**INITIAL REVIEW**…read more Historically, Titusville is often linked to space exploration especially NASA. Ergo, it is understandable why most of the educational locales, especially museums, are dedicated to such. However, Titusville has a rich aviation history, too, such as Arthur Dunn Airpark (the first airport in Titusville and North Brevard) serving as a training facility during World War II. In honor and remembrance of Titusville's rich aviation history, let along aviation history in general, Valiant Air Command, Warbird Museum (which I will shorthand to Warbird for the remainder of this review) has educated and enamored patrons on such for over 45 years. And it seems there are no signs of them slowing down, too. Though an address is provided, Warbird consists of three hangers which can house over 100 different aviation aircraft within the heart of Space Coast Regional Airport. First and foremost, it must be noted that its operating hours are very public-friendly as they are open every day of the week with banker's hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $25 onsite with two dollars off if purchased online. There is an excellent student and military service discount, too. As for the museum itself, it consists of three hangers and a part of the airstrip that can hold up to around 100 aircraft at a time. Without spoiling all the aircraft on site, there are many recognizable aircraft such as a Blue Angel, Red Baron, F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet, and even the historic World War II airplane, the Tico Belle. Either through a volunteer or a guided tour, patrons can go inside many of the planes. They are also the ones you ask if you want to fly in one of their active cockpit simulators which gives you the exprience of flying without the risk. There are two "general museum" displays, too. The first is in the initial hanger you enter and has a wide range on aviation including gear, parephanalia, and history. The two displays that gave most of my attention were female pilots during World War II and the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black American pilots and support regime in U.S. history. And the second is on the Vietnam War. A couple of final notes, there is a canteen for patrons to rest and enjoy refreshments from vending machines, a couple of restrooms for your convenience, and a gift shop filled with items to help commemorate the visit. Overall, Warbird is a fine museum to go to. There is so much to do and so much to see, and at the price point that is high enough to understand as the planes need constant care, but low enough compared to other venues that it is a steal, I suggest Warbird to anyone who like history, muesuems in general, or wants to try or enjoy something unique to Titusville let alone the Space Coast. Not to mention, you can get everything done in one visit so for my initial review, I am giving Warbird five-out-of-five stars. Not many flaws to think of unless you want to consider the drive, but besides that, definitely worth the visit.

We hadn't planned on going that day, so we got there a little late and didn't know how long it…read morewould take to go through, but it only took about three hours and we read all the signs too. The volunteers were very helpful and nice. They offered to give us a tour and show us the ropes. The signs that the museum had by the planes were very insightful and interesting. I would absolutely go back.

An Intellectual Playground for Curious Minds Finding a…read moredestination that manages to be both profoundly educational and genuinely captivating for children is rare, yet the Orlando Science Center, featured in image_2.png, achieves this balance with remarkable success. It is an ideal environment to dedicate an entire day to exploration, offering a depth of engagement that holds the attention of young minds while remaining intellectually stimulating. The facility's approach to hands-on exhibits is sophisticated and well-structured, fostering a genuine interest in scientific inquiry. From the intricacies of the planetarium shows to the immersive nature of the giant-screen and 3-D films, every element of the museum is curated to facilitate active learning. It is an impressive example of how to make complex subjects accessible and exciting for a broad audience. For any family seeking an environment where curiosity is not just encouraged but actively facilitated, this center stands out as a highly rewarding experience.

This has to be the best science museums in Florida. I…read morebecame a member of the Orlando science center over Christmas break because we had so much fun on our first visit and now I get emails all the time about fun new events going on at the museum. One of them happened to be the mess fest that was going on this past weekend. So we decided to head out to Orlando and let me tell you it was so much fun!! They transformed one of their rooms into a fun place for the kids to get messy. You were catapulting scrunchie balls covered in paint onto a canvas sheet. There was another area where they were doing little bottle rockets with paint and Alka-Seltzer. That my kids absolutely LOVED. They also had scribble bots, a raffle painting for canvas paintings but that's not all because they had other stuff going on different floors. We got to make our own slime and we even got to go outside and watch them use liquid nitrogen to cause a bubbly explosion that the kids got to play afterwards. This was a 10 out of 10 experience.

