By far the best view is from the Causeway.
This is where most of the media coverage is from. You have a clear view of the launchpad across the water.
It is only available with a VIP pass. They usually sell out within ONE minute of coming on sale. [:(]
The Causeway is by far the closest at ~6 miles. The next best place is the beach at Titusville but is at 12 miles - it is also very crowded so you need to get there early or be very tall. Although the visitor centre is only 7 miles away, you do NOT get a view of the launch site. You do 'feel' the noise but you will just be watching a big TV screen. Not recommended!
But there is still a way to get VIP passes! - take
this tour.Grayline have an arrangement with Kennedy. [:)]
The other big problem if you wish to go close is the traffic. Particularly now, as the shuttle programme nears it's end, there are enormous numbers of people trying to get a last view.
It can take 3-4 hours to get out of the area after the launch!
That is after you get out of the KSC car park (buses get priority!)
You probably will have to depart Orlando the evening before in order to get a good viewing position - so after a night in the car or on the beach you do not want a 4 hour traffic jam!
With the tour, you don't have to cope with the nose to tail traffic and trying to navigate around the jams! The tour drivers are all in radio communication as well as knowing all the back routes - you can just sleep through it!.
Last time we went (a night launch) we were back to Orlando within 2 hours - some friends who went in their own car took almost 6 hours!
This site will show photographs from the different locations.
The April launch is likely to be either night or just before dawn - the views from the Causeway are fantastic with the the reflections in the water.
Probably the last opportunity to see a shuttle night launch!
One disadvantage of the VIP tickets is there is no refund if the launch is cancelled.
You do get a repeat ticket for the next day at a low cost ($35) - provided the launch is not cancelled in the last hour or so.(when you will already have been taken to the causeway). See
the T&Cs!I'm afraid I'm hoping STS131 is delayed another 5 days - then I'll get to see that one as well as possibly the May launch.
If you get to see it from the Causeway, you'll probably remember it as the best $100 you've ever spent!