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Complete Guide to Visiting Kennedy Space Center: Tips & Tricks

T he Kennedy Space Center is likely already on your list if you have an interest in all things space, especially if you’re traveling to Orlando with kids and seeking a hands-on experience. 

For Florida travelers with a more passing interest, it can still be a great visit. It can help you develop a greater appreciation for what it takes to run a successful space shuttle program and the bravery and ingenuity involved with planning for a safe, effective space launch.

Our family had an amazing time checking out the Kennedy Space Center, which was the perfect way to mix things up in between Walt Disney World and Universal Studios .

Pro tip: Get your discounted Kennedy Space Center tickets here and bundle them with your rental car for huge savings!

In this guest post, space enthusiast Brian of Travel on the Reg will share his best tips for Kennedy Space Center to make the most of your visit! He’ll share the best things to do at the Kennedy Space Center and how to plan your next trip there with this complete guide to the Florida space site. I took lots of fun photos on our family trip to Kennedy Space Center, and you’ll see those throughout this article since I haven’t gotten to use them elsewhere!

And now over to Brian…

Where is the Kennedy Space Center?

The Kennedy Space Center is on Merritt Island in central Florida. It’s not really a city but an unincorporated area. The area is most well-known for being a NASA launch site as home to the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), previously known as the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF).

Merritt Island is also home to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. That means you may be able to spot some bald eagles on your way to the entrance, and if you opt to stay nearby you’ll want to build in time for a visit on a different day. 

NASA actually works with the refuge to make sure any decisions they make about shuttle launches, expansions, and changes to the existing footprint keep the wildlife habitat in mind.

Why was the Kennedy Space Center built in Florida? 

The Kennedy Space Center was built in Florida for a few reasons:

• Florida is closer to the equator than most other U.S. states, so rockets and shuttles launched from here use less energy to get out to where they’re going. In this case, where they’re likely going is outer space.
• Florida is on the East Coast. Anything launched from here gets a boost from the Earth’s eastward spin vs. similar efforts out of the West Coast.
• It’s close to the Atlantic Ocean. Any debris coming off the shuttles and rockets will fall into the water rather than in developed areas. Potential explosions, while rare, are also safer over the water.

One of the virtual astronauts you’ll meet while checking out the exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center will give you more details about the benefits of KSC’s location!

The complex is one of 10 NASA field centers around the United States, but it’s arguably the most well-known whether you’re a nerd for space exploration or a more casual observer. That’s what makes it such a popular stop on Florida trips or bigger road trips through the South .

How close is the Kennedy Space Center to Orlando? 

The Kennedy Space Center is 44 miles from Orlando. Drive time on that depends on where you’re coming from in Orlando, but expect it to take about an hour with light traffic. You’ll definitely want to rent a car for the trip!

Orlando is pretty notorious for heavy traffic as it’s Florida’s hub for all the fun, so it’s always best to give yourself extra time, especially if you have any timed activities while you’re here.

Is Cape Canaveral the same as the Kennedy Space Center? 

Cape Canaveral is adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center, but it’s not the same thing. Both are part of what’s known as the Space Coast. That’s not a reference to alien activity , but a nod to the spaceports located here.

The confusion may be related to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, a facility that also serves as a missile and rocket launch site for the U.S. Space Force.

To confuse you further, the Cape Canaveral program has also been known as the Cape Kennedy Air Force Station and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It’s all the same.

Tips for Visiting the Kennedy Space Center

Here are a few things you need to know before visiting the Kennedy Space Center:

• Tickets for Kennedy Space Center are available online. Buy them ahead of time to save a lot of money! 
• If you’re only buying general admission tickets, the cheapest discount Kennedy Space Center tickets are available through aRes Travel . Alternatively, you can pay just a few dollars more per ticket but score a huge discount on your rental car through Undercover Tourist when you bundle them together – that can save you hundreds of dollars.
• Ticket enhancements sell out. Book well ahead of time if you know when you’re visiting if you want to do any of the more immersive activities while you’re there.
• Parking is plentiful, but expect to pay a fee of $10 upon arrival.
• You can bring food and bottled drinks (just avoid glass) into the space center. Snacks are encouraged. The pricing inside is what you’d expect out of a theme park-style experience.
• If you don’t bring in food, there are quite a few options once you’re inside. Just expect the upsell. We spent about $25 on lunch that included a serving of fries, a veggie burger, chicken fingers, and two drinks.

How much time do you need at the Kennedy Space Center? You need at least 5-6 hours of time at the Kennedy Space Center to see the highlights. Add more time if you’ve purchased any enhancements.

I highly recommend you get there as early as possible. The center opens at 9am but the gates open at 8:30am. We arrived around 9:30am and met a long line of cars at the entrance. We were parked, past security, and in line for the bus tour just before 10am.

What is the best way to visit the Kennedy Space Center? The best way to visit the Kennedy Space Center is to download the app before you go and plot out your day.

This is basically the Disney World of space. You don’t want to go into this blind, as that may mean you run out of time to do the things that you really wanted to do. 

The app allows you to favorite things you need to see and view highlights by location on their Kennedy Space Center map. 

There are two locations you’ll be exploring on your visit, by the way, and one is only accessible by the Kennedy Space Center bus.

Best Things to Do at the Kennedy Space Center

We spent a full day at the Kennedy Space Center and still didn’t get to every nook and cranny while we were there. I do think we explored the complex quite well, though, so I’m going to share everything with you in the order we did it.

What should you do first at Kennedy Space Center? The first thing you should do at the Kennedy Space Center is explore the Apollo/Saturn V Center. You’ll get there on a bus tour from the main visitor complex.

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

The Apollo/Saturn V Center isn’t accessible on foot. To get there, you’ll need to take the bus tour, which is included in your regular admission ticket. 

Access the bus tour at the main visitor complex from NASA Central. (Check out the map on your app or follow signage throughout the park.) If you hit the IMAX theater you’ve gone too far.

You don’t need to pre-book anything, but the park only got more crowded as the day went on. This is why I’m telling you to start with the bus tour.

On your bus tour, you’ll drive by the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. You can’t enter the building, but it’s impressive nonetheless. It’s over 500+ feed in every dimension and looks like a massive cube of concrete!

This is where the largest components of NASA’s space program are assembled, including space shuttles and the Saturn V. You’ll learn all about it on your bus tour, so take the earbuds out and listen up.

Apollo/Saturn V Center

Upon arrival at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, you’ll be ushered into a room as a whole bus group for an informative video, then to a second room to watch the Apollo 8 launch. 

The simulation comes complete with vibrating seats, and the spectacle was one of my favorite bits from the day.

After this, you’ll be dumped out into the main room, dominated by the Saturn V. The powerful rocket was an essential piece of the success of the Apollo program. 

If you’re new to all of this, the Apollo program was the space program responsible for the first moon landing and subsequent missions to the moon. The last flight through the program was Apollo 17 on December 19, 1972.

The Treasure Gallery is on one side and where you’ll find expected treasures, in this case, artifacts of the Apollo program. You’ll also see an exhibit on the Hubble Space Telescope while you’re here. Seriously, there’s a lot to see, so take your time.

While you explore the exhibits, you’ll hear a call to head to the Lunar Theater. Follow the call. You can always return to the exhibit spaces later, as those aren’t timed. The theater is where you’ll get to see the dramatics unfold around the Apollo 11 launch. 

The last exhibit at the Apollo/Saturn V Center is Ad Astra Per Aspera, a memorial to the astronauts who lost their lives on a test rehearsal of the first expected moon launch on Apollo 1. Three crew members lost their lives that day: Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.

We spent about two hours at the Apollo/Saturn V Center before reboarding the bus. You can check out the launching pads outside before you go. If you’re hungry, stop into Moon Rock Cafe for a snack or lunch.

To get back to the boarding station, exit through the main gift shop. Don’t miss the Moon Tree Garden on your way out. You’ll see a statue there of the Apollo 11 astronauts in a lovely green space of trees that are direct descendants of seeds that were taken to the moon.

Read that last bit again to get blown away once more.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

As you leave the bus back at the main visitor center complex, you’ll be close to the entrance of the exhibits dedicated to the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Your visit there will start with video clips about the Atlantis program. 

You’ll likely need to wait for a few minutes for the first round of visuals, but we only stood in line for about 10 minutes. 

For a more in-depth education on the space shuttle once you’ve made it past the video clips, timed tours run by a center guide are included with your ticket. 

One of the more sobering exhibits in the main exhibit space is Forever Remembered, a tribute to the crews of the Challenger and Columbia disasters. That exhibit includes personal items from the crew members and pieces from both shuttles.

The main exhibit space is where you’ll access the Shuttle Launch Experience, a simulation of the shuttle’s ascent into orbit. This is also included with your admission, but expect a wait to get inside. You can’t bring bags with you, but there are locked cubbies available for storage right next to the experience.

If you’re traveling with young children who don’t make the height requirement — you have to be 44” tall for the simulator — there are additional astronaut training simulators on the same level. It’s fun even watching kids try to achieve their mission objective on the simulators.

Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted

Explore attractions like NASA’s plans for Mars and how to get yourself into the next round of NASA hires in this building dedicated to deep space exploration. 

Sit in on the “Explorers Wanted” talk led by a very enthusiastic staffer before checking out the different rovers in the exhibit space. High-five the spaceman walking around the building. Don’t miss the Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator outside the building. 

Astronaut of the Day

Every day, veteran NASA astronauts make themselves available for autographs and question-and-answer sessions at the Kennedy Space Center. 

