Student and Educational Tour Information » Destinations

Oh, Fall Shows, You’re Just Not LOST

Serenity — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:47:51 +0000

It’s not like I’ve tried very hard. But there’s just no fall show that replaces LOST in how much I care about it. I loved that lonely bunch of people with their emotional baggage and shockingly eventful pasts and, most of all, the way they came together. Maybe you’re settling into The Event just fine or perhaps finally discovering there are shows that make you laugh instead of stress over hatches and others and people who just can’t decide whether they’re good or bad already. But if you’re having trouble letting go at all, if your life doesn’t seem complete without a weekly tropical excursion – try this: Some thoughts on how you could take your own trip to The Island, albeit one much less frightening, only mysterious in a nice, exotic way, and on which all but four scenes of the famous television show were filmed.

Hawaii student tours are a bit on the pricey side. There’s no way around that. But if you can come up with the money (car wash, anyone?), we can customize the itinerary. Here are some of the attractions we like to include in first-time trips to Hawaii.

Traditional Greeting with a Flower Lei

Speaking of television, for me it was Growing Pains that first introduced the idea that Hawaii greeted you from the very first moment with exotic hospitality and a flower lei. Whatever that moment was for you, never fear. This tradition is a part of every Hawaii itinerary we create.

Waikiki Beach

It’s the best-known shore in Hawaii, and you’ve probably seen a picture of its sand stretched in a curve around the clear blue water with resorts along it and Diamond Head towering above. This will be home for the duration of your Hawaiian tour. We allot several blocks of time to relax on the beach or, for the bargain-inclined, shop at International Marketplace nearby. Also, as you may know, Waikiki is on Oahu, the island where LOST was filmed. Actually, there are even tours available that take you to several tv and movie site locations you’ll recognize.

Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial

This historical landmark and memorial should be a part of every student tour to the Hawaiian Islands, especially for groups looking to put their visit in the category of educational travel. The USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri together offer a powerful history lesson and are a tribute to this tragedy in US and world history.

Sightseeing

There are lots of beautiful historic sites on Oahu you might not have heard about that we include in your itinerary as well. You’ll see the Iolani Palace, from where the Hawaiian kings reigned.

Germaines Luau

The only thing more traditional than a flower lei greeting is to receive one as you enter a traditional Polynesian Luau. There’s nothing like the feeling you’ll get when the pig is roasting over the fire, and the royal court of Polynesia enters. A romantic hula and a traditional dance follow the dinner for a Hawaiian experience you’ll always remember.

Hanauma Bay

This pristine marine preserve is an educational center, offering you a snorkeling adventure with its aquatic lessons.

Dinner Cruise

The Germaines is a luau on land. On a dinner cruise, you’ll take all that Polynesian culture to the water for a scenic tour on a giant catamaran. You’ll love the delicious food, the atmosphere, and the beautiful sun-streaked views off Waikiki and Honolulu.

Diamond Head

The summit is not the only thing to discover on a hike up Diamond Head. You’ll find rich history here and a gorgeous landscape throughout. You’ll enjoy the entire hike after which the view is in fact incomparable.

I can’t make LOST return for another season. Nor can I hurry up that book in which its creators finally tell us what the heck was going on with the four-toed sculpture and when exactly everyone died and why in the world they were all brought to the island at all. But I do work for some people who could put together a pretty beautiful island adventure which should go a long way in helping to ease your pain. And with this Island adventure, we promise you get to come home.

Photo by jgarber on Flickr.

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Popular Senior Class Trips

Los Cabos Spring Break Ideas

Serenity — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:24:37 +0000

When you think of spring break trips, Mexico surely makes the list, right? And yet, perhaps you haven’t considered the Los Cabos.

This beautiful destination is located at the sunny tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, and so it enjoys island-like isolation from the US and mainland Mexico. Los Cabos is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, desert regions and the pristine Sea of Cortez. Bustling Cabo San Lucas is the area’s largest city, which also boasts gorgeous beaches, exciting nightlife and many favorite activities. Cabo has earned its reputation as a 24-hour town, as its clubs, restaurants and nightclubs always keep things happening for the party-goer.

