Last Updated: July 4, 2026
Jupiter, Florida was a wonderful location to spend a week and visit my brother Jeff. Three years earlier, when we first bought our motorhome, we had stayed at the Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach — it was a memorable experience, and while we would have loved to hear the lions again, we wanted something a little quieter this time around. We found it, and then some.
Cape Canaveral
From Flagler Beach we headed south to Jetty Park Campground in Port Canaveral. Jetty Park had full hookups, but the wifi was poor and too many trees blocked our satellite signal. The sites were also tight — the staff had to trim branches just to squeeze our motorhome in — and when we tried to level on the soft sand, one of our jacks broke. We were already missing the serenity of Flagler Beach. The one consolation was watching cruise ships move in and out of the port every day, which planted seeds of a different kind of vacation fantasy.
Kennedy Space Center
Not far from Port Canaveral is NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — and it is absolutely worth a full day. The complex is packed with original hardware, rockets, films, interactive exhibits, and presentations that cover the entire arc of American space exploration. Whether you grew up watching launches or are discovering this history for the first time, it’s genuinely stirring.
The complex traces the full story of American space exploration — from the Mercury Program in the early 1960s through Apollo, Skylab, Voyager, and the Space Shuttle, and now into the SpaceX era. Standing in front of a Saturn V rocket or the Vehicle Assembly Building drives home just how audacious the entire enterprise was.
Seeing the original command center and the technology that guided those missions — by today’s standards almost unimaginably primitive — makes the achievement all the more remarkable.
The Apollo/Saturn V Center features original hardware alongside detailed recreations of the Lunar Roving Vehicle, the Apollo 14 Command Module, and the Lunar Module. Standing beneath the full length of a Saturn V rocket — the most powerful ever flown — is genuinely humbling.
Space Shuttle Atlantis is displayed at a dramatic angle, as if just rolling to a stop after re-entry — it’s one of the most striking museum installations we’ve ever seen. Nearby, a full-sized Hubble Space Telescope model gives you a real sense of the scale of what’s orbiting above us right now.
Visitor Info — Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Open daily approximately 9 AM–6 PM — hours vary seasonally and the complex may close on active launch days; verify at the website before visiting. Admission approximately $88 per adult at the gate; significantly cheaper when purchased online in advance. Parking: $15 standard vehicles, $20 RVs and oversized. Website: kennedyspacecenter.com.
After all that history, the nearby Florida Beer Company was the perfect wind-down. A beer flight, some excellent space-themed décor, and a good conversation — exactly what you need after spending a day contemplating the infinite.
Jupiter, Florida
Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island is unlike any other beach we’ve seen in Florida. The ancient Anastasia limestone (coquina) formations along the shoreline create tunnels and fissures that, on incoming tides with a strong onshore wind, shoot seawater dramatically into the air. The aqua colors of the water reminded us strongly of our scuba diving years in the Caribbean.
There’s simply never enough time to explore everything here — the preserve also has a sheltered lagoon side with mangroves and shorebirds, making it rewarding in multiple directions. Visitor Info — Blowing Rocks Preserve: 574 S Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 (Jupiter Island). Open daily 9 AM–4:30 PM; closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission free (optional $2 donation). Phone: (561) 744-6668. Website: nature.org.
Palm Beach Motorcoach Resort, Jupiter, Florida
Palm Beach Motorcoach Resort is a Class A motorcoach-only, full-service resort on the west side of Jupiter. The facilities were exceptional — a beautiful 6,200 square foot clubhouse, full gym, pool, and spa. With 100 sites and the resort well under 20% capacity during our stay, it felt like having the whole place to ourselves.
Our coach faced a beautiful lake with a fountain — a very different view from Flagler Beach’s Atlantic, but equally peaceful. The Christmas lights reflected on the water each evening, and we found ourselves simply sitting and watching it.
Each night brought another colorful sunset in Jupiter, so we took the opportunity for a holiday portrait — Santa hat and all.
The real highlight of Jupiter was time with Jeff and his dog Cutie in West Palm Beach. One of the great pleasures of life on the road is that it brings you closer to people you don’t see often enough.
Practical Tips for Visiting Cape Canaveral and Jupiter, Florida
Buy Kennedy Space Center tickets online in advance. Gate price is around $88 per adult — purchasing online ahead of time is significantly cheaper. Budget a full day; there’s easily six to eight hours of content. Check for launch events. The Visitor Complex may close or have limited access on active launch days. The KSC website posts schedules in advance — plan around a launch if you can, or verify the complex will be open. RV parking at KSC is $20. Factor this into your planning; the parking lot is large and straightforward for big rigs. Jetty Park in Port Canaveral can be tight for large motorhomes and has limited satellite reception due to tree cover. Research clearances before booking. Go to Blowing Rocks early. The parking lot is small and fills quickly on weekends and holidays. Arrive right at 9 AM to ensure a spot. The dramatic water-blowing effect is best on incoming tides with an onshore wind. Blowing Rocks is free — a $2 donation per person is requested. It’s one of Florida’s most unique natural areas and well worth the stop. Palm Beach Motorcoach Resort is Class A motorcoaches only — an upscale option with excellent amenities and a quiet atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kennedy Space Center and Jupiter, Florida
Is Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex worth visiting? Without question. It’s one of the most impressive attractions in Florida — original rockets, spacecraft, and hardware from every era of American space exploration, combined with excellent films and interactive exhibits. Plan at least six hours. If you have any interest in science, history, or human achievement, it will exceed your expectations.
How much does Kennedy Space Center cost in 2026? Gate admission is approximately $88 per adult. Purchasing tickets online in advance is notably cheaper. Parking is $15 for standard vehicles and $20 for RVs and oversized vehicles. The complex may close on active SpaceX or NASA launch days, so check the website before you go.
What is Blowing Rocks Preserve? Blowing Rocks is a Nature Conservancy preserve on Jupiter Island featuring one of Florida’s most unusual shorelines — ancient Anastasia coquina limestone outcroppings that force seawater into the air through fissures and tunnels on incoming tides. Entry is free (optional $2 donation), open daily 9 AM–4:30 PM.
When is the best time to see the rocks blowing at Blowing Rocks Preserve? The dramatic water-jetting effect is most pronounced on incoming tides combined with strong onshore winds. Checking a tide chart before your visit will help you time it right. Morning visits are also recommended to beat the crowds and secure parking.
What is Palm Beach Motorcoach Resort? A Class A motorcoach-only luxury RV resort in Jupiter, Florida, featuring full hookups, a 6,200 sq ft clubhouse, gym, pool, and spa. Sites face a beautiful lake with fountain views. It’s one of the nicest RV resorts on Florida’s east coast.