We upgraded our ticket to include Chat With an Astronaut, and I highly recommend you do the same. It’s pricey at $50/person, but if you’re at all interested in a more personal experience at the Kennedy Space Center, this is a great way to do that.

Our Astronaut of the Day was Don Thomas. I got to ask him who his favorite astronaut was — it’s Neil Armstrong, by the way — over a selection of wine, cheese, and other snacks that blew the rest of the park’s food options out of the water.

Yes, you can drink at this event, but there are sodas and water available if you’re not indulging.

The Q&A is open to kids, too, and I must say that the kids at our session asked some very intelligent questions. 

Seriously, it was a great time. You also take home a NASA patch and autographed photo to remember the day, on top of any to-go snacks you want for the rest of the afternoon.

Book this ticket enhancement ahead of your visit. There are two sessions per day at 10am and 2pm, but the 10am was sold out during our visit. There is limited seating for the chats. We probably only had around 20 participants during our booked time, which made for a very intimate experience.

Note: The daily astronaut guests also make themselves available for big presentations in the larger theater space.

Gateway: Deep Space Launch Complex

One of the newest exhibits at Kennedy Space Center is the huge Gateway: Deep Space Launch Complex. This area highlights (far) future innovations in space travel and exploration and includes recent commercial ventures. There are plenty of interactive stations downstairs and four simulator “rides” upstairs offering different journeys into deep space – the lines can be long for these since they’re really popular and keep in mind the 39″ minimum height.

Space Mirror Memorial

This memorial from the Astronauts Memorial Foundation is worth a quick visit to pay your respects to NASA’s fallen heroes. It’s beautifully done on polished black granite. 

You can also see much of the park from here, including the tips of the rockets within the Rocket Garden, our next stop.

Rocket Garden

The Rocket Garden is an outdoor exhibit of, you guessed it, giant rockets. Tours are available throughout the day as part of your general admission, but you can also just read the signage available if you haven’t timed things right. 

The Delta II is my personal favorite because of those shark teeth. 

This is likely the most photographed section of the park, so I hope you get a sunny day to capture all of the rocket magic.

Heroes & Legends

The Heroes & Legends is dedicated to big names in space travel and what it takes to make a hero. Your entrance is timed to this one, but it’s all included in your general admission.

You’ll watch two short videos once you’re inside. One was a little disorienting, as it was one of those that include lots of moving visuals happening all around you. 

You’ll then be dropped into the main exhibit space that details the heroic qualities required of astronauts and more clips from former astronauts on their personal NASA experiences. The last exhibit is the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Additional Activities at the Kennedy Space Center

If you only have one day at Kennedy Space Center, the highlights above with the optional enhancement of an astronaut chat will make for an excellent day. With more time, you can add more enhancements to your ticket or explore more attractions at the Kennedy Space Center.

Families with kids can easily fill up full two days here if they truly take their time. Here are a few additional ideas for making that happen.

IMAX Building Space Movies

IMAX movies at the Kennedy Space Center are included with your regular admission. You’ll need to pay extra for the obligatory snacks and drinks before you have yourself a seat. 

Films run about 40 minutes and are typically narrated by some cool cats, like Sir Patrick Stewart’s Journey to Space .

Planet Play

Planet Play is a kiddie playground with space-themed educational opportunities for the little ones. Kids can climb a wormhole and slide through an asteroid field…under the supervision of parents, of course.

Astronaut Training Experience (ATX)

Treat the space lover in your life to this immersive experience where they’ll learn more about what it takes to live and work on Mars. The full program takes up to five hours to complete, so this is truly for someone with several days dedicated to the Kennedy Space Center.

If you just want a taste of the simulations involved, you can also book ATX Training Stages, a piecemeal approach. None of these were available during our visit, but we were eyeing the Microgravity Simulator.

Mars Base 1

Mars Base 1 is another immersive NASA experience that will set you up for success if you ever find yourself on the Red Planet. This one requires even more time. Expect to spend up to seven hours managing the Base Operations Center on Mars with other rookie astronauts.

Where to Stay Near Kennedy Space Center

There are a few area hotels in Titusville and Merritt Island, the closest towns to the Kennedy Space Center. Hotels on Cape Canaveral are another option – it’ll take you about 20 minutes to drive around the cape to the visitor’s center. Be mindful not to book a hotel too close to Port Canaveral on the day of a major cruise ship departure, as morning traffic can be intense in that area.

Cocoa Beach is about half an hour away, and driving from Orlando will take about an hour. If you’re planning to visit theme parks and spend only one day at Kennedy Space Center, you may as well just base yourself in Orlando the entire time – be sure to check out the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress review .

Need specific recommendations? Here are a few hotels with easy access to the Kennedy Space Center:

• Hyatt Place Titusville/ Kennedy Space Center ~10 minutes from KSC *This top-rated Kennedy Space Center hotel starts at just 6500 points per night when you transfer from a Chase Sapphire credit card
• Cape Crossing Resort & Marina ~15 minutes to KSC, located on Merritt Island
• Hampton Inn Titusville/I-95 Kennedy Space Center ~20 minute drive to KSC
• Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral ~30 minutes to KSC but walking distance to the beach

Is the Kennedy Space Center worth going to?

The Kennedy Space Center is worth going to for a primer on space exploration history and its many interactive experiences. If you time things right, you even have an opportunity to meet real astronauts. 

I was certainly impressed and wouldn’t mind a return to check out The Deep Space Launch Complex is, a new planned exhibit there. I’d even plan a visit around a space launch, especially if it was run by NASA’s Artemis program. 

This one is a must for even casual fans of all things outer space.

Check these reputable sources for discounted tickets:

Planning your trip to Florida

Check out more awesome places to explore on your trip to Florida:

• Transportation From MCO to Port Canaveral
• Fantastic Things to do in Orlando With Tweens
• Disney All-Star Music Resort Reviews: A Repeat Visitor’s Inside Scoop
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Review: Is It As Good As You’ve Heard?
• 25 Essential Tips for Universal Studios Orlando
• 25 Tips for Disney World That Won’t Make You Crazy
• Hyatt Regency Sarasota Review: Family-Friendly Fun
• Fun Things to do in Sarasota with Kids: A Delightful Weekend Getaway
• Things To Do In Miami With Kids

The post Complete Guide to Visiting Kennedy Space Center: Tips & Tricks appeared first on The Family Voyage .

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Your Gateway to Space

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Always Exploring at The Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has its origins in 1963 when NASA allowed self-guided tours and later when congress approved funding for a full scale visitor center, Spaceport USA.

Today, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex sits on 42 acres and is America’s front row view to space travel past, present, and future. Historic artifacts, Kennedy Space Center tours, astronaut encounters, rocket launches, and models and simulation of future space travel.

Check Off Your Bucket List

Seeing a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast is on many people’s bucket list, and there’s no way for a civilian to get closer to the action than through special viewing options offered by the Visitor Complex. Common options for major launches include “Feel the Heat” which gives you a front row seat at the viewing area at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, only 6 miles from the closest pad. 

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Upcoming Space Coast Launches

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the best place to watch a rocket launch on Florida's Space Coast! Check out what's launching soon

Unique Experiences

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is packed full of attractions and artifacts from America’s Space Program. Some of the experiences include:

• U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame – Pay your respects to the great heroes of the United States Space Program and learn about the early days of our journey to the stars
• Apollo/Saturn V Center – Until you’ve stood under it, you cannot understand how massive the Saturn V rocket is. Relive the entire Apollo program with various exhibits built around America’s trip to the moon
• Space Shuttle Atlantis – There are only 4 real space shuttles on display across the country, and we have one here! Space Shuttle Atlantis is presented in all its glory with it’s bay doors open. Don’t miss the Shuttle Launch Experience ride and the full scale replica of the Hubble Space Telescope
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – Step into the modern era of Commercial Government collaboration in space. Check out a real SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and other artifacts from NASA’s commercial partners. Then step into Spaceport USA ride where you can virtually journey to the stars

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive early: There is so much to do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and so little time to do it. Guests are often disappointed that when they choose to arrive later in the day they end up missing out on large sections of the experience. Your family can explore for 2 days and still not run out of things to discover
• Plan Ahead: Knowing which exhibits you want to and planning your route can help those with limited time get the most out of KSCVC. The Visitor Complex sometimes offers special viewing options for major launches, and this is the best way to get up close to the action, but this is also one of the closest spots to view normal launches as well. If you can time your visit with a launch attempt there are sometimes speakers and events centered around them as well.

• Protect Yourself: While most of the artifacts are inside air conditioned buildings, a good chunk of time is spent out in the Florida sun and rain walking between major attraction areas. KSCVC is surrounded by nature and swampland, and as such, bugs can become an issue at certain times of the day. Check the weather and pack sunscreen, rain gear and bug spray as appropriate
• Know Your Peak Seasons:  Like other Florida theme parks, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is usually busier around the holiday season, and times when families have vacations. Plan your trip accordingly, pack your patience, and be prepared for slightly longer lines

Related Yearly Events

• Yuri’s Night – April: Party with your fellow space nerds, astronauts, and more and celebrate Yuri Gagarin (the first human to leave Earth) and all things Space!
• Space Coast International Air Show – April/May:  South Brevard’s premiere Air Show takes over the skies above Melbourne
• Cocoa Beach Air Show – April/May:  Enjoy the waves and sun, while some of the greatest aircraft in the world put on a show above Cocoa Beach
• Thunder on Cocoa Beach – April/May: Get your adrenaline pumping as power boats and other watercraft race to be king of Cocoa Beach
• Taste of Space/Marstini Shake-Off – Oct-Nov: Sample the special menu at the Visitor Complex and enjoy special food and drink events all month
• Holidays in Space – Dec: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex goes all out for the holidays with special exhibits and decorations

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• Keep track of upcoming missions including current launch schedule, in-depth mission plans and rocket details.

