Escape the Daytona Bike Week crowds at the Kennedy Space Center

As Daytona Bike Week celebrates its 75th anniversary this March 4 – 13, expect a surge in attendance. Since no trip to Daytona is complete without a cruise along Main Street, it’s reasonable to expect epic crowds and traffic. The compact nature of Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas virtually guarantees you will be engulfed in a sea of chrome and thunder everywhere you go. While being amidst so many fellow motorcycle riders is part of the rally experience, after a few days it’s refreshing to take a side trip and regain some personal space.

Find Some Epic Space

The Kennedy Space Center makes a great Daytona Bike Week side trip. This national treasure is located a little more than 60 miles south of Daytona Beach. There you can stretch your legs and explore the history and learn about the future of America’s space programs. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has many features:

• Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Astronaut Memorial
• Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit
• Shuttle Launch Experience
• Rocket Garden
• Imax Theater
• Journey to Mars Exhibit

Your Journey to Space

To reach the Kennedy Space Center, it’s an easy ride from Daytona Beach taking just over an hour on I-95 south to exit 215. If you prefer to stay closer to the ocean, you can also cruise down U.S. Route 1. NASA offers turn-by-turn directions. Here’s some details:

• Days of operation: 7 days a week, year-round
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Parking: $5 motorcycles, $10 cars
• For information: 866-737-5235
• Admission: $50 per person daily
• More admission options are available

A visit to the Kennedy Space Center should be on every motorcycle rider’s bucket list. Since it’s still an active launch site and weather can affect the schedule of some features, it’s worth doing some prelaunch planning for your visit.

Till next time, ride safe!