You live in a place with diverse attractions right in your own backyard. Have you taken the time to experience them? This year, take the time to venture around your own community and find that paradise is in your own backyard.

Last year more than 4.8 million visitors spent $1 billion in our area. These monies, in turn, increase the quality of life for all of us residents, e.g. lower taxes, better roads, new restaurants and retail establishments. These visitors may only stay an average of five days, but we enjoy the benefits year round; yet, many of you never take the time to enjoy the feast that is before you. We sometimes forget that "vacation" doesn't have to mean "travel." Vacationing at home does not have to mean watching reruns on the TV, reading the newspaper all day and not doing the dishes. Like the Bluebird of Happiness states, "True happiness is found close to home and comes from making the journey, not reaching the destination." You are already living in a great destination. Now, take the journey to explore it!

Here are 10 things to do that will help you and your family focus on more of what really matters... time together.

1. Up, Up and Away. The new Shuttle Launch Experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the first interactive visitor experience of its kind. The shuttle launch simulator, which took three years and $60 million to build, relied on the guidance of design experts and veteran NASA astronauts, who worked together in creating a simulator that sends visitors fully vertical into space through the sounds and sensations of launching.

2. Out in the Wild. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has 140,000 acres filled with more federally endangered species than any refuge in the United States. It harbors more than 500 species of wildlife and features a visitor center, four hiking trails, a manatee observation deck, auto tour route and an observation tower. The Canaveral National Seashore, located within the refuge, has 20 wooden walks over the dunes onto the Atlantic shore.

3. Learn to Surf. There are several surf schools/camps for you and your family to learn how to surf. We are home to eight-time world champion Kelly Slater and host several prestigious surfing competitions. Since the Space Coast is the small wave capital of the country, you could change your lifestyle, dude!

4. Air Boat Rides. Glide through the grassy marsh of the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett at speeds of up to 45 mph. Visit a natural cypress swamp and as the boat slows down to an idle, you can photograph local wildlife such as alligators, eagles and several species of wading birds by the hundreds.

5. Brevard Zoo - Choose your Adventure! Built by Brevard residents, this zoo allows you to get close to animals from around the world, including jaguars, monkeys, alligators, birds of prey, kangaroos, giraffes, rhinos and more. Ride a train through the lemur and scimitar-horned oryz habitat or kayak at the zoo through 22 acres of wetlands around the Africa exhibit.

6. Shopping in Historic Downtowns. Take advantage of the unique offerings of art galleries, clothing boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and handicraft shops that are nestled in the historic picturesque shopping districts of Cocoa, Melbourne and Titusville.

7. Turtle Watching. The Space Coast is the largest sea turtle nesting area in the United States. More than 6,000 loggerheads and leatherbacks lay up to 600 eggs each summer from May - August. You can take an evening and witness these sea turtles as they lumber ashore to lay their eggs.

8. Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. Considered one of the premier birding festivals in the United States, the event offers an opportunity to interact with the world's leading ornithologists, wildlife biologists and naturalists. Novice "birders" will learn the basics, and veteran nature enthusiasts will be given in-depth updates on cutting edge environmental research. There are programs for children, nature photography workshops and field trips. Last year, this festival pumped more than $1 million into our local economy. Mark your calendar for January 23-27, 2008.

9. Cold Light- Black Night - Kayaking with Bioluminescent Creatures. After sunset, kayak in the Haulover Canal, which connects the Indian River Lagoon to Mosquito Lagoon. You will slowly see the swirls from your paddle produce a glow in the water that is caused by bioluminescence - living lights in the water. In bioluminescence, electrons are excited by a chemical reaction that generates no heat at all, hence the name cold light. These creatures are beautiful, fascinating and critical to the very existence of most marine life. You are in for a phenomenal experience during this trip.

10. Our 72 Miles of Beaches! From isolated beaches like the Canaveral National Seashore to Sebastian Inlet, Space Coast beaches have easy access. So, slip on the sunglasses, dig out the sunscreen and load up the family.

We have not even mentioned going fishing, visiting museums, watching the cruise ships depart Port Canaveral, boating, camping, our parks, paddleboat cruise on the Indian River, parasailing and so much more. Take the time to see what adventures are right here in your hometown. Help stimulate the economy, and like the Bluebird of Happiness, you just might find it in your own backyard.

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Rob Varley is Executive Director of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism, whose mission is to positively impact economic development in Brevard County through the promotion and marketing of all forms of visitation to the county. For more information, please visit www.space-coast.com.