Let's re-wind the tape back the mid '70's. That's when I made my first trip to Florida. Back then there wasn't a theme park on every corner of central Florida. Walt Disney World was in its early stages of development in Orlando. There was no Sea World. Universal Studios was another twenty years away. Busch Gardens was growing as an attraction in the shadows of a brewery in Tampa that for years churned out the King of Beers. There was the Miami Seaquarium, Weeki Wachee, Silver Springs and the grand daddy of all the theme parks in Florida, Cypress Gardens at Winter Haven. While I was in south Florida I remember spending an afternoon at the Miami Seaquarium. The place I really wanted to see in central Florida was the attraction that everyone should see at least once...the only place where, as they say, you can see history in the making: The Kennedy Space Centre. The big deal back then was the double decker bus tours out to the launch pads and the mission control centre at Cape Canaveral. Let's fast forward to the first month of the new century. The Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex (it was known for years as Spaceport U.S.A.) is bigger and better than ever. In fact, there's been a multi million dollar make-over and expansion in recent years. The old double decker buses are gone. They've been replaced by state of the art air conditioned coaches. But, the big attraction is still the tours out to the launch pads where launch preparation is constantly in progress. Back then Spaceport U.S.A. was the best bang for the tourist buck in Florida and it still is today. There is no fee for parking and no admission charge. Once you get on site, a 50 minute drive from Orlando, you simply pay to see what you want to see. And, there's lots to see. There are no gut wrenching thrill rides or roller coasters. There are no mascots or cartoon characters running around in furry outfits. All there is to experience is the space program unfolding before your eyes. If you're planning a trip south this winter here's what I'd suggest. Get there early. The first tour gets rolling shortly after 9:00a.m. The Space Centre is only open to visitors during daylight hours. When you arrive at the entrance you'll be greeted by Visitor Complex personnel who can help you plan your day. They can do it in seven languages. There are assorted tour packages that include up to three IMAX films...L5:First City in Space, Dream Is Alive and Mission to Mir...and a new special interest tour called Cape Canaveral: Then and Now, a journey through the 50 year history of space exploration. The highlights of the bus tour include a visit to the Apollo/Saturn V Centre where you'll see a massive moon rocket left over from the Apollo era (this is one of the best exhibits you'll find anywhere!), a stop at the International Space Station Centre and a stop at Launch Pad 39 Observation Gantry. It goes without saying you should try to time your visit to the Kennedy Space Centre shortly in advance of a launch. In the next couple of weeks they'll open two new attractions, Early Space Exploration, which honours space pioneers and astronauts involved with the Mercury and Gemini eras and Exploration in the New Millennium that will highlight the U.S. Mars Viking Lander. By February 19th they'll be unveiling a program featuring astronauts from space programs around the world. There are two "badge" systems of touring the facility....the Maximum Access Badge (Adults $26 U.S./Children 3-11 $20 U.S.) that provides access to just about everything and the Standard Access Badge (Adults $19 U.S./Children $15 U.S.) that will still keep a visitor busy for a day. The Kennedy Space Centre is a very secure place...for obvious reasons. This isn't a theme park. It's a working space shuttle assembly and launch site that just happens to have a public tour facility on property. On launch day the facility is as tightly secured as the mint. So, time your visit accordingly. One other note of caution. Getting to the Kennedy Space Centre on launch day can be a nightmare. The traffic is tied in knots with everybody trying to do the same thing. Everybody wants to find that prime spot to watch the blast-off. Make it a point of not driving the Bee Line Expressway from Orlando. It's a controlled access roadway and once you get tied up in an endless line of traffic there's no where to go. All you can do is sit. In the past I've found State Road 50 to be a better bet. Where is the best place to watch a launch? Anywhere along AlA in Titusville. There's only one problem. A whole lotta other people in Florida know that little secret so go prepared to be in a crowd. For additional information check things out on the web at www.kscvisitor.com. (Prior Smith hosts the daily Canada Calling radio broadcasts to Florida throughout the winter on stations including WMEL-920-Melbourne-Florida Space Coast, WSBB-1230-New Smyrna Beach, WAXE-1370-Vero Beach and on the web at canadacalling.com)