Even though I live close enough to get a decent view of the launches, I've still gone to KSC property on a couple of occasions to see them close up. One such time was in February 2000 when I watched the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour for the STS-99 mission. Buying the launch viewing opportunity ticket gets you as close as you get get to the Launch Pad 39 complex as a member of the public.
Read more: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress/index.php/2017/08/23/sts-99-space-shuttle-endeavour/