Merritt Island, Florida travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Merritt Island is a city in the Space Coast region, home to Kennedy Space Center.

2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Merritt Island

Kennedy Space Center

The US' and NASA's most prominent space center and has been the main launch center of spaceflights since the late 1960s.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Kings Park

240 acres of wetland. Activities include fishing and hiking.

Pine Island Conservation Area

Hiking trails and kayak launch, including extensive wildlife viewing.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 54°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Jun. (climate data from nearby Melbourne)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
MLB Melbourne Orlando International Airport, Melbourne — 18 mi away. Directions
MCO Orlando International Airport, Orlando — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions

Merritt Island is about an hour from Downtown Orlando, but your only way to get to Merritt Island is to go via car as there is no public transportation available. From Orlando, there are two main highways you can use to enter Merritt Island:

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Lunch Causeway Diner
Afternoon Pine Island Conservation Area, Kings Park
Dinner Cozy Corner Cafe

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

Highway 528, which eventually becomes Highway A1A after crossing North Cocoa Boulevard.
Highway 50, which is a more northerly alternative to Highway 528 which becomes Highway 405 after passing the Space Coast Regional Airport and the NASA Causeway Bridge before entering the KSC Visitor Complex. If you do happen to take this route, look out for dolphins (if you're not driving) when traveling on the Causeway Bridge, as they can occasionally be seen, usually in the afternoons.

If you're getting around without a car, Uber drivers are often willing to do the drive up east, but taxi drivers often don't.

If you're coming from the south heading northbound on I-95, take Exit 205AB, while if you're traveling southbound on I-95, take Exit 205A.

See

See Kennedy Space Center

The US' and NASA's most prominent space center and has been the main launch center of spaceflights since the late 1960s.

Checked May 2022

Maps

See Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

An area that is made up of all undeveloped land at Kennedy Space Center, this large area spans a variety of habitats. Half is brackish estuaries and marshes, and the rest include coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. It is home to 16 threatened/endangered species, including the manatee, the Florida scrub jay, sea turtles, bald eagles, and others. Over 1,000 plant species and more than 500 species of wildlife have also been documented on the refuge, including 330 species of birds, 117 fishes, 65 amphibians and reptiles, and 31 mammals. Self-guided car and walking tours are offered. This is a remote area with virtually no amenities, but you can leave for lunch and return later if you wish.

Maps Website