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Home » A First-Timer’s Guide to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

A First-Timer’s Guide to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The minute you step through the gates at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex , you are transported to an out-of-this-world experience with limitless possibilities, and a showcase of what humankind has achieved in its travels to space – and beyond.

If it’s your first time at the visitor complex, we understand it can be a little overwhelming with so much to do. That’s why we’ve put together a guide for first-time visitors

One-day and two-day tickets for adults and children ages 3-11 are on sale, with senior and military discounts also available.

Save time ahead of your visit by purchasing tickets online at KennedySpaceCenter.com, and heading directly to the front gate! Tickets can be purchased on-site, too.

If you want to spend multiple days at the visitor complex (and why wouldn’t you?) then consider getting an annual pass for you and your family. Having either a two-day ticket or an annual pass allows you to visit the complex more than once and really take in all we have to offer! Click here for all the ticket details .

ENJOYING YOUR DAY

With so much offered, here’s a breakdown of what you can do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

At Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®, see the visionary designs paving the way of human deep space travel while also discovering the current cutting-edge innovations of space exploration from NASA and commercial partners. And while at Gateway, don’t forget to take experience Spaceport KSC, where you’ll launch aboard one of four unforgettable journeys during an immersive ride. Guests must be 39” minimum to enjoy the attraction.

Experience the dawn of the space age and get up close with actual artifacts at Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing®.

At Universe Theater, meet a veteran astronaut and hear their stories at Astronaut Encounter, learn about the matter in It’s A Matter of Fact, and hear about recent and upcoming NASA missions in Mission Status Briefings. Check the Daily Schedule for show times.

At Space Shuttle Atlantis®, see the real Atlantis orbiter, which flew to space 33 times and traveled 126 million miles. You can also interact with more than 60 exhibits and simulators about what it’s like to live and work in space! And don’t forget to strap in for the Shuttle Launch Experience®. If you have motion sensitivities, you can still enjoy the mission briefing pre-show. The attraction has a 44” height minimum. A non-motion viewing area is also available.

Little ones can enjoy Planet Play, a fully immersive play experience for the next generation of space explorers.

Don’t miss the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you’ll explore the Apollo Program’s worldwide impact – all while standing underneath the tallest rocket ever flown. You can also touch a Moon rock, watch first-hand accounts of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and more. The Apollo/Saturn V Center is accessible through the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, where you can go behind NASA’s gates to see the past, present, and future of America’s multi-user spaceport.

Also, don’t forget to explore the Rocket Garden, visit Journey To Mars launched by United Launch Alliance, and see a space-themed film at IMAX®.

ENHANCE YOUR VISIT

The fun doesn’t stop there.

More enhancements are available for purchase in addition to admission. They are:

– Astronaut Training Stages: The experience for guests ages 10 and older allows you to practice your docking skills, navigate the Mars terrain, experience the sensation of performing a spacewalk, and more.

– Chat With An Astronaut: Enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while getting the chance to ask a real veteran astronaut your most pressing questions in a small-group setting. Purchase tickets online or at Guest Services.

– KSC Explore Tour: Go beyond the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour! Make several stops to capture once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities of spaceflight icons. Tickets are available for purchase online or at Information. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour departure time.

BE YOUR OWN GUIDE

Use your smartphone to create your own customized multimedia tour. The KSC SmartGuide app is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and American Sign Language. Download the app for free from the App Store and Google Play.

Also, the visitor complex has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, creating a welcoming space for people with autism and sensory needs. Sensory Guides are established at each attraction entrance. Don’t forget to download the Sensory Guide as well.

COME HUNGRY

You’ll probably work up an appetite while you’re at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Luckily, there are plenty of food and drink options available.

Enjoy pizza, salads, burgers, pulled pork at Orbit Cafe, acai bowls and choose-your-protein dishes at Space Bowl Bistro, hot dogs and other classics at Red Rock Grill, and more. For a quick pick-me-up, enjoy Starbucks®, ice cream at Milky Way, traditional movie favorites at IMAX Snax, and more.

If your first visit is this fall, then it’s the perfect time to partake in our annual Taste of Space Fall Bites! Celebrate the taste of the season from Oct. 2-Nov. 5, 2023, with brand-new menu options throughout the visitor complex. Click here for more information.

During the holiday season, you can enjoy Holidays in Space across the visitor complex. There is a nightly projection show, and festive holiday décor throughout the grounds including six-foot-tall astronaut nutcrackers and a 50-foot tree with more than 61,000 pixels of light and so much more.

PICK UP A SOUVENIR

Don’t forget a piece of memorabilia to commemorate your trip to the visitor complex when you visit The Space Shop, the world’s largest collection of NASA merchandise. Gifts and souvenirs are also available at Shuttle Express, which features gifts and souvenirs about the Atlantis orbiter and NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. At The Right Stuff at Apollo/Saturn V Center, pick up products that celebrate the Apollo missions.

Also, take the memories home with you with Astropass, powered by Storibox, which includes all your digital photos from all of the visitor complex’s photo locations. It’s available for purchase online or at Guest Services.

What are YOU most excited about for your first visit ?

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Access to the Restricted Areas of America's MULTI-USER Spaceport

Tour the birthplace of American spaceflight. From the comfort of an air-conditioned motor coach, view restricted areas of Kennedy Space Center, the working spaceflight facility where America launched to the Moon and where NASA plans to send astronauts into deep space.

On the way to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, follow space guide Emily Calandrelli as she visits some of the most mission-critical areas of Kennedy Space Center. As you see larger-than-life facilities from your bus, Emily takes you closer to exclusive areas like launch complex 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building. While touring this multi-user spaceport, hear from local space experts in their fields and learn how NASA has joined commercial partners to prepare for the future of space exploration. Be sure to include the all-new Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour to your day! Please Note: As NASA and its commercial partners prepare for milestone launches this year, certain roads are currently unavailable to visitor complex buses. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour has been rerouted in response to these operational requirements, but there is still plenty to learn and see beyond the gates of America’s multi-user spaceport!

BUY ADMISSION

* Last bus tour runs 2.5 hours before park closure.

Tour availability and routes may be altered at any time with or without any notice due to operational requirements. Safety protocols require an alternate tour bus route during days leading up to a launch from Launch Complex 39A.  Check the Daily Schedule once on site for any changes.

Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour

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A Self-Guided Tour of Kennedy Space Center: 1-Day Itinerary

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Planning a trip to Kennedy Space Center can be a bit intimidating. There is a lot to see and do within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral and it can be tough to decide where to go first, the best way to see the top attractions, and even what things you should see and do and what things might be best left for a future visit. This self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center will help you plan your itinerary and maximize your visit.

The first time I visited Kennedy Space Center, I didn’t have a plan… We just wandered around, in and out of the various buildings. That’s a perfectly fine way to visit if that’s your style, but you will probably miss out on a lot of things, and you won’t necessarily hit things in the best possible order.

On subsequent visits, I had a better plan this time around. Not only in terms of what I wanted to see and do (things I missed the first time) but also in what order I wanted to see and do them.

This self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center will give you a plan of attack and order of operations for your visit that will maximize your time and provide the greatest insight into the U.S. space program and its more than 70 years of history.

In my opinion, it makes the most sense to explore the space program and Kennedy Space Center in a more or less chronological fashion. This means learning about Mercury and Gemini before you learn about the Apollo missions, for example. The Mercury and Gemini programs were the stepping stones that led up to Apollo, after all. The lessons learned in each of those programs culminated in Apollo, and lessons learned there led to the Space Shuttle, and so on.

The problem is that those programs are spread out across different buildings and even areas of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, meaning that you don’t necessarily just want to go from one building to the next in order.

Gaining a greater understanding of the history of human space flight is important! We are living in the most exciting time for space exploration since the 1960s and a visit to Kennedy Space Center will help you appreciate all of that even more.

Let’s jump into how to plan your visit to Kennedy Space Center with this suggested itinerary.

Planning a Day at Kennedy Space Center

The majority of visitors will be coming from the Orlando area, and Kennedy Space Center is located about a one-hour drive from there. The Visitor Complex opens year-round at 9 am and I suggest planning to arrive at opening time.

You can save time by purchasing your tickets online in advance. Tickets for adults  are currently $57 each.

Skip the Line and Buy Your Tickets Now

But you don’t need a reservation for the park unless you are planning on doing the add-on enhancements like chatting with an astronaut or the training stages (for an additional fee on top of an entrance ticket).

Closing time varies depending on the season, but is either at 5 or 6 pm, meaning you have 8-9 hours at Kennedy Space Center. You can easily fill all that time here. So let’s get into our self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center and your itinerary for the day.

Kennedy Space Center Attractions Map

Be sure to scroll around, zoom in and out, and explore for a better idea of the Kennedy Space Center attractions, including insight into where the launch pads are, the bus route to the Apollo Center, and much more.

Rocket Garden

Just inside the entrance of the Visitor Complex stands the imposing Rocket Garden where you will find real versions of some of the most famous rockets in space flight.

The rockets are primarily from the early days of the space program but also feature some more modern ones, as well.

There are guided tours of the Rocket Garden at different times throughout the day, including one just after the park gates open. I would suggest hopping on this one!

The guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden lasts about 15-minutes and will share with you some of the key developments and progress in manned space flight from the earliest days up through the Saturn IB rocket.