Dustin Alcaraz, dubbed the Spring Break King of CaboVillas.com stopped by our site recently to give you a heads up on some of the best accommodations for spring breakers in the Los Cabos area. This should help you and your friends decide where to book reservations based on your spring break goals and your college budget.

First up is the Hotel Santa Fe, which you’ll find right in the middle of downtown Cabo, just a short jaunt to the boutiques of the Puerto Paraiso Mall, restaurants, nightlife and the many activities of Cabo’s world-class marina. Based on maximum occupancy, room rates start at $26 per night/per person and include a mini-kitchen, which – if you gathered at least a few cooking skills from home, can save you a boatload on dining out.

If Cabo’s waterfront activities are the biggest draw for you, consider the all-inclusive Riu Santa Fe resort, located on the end of famous Médano Beach. Besides its prime beach location, this hotel is only a short taxi ride from all the best Cabo nightclubs. All-inclusive rates start at $124 per person/per night and they include a variety of meal and drink options.

Serious party-goers, take note. Me by Melia Cabo is for you. Home to Nikki Beach Cabo and Passions Nightclub, this resort is located on the most popular part of Médano Beach directly adjacent to all the daytime fun. Me is a celebrity favorite as well and a short walk to the exciting nightlife Cabo offers. Rates start at $120 per person/per night.

If near Medano Beach is the location for you, Villa de Mario, with rooms starting at $32.50 per person/per night, might be even more your style. It’s located only a block from ME by Melia Cabo. Perfect for group travel tours, these 3,200-square-foot villas can sleep up to ten comfortably, and each offers a private pool. This villa offers the best of both worlds. It has privacy but at just a short walk to Cabo’s nightlife you’ll also have accessibility to all the action! Take heed though. With so much going for it, advance booking is a must for Villa de Mario!

With prices somewhere between the last two offerings, Dustin’s next pick is The Giggling Marlin Penthouse, a privately owned condo located above the famous Giggling Marlin Nightclub. At 3,600 square feet, this cono can comfortably sleep you and seven of your friends. It is located just steps from Cabo nightlife and a short walk to the beach as well. Rates for The Giggling Martin start at $75 per person/per night. And adding to the convenience, they include a full kitchen and a balcony.

This is just the beginning, of course. Los Cabos offers many accommodations perfect for your stay in this spring break destination. And there’s so much more to learn about the activities this beautiful place has to offer. Next time you and your friends are discussing the spring break trip of a lifetime, consider the Baja Peninsula and Los Cabos.

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Popular Senior Class Trips

Serenity — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:49:51 +0000

Senior class trips are a great way to celebrate the end of your long career as a student – you know, before you begin a shorter career as one. High school is a wonderful accomplishment, and you should celebrate how far we’ve come, how hard you worked, and how well you and your friends have stuck together. It’s the beginning of great things as well – endless possibilities and exciting goals. It’s good to get away together to be thankful, to celebrate and relax, and also to look forward.

Hopefully you’re familiar with educational travel through your school. Field trips add such a great dimension to learning, and there are tons of great places out there for this theme. But senior class trips tend to be more celebratory in nature. You know – more Splash Mountain, less Epcot. Here are five great destinations for that kind of trip . They’re fun and exciting, and they’re proven as a great choice for students.

1. L.A. is always a thrilling idea for students. Hollywood has made Los Angeles an exciting place for the film industry. Students love the idea of touring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, standing on the grand staircase at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and maybe even glimpsing some real live celebrities.

The Kodak Theatre is a new classic in Hollywood. It’s the permanent home for the Annual Academy Awards. But perhaps even more relevant to this age group – the American Idol finale also films there. There are museums with Hollywood memorabilia and, of course, the Hollywood sign itself for great photo opportunity.

You can’t beat L.A. for its weather. It’s gorgeous almost year-round and very near the beach. There are also a lot of great amusement parks in the area, including Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Disneyland. Los Angeles would be a fun choice for any senior class.

