Just north of Cocoa Beach is Cape Canaveral. In addition to Kennedy Space Center, it is the home of Port Canaveral and the cruise ship terminals.

The Exploration Tower (Cape Canaveral Welcome Center) rises from the horizon like a space shuttle waiting to launch (I am sure that was the architect’s intention). This amazing architectural feat offers several floors of exhibits featuring the native cultural heritage, the Spanish and more modern settlement of the area, the natural environment, and of course, the space program.

The roof offers a great vantage point to watch the cruise ships launch.

Here was the scene on a recent afternoon.