You will also find massive rocket motors and the (tiny) capsules of the various programs which you can crawl inside to experience.

Doing the Rocket Garden first allows you to explore the earliest days of rockets (ballistic missiles) and manned spaceflight, plus it is all outdoors so it is best to do it before the Florida sun starts beating down on you.

Rocket Garden Time: 15-30 minutes

Heroes & Legends

Right beside the Rocket Garden, you should backtrack and head up the ramp to the relatively new Heroes & Legends building. This building explores some of the qualities needed by those early-day astronauts to strap into the top of a retrofitted missile and blast off into space.

The Heroes & Legends exhibit is among the newest additions to Kennedy Space Center and includes many very well-done exhibits, including interactive displays and attractions. You will learn a lot here about the astronauts involved in Mercury and Gemini, including their personal lives and what lead them to be part of the space program.

Don’t miss the Mercury mission control room, the Redstone rocket hung overhead, and Mercury and Gemini capsules on display.

The Heroes & Legends exhibit highlights Mercury and Gemini in greater detail, using some of the rockets you just saw in the Rocket Garden like the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, and Gemini-Titan rockets.

The Mercury 7 program sent six astronauts (flying solo) into space intending to reach orbit. Gemini sent up two astronaut teams with various space travel goals in preparation for Apollo, including spacewalks, docking procedures, and more.

You can make a brief stop at the Astronaut Hall of Fame near the end of the exhibit, or save it for later in the day if time allows.

• Heroes & Legends: 1 hour

Apollo / Saturn V Exhibit

After learning all about Mercury and Gemini, let’s take the lessons learned and head to the Apollo program! The Apollo / Saturn V building at Kennedy Space Center is located in a separate area, accessible via a short bus ride.

Head straight to the bus area and board for a short guided tour of Kennedy Space Center to otherwise inaccessible areas. On the bus route, keep your eyes open for the Mercury-Redstone rocket soon after leaving, the SpaceX operations area (more on them later), and the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) where projects like Artemis (to return to the moon) is being worked on.

You will arrive at the Saturn V exhibit and be guided through a multi-room video introduction that is quite impressive. This tour or entrance will eventually lead you directly under the massive engines of a Saturn V booster hanging the length of the building… A mind-blowing sight to see the size and scale of the rocket that took humans to the moon.

There are numerous exhibits and rooms around the perimeter of the building that explore more of the various Saturn V flights culminating in the landing on the moon with Apollo 11.

There are somber reminders of the dangers as well, at the exhibit of Ad Astra Per Aspera detailing the tragic deaths of three astronauts: Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, in a fire on the launchpad. The first Americans to die for space exploration, and not the last.

Be sure to step outside the building to see Launch Pad 39A and B, the launch pad of so many major milestones in space flight, with lots more to come in the future!

Adjacent to the building is also the Banana Creek viewing area where you can see rocket launches which are becoming increasingly frequent (about once per week). If you are visiting on a launch day, you might want to save the visit to Apollo / Saturn V to coincide with an hour or two before launch.

Click here to check out the Kennedy Space Center launch schedule.

If you’re following the suggested itinerary, you may want to grab lunch here at the Moon Rock Cafe or at the Orbit Cafe back in the main visitor complex area. Either way, you will want to grab the bus back.

Apollo /Saturn V exhibit time: 1-2 hours

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Space Shuttle Atlantis

After taking in the history of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, we are ready to embark on a new and exciting chapter of human space flight with the introduction of the Space Shuttle! The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is located adjacent to the drop-off area for the Apollo bus.

The Space Shuttle marks the most lengthy period of space flight, with 30 years of service, over 100 missions, and more than 300 astronauts flown.

The ability to partially reuse a spacecraft (the shuttle is a glider that is reusable, but the rockets themselves were not) marked a huge turning point in space flight systems and set some of the groundwork for what we have today.

Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, you will find the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis after one of the most impressive reveals you will ever see. Seeing the scale of the Atlantis up close and personal is another mind-blowing experience.

The age of the Space Shuttle is a whole new era that introduced the International Space Station (ISS) still flying overhead and was instrumental in the launch (and repair) of the Hubble Space Telescope which fundamentally changed our conception of the universe.

Don’t miss out on the Space Shuttle Launch Experience which gives you a bumpy ride to space and even the illusion of weightlessness upon arrival. There are numerous exhibits about the shuttle and related technologies throughout the building, and also be sure to check out the memorial to the 14 astronauts who died in the Challenger and Columbia accidents, along with some wreckage from both vessels. Another reminder of the dangers.

The space shuttle itself was retired in 2011 after 30 years of service, and the United States sat idle for nearly 10 years, unable to launch U.S. astronauts from U.S. soil, instead having to buy seats from the Russians to launch from Kazakhstan just to reach the International Space Station… But that was all about to change.

Space Shuttle Atlantis time: 1-2 hours

Gateway Launch Complex

Finally, back near the Rocket Garden at the entrance to Kennedy Space Center is the newest addition, the Gateway Launch Complex. This exhibit takes us into modern times and even explores some possibilities for the future…

Here you will find some space-flown hardware including a SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage booster, a SpaceX Dragon Capsule, an Orion Capsule, and some other space hardware like the Boeing Starliner Capsule, Sierra Space Dream Chaser, and concepts for new space station elements.

It was, of course, the SpaceX Falcon 9 that brought Americans back to the International Space Station from U.S. soil with their first manned flight in November 2020, more than 9 years after the last Space Shuttle flight, and certainly one of the few bright spots in the dark days of the pandemic.

These are the reusable boosters that return to earth, landing upright with engine ignition. It has happened so many times now (some individual boosters have more than 13 landings) but it still seems like CGI or magic every time, especially when they land out at sea on a giant barge. The Falcon 9 is still only partially reusable, and the next step is fully reusable rockets.

In terms of the future, there are some proposals for space station capsules and flight here, as mentioned, plus four different interactive experiences where you can take off to Mars, Trappist-1, and other destinations.

Who knows what the future holds for space flight? Well, after today, you’ll have a pretty good idea of our progress, how we got there, where we are today, and what the future could hold.

Gateway Launch Complex time: 1-2 hours

Tour of Kennedy Space Center Itinerary

• Rocket Garden: 15-30 minutes
• Apollo / Saturn V: 1-2 hours + 30 minutes for bus shuttle (15 minutes each direction)
• Lunch: 1 Hour
• Space Shuttle Atlantis: 1-2 hours
• Gateway Launch Complex: 1-2 hours
• Recommendations to fill any extra time below

These five exhibits on this tour and itinerary of the Kennedy Space Center will fill your entire day but there are still more things to see… These five destinations or exhibits are the most important, not only in terms of the history of space flight but also the most impressive and complete exhibits at Kennedy Space Center.

Visiting the exhibits in this order will take you on an in-depth tour of American spaceflight. Here is a recap of the programs along with some notable accomplishments and a timeline.

• Alan Shephard first American in space (1961)
• John Glenn first American to orbit the earth (1962)
• Gordon Cooper with 22 orbits (1963)
• Ed White with the first American spacewalk (1965)
• Neil Armstrong performed the first manned docking in space (1966)
• Neil Armstrong first man on the moon (1969)
• Apollo 17 the final voyage to the moon (1972)
• Bruce McCandless first untethered spacewalk (1984)
• Hubble Space Telescope launched into orbit (1990)
• Eileen Marie Collins was the first woman to command a Space Shuttle mission (1995)
• First crew abroad at the International Space Station (2000)
• SpaceX Dragon capsule docks with ISS, the first private spacecraft (2012)
• SpaceX Falcon 9 lands the first stage of an orbital booster for the first time (2015)
• U.S. Astronauts travel from U.S. soil again to the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9 (2020)

Tip: Read the book Into That Silent Sea & In the Shadow of the Moon before you go to gain better insight into the early days of the space program and a better appreciation for everything you will see here.

If you have more time that you want to utilize, I’d suggest budgeting a little more time on the period of most interest to you, whether that is the Space Shuttle, Apollo, or early Mercury/Gemini programs.

If you want a break, I’d suggest working in an IMAX movie after lunch or in the afternoon — check out the app or pamphlets at the entrance for a schedule. There are also massive gift shops if you want a NASA or SpaceX t-shirt (the best one is at the main plaza).

You can also finish out the day by visiting Journey to Mars, the Space Memorial Mirror, the Nature & Technology exhibit, or the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame if you bypassed it earlier while visiting Heroes & Legends. These are all secondary exhibits, in my opinion, and should be left for the end of the day or included in future visits.

I hope that this suggested itinerary and schedule of Kennedy Space Center prepare you for an incredible day at one of my favorite places in Florida. I’m adamant that Kennedy Space Center is not just a stopover to include on an Orlando family vacation, but an incredible destination in its own right.

The experience is even more incredible if you can time it with a scheduled rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center. Unmanned launches are a pretty regular occurrence these days, so your odds are good! But even if you can’t make a launch, the visit to Kennedy Space Center is 100% worth it and I try to return periodically to absorb even more details and insights about space exploration and to explore new additions to Kennedy Space Center.

Be sure not to miss my guide on things to do at the Kennedy Space Center with more details about each exhibit and the highlights you can’t miss at each spot, plus thoughts on where to stay in Titusville and other necessary trip planning help.

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Book Your Flight Book a cheap flight with Momondo , they’re my favorite search engine. Or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Another great search engine is Skyscanner .