And speaking of Beaches . . .

2. Virginia Beach is one of the best beaches in the country with its three mile boardwalk offering public access to the sand and surf and places to rinse off afterward. The beach is perfect for everyone’s favorite water sports and seaside activities. There is also an amusement park with a few thrill rides, including a sky-high fling-and-spin sensation called Skyscraper.

Virginia Beach also has a great park called Motor World devoted to auto racing that includes miniature golf and paintball courses. Busch Gardens is one of the best amusement park franchises in the U.S., and you’ll find its Europe-themed park nearby. And there’s a great shopping center as well as a mystery dinner playhouse. There are all kinds of wildlife facilities and nautical/maritime museums too. But who wants to go to a museum on their senior class trip? There’s no roller coaster there!

3. What about a cruise? A cruise offers many destinations, but you only have to unpack once. Plus, the mode of transportation is an entire vacation in and of itself. Swimming, surfing, rock climbing. Entertainment and dance clubs – sometimes even specific to youth. A cruise would be highly motivating for the fundraisers too. Think Royal Caribbean theme nights with talent shows made to imitate cruise-line entertainment.

4. Can you say aloha? Of course, a trip to Hawaii is for the seniors who had the foresight to be saving for a few years. But the thrill of this trip will be worth it. The Hawaiian islands have vibrant colors, landscapes that will take your breath away, and waterfalls to discover. There are so many beaches there, students could spend their time just exploring those. Still, Hawaii is packed full of activities as well.

Hawaii is perfect for groups that want a little adventure with their fun. It offers snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, helicopter rides and mountain hiking. You can even swim with dolphins or explore Diamond Head. Pearl Harbor Memorial is a must for Hawaii student tours where they can see The USS Missouri docked toward the place where the USS Arizona rests underwater.

Hawaii as a graduation trip – can you think of anywhere more amazing?

5. And we can’t forget Orlando. The Disney theme parks were designed for the kid in all of us, and they have an entire night just for graduates. Disney Grad Nite provides the perfect party with rides open late, entertainment, music and dancing. The Disney parks have so many attractions, a group could never see them all on one trip. But Orlando isn’t only Disney, also showcasing the Universal Studios parks, Sea World, and – of course – beaches.

If you’re looking for exciting and popular, one of these five destinations might be just the ticket. Maybe in another post we’ll stretch our imagination and help you discover the most unique choices for graduation trips. Just remember, the ultimate goal is to celebrate with your friends – and you can do that anywhere.

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Niagara for Students

Serenity — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:29:30 +0000

I’ve worked at a student travel company for a couple years now. I have been to the beautiful, the incomparable, the please-don’t-dismiss-this-place-as-only-for-honeymooners-and-old-people, Niagara Falls. And yet, I’ve only recently sealed in my mind that second “a”. It’s not NIAGRA, people.

What is it about water? It’s such a pure, simple element. And yet it has such power when you see it moving and crashing in an ocean or stampeding over cliffs like those at Niagara. Water can be such a perspective changer. It’s symbolic of refreshing and making things new. It reminds us that we don’t take up nearly all the space on earth, or even most of it. And despite our free will, our ability to use and abuse the planet without much regard for the immediate or the future, it definitely puts us in our place.

If you’re one of those who’s taken the Falls for granted as something for only those other types of vacationers, you’re not alone. I did the same thing until I was there. And all I did was stand there and look at them. So although I can tell you how amazing they appear, how small you might feel next to them, and how far away you can still feel the mist from their splashing, I can only tell you in theory all the amazing things there are to do there.

Helicopter Tours

I thought Niagara, USA, was pretty amazing from where I stood, but I can imagine it’s absolutely breathtaking from a helicopter in which you can see it from several powerful views. This is just one of the many, but perhaps the most thrilling, ways to view the Falls.

From a Boat

Niagara offers several boat tours of the Falls. Maid of the Mist is a popular one in which you’re taken close enough to need a poncho for the mist. For an even more thrilling experience, though, the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour is an exciting choice for Niagara Falls student tours. On it you’ll travel the lower Niagara River through Class Five Rapids – a very wet and very fun experience.

