Watching rocket launches in Orlando, Florida, is an extraordinary experience. The city is home to several launch sites. As rocket launches don’t happen every day, make sure you’re in the right place at the right time when you’re aiming to catch a rocket launch in Orlando. Here are five of the best places to be on launch day.

Main Visitor Complex, Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center has been a hub for rocket launches since the space program’s early days. The Main Visitor Complex is the best place to watch a launch, especially if you want to learn more about the science and history behind the space program.

Once the rocket is over the tree line, you’ll be able to see it around seven miles away! You just have to get a daily admission to the Kennedy Space Center, which will be your same ticket into the Main Visitor Complex.

Apollo/Saturn V Center

Another viewing venue at the Kennedy Space Center is the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Unlike the Main Visitor Complex, this center is a premium experience with theaters, shopping, and dining. The highlight here is the world’s largest rocket, Saturn V.

When it’s launch time, you’ll head to Banana Creek, where you’ll find outdoor bleacher seats for an up-close experience. You’ll be five to eight miles away from the launchpad, so you’ll definitely see the rocket as it lifts off and disappears into the clouds!

LC-39 Observation Gantry

It’s impossible to be right next to the rocket when it launches, but you can get the closest at the LC-39 Observation Gantry. This observation gantry is located at Launch Complex 39, where you can reserve limited seating or, like at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, view from the outdoor bleachers and the open lawn area. Speaking of Launch Complex 39, it’s where the Apollo astronauts launched to the moon! If you’re a big history fan, this is the place to be.

NASA Causeway

Though the NASA Causeway doesn’t always open for launches, it’s still a great spot to watch rockets take off. The causeway crosses the Indian River and connects the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If it opens when you’re there for a launch, you’ll be able to watch just three to five miles away from the launchpad!

Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral

If you’re not really aiming to be super close to the rocket launch, the Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral is a great alternative. The tower stands seven stories tall and has an outdoor deck to watch the rocket take off. The launch will be visible from miles away, so you don’t have to worry about where you’re standing. Plus, the tower has an exhibit on the history of rockets and space exploration, so you can learn while you wait for the launch.

Take Off with a View

Where should you watch a rocket launch in Orlando? These five places are the answers to an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to be up close and personal or just see the rocket from afar, there’s definitely a spot for you to watch the launch. Remember, you might experience this only once in a lifetime, so make the most of it!