WOW! What an absolute gem! This place had such a beautiful exhibit area! From the natives, to the…read morepioneers, to the wildlife in the area- we learned so much! Our 4 year and 1 year old were also BIG fans! Such awesome touch exhibits for them - a little tunnel they could crawl through, an adorable playhouse with toys and an awesome train station area with Lincoln logs. We will definitely be back - i just wish this was closer to my home!! Also bonus tip- if you are coming here with kids, check out the Construction Zone Restaurant near by- makes the perfect lunch spot!

So interesting and fun! The lady who gave us the tour was…read moreextremely knowledgeable. Thanks!

I love a history museum, especially one that's free, and the Brevard Museum of History and Natural…read moreScience checks both boxes. With more than 3,000 fascinating artifacts in its permanent collection, there's so much to learn and explore. The Brevard Museum, Inc. was formed in 1969. The museum is currently operated by the City of Cocoa in a building tucked away in the quiet College Green Estates housing subdivision. If you didn't know it was there, you could easily drive right past it. The museum has two wings to explore. One focuses on Florida's natural history, featuring Ice Age fossils, including a giant ground sloth and mastodon, along with exhibits that recreate life in 1800's Florida. The other wing traces the region's human history, beginning with indigenous people, the Spanish colonization of Florida, and continuing through pioneer life, before ending with the Space Age. Exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including Florida's Indigenous peoples, Ice Age and modern wildlife, early Brevard settlers, Spanish ships, the citrus and turpentine industries, Flagler's railway, space exploration, arrowheads, artifacts from the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Ais peoples, shells, and casts of prehistoric and modern animal fossils. The Albert and Grace Taylor exhibit displays the personal effects of pioneers Albert and Grace Taylor. Grace Webster Taylor was a resident of the City of Cocoa, who passed away on December 27, 1945. There are also replicas of a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. The exhibit that fascinated me most was about the Windover archaeological site. In 1982, a bulldozer excavating a pond for a new housing development uncovered several human skulls. Archaeologists soon determined that the remains belonged to an ancient Indigenous community that had lived in the area approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. Over time, researchers recovered the remains of 168 individuals from the peat at the bottom of the pond. The peat created remarkable preservation conditions, protecting not only the skeletons but also soft tissues, including some brain tissue. Research conducted by Florida State University revealed a wealth of information about Florida's earliest inhabitants. Textiles recovered from the burials provided rare insights into ancient weaving techniques, while preserved stomach contents offered valuable clues about their diet. The museum exhibit displays a preserved skeleton, a bust of the "Windover Woman," and a recreation of the unique wet archaeological excavation. Unlike many local history museums I visit, this one has activities for kids making it more family friendly. There is a Discovery Room designed for children, where there are toys and a rocket capsule they can climb into along with other hands-on activities to enjoy. Behind the museum is a nature preserve and the Johnnie Johnson Nature Trails. The winding network of paved and natural-surface trails meanders through 22 acres of native Florida upland and wetland ecosystems surrounding Clear Lake, making it a fun way to extend a visit. There is so much local history packed into this small, free museum. The exhibits on archaeology, Florida history, natural science, and the Space Age are interesting for all ages. This is a wonderful budget friendly activity outside of the typical tourist destinations.

This is a really fun, free museum for all ages located in Brevard. For a rainy day or just a fun…read morechance to learn about Brevard, this is the perfect place. The museum is very well maintained and cared for. Me and my three year old were at the park and followed the trail for about 7 minutes and with help from a stranger, located the museum. I do wish there was signs. Without the help of my phone and the stranger, we would've gotten lost as there are various routes. The museum has a lot of really cool elements. There are bones, fossils, shells, space, and even a playroom amongst many other things. I was very intrigued by all the history and the large rooms of items to look at. Some items are a little outdated, but as a free entry museum it's very well kept. I look forward to coming back with my other son and husband as a family.

If you're visiting Orlando, I highly recommend this as one of your stops. A historical landmark of…read morethe city. I found out the Leu family donated their family land hoping to share its beauty. Unique gardens with plenty of shade. Great for all ages, including toddlers. It is fenced in with lots of areas to picnic, if that's your thing! There's a small cafe for coffee, ice cream and a few snacks. On certain days they have infant and toddler reading time (20minutes long). The first Monday of each month is free entry however there are no guided tours. Check their website for more info!

