Mother’s Day rocket launch: Treat Mom to late-night bites in Daytona, New Smyrna, Oak Hill

Here’s one pretty unique way to celebrate Mother’s Day: Treat Mom to brunch, then stick around for a late-night launch.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will potentially lift off Sunday, May 12, on one of the most popular holidays for parents − Mother’s Day. The rocket will carry Starlink internet satellites.

Hands down, watching a rocket launch while at the beach is so Florida. Sometimes, while waiting for that launch window, breakfast, lunch or dinner comes to mind. Since this is a late-night launch, how about a dinner with the family for Mother's Day at places that would have a great view?

In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County — home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — you can usually see a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch.

But where are some places to go for dinner and a launch? Here are some of our suggestions. (If there are changes to the launch, this story will be updated.)

Is there a rocket launch today in Florida? Rocket launch calendar for Florida missions

Here's what we know about the rocket launch missions, mentioned in FLORIDA TODAY's rocket launch calendar for the month, which is updated frequently. (Check that link often for rocket launch times and dates because they are routinely subject to change for a variety of reasons.)

FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, provides interactive launch coverage at floridatoday.com/space with frequent updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or tweet him @rickneale1 on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You also can reach out to Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or @brookeofstars on X and @brooke_of_stars on Instagram.

When’s the next rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida? Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12: SpaceX Starlink

A National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning includes a SpaceX Starlink mission window that will open Sunday night:

Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch window: 8:11 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 12, to 12:42 a.m. EDT Monday, May 13

Location: Launch Complex 40

Trajectory: Southeast

Local sonic boom: No

Booster landing: Drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean

Live coverage: If you want to watch live rocket launch coverage, FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space, starting about 90 minutes before launch time. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Best waterfront restaurants to see a rocket launch in Volusia County, Florida

The following is a list of best waterfront restaurants to see a rocket launch from neighboring Brevard County in South Volusia County.

• JB’s Fish Camp, 859 Pompano Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Located on the Mosquito Lagoon, this casual seafood restaurant prides itself on dolphin and manatee sightings and seafood offerings such as steamed shellfish and fried fish platters. The restaurant offers first-come-first-served seating and live entertainment on weekends.

• Chases on the Beach, 3401 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach, is the ideal blend of upscale, yet inviting, offering diners stunning oceanfront views, $5 bloody Mary drinks on Sundays, and a layered menu of mainly seafood plates, including the grilled bourbon salmon, fresh fish dip and peel and eat shrimp. The restaurant closed, then reopened in June 2023 after nearly eight months of renovations due to damage sustained from Tropical Storm Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole during the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

• River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant, 107 N. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, features seafood, sandwiches and salads. The restaurant, sometimes referred to as River Deck NSB, offers great views of the Intracoastal Waterway. It has covered outdoor deck seating as well as a few tables inside and a bar that serves customers both inside and outside.

• Crabby’s Bar and Grill, 203 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach, is a local go-to for beachfront dining, happy hour specials and a plethora of casual seafood favorites and bar bites, including the grouper nuggets, fish and chips, Atlantic salmon and shrimp tacos.

• Down the Hatch Seafood, 4894 Front St., Ponce Inlet, is a fish camp with beautiful views of the inlet and live entertainment, alongside a full bar and packed menu of seafood plates, ranging from the parmesan oysters and ultimate fish sandwich, to the flounder pounder, spicy Spanish snapper and other favorites.

• Hidden Treasure Rum Bar and Grill, 4940 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet. This colorful, Key-West-inspired venue is a pet-friendly destination located right across from the historic Ponce Inlet light house, where sunset views, happy hour specials and waterfront wildlife sightings can be enjoyed from the comfort of its covered outdoor deck. The eatery’s menu ranges from seafood plates and burgers to gumbo, sandwiches and tacos.

• Off the Hook at Inlet Harbor, 133 Inlet Harbor Road, Ponce Inlet. This picturesque Ponce Inlet eatery was born from the dreams of a fisherman and serves freshly prepared, “real deal” seafood that guests can enjoy at the restaurant’s light-strung, covered deck — perfect for sunset views and rocket launch sightings! The eatery offers a majority seafood menu with a variety of steamed shellfish, Hawaiian-style favorites and fried platters, as well as a full bar and live entertainment.

• Our Deck Down Under, 78 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, is an ultra-casual, come-as-you-are restaurant that sits on the edge of the Halifax River under the Dunlawton Bridge. The longstanding Port Orange favorite showcases both a full bar and plentiful menu of seafood dinners, sandwiches and desserts.casual waterfront restaurant that serves seafood, sandwiches, salads and other entrees. It's located under the Dunlawton Bridge in Port Orange.

• Though closed from the hurricanes, when it opens, one option to try is Crabby Joe’s Seafood & Sunglow Pier, 3701 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, a family-friendly casual dining seafood restaurant.

• The Beach Bucket, 867 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach. The self-described “local’s secret little piece of paradise,” is an Ormond Beach no brainer for waterfront views, stiff cocktails and shareable bites. The casual spot, tucked away behind the Ocean East Resort Club, showcases a full bar and seafood-heavy menu that ranges from the fried-to-perfection conch fritters and fish tacos to the shrimp and bacon panini, tuna melt and fried calamari.

• Lagerheads Bar and Grill, 2986 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond-by-the-Sea, is laid-back, beachy favorite for Ormond beachgoers. The ultra-casual eatery sits right across from the ocean and offers nightly entertainment that livens up its pet-friendly patio, while surfboards, sea life and twinkling strung lights decorate its interior. The local dive serves an array shareable plates, including but not limited to the fish and chips, pickle fries and fried grouper bites.

Best waterfront restaurants to see a rocket launch in Volusia County, Florida, that close after 9 p.m. Sunday

• The Breakers Restaurant, 518 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach. The signature pink building is never short of packed on any given evening, serving as locals fresh-off-the-beach staple for cold beer and casual bites. The intimate yet energetic restaurant and lounge sits right along the beach at the end of Flagler Avenue and is widely known for its delicious burgers, including the the blue cheeseburger and mushroom burger.

• Racing’s North Turn, 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet, is not only a historic landmark, but undoubtedly one of the most iconic, cult favorite restaurants on the beach. The NASCAR-themed bar and grill features a beachfront deck and happy hour specials, as well as live entertainment and a plethora of sandwiches, wings, seafood plates and more.

• Ocean Deck, 127 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach, is the quintessential, vacation-like beachfront eatery for that classic ocean view, craft cocktail, live entertainment experience. Whether sitting at the restaurant's outdoor deck or nautical upstairs dining room overlooking the Atlantic, guests can enjoy a cold beer or tropical cocktail and range of seafood selections, including the gator bites, mahi mahi sandwich, coconut shrimp and fresh Atlantic salmon.

• Riverside Johnny’s, 115 Main St. Bridge, Daytona Beach, is located along the Halifax River and frequented for its laid-back atmosphere, riverfront views and elevated menu of seafood, sandwiches, tacos and more. Though open less than two years, the Main Street spot has quickly grown in popularity for its smash patty burgers, including the Johnny's bleu burger and Daytona double double. The eatery offers indoor and outdoor seating and a full bar.

Other places to see a rocket that launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in Volusia County

In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County — home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch.

The best views to watch a rocket launch from here is along the beach. Look due south. Readers have also mentioned seeing a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Here are some recommended spots:

• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore), there may be parking costs. New Smyrna Beach features 17 miles of white sandy beaches. An eclectic and quaint beach town, despite its reputation as the "Shark Bite Capital of the World," New Smyrna Beach has always been a haven for surfers who come for the waves.

Dinner and a launch: Perfect for a SpaceX or NASA rocket launch, best waterfront restaurants in Volusia County

• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach, which is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park, has restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers and nearly 800 feet of beachfront sidewalk, according to Volusia County's site. The nearby riverside park area is across South Atlantic Avenue with tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, fishing pier and restrooms. The river by the park can be a great viewing spot for manatees, dolphins and pelicans.

• Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.

• Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County.

• Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill

• Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill

• Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill

• Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill

• Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a rental building,playground, baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoorrestrooms, pavilions, picnic areas and grills.

• Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a playground, baseball field, basketball courts, outdoor pavilion and restrooms.

• Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill. This location has about 350 feet of beautifully restored shoreline, according to the city of Oak Hill online. Facilities include a pavilion, picnic tables and kayak launching facilities.

• A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill. Facilities include a520-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating, the city of Oak Hill site states.

• Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above). Facilities include a 100-foot observation pier.

Contributing: Rick Neale, FLORIDA TODAY, and Clayton Park, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Volusia restaurants open for Mother's Day that have a great view