Where is best place to view a live shuttle launch?

[Tazlikesrobots]

STS-124 will be launching on May 31st and luck would have it that I will be in the area and I'd like to know where is the best place to be during the launch? I've seen some packages offered by KSC, but I've also read that there is a park in Cocoa Beach that offers a great vantage point for viewing the launch.

This will be a long time wish come true and I want to make the best of it, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[TubaMorg]

I used to live in Orlando while in the Navy. We went to Cocoa beach to watch. You can see the launch tower from the beach. It's still far away however, so make sure you have some binoculars!

[ChuckDickerson]

Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach. It is right at the entrance to the Port of Canaveral and across the channel from the submarine base. Follow the signs to toward the cruise ship ports and then wind your way down to Jetty Park. There is a long fishing pier you cna walk out on for a good view. You won't be the only one there so get there early. If you have a hand held scanner take it with you and you can listed to launch control and the countdown, etc. I can find the radio frequency if you need it.

[Tazlikesrobots]

Originally Posted by DeepWater

Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach. It is right at the entrance to the Port of Canaveral and across the channel from the submarine base. Follow the signs to toward the cruise ship ports and then wind your way down to Jetty Park. There is a long fishing pier you cna walk out on for a good view. You won't be the only one there so get there early. If you have a hand held scanner take it with you and you can listed to launch control and the countdown, etc. I can find the radio frequency if you need it.

Thanks for the information. I'll make sure to take my scanner with me

[ChuckDickerson]

For what it's worth quick Google search turned this up: http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/guide.txt

I'm not 100% positive but IIRC I think 147.45MHz is what you want.