don't forget your camera or a charged phone; we took MANY pictures!
Suggested One-Day Itinerary
Here's the schedule that worked perfectly for us:
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM - Explore the Orlando Wetlands and enjoy wildlife viewing.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM - Drive to Kennedy Space Center.
11:30 AM – 5:00 PM - Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and explore the exhibits, bus tour, and attractions.
What Is Kennedy Space Center?
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is one of Florida's most iconic attractions and I’m pretty sure when you type “things to do in Florida” into Google, this is going to come up as one of the top answers. I would say that it isn’t something you’re going to want to see more than one time; I really feel like we saw it and I don’t really need to go back. Like I learned a ton, it was really interesting to see everything but it’s not going to be an every time I come to Florida trip, if that makes sense! The Kennedy Space Center is on the Space Coast, and it lets people take an insider look at America's space program through exhibits, artifacts, interactive experiences, and historic spacecraft! I think if you are a big space nerd or just interested in learning some history, this is a cool spot to check out!
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost to get in will actually be different depending on the date and ticket type that you want to get, but standard admission is typically around:
Adults: approximately $75-$85
Children: approximately $65-$75
I recommend checking the official website before your visit for current pricing and special offers. For example, they were running a summer special for Florida residents when we were going, and we got all four tickets for a pretty good discount! So keep an eye out for special offers if you are planning on visiting!
How Long Should You Spend There?
We got to the Kennedy Space Center around 11:30 AM and stayed there until about 5:00 PM. I do feel like even with being there for several hours, we still didn't see everything. If you're interested in every exhibit and experience, you could easily spend an entire day here!
Tips for Visiting Kennedy Space Center
To make the most of your visit:
Arrive with a rough plan for which exhibits you want to prioritize.
There are attractions in most of the buildings. It didn’t always seem like you could enter the buildings, but you can!
Check the daily schedule when you arrive.
Take the bus tour early in the day and then spend the rest of your time there in the other areas!
I would also add and plan for extra time if you want to participate in special experiences!
Experiences Worth Considering
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
We did the bus tour and highly recommend it. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at areas of the space center that you wouldn't otherwise see.
Astronaut Encounter
Visitors can meet a real astronaut and hear firsthand stories about space missions.
Space Shuttle Atlantis
One of the most popular exhibits, featuring the actual Atlantis orbiter.
Gateway: Deep Space Launch Complex
An interactive exhibit focused on the future of space exploration.
When we decided to spend a day at the Orlando Wetlands and Kennedy Space Center, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but now, especially the Orlando Wetlands, will be one of my top three things to experience in Orlando! We had such a memorable day! It was so nice to start the morning surrounded by nature, spotting so many birds, alligators, and turtles, then moving on to spend the afternoon learning about space exploration and seeing some of the most important sites in American space history! I think that if you're looking for a unique day trip from Orlando that combines wildlife, education, and adventure, I highly recommend adding both destinations to your itinerary. It's an easy drive, there really is something for everyone and it can be a great break from the typical theme park experience! If you do end up visiting, I would love to hear about it. If you have any questions at all you can comment below or send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you asap!
Much Love,
Emma
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