This garden is huge with wide paths through all the gardens with optional dirt paths. Most paths…read moreare naturally shaded by the tall mature live oak, cypress, crepe myrtle and banyan trees. If you love nature, you are in for a special treat as this garden has hundreds of plants and flowers all very clearly labeled. Sprinkled throughout the paths are funky bird houses and information on the birds there which sing non-stop in the background which is mesmerizing to sit on a bench by the brook and listen to birds and water, like I said, a special treat. I located a new bird to me, the gila woodpecker! The house museum tour is full of local Florida history and the house is beautiful with many interesting details like the children's back stairs and the bathrooms have original tiles and fixtures! The bathrooms are accessible, clean and well stocked with supplies. The map gives a clear idea of where you want to wander to and where you might want to stop to take in nature. One of my favorite places with sculpture added to the gardens along with specialized gardens for cocktail ingredients, salsa garden, chutney garden and tea garden! Fun! Many fruits and herbs as well. A must see if you love the outdoors, birds, plants, flowers, gardening or the peace that nature brings. A must see!!!!

Visiting a botanical garden for the first time, I expected a vibrant display of diverse flowers and…read moreplants, plus a little bit of cute wildlife, the kind of immersive nature experience you see in travel guides. Instead, this botanical garden felt more like a peaceful park with lots of trees and a well-maintained walking trail. My expectations were definitely high, so the experience surprised me. That said, it was calm, quiet, and relaxing. There were plenty of places to sit, which makes it a great spot for a picnic, reading, journaling, or simply unplugging for a while. If you are looking for a serene outdoor space to reset and enjoy a slow, mindful walk, this is a solid choice. If you are hoping for a colorful, flower-filled botanical garden experience, you may want to visit during peak bloom season or check what is currently flowering before you go.

We stopped at the Joy & Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden during a weekend in Melbourne Florida…read more It is located on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology. I had a little difficulty finding the correct parking lot and entrance to the garden but once in the correct lot I saw the sign. It is a leisurely walk through the 15 acre garden. It is not a garden in the sense of flowery plants but more a native hammock. There is a meandering stream and a little pond of turtles, we counted 10 including snapping turtles. Melbourne's oldest schoolhouse, 1883, has been relocated here. It was the weekend and campus was pretty quiet. We enjoyed a nice walk, even in misty rain. I recommend a visit to the garden if you are in the area especially if you have kids who would enjoy the turtles.

We last visited these gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed Central Park…read morein Manhattan), in early 2024. This time, more flowers were in bloom, and we saw a different variety of birds on the premises. The tower is, of course, the centerpiece of the gardens. We had the pleasure of listening to it sing at least 5 times during our visit. We briefly visited the children's garden, and recommend this if you have youngsters in tow. After we were done in the gardens, we had a nice lunch in the on-site café. Portions are large, so you may want to consider sharing.

These gardens are so beautiful and peaceful. I love walking…read morethrough every path available while smelling nature The food at the restaurant is good and fresh Everything is nice and clean

The Winter Park Historical Museum is a small free museum located across the railroad from Central…read morePark. It is operated by the Winter Park Historical Association and resides in a former railroad freight depot. There is a one room exhibit hall that features changing exhibits. The goal of the museum is to engage people in the history of Winter Park. The current exhibit is about the hotels and motels of Winter Park throughout the city's history. The exhibit highlights include the luxury hotels of the late 1800s, like the Seminole Hotel, built in 1886 on Lake Osceola. It was a place that attracted northerners and had luxuries such as steam heating and gaslights. President Grover Cleveland was a visitor but it burned down in 1902. Also included in the exhibit is information about the roadside family motels, tourist courts and the boarding houses used by the workers who built Winter Park. The museum offers programs throughout the year. It is staffed by a volunteer so if you want to know more about the history of Winter Park you can actually speak to someone about it. It also has a small gift shop. If you are in the area it is worth stopping by.

If you wanna check out the beginnings of your neighborhood, the best place to start is the Winter…read morePark history museum on 200 New England Avenue. The current exhibit is motels and hotels. There is a volunteer who will answer your questions. This used to be the lobby for the Atlantic Railroad. There is free parking on the street and donations are recommended.