In June, 2006 we were able to take a quick trip up to central Florida. We first headed to the Kennedy Space Center where there are several places to explore. The tours take you to more places, and we decided on the Maximum Access (or something like that) tour and got to head out to where the shuttles are launched. We were lucky because the shuttle Discovery was set to launch in a couple of weeks. Since we took the better tour, we were able to get within 1 km. of the pad (and much closer to the shuttle-less other pad.) This was much closer than I was able to go when I went in 1985, and we were able to get out of the bus this time and take in the awesome view.
There are huge tunnels under the pad into which several thousand liters of water are dumped just before ignition. This water helps to both dampen the sound and vibration, and keep things at a manageable temperature. This shuttle turned out to be a bit delayed and launched on the 4th of July, 2006.
I highly recommend a trip to the Space Center out at Merritt Island. You will not be disappointed! 
Tags: Cool, photo, space, Technology, the U.S.