Space Coast Among 19 BEST PLACES to Travel in the World (CNN)

January 4, 2019—(CNN) It’s an international list curated by travel writers, cultivated down to 19 best places to travel in the world in 2019, and the Space Coast of Florida is on it.

Of the 19 best places to travel in 2019, according to CNN Travel, only the Space Coast is listed for Florida.

Here on the Space Coast, we expect to see Americans return to space through the Commercial Crew Program, a historic goal expected to draw visitors. According to Florida Today, “during the height of the Space Shuttle Program, up to 250,000 people crowded bridges, beaches and piers to watch the launches.”

It’s an already robust visitor picture in Viera, with the new schedule of events at USSSA Space Coast Stadium and the reputation of our Brevard Zoo along with visitors attracted to our natural wetlands, parks and trails.

High profile draws continue to be Kennedy Space Center, the cruises out of Port Canaveral and our 72 miles of shoreline.

EXCERPT CNN: You can mark the 50th anniversary of man’s first walk on the moon, the 100th anniversary of Grand Canyon National Park, Liechtenstein’s tricentennial and importantly, Ghana’s Year of Return marks 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in North America…rest, explore or learn — or all three:

Are you ready to explore outer space? While no one can promise you a tourist adventure to the moon — at least not yet — space fans can still explore the heavenly skies on a trip to the Space Coast. The 50th anniversary of mankind’s first walk on the moon will be July 20, 2019, and Central Florida’s Atlantic shoreline is ready for the throngs who want to see where Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins rocketed off the Earth and into the history books.

At Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral, learn all about historic Apollo missions from 1963 to 1972. While the Apollo 11 landing will get the limelight in 2019, you can also see exhibits on the Space Shuttle program, Hubble Telescope and more.You can also buckle up for a ride in a shuttle launch simulator or attend a status briefing on current NASA missions. A lucky few early planners can celebrate at a gala on July 16 under the Apollo Saturn V rocket.

CNN says: Don’t miss: Enjoy a couple of non-space outings…surfers will like the waves on the ocean side while calmer Indian River Lagoon will appeal to kayakers. The Treetop Trek in nearby Melbourne (the Brevard Zoo) lets you zip through and frolic in Florida’s arboreal beauty.

The other places on the CNN Travel 2019 list for the U.S.? Grand Canyon, New York City and Hawaii.

For CNN Travel, Reporter: Forrest Brown

SOURCES: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/places-to-visit-2019/index.html & Florida Today jdgallop@floridatoday.com