Up Close and Personal

Cave of the Winds is a hike to the base of the Falls and to Hurricane Deck where the Falls cascade right over you. If the Falls look powerful from the observation decks above, imagine how powerful they feel when you’re standing under them.

For Educational Tours

Try the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center for history and interactive exhibits about the Falls through time or Power Vista to see how the Falls are used to create hyroelectric power.

And For More Fun

There’s still an amazing amount of fun in the Niagara Falls area. There’s a snow park for year-round snow-tubing, ice-skating and more. You can take a two-hour boat cruise through the Erie Canal and its lock system. There’s a cave tour with an underground boat ride, a theater adventure, and history tours with everything you ever wanted to know about Niagara Falls.

This area is a great choice for students. Both the US and Canada side have something to offer. If you see both, you’ll join in the company of those who can say which one they find prettier. But on either side, you’ll find tons of adventurous ways to discover this beautiful natural wonder.

Photo by James Marvin Phelps on Flickr.

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Not Your Grandma’s Niagara Falls

How Close is That to This?

Serenity — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:04:48 +0000

Friends of mine (also from Missouri) were scuba diving in Hawaii one year, raving about the experience, when the instructor told them there was great snorkeling in Florida and Mexico. “You should just pop down there on the weekend every now and then,” he added in complete sincerity.

And when a natural disaster hit one part of Australia, we worried for the one person I actually knew in the country, until we discovered she was hours away from the situation. Hours and hours away.

The point is, things look closer on a map sometimes than they are in reality. And few of us can comprehend the distance from one place to another unless we’ve experienced it.

On that note, we do create several student tours that encompass more than one exciting destination. Here are three combos we often arrange and that students always enjoy. These locations actually are close enough to include in one brief trip!

New York City and Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is a flight away for many of the groups we work with, but New York City is only a bus ride from there. These are easily the most popular cities for students, and groups love to combine them. Choose D.C. for the powerful inspiration of the monuments and memorials throughout the National Mall or for just a few of the many exciting museums there, including those comprising the Smithsonian. Then travel to New York city for the final days of your tour and enjoy Top of the Rock, Broadway performances, Central Park, and all the amazing walking tours New York City has to offer.

D.C., Williamsburg and Jamestown

Or, if you want to keep the historical/educational theme going, you may prefer adding these stops to your Washington D.C. tour. Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is a fascinating community where costumed residents live and work as they would in colonial times. Visitors love this authentic look at life in the early 1800s. Jamestown (and Historic Jamestowne) offers reenactments and costumed guides as well showcasing the efforts of Jamestown colonists. Visitors can also see the original Jamestown as it is unearthed by archeologists. These three stops together are perfect for Washington D.C. educational student tours.

D.C., Philadelphia, and NYC

Another popular combination involves two great favorites, New York City and Washington D.C., plus the most visited spot in the nation (according to the 2009 Forbes list). Every year Americans flock to the Liberty Bell, to Independence Hall, and to Franklin Court in the city that represents the birth of our nation. And, fortunately, Philadelphia is close enough to allow for a tour that includes all three of these go-to choices for student and educational tours.

These combos are all on the east coast. Do you have other favorite destination combinations that can fit easily in 5 to 7-day tours?

Photo by wallyg on Flickr.

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New York City Colleges

New York City Colleges

Serenity — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:33:47 +0000

There are many ways to turn a leisure trip to the Big Apple into something that can officially be called New York City educational student tours. First of all, few cities come even close to offering the wealth of educational value you’ll find in New York City. Pick a theme – any theme – and Manhattan can accommodate. Take a tour of the Apollo, Harlem, and the Hip Hop Culture Center, for instance, for a fascinating black history experience put on by H3 Tours. If art is your group’s greatest interest, this City provides hours and hours of viewing and hands-on experiences in its many museums, only three of which include The Met, The Guggenheim, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Besides the the many attractions for looking back on history, art, and culture you’ve already studied – and there’s nothing like student travel to make those subjects come alive – New York is also a great choice for looking ahead. Consider this exciting destination when you want to take in a few college campuses as you’re planning for your future.

Have you heard of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn? This college is committed to artists and creative professionals. Their intention? To take your creative energy and efforts and help you become community leaders with that innovation. A tour here could be especially inspiring for those who hope their creativity has a future.

Columbia College is just one small part of Columbia University. And situated in the heart of Manhattan, it’s a great choice for blending the thrill of a New York City visit with the real work of choosing higher education.

And NYU offers tours of its campus by NYU students who will help you identify not just the campus buildings around Washington Square Park but throughout Manhattan as well.

And between college tours, there are so many other amazing things to do. A Fifth Avenue Walking Tour is a must, and depending on the time of year – though all of the seasons have their charm – Central Park is always a favorite with its still, quiet spaces just yards from busy Manhattan streets. A Central Park Movie Walking Tour is a fun way to make new places feel familiar as you discover sites you’ve seen in hundreds of favorite films. The best student tours to NYC also include a visit to one of the morning shows for the chance to be on television (“Hi, Mom!”). Times Square is filled with popular attractions, besides basically being one in and of itself, and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is quickly becoming a favorite way to see the city from above.

You can do it all on New York City Campus tours, and whether you end up there for your college years are not, this tour will definitely stay with you for a lifetime.

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Daytona Beach for Spring Break and for Families

Serenity — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:16:17 +0000

I recently contacted the Daytona Beach CVB to find out everything I could about it for spring break trips. And I discovered something interesting. Though a gorgeous beach with classic beach activities, attractions, night clubs, and beach bars, Daytona Beach has during the spring break season (which they call March through May) been taken over by someone besides college students.

This beautiful part of Florida, smack dab between theme-park-central Orlando, historic St. Augustine, and the space coast (including Kennedy Space Center), has for some time been promoting its beach for families, and it’s totally working.

If you visit Daytona Beach during the spring break season, you’ll likely find plenty of college students. But they’ll be equaled or outmatched in number by families and seniors. In my opinion, this is good news for lots and lots of people. Families and seniors, sure. But there are even students who seek out more family-friendly atmosphere for their warm getaway and escape from the daily grind of homework and research papers. And Daytona Beach brings the deals to back this promotion for vacationers of every kind.

Daytona Beach has all the things you need and want in a sunny getaway – the ocean, for one, plus all the thrilling activities that come with it, including but not limited to: Parasailing, surfing lessons!, and kayaking.

The area also offers culture with its Museum of Arts and Sciences and Southeast Museum of Photography. Along these more educational lines, groups love the Daytona Beach Aqua Safari, which is a tour of the area’s fascinating ecosystem. For families, you can’t beat Daytona Lagoon, a year-round family fun center with rock climbing, race cars, arcade games, and wet and wild water slides.

January and October turn Daytona Beach into speed central with Speedweeks at the beginning of the year. This includes the world-famous, and often family-beloved, Daytona 500. In the fall, you’ll find the International Speedway purring with motorcycles instead of stock cars during Biketoberfest. Both can be a great time for families just as spring break has come to be.

Whether for student tours, family getaways, or group travel of any kind, Daytona Beach definitely has something to offer.

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Grapevine, Texas, for Exciting Student Tours

Serenity — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:06:20 +0000

Texas has several beaches, and with its warm climate, it’s definitely not a bad place for winter and spring break vacations. If you’re in the state, visiting the beaches of Galveston, the history of San Antonio, or perhaps a sporting event in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, nearby Grapevine, Texas, is great place to add to the list.

Grapevine student tours offer charming touches like live artisan demonstrations in the beautiful Grapevine historic district. Other historic sites include the Grapevine Vintage Railroad with an 1896 steam locomotive, and Nash Farm, reflecting the farming life of Grapevine’s earliest settlers.

But Grapevine is also the perfect choice for thrills. X-Drenaline is a popular outdoor paintball course for an exciting competition with friends. Or if you prefer indoor sports, Main Event offers everything from bowling and billiards to arcade games and popular laser tag. Finally, Grapevine Mills is perhaps the most popular destination in Grapevine. It’s a huge shopping and entertainment center, perfect for every season, with available activities way beyond the average mall.

Grapevine has so many great places to visit, you can even take a tour on the popular amphibious vehicles known as DUCKS. It’s a great way to start your Grapevine experience as the entertaining narrator guides the way and helps you decide exactly what you want to do next.

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Charlotte Speedway and More

Serenity — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:01:44 +0000

Have you considered Charlotte, North Carolina, for a warm-weather destination? Hopefully after this post you will. Charlotte student tours offer everything from white water rafting to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a variety of performing arts venues, plus everything in between. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

US National Whitewater Center

The whitewater rafting is just the beginning of the adventure possible at the US National Whitewater Center, an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. Other activities include a mega zip line, mountain biking, a climbing center, and more – all created to help promote healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness. But healthy/inspirational agenda aside, visitors will love every thrilling activity here.

Discovery Place is one of the most visited attractions in the Carolinas. In its simplest label, it’s a science museum. But with the unveiling of its all-new exhibits, there’s even more proof that Discovery Place is much more than that. Hands-on activities, unique ways to experience marine life, the rain forest – even physiologic systems of the human body – all make this museum like none you’ve seen.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR fans will love the behind-the-scenes tour of this popular raceway, including the full-tilt experience of 24-degree banking and a photo op in Victory Circle. The tours are only offered on non-event days, but they’re definitely a popular choice. For even more celebration of the famous racing events, visitors will love the NASCAR Hall of Fame with almost 40,000 square feet of memorabilia and interactive exhibits celebrating the sport.

And you know, these are just the beginning, right? Charlotte also offers much more with history, art, and thrills. And it’s a perfect choice for educational tours.

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Cocoa Beach: Something for Everyone

Serenity — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:53:35 +0000

Walkway to Cocoa Beach

I entered Cocoa Beach by a walkway very much like this one (by hyku on Flickr). In fact, this could be the wooden steps I took toward my favorite day in Florida.

Now, you have to know a couple things about me. First, I’m a Disney girl. I see very little reason to be in the Orlando area without being on a Disney resort spending as much time as possible either in one of the major theme parks or on the monorail between them. I heart Disney. Also, I’m not a fan of hanging out in my swimming suit. Being raised in conservative, land-locked Missouri, it’s just not how I roll. These things combined to equal a sort of “meh” attitude towards discovering what all the fuss was about when it came to Cocoa Beach.

I had a new baby at the time. He was only a few weeks old (obviously, I wasn’t there for spring break), and I quickly thanked heaven he was able to experience the ocean at such a young age.

It’s not like I hadn’t experienced it before, but this time was different. I’d just been through a tumultuous year, having been pregnant and diagnosed with cancer. I’d just finished by final treatment, and the world really seemed brand new. The ocean felt like heaven.

Cocoa Beach is indeed a popular place for spring break trips. But don’t rule it out for families as well. There’s plenty of space for all kinds of vacationers on these miles of Florida coastline. Apparently the waters here are some of the best for surfers on Florida’s east coast. Yet the waves lapping at the shoreline are perfect for children as well. The beach offers several volleyball nets for a favorite sand sport as well as, again, plenty of room for sunbathing, lounging with friends and family, and sandcastles for the kids and kids at heart.

One of my favorite parts of our day at Cocoa Beach was the pier. We browsed souvenir shops and ate at Marlins Good Times Bar & Grill where we could see dolphins out the window as we ate. The Cocoa Beach Pier stretches over 800 feet over the ocean. At least two bars can be found beyond Marlins. They offer live entertainment and a great view of the Florida sunset. Several venues around the Cocoa Beach area fit into the exciting nightlife category, but what could be more exciting than drinks on the Pier?

Cocoa Beach is one of America’s classic seaside destinations. It’s great for families, romantic getaways, and college breaks. You can’t miss with this popular beach and its entertaining pier.

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