SPACE COAST, Fla. –  Regarded for its 72-mile stretch of beach - Orlando’s closest beaches – as the East Coast surfing capital of the nation; for its 250 square miles of wildlife refuge; as home of one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; and as the location where all 135 space shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch, visitors to Florida’s Space Coast may think they’ve seen all the destination has to offer. But a new initiative from local residents and experts is giving visitors even more to explore. The new “Hidden Gems” program provides visitors an insider’s view of unique, often undiscovered destination treasures. 
 

The initiative includes a website (www.spacecoasthiddengems.com), mobile site and printed guide sheets offered at local hotels, chambers of commerce and visitor centers, featuring self-guided destination adventures themed for wildlife encounters, history and space adventures.  
It is the result of a collaboration of a volunteer committee of local tourism leaders with local residents, photographers, historians and other experts, who unanimously agreed there was more to see and do in the Space Coast.  

“’Hidden Gems’ of the Space Coast takes the expertise and insights of our local experts and residents and presents it to our visitors so that they can discover some true highlights of the destination that they might not have uncovered on their own,” said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. “Not every destination can offer this type of firsthand insight from its residents.”

Each adventure tour of “Hidden Gems” was developed through focus groups of local residents, experts, business people and officials. The tours guide visitors to some the Space Coast's most cherished natural and cultural possessions including The U.S. Space Walk of Fame, The Brevard Historical Museum and Sebastian Inlet State Park.

"The spirit of Hidden Gems lies in the input from the local residents," said Laurilee Thompson, co-owner of Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant in Titusville and co-chair of the Hidden Gems committee, which led the project. "Hidden Gems offers insider tips on how to make the most of the experiences."

Experts providing insider information included archeologists, historians, space historians, nature photographers, wildlife experts and endangered lands specialists.

"Each of the first set of self-guided adventures released -- four wildlife encounters, two history adventures and one hands-on space history adventure -- was carefully cultivated and curated to provide not merely a surface description, but instead something very detailed and special," said Keith Winsten, executive director Brevard Zoo and co-chair, with Thompson, of the Hidden Gems committee. 

The Hidden Gems website, www.spacecoasthiddengems.com, offers visitors an interactive guide to these half- and full-day, adventures in the Space Coast.  Visitors can also upload their own photos, offer their own insights about the adventures and use state-of-the-art mapping features to follow a suggested itinerary or create his or her own.

The current self-guided adventures, which include wildlife, space and history adventures are just the beginning, as more adventure tours from additional local experts will continue to be added over time.

“This is just the beginning of a wonderful way to explore the Space Coast through these very special Hidden Gems," said Linda Brandt of Brandt Ronat + Co, who created the website.  "The more visitors who explore the destination and provide their own feedback and photos, the better we all will be able to navigate and explore these gems."

Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. With 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state, and 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, the Space Coast is one of the largest intact eco-systems in Florida. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast will be home to the retired Atlantis shuttle in 2013, and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors will be able to view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Florida-Space-Coast. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/flaspacecoast                      

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