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Fictional setting for the 1960s TV Sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” today remembered with a street sign and an annual celebration: Jeanie Day.
We stopped by I Dream Of Jeannie Lane as we drove up Floridas coast. It is one of two streets that turn off the A1A highway into the seaside Lori Wilson Park. There is only the one street sign with the streets name on it and no other indication of the Jeannie or the Major.
In 1965, a zany sitcom about an astronaut and his unbottled genie first aired on American TV. Forty years later, the town of Cocoa Beach, FL, just south of the Cape Canaveral Space Center, is celebrating their role as the shows location with “We Dream of Jeannie,” a special event on Friday, Sept….
I was ready to take a walk on a long pier and drink at the Rikki Tiki Tavern, but one more chance to feel a sense of accomplishment was available just off A1A. Google Maps would lead me to I Dream of Jeannie Lane, next to the beachside Lori Wilson Park.
Located at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are the facilities for the Air Force Space and Missile Museum. The Sands Space History Center, located just outside the south gate to the station, is available for all to visit free of charge; however, to see the I Dream of Jeannie exhibit at the entrance to the Complex-26 Blockhouse, you have to take a pre-planned tour to gain access.
On the show, Nelson’s home is mentioned as being on 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, Florida. I saw this on Fandom’s “I Dream of Jeannie Wiki” page; I should have read the one comment from a Fandom user on August 20, 2016.
Much to my dismay (and lack of thoroughness), I discovered only later that the actual house exterior, located in California, was also used for other shows. As listed as #10 on MeTV’s “15 things you never knew about ‘Father Knows Best”:
“‘Buzz walked out and just scooped me up in his arms, and he still had his flight suit and all his equipment on,” Eden said with a laugh. “It was fun and the press had a field day.”
Let’s be honest, you can’t be that close to the ocean without taking some time to appreciate it. So take a walk along the sandy beach and enjoy the moment.
The show is set in the Cocoa Beach and Cape Kennedy area but was filmed in California, so you won’t find any TV sets or house museums dedicated to the series. There are no pamphlets or guides for Jeannie fans, so we explored on our own. Although the spots are few, it still makes for a fun half day activity to get outside the den!
A larger collection of I Dream of Jeannie memorabilia is behind the security clearance area on the base, and not open to the general public. However, the museum volunteers occasionally lead tours to the site, so be sure to call ahead for availability. (You can tour that collection here.)
The last stop on our I Dream of Jeannie tour! The outside walls of Rocket City Retro feature a collection of wall art, one of which is a homage to our chosen TV show! Unfortunately the shop was closed on our visit, but it looks like a great place to recreate the look of the Nelson house!
Another photo opp, we thought it fitting to include a reference to Major Anthony Nelson’s career.
FAQ
Where is the I Dream of Jeannie house in Cocoa Beach Florida?
What was Major Nelson’s address?