Last minute trip to Cocoa Beach w/ kids What to Do???????? (Tampa: hotel, home)

[sal1991]

We live in the Tampa Bay area and decided at the last minute to head to the "East Coast". We have never been to Cocoa Beach and it's been a long time since we've been to that coast. Most of the time will be spent on the beach and we have a hotel near the pier but we love quiet beaches and quaint/dive type spots to eat with great food and cheap beer. Insider/local type places.....any suggestions? We have a 7 and 6 yr old, well behaved, but still kids so we would be leaning towards family friendly atmosphere. TIA!

[clnewman]

Grills Seafood Deck in Port Canaveral isn't bad, and is reasonably kid friendly. Decent food. It's on the docks by the cruise ships and fishing boats, so the kids can "ooh and ahh" while you walk them on the dock. During the day, The Island on Merritt Island is just the quaint/dive type place you're looking for. The food isn't anything to write home about, but it's edible and the beer is cold and inexpensive. It's on the water, with a boat dock, and is close to Cocoa Beach.

[1insider]

I think it's safe to say that none of the tourist-oriented places on 520 between A1A and the river fit your description. Right next door to Grills at the Port is Seafood Atlantic, a wholesale/retail seafood market with a small outdoor dining area on the side that gets overlooked by most folks. Obviously the freshest local seafood. Eat a fish sandwich, drink a beer and maybe watch a longliner offloading swordfish at the dock out back.

[Sun Thinker]

Here's a really fun adventure for all of you, but it must be planned.
Definitely worth it, great trips.
Home

Do a tour of the Space Center

Cheaper than restaurants, have these guys cook some great lobster for you all.
Fantastic prices, you can eat there of bring back to your hotel.

Welcome to Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster and SeafoodJazzyMainelyLobster


Also, an airboat ride would be fun

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Sun Thinker

Here's a really fun adventure for all of you, but it must be planned.
Definitely worth it, great trips.
Home

Do a tour of the Space Center

Cheaper than restaurants, have these guys cook some great lobster for you all.
Fantastic prices, you can eat there of bring back to your hotel.

Welcome to Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster and SeafoodJazzyMainelyLobster


Also, an airboat ride would be fun

With the recent temps the lack of AC at Mainely might be a killer. No airboat rides in Cocoa Beach but a kayak trip in the Thousand Islands with the manatees is almost guaranteed to be fun for all. Several to choose from. They leave from Ramp Rd. and out by the public pool at the Country Club.

[Sun Thinker]

We had them steam up a couple of good sized lobsters while in CB, brought them back and had a lobster fest with margaritas by the ocean.

[xRedd]

Well if you're close to the pier might as well eat there when your at the beach. If he's working ask for a server named Brandon. He's one of the best servers there and will definitely make your experience awesome! If he's not there ask for Kyle or Shelby. Also fantastic servers As far as things to do, well beach. And Check out the dinosaur store, it's on 520 and the kids would love it.

[Nypafl4u]

We like to stay at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral (formally Ron Jons Cape Caribe). It is in the port area so you have easy access to many of sea side restaurants mentioned. They have a great water slide, lazy river and pools for all to enjoy. Also a beachfront tower with easy private beach access and plenty to do inside if the weather does not cooperate (game room, movie theater, arts and crafts, gym). As well as a decent on site restaurant with good enough food at average prices. We stay there at least twice a year. It does sell out in the summer but you sometimes get lucky and can grab a few nights together at the last minute, even if not owners.
As a plus, the beach at that end tends to be a lot less busy.