Book Your Accommodation Book cheap accommodation in advance. For hostels I recommend HostelWorld , for hotels I use Booking.com or Hotels.com , and for apartments or longer stays, I use Airbnb . I like to check reviews on TripAdvisor prior to reserving.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details

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Thank you SO much for this itinerary! Just visited, and this helped a ton 🙂

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🚀 The 7 Best Kennedy Space Center Tours [2024 Reviews]

If space exploration interests you, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the best place on Earth to see real-life space vehicles. In this modern facility filled with dozens of interactive attractions, you can learn everything there is to know about space. You can even speak with a veteran of the American Space Program.

However, there are many Kennedy Space Center trips from Orlando. Not every KSC tour guarantees you’ll meet with a real astronaut or see an active launch pad.

To help you decide, we’ve selected the 7 top-rated Orlando Kennedy Space Center adventures and review them below.

Best Tours of Kennedy Space Center

Quick answer: the 7 best rated kennedy space center tours for 2024.

• Kennedy Space Center with Transportation from Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center Day Trip with Transport From Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center & Airboat Tour
• Kennedy Space Center Tour & Chat with an Astronaut
• Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour
• Kennedy Space Center: Ultimate Space Experience
• Kennedy Space Center: Space Pass Entrance Ticket

Kennedy Space Center Tour Reviews

1. kennedy space center with transportation from orlando.

• Departure Point : Hotel pick-up
• Departure Time : 7:30 AM
• Duration : 9 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, and KSP Visitors’ Complex

This is the best value Kennedy Space Center tour. It enables you to experience everything there is to do and see at the space center. Space enthusiasts will appreciate this full-day experience where you and your family can immerse yourselves in everything space related.

Visit the fascinating exhibit about the Hubble Telescope and then watch the Hubble 3D IMAX movie. This opens your eyes to the distant stars, solar systems, and galaxies we can now view from Earth with the aid of this amazing technology.

Once you’ve seen where humankind is headed, see how we might get there. Enter the amazing Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit where you’ll come face to face with a real-life Space Shuttle that once flew in space and docked with the International Space Station (ISS). This exhibit also reveals the history of NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

There is so much to see at the Kennedy Space Center, and the bus tour of the Mobile Rocket Launch Platform and Vehicle Assembly Building enables you to appreciate the huge scale of this space-faring endeavor.

With transport from local resorts and full access to all of the Kennedy Space Center’s many exhibits and visitors’ complex, this is the best Kennedy Space Center adventure from Orlando for any space-loving family.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. kennedy space center day trip with transport from orlando.

• Departure Point : Hotel pick-up available
• Departure Time : 8:00 AM
• Duration : 10 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, and dine with an astronaut

This Orlando Kennedy Space Center trip is ideal for the truly space-obsessed family. It offers the unique opportunity for you to dine with a genuine astronaut!

Have you ever dreamed of speaking with someone who has experienced living and working in a vacuum and without gravity? With this unique “dine with an astronaut”, you can. You and your kids can ask all those questions you always wanted to when you come face-to-face with one of the few people on Earth qualified to give you the answers you seek.

This long-day excursion to the Kennedy Space Center also gives you a behind-the-scenes experience at NASA’s launch headquarters. You’ll see the Space Shuttle launch pads from the vantage of a 4-floor observation deck.

In some of the many exciting exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center, you can take the helm of a Space Shuttle, reenact Neil Armstrong’s famous “giant step for mankind”, and feel what it’s like to float in outer space.

This is the best Kennedy Space Center excursion from Orlando for a fun-packed family adventure that ticks all the space-lover’s boxes. Before you go, make sure you write a list of all the questions you want to ask a space veteran.

3. Orlando: Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Tour

• Duration : 12 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, meet an astronaut, and go for an airboat ride

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for anyone who also wants to experience the wonders of nature in Florida’s swamps. It features a 30-minute airboat ride along the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett.

Hang onto your hats as your airboat tears along the river at adrenaline-pumping speeds of up to 45 mph. Once you’ve reached the best location to observe the unique flora and fauna of this special wilderness area, your boat will slow to a crawl as you snap photographs of cypress knees, wading birds, and, of course, alligators.

But you didn’t come to this part of Florida just to admire the amazing wildlife. At the Kennedy Space Center, you’ll get to walk beneath the giant Saturn V moon rocket and meet a real-life astronaut. This is your chance to ask anything you want about space when you meet a person who really knows the answers.

You’ll need all day to take in the many interactive exhibits at the space center. The highlight must be the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit. At this unique exhibit, you’ll come face-to-face with a vehicle that entered space no less than 33 times during its 26-year career.

Get your cameras ready for the greatest adventure of your lives. Unless you’re chosen for the first manned mission to Mars, this Orlando space center adventure will be the closest you ever get to space.

4. Kennedy Space Center Tour and Chat with an Astronaut

This is the best Kennedy Space Center trip for people who want to experience what it’s actually like to be an astronaut. The latest interactive technology enables you to become an astronaut aboard a virtual space shuttle.

Arguably, the most thrilling experience is strapping yourself into the shuttle cockpit as you prepare for the countdown to an imminent launch. Feel the trepidation as you listen to the countdown and anticipate the chemical reaction and associated acceleration kick.

Be extremely careful as you pilot the space shuttle during a virtual extravehicular activity and dock your shuttle with the International Space Station. And when your flight is over, you have the arduous and dangerous task of gliding your shuttle to a landing on the re-entry slide.

But this Kennedy Space Center tour isn’t all virtual. You’ll get to speak and eat with a real-life astronaut. What’s more, you’ll see genuine space vehicles on display, including the rockets that took men to the moon and the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

This full-day Kennedy Space Center adventure is perfect for families who love everything space-related. There will not be a single dull moment, and you’ll likely want to visit again as soon as possible.

5. Kennedy Space Center With KSC Explore Tour

• Departure Time : 8.45 AM
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Launch Complex 39A bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, and KSP Visitors’ Complex

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for visitors interested in the future of space exploration. This Orlando space excursion includes a visit to the launch pads now used by NASA’s new commercial partners, such as ULA and SpaceX. Witness with your own eyes the place history is made today.

This special space excursion from Orlando begins with an astronaut meet and greet welcome. You’ll get to speak with a real-life astronaut and learn firsthand about their experiences in outer space.

After an orientation tour, you are free to explore the many exciting interactive exhibits around the space center. This includes the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit where you will see a genuine space shuttle posed as it appeared in space with its payload bay doors open and its camera boom extended.

A variety of high-tech simulators enable you to experience many of the more exciting parts of space exploration. Strap yourself in for a takeoff, practice the delicate maneuvers of docking the space shuttle with the International Space Station, and find out how it feels to float in a zero-gravity environment.

With many other exciting exhibits to experience, including 2 IMAX films and the Saturn V Rocket, there’s plenty to do and see during this day-long Florida space adventure. Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

6. Kennedy Space Center: Ultimate Space Experience

• Departure Time : 8.30 AM
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Discover KSC bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, and lunch with an astronaut

If you prefer fully guided tours, this is the best Kennedy Space Center trip for you. It features the Discover KSC bus tour. On the Discover KSC bus tour, you are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, and your bus accesses areas not seen on the regular launch pads bus tour.

This tour also provides you with the enviable experience of eating with an astronaut. An astronaut from NASA’s space program will join you for a buffet lunch and tell you about their experiences in training and in space. If your kids dream of becoming astronauts, this is their best opportunity to find out what it’s really like from someone who knows.

After the bus tour and lunch, take the time to fully explore the Kennedy Space Center. Walk under the mammoth Saturn V Space Rockets and go to visit the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit. Nowhere else on Earth will you find so many genuine space vehicles on display.

With the latest interactive exhibits to experience, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time. Be an astronaut for the day and maybe prepare yourself to sign up for the first manned mission to Mars.

7. Kennedy Space Center: Space Pass Entrance Ticket

• Departure Point : 1275 NE 79th Street, Miami
• Departure Time : 7:00 AM, 2:00 PM
• Duration : 4 or 8 hours
• Includes : Boat charter, life vest & safety equipment, fishing gear, lures, fishing licenses, and cold bottled water

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for space lovers who like to organize things for themselves. You arrange your own transport to the space center, but your ticket is valid all day so that you don’t need to rush.

The one event you must plan your day around is your buffet meal with an astronaut. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet with a veteran of the American Space Program who can tell you all about their experiences in outer space.

There are over 60 interactive exhibits in the Kennedy Space Center visitors’ center. These fascinating exhibits enable you to see real space vehicles and discover how they work. You’ll also have the chance to touch a rock brought back from the moon.

If you’re thinking of applying to join the first manned mission to Mars, don’t miss out on all the simulations around the center. You can discover what it’s like to blast off into space, experience weightlessness, and learn how to dock a space shuttle to the International Space Station.

The highlight of this Kennedy Space Center trip is the Discover KSC bus tour. A knowledgeable guide will take you around the space center on a 2-hour guided tour. You’ll see areas not covered by the regular space center bus tour as well as seeing the launch pads used by the space shuttles when they were in operation.

Spend all day at Kennedy Space Center and see all you can. When your time is up, you won’t want to leave. And you’ll definitely want to come back again soon.

Orlando, Florida Travel Guide

The kennedy space center.

• Traveling in the Time of COVID

Airports & Entry

Planning tips, restaurants & eating out, nightlife & entertainment, getting around, accommodations, attractions.

The city of Orlando is famous world-wide. Many who have never stepped foot in the US can point to this fascinating city’s location on a world map. But Orlando isn’t famous because of its history or fine architecture. Instead, it is so well known because of a simple business decision made by the Walt Disney Company in the late 60s to build Walt Disney World in its southern suburbs.

The opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 was followed by the construction of other major theme parks in the area, such as Fun Spot America, Universal Studios Florida, the Holy Land Experience, and Legoland. This makes Orlando the world’s capital for theme park fanatics.

But Orlando isn’t only about theme parks. It is also home to the internationally renowned Kennedy Space Center and a range of other cultural and educational sites. For example, there is Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Gatorland, and Orlando Museum of Art.

Orlando boasts easy access to a broad range of unique natural attractions. For example, it is a great base for exploring the fascinating wilderness areas of the Florida Everglades. You can enjoy a boat safari through this unique environment and admire the waterfowl and amphibians that make it their home.

The city is also surrounded by a near countless number of lakes, many of which are perfect fishing destinations. Florida is the sport-fishing capital of the world, and Central Florida around Orlando boasts the best freshwater bass fishing you can find. Thousands of keen anglers flock to Orlando every year to fish at Clear Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, Sarke Lake, Turkey Lake, Lake Underhill, Lake Tohopekaliga, and other fantastic angling spots.

Cape Canaveral on Florida’s eastern coast is less than an hour’s drive (55 miles) away from the city, making Orlando the best base for visiting the world’s most famous spaceport. Cape Canaveral has hosted space rocket experiments and exploration since 1949 when early rockets were tested here.

Since 1968, the Kennedy Space Center (KSS) has been the main launch site of NASA’s human spaceflight programs. Famous space missions such as the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Skylab programs were based here. And today KSS is still a launch center for space flights, including the commercial SpaceX launches that so often feature in news reports.

Today, many iconic spacecrafts from NASA’s history are displayed at KSS, including the Space Shuttle Atlantis and a gigantic Saturn V space rocket. KSS also features a wealth of historical artifacts connected with space exploration and interactive attractions designed to entertain and educate the whole family.

Traveling in the time of COVID

Like many other destinations worldwide, some tours and visitor attractions in Miami may have adopted special procedures during the pandemic.

Wearing a mask may be mandatory in some locations, especially in enclosed public areas such as travel hubs and shopping malls. You may be expected to supply your own mask and wear it when you enter buildings.

It is in your own interest to keep your distance from other visitors who are not in your family group or bubble. You may be expected to keep your distance inside minibuses and other vehicles and when seated in restaurants.

At the time of writing, the State of Florida welcomes visitors but requires pre-travel testing for Covid-19 for visitors arriving from overseas not more than 3 days before traveling. Visitors must also sign an attestation that their documentation is genuine. Visitors will be required to hand over “covid-free” certification at the airport You can obtain the most up-to-date information directly from the Florida Health website.

The easiest way to travel to Orlando is by air. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major travel hub for Central Florida. In 2019, MCO handled over 50 million passengers, though this dropped to 21 million in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Obviously, MCO is extremely busy 24/7. At the time of writing, the new South Terminal Complex is still under construction, which will help to handle the expected surge of visitors after the COVID restrictions are ended. However, even now, MCO has the well-trained staff and facilities to make your arrival and departure as painless as possible.

MCO is packed full of stores and restaurants alongside the other facilities you’d expect in such a busy airport. While many of the stores close by 5 pm and the restaurants by 8 pm, the Main Terminal McDonald’s is open from 5:30 am to 10 pm.

An interesting fact is that Orlando is the world’s biggest rental car market. You’ll find 10 major car rental companies at the airport on the Ground Transportation Level on the A-Side of the Terminal: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. Avis, Budget, and Payless also operate on the B-Side. Given that MCO is only a short 15-minute drive from downtown Orlando and several of the local major attractions, renting a car is an easy option.

Lynx operate an airport bus service from the A-Side of the Main Terminal. Regular Shuttle Bus services operate from both the A-Side and the B-Side. Alternatively, taxis are available on both sides. You should expect taxi fares from MCO of around $45 to downtown Orlando and $65 to Walt Disney World.

If you are taking an international flight into Orlando, you will need your passport as well as authorization and your “covid-free” certification. If you play to stay fewer than 90 days, you will need an ESTA, Electronic System for Travel Authorization . This is a form of visa waiver.

Many people believe Orlando is the same year-round and an easy place to visit. Given that so many tourist-focused attractions are based around this city, this is partially true. However, there are some important facts you should take into consideration.

Here are a few tips. If you have questions about your visit that aren’t covered by this guide or other tips for visitors, leave us a message in the comments.

Tip #1: Go in Spring or the Fall

For fewer crowds and better weather, it is preferable to visit Orlando in the spring or the fall. If you must visit in summer due to your kids’ school holidays, go late in August when local children are back in school.

With 75 million visitors a year, there are always queues in Orlando. You should be prepared for this. Major US holidays should be avoided at any cost unless you want to be stuck in the longest queues at the airport and attractions. Especially avoid Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — unless you have your heart set on seeing the special holiday season events and decorations.

Tip #2: Be Prepared for the Tropical Weather

When you see Orlando attractions on the TV or in films, the weather is always beautiful. There is a lot of truth to this. However, if you visit during the summer, it is important to prepare for the humidity and draining heat. The temperatures can reach as high as 100 0 F and the humidity 100%.

Brief but sharp thunderstorms are common, so light plastic ponchos you can don in a hurry are advisable. Ensure you use plenty of sunblock and consider wide-brimmed hats for added protection from the sun.

Tip #3: Enjoy Day Trip Tours but Book Ahead

With more theme parks and tourist attractions than any other city in the world, there are lots of tours available in Orlando. You might want to take a guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center or enjoy a safari in the Florida Everglades. However, with so many tourists pouring into Orlando, you should book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Tip #4: Spend at Least One Day in Nature

If you’re on vacation with your family, it’s tempting to spend all your time at theme parks. There are so many! However, if you do this, you will miss one of Orlando’s greatest benefits.

With the Florida Everglades on its doorstep plus more lakes than any other major destination, Orlando is a wonderful location for nature lovers. Whether you want to go kayaking on a lake, enjoy some quiet time fishing, or see the alligators in the Everglades, there are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Orlando.

Tip #5: Allow Plenty of Time at the Theme Parks

When you glance at those colorful park maps online, you might get the impression that you can walk from one ride to the next in a couple of minutes. Don’t be fooled! The Walt Disney World Resort, for example, is spread over an area of 47 square miles. It is not always practical to walk from one ride to the next and walking in the Florida sun can be tiring.

Allow plenty of time in your plans for enjoying all the rides and park attractions that you want to experience. And remember your young kids may become tired quicker than you expect in the tropical weather. Also note some rides and attractions are too scary for young children and some unsuitable for pregnant ladies.

As you can easily imagine, the large number of tourists regularly flocking to Orlando has given rise to a vast range of restaurants offering every kind of food you might want. Within the theme parks, there is a wide choice of fast-food outlets. However, these can be overpriced. Outside the parks, you will find many relatively inexpensive eating outlets.

A great place to visit is Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road. Here you’ll find the greatest range of choices in Orlando. Restaurant Row offers you the chance to sample some of this city’s finest restaurants and its culinary diversity.

Many seasoned Orlando visitors head for the restaurants for breakfast before hitting the theme parks. There are many “eat all you can” buffet-style restaurants that offer fantastic value for money.

In the afternoon and evening, watch out for Early Bird Specials. Because so many visitors stick to the theme parks until late, the restaurants outside the parks offer incentives to attract early diners.

Early Bird Specials are typically served at a la carte restaurants between 4 pm and 6 pm. Note that doggy bags are a norm in Florida a la carte restaurants, so don’t be shy about asking for one if you cannot finish your meal.

Also watch out for meal discount vouchers. You may find these scattered among the tourist leaflets at your hotel or even on display outside the restaurants. With the competition between eateries so intense, discount vouchers are common.

A quick visit to the Tourist Information Center will provide you with information about restaurants offering significant discounts and possibly a physical card that entitles you to discounts at participating restaurants. To encourage repeat visits, some restaurants offer an extra-large discount to returning customers who produce their last bill.

The profusion of theme parks in Orlando has led to an interesting broad range of evening dinner shows. If you ever wanted to attend a medieval banquet in a castle complete with jesters and jugglers, you’re in the right place.

Alternatively, eat with pirates or enjoy live wrestling while you eat. Whatever kind of entertainment you enjoy the most, you can probably find a dinner show in Orlando to suit you and your family’s taste.

Much like with the restaurants, the large number of visitors has given rise to a wide variety of nightlife in and around the city. You’ll find some of American’s top nightclubs, live music venues, and bars waiting to welcome you.

Two especially popular night spots are Disney Springs in Walt Disney World and Universal City Walk in the Universal Orlando Resort. These two locations offer a range of shows, bars, and night clubs to suit all tastes.

If you prefer a quiet evening and enjoy sampling unique craft beers, check out Orlando’s local brewery scene. There are many craft breweries to choose from, including the Crooked Can Brewing Co., Sea Dog Brewing Co., Ocean Sun Brewing, and Dead Lizard Brewing Co.

Due to the large number of visitors and the way the various theme parks are spread widely across the city, public transport is a viable way of getting around in Orlando. In fact, the LYNX bus is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways of traveling within the city.

There are 60 LYNX routes that cost $2 per ride running at either 15-minute, 30-minute, or 1-hour intervals. And LYNX also operates a FREE loop bus service around downtown Orlando running every 5 minutes called LYMMO. Watch out for bus stops marked with a pink bus symbol or paw prints.

Many large Orlando hotels offer free shuttle bus services to the major theme parks and the airport. Check with your hotel before you travel.

If you’re looking for a more personal service from doorstep to doorstep, there are dozens of taxi companies in Orlando. The majority use a meter with a $2.23 standing charge followed by a $1.76 per kilometer rate. Uber is generally cheaper and growing ever more popular in Orlando.

However, as mentioned earlier, car hire is the most popular transport option in Orlando. This is a city designed with cars in mind, so the road network is well-built and maintained and there are ample parking facilities at all the major attractions. Driving yourself around offers the most flexibility and is the most convenient if you’re staying in a rented vacation villa.

Note that you’ll need a US or International Driving License to hire a car in Orlando. There are toll roads in the city, including the routes from the airport to Orlando’s main attractions. And the gas stations closest to the theme parks and the airport charge inflated gas prices.

With more tourists than residents, you’ll find a broad range of accommodation available in Orlando. There are thousands of rental homes close to the theme parks and major attractions, many with luxury amenities like a gym and a swimming pool. And there are over 450 resorts and hotels to choose from.

The best advice we can offer is to first decide what kind of accommodation best suits your family and then shop around. Generally, hotels inside the more popular theme parks will charge premium prices, and you can rent a villa a few miles from the gates for a fraction of the cost.

If you are traveling as part of a large family group, a vacation rental home will usually be your best value choice. But if you are traveling alone or just with your partner, you may find a hotel room more convenient and affordable.

The hotels are mainly clustered in three areas: International Drive, Kissimmee, and Lake Buena Vista.

If you are not hiring a car, International Drive (I-Drive) is your best option. Along the 11-mile length of I-Drive, you’ll find attractions, stores, restaurants, and hotels side by side. These attractions include The Orlando Eye, Aquatica, Sea World, and Universal Studios. Most of the hotels here offer free shuttle services to the major theme parks.

If you prefer somewhere quieter and away from the busy parks and attractions, you’ll like Kissimmee. It is only a short drive from Disney World and International Drive but far enough away to avoid the noise and crowds. You’ll find lots of high-quality vacation rental homes in this area. Kissimmee also makes a great base for exploring other parts of Florida beyond the city, such as the Kennedy Space Center.

If you’ve come to Orlando because you’ve always dreamed of visiting Walt Disney World and intend to spend most of your time there, stay in Lake Buena Vista. It is the most convenient location for reaching all 5 Disney Parks. Lake Buena Vista is also a prime destination for outlet shopping and golfing.

As mentioned earlier, Orlando benefits from fine sunny weather year-round, but there are distinct seasonal variations. Orlando’s weather can be summarized into two seasons: one warm and dry, the other hot and wet.

From mid-October to April, the weather is typically warm and dry, with daily temperature maximums ranging from 70 0 F to 84 0 F and minimums from 49 0 F to 65 0 F. There is little rainfall during this period.

From May to mid-October, the weather tends to be hot but wet. The average daily temperature maximum hovers around 90 0 F and the minimum around 75 0 F. During the summer, there are frequent rainstorms that are short but sharp.

While hurricanes rarely hit Orlando, there is a small risk. The hurricane season occurs toward the end of the summer between mid-August and mid-October. There are often bargain vacation deals offered during this period, but it’s a good idea to check the Orlando weather updates before visiting.

Orlando boasts the world’s best selection of major theme parks and other must-see attractions, such as the Kennedy Space Center, the Holy Land Experience, and Central Florida Zoo.

You can’t possibly see everything during a single visit. Here is a brief selection of highlights.

Walt Disney World

It’s no big secret that the majority of tourists headed for Orlando go there to see the mouse. Walt Disney World is the world’s most visited resort welcoming 58 million guests per year before the pandemic.

Walt Disney World is divided into four parks, of which Magic Kingdom is the best known. That’s where you’ll find Cinderella’s Castle and all your favorite cartoon characters. Epcot Spaceship Earth is where you can visit other countries and experience different cultures.

The Hollywood Studios park offers visitors an insiders view of movie magic. There you can tour movie studios, see stunt people in action, and watch live special effects. If you’re interested in African animals, you’ll love the Kilimanjaro Safari Experience at Animal Kingdom where you can see big game animals running free in their natural habitats.

Universal Studios Florida

Not to be outdone by Disney, Universal Studios offer a combined working movie studio and theme park experience in Orlando designed with the help of Steven Spielberg.

There are 7 themed islands withing Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Each island is dedicated to a major theme franchise, such as the Marvel Superhero Island and the Jurassic Park Island. There you can meet your favorite movie characters and enjoy thrilling themed rides.

Many younger visitors are lured by the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here you’ll find Hogsmeade village, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Orlando Sea World

This world-famous sea life center is renowned for its huge aquariums where you can enjoy whale and dolphin shows. A behind the scenes tour is a great way to learn about marine conservation as well as seeing the baby dolphins at play.

Sea World also features adrenaline-pumping rides including a selection of refreshing water rides. Those who enjoy roller coasters will be eager to ride the Kraken Virtual Reality Coaster, the Manta Coaster, and the Mako Hyper Coaster.

While you’re in Florida, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to get up close and friendly with a whole bunch of crocodiles, alligators, and other reptiles. Gatorland features daily shows and demonstrations where you can learn all there is to know about Florida’s most famous animals.

Gatorland also features 2 exciting ziplines: the Gator Gauntlet and the Screamin’ Gator. These ziplines zip you through the air over the crocodile and alligator pens. You might also enjoy the self-guided swamp walk and the Gator Gully Splash Park for younger visitors.

Tour Guides

The Ultimate Space Pass is our Editor's Choice for the best tour of the Kennedy Space Center

Robert Baker

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7 Must-Know Tips for Visiting Kennedy Space Center

Visiting Kennedy Space Center (KSC) isn’t supposed to be rocket science. But I guess, in a way, it is.

I mean, before my first visit to Kennedy Space Center, I had a million and one questions.

Is the bus tour included in admission? How long is the tour? Can I purchase tickets online? Can I skip the line ( because patience and I don’t get along like we used to )? Why is the location listed as Orlando when it’s actually in Cape Canaveral? And is KSC even on Cape Canaveral or is it on Merritt Island?

So by the time I got to the wide concrete path leading up to KSC’s iconic tall white building, I was more than confused.

Until I wasn’t.

Just a few seconds before I entered, one simple word blocked over the KSC entrance, in clear sky blue, brought clarity: EXPLORE.

So that’s just what I did – explore. And during that time, I learned a few things to do (and not to do) whilst visiting Kennedy Space Center.

Here are 7 tips you need to know before visiting Kennedy Space Center.

Table of Contents

Know Where To Purchase Your Ticket

There are a lot of places that “sell” Kennedy Space Center tickets. Most of the websites you see online offering KSC tours are either a) just general admission tickets ( not a personal guided tour as they’d have you believe – how rude ) or b) a scam.

If you want to purchase your ticket online before visiting Kennedy Space Center, you can do so here (on Kennedy Space Center’s official website).

Kennedy Space Center Tip: If you purchase your ticket online, make sure you print out your ticket before arriving! You need to have printed tickets to enter KSC.

Several companies also offer skip the line tickets, which is exactly what I crave at the Chicago O’Hare Airport ( yikes ), but out here – on Merrit Island – not so much.

I purchased my tickets in-person while visiting Kennedy Space Center and I don’t regret that decision one bit!

Your ticket ($75 per adult) includes admission to:

• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour ( this is how you visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center )
• Rocket Launch Viewing ( if available )
• The Exhibits
• Astronaut Encounter
• Rocket Garden

When you purchase in-person, you get a map and a list of showtimes ( the map is kind of clunky, but the list of showtimes is incredibly helpful ).

P.S. Your ticket does not include parking. If you’re planning on visiting Kennedy Space Center by car, parking will set you back an extra $10.

Know That You Should Avoid Visiting Kennedy Space Center On The Busiest Days

Visiting Kennedy Space Center during the holiday season (between Christmas and New Year) can be overwhelming.

To be honest, KSC isn’t usually a crowded attraction ( I’ve always been able to get in and out of lines in roughly 20 minutes ).

But in the wintertime and summertime (when school is out), the waits border on hectic.

Try to visit Kennedy Space Center on a weekday morning if you can. Go early. KSC opens at 9 AM ( you can park at 8:30 ) and closes at 6PM.

The big bucket list items are the Bus Tour and Space Shuttle Atlantis. Head to those attractions first!

And if you have the time, opt for an early or late lunch outside ( there’s always a rush in the parking lot at noon ).

Kennedy Space Center Tip: Most restaurants and eateries at KSC close at 2 PM. If you’re planning on eating there, try to pick up a bite as early as possible (to guarantee seating).

My first time visiting Kennedy Space Center, I ate at Moon Rock Cafe .

I got to dine under the Apollo 5 Rocket ( which at first, made my nerdy heart sing for joy ). But to be honest, the menu is limited and crazy expensive. I just ate there because I didn’t know you could leave KSC and re-enter later on in the day ( if you plan on doing this, remember to get your hand stamped ).

Know That There’s A Bus Tour

The bus tour was hands-down my favorite part of visiting Kennedy Space Center.

The bus departs every fifteen minutes from the Visitor Complex and transports you to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

The marshy Florida landscape skates by.

Kennedy Space Center Tip: The last bus tour (which lasts 45 minutes) departs 2.5 hours before closing. Don’t miss this attraction!

At the Firing Room Theater, the scene is set. You enter the Space Era. The race to launch a rocket is on. Sputnik threatens USA’s Superpower status. Worry brews.

This virtual tour is guided by a former launch controller so the experience is surreal. You feel like you’re listening to a memoir instead of a traditional guide. I loved every second of it!

Right outside is the Saturn V moon rocket. I still can’t believe this monstrosity is the size of a football field! Ridiculous, huh?

For Apollo 13 fans ( I’ve seen that movie way too times ), you can even see James Lovell’s spacesuit. Ah, fangirl moments.

After stopping by the Lunar Theater, exit towards Apollo Treasure Gallery, where Alan Shepard’s spacesuit and a bit of his lunar module, the Kitty Hawk, reside.

Apollo Treasure Gallery

Alan Shepard is the most underrated astronaut in the Apollo 11 Mission. I can’t begin to describe how excited I was to see a commemoration to him.

Exploring space is like taking part in a stage performance. Just because we know the names of the lead actors (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin) doesn’t mean that the makeup artists and costume designers aren’t essential.

Kennedy Space Center captures that idea perfectly via the Apollo Treasure Gallery!

Know The Bag Policy Before Visiting Kennedy Space Center

I huff and slide my bag over my shoulder.

Having my belongings screened while visiting Kennedy Space Center isn’t unexpected, but the process is tiresome and slow ( think Flash from Zootopia ).

Here’s what you can and can not bring during your Kennedy Space Center visit:

Know What To Do In The Rain

The sky is overcast, weighed down by a deep, broody gray. Rain begins to fall to the ground in heavy plops.

I duck inside. Afternoon showers in Florida are common.

And after spending two days visiting Kennedy Space Center, I was incredibly grateful for the wealth of indoor attractions ( considering it was raining 90% of my Florida trip ).

• Journey to Mars: This is a theater presentation followed by some multimedia exhibits that really get into the logistics of running a mission to the red planet. You can see prototypes of food that might grow on Martian soil. Unfortunately, the whole lab wasn’t filled with potatoes, but I’m okay with a non-potato diet ( Martian reference – I highly recommend picking Andy Weir’s book for the plane ).
• The Atlantis Zone: The Atlantis, a mammoth space shuttle rotated 43.21 degrees, is held in The Atlantis Zone. If you’re visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids, note that there are lots of interactive exhibits here.
• Imax Theatre: There are three different shows available daily. Since I had a two-day pass, I opted to see all three. Arrive early if you want to catch a glimpse of the 3D IMAX movie in particular ( this one gets filled fast ).

Know These 5 Kennedy Space Center Tips

It’s getting late. The sun has dipped. Blank white canvases of rockets penetrate a flaming sky.

• The Rocket Garden is best seen in the afternoon . Walking among some of NASA’s early rockets feels surreal. The garden is located by the front entrance, near the Heroes & Legends exhibit, and it’s one of those places that leaves a big impression.
• High-tail your way to Atlantis . Atlantis is the most popular attraction at KSC. The exhibit takes a full hour to see. It’s engaging and immersive and all-around fun.
• After enjoying the Atlantis Exhibit, get in line for the 10 AM bus tour.
• There’s a ride. Just one. The Shuttle Launch Experience. And I’ve heard it’s good. I didn’t really have the stomach for this since I was a  little  nervous (I’m not really one for rides).
• Watching a shuttle launch is included with admission ! I’m so mad I didn’t know about this before visiting Kennedy Space Center. I’ll link the launch calendar here .

Know That Kennedy Space Center Is Worth A Visit

Because the admission price is so steep, it’s hard to determine whether visiting Kennedy Space Center is worth it.

But after wandering through the Atlantis Exhibit, relaxing on a quiet bus tour, and standing amongst the larger than life rockets, I’m certain of one thing: KSC is magical.

It’s not magical in the same way Disney is. This is a place with real-life magic – a magic twisted from science and engineering.

And I guess that’s what makes it the perfect day trip from Orlando.

Did you enjoy this guide to visiting Kennedy Space Center? Do you have any Kennedy Space Center travel tips? Let me know in the comments below!

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

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14 comments.

I went here when I was a kid and fully intended to take my kids for a visit when we went to Florida last February. We had just had a new baby, and I completely underestimated how difficult traveling with a little one can be. We ended up nixing the space center. We go to Florida fairly often because we have family there; so hopefully we will do this on our next visit. Thanks for sharing

Yes, you should totally head up there the next time you visit! It can tough to travel with small children, but fortunately the KSC doesn’t have many long lines, unlike theme parks, which is great when you have kids in tow.

This is the best write up on the KSC I’ve read. I grew up in Orlando and just took my English fiance there last year (who has never been exposed to the space program like I had) and he cannot stop talking about it to this day. Also gorgeous pictures. 🙂

Awww…thanks! That is so sweet of you! I didn’t even think of going until I found out that it was only a day trip from Orlando! I’m so glad I did, though. KSC is an amazing example of how large a part of American culture the space program was!

what an awesome blog. I definitely want to travel more. Your website is very inspiring 🙂

Thank you so much for the lovely comment! Comments like yours motivate me to keep my website going! If you ever need any recommendations of where to go on a certain budget, you can always contact me! I would be happy to help!

Great post! I went there when I was younger and I’ve been thinking of going back because it is such a neat place!

Thanks! You should definately go back! The first time I went, I was around eight, so I my mind was pretty much tuned to the track of “awesome space-stuff” but now that I’m older, I see the Kennedy Space Center with a new perspective!

stupendous post! loved every bit of it. already waiting for your next post. 🙂

Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it! I should have a new post coming out tomorrow (fingers crossed)!

YAY SCIENCE! Really enjoyed your post <3 It's nice to see people/bloggers promoting experiences that actually enrich a person. (Not that I'm one to throw stones, since my life revolves around cute dogs and beach cocktails…But still…)

An an aeronautical engineer, I thank thee for making a trip to see spaceships and things.

Awww…I’m glad you appreciate it. I’m a huge tech nerd, so I love all things engineering related 🙂

FANTASTIC photos! Great article, too. I come from a NASA family so it’s nice to see people taking an interest in the history of the space program. Two thumbs up, lady!

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Kennedy Space Center Tours

The guides at Gray Line Orlando are Kennedy Space Center Tour experts! We travel every day to the Space Coast, and our certified tour guides are experts on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Your guide will provide all the information, tips, and hints you need during the journey from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center. We'll ensure you have a great day and can make the most of your time at Kennedy Space Center. Central pick-up locations are available in Disney, Universal, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, and International Drive region for transport to Kennedy Space Center. Or, if you prefer a hotel pick-up, reserve the Small Group VIP Kennedy Space Center Tour .

Kennedy Space Center Tour - Adults at Kids Price until August 30th 2024

Enjoy a day at kennedy space center with admission tickets, roundtrip travel and lots of insider tips from your local expert gray line tour guide.

Kennedy Space Center Small Group VIP Experience

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Kennedy Space Center EXPRESS - Adults at Kids Rate Summer Promo

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Kennedy Space Center - Transportation Only

Enjoy a convenient transfer to kennedy space center, where you'll learn everything about space travel. transportation only.

Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Visit kennedy space center with an added bus tour of the nasa grounds.

Kennedy Space Center Express & ICON

Take our express service to kennedy space center for a day that is out of this world plus get a ride on the wheel at icon park.

Kennedy Space Center Tour with 2 Day Ticket

Enjoy a day at kennedy space center, ride the 'shuttle launch experience', touch a moon rock, encounter and astronaut and visit a second day.

Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Safari

Visit the kennedy space center visitor complex to learn everything about space travel as well as see some of the real wild florida on an swamp airboat.

Chat with an Astronaut and Kennedy Space Center from Orlando

Experience a tour from orlando to kennedy space center and have the opportunity to ask a veteran nasa astronaut all your questions.

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Take a Free Guided Tour

Free daily guided tours of the Kennedy Center Campus are given by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers, showcasing the historic events that led up to the establishment of the national cultural center that is also our nation's living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

Through our tour options, which include Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy Exhibition Highlights, the Kennedy Center Building , The REACH , or KC Campus Highlights , we invite you to explore our world-class venues and performance spaces, learn about the works of art given to the Center , engage with the stunning buildings and art of the REACH , and step into our permanent exhibition Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy in the JFK Gallery .

Please note, access to some performance venues and campus spaces may not be available at the time of your visit.

Tour Information

Mon. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

last weekday tour departs at 4:30 p.m. and last weekend tour departs at 12:30 p.m.

All tours of the Kennedy Center Campus start at the Tour Desk on Level A. Tours last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. For parties of 15 or more, please see Group Tours .

KC Campus Highlights KC Campus Highlights

KC Campus Highlights  - Experience an overview of the dramatic and historic performance venues of the original Kennedy Center building, a stop at the new Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy exhibition space in the JFK Gallery, and the creative, state-of-the-art spaces of the REACH.

Kennedy Center Building Kennedy Center Building

Kennedy Center Building  - An intriguing tour of the original Edward Durell Stone building, featuring exclusive access to performance venues, private reception lounges, and special artworks. This tour ends at the new performance exhibition Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy, which explores how the arts infused and informed the Kennedy presidency through video, photos, artifacts, and the latest in digital technology.

The REACH The REACH

The REACH  - An adventurous tour through the Steven Holl expansion and 4.6 acre park. Within its 3 light-filled pavilions of rehearsal studios, classrooms and flexible-use venues, the KC’s commitment to nurturing the boldest and brightest in performing arts is in full view.

Health and Safety COVID Protocols

Health and Safety at the Kennedy Center  - Get the latest information before your visit at  kennedy-center.org/visit/health-safety .

Foreign Language Foreign Language

Foreign Language  - KC Campus tours are offered in the following languages, subject to tour guide availability: French, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. To request a foreign language tour with at least two weeks’ advance notice, please email [email protected] .

Accessibility Accessibility

All KC Campus tours are wheelchair accessible and assistive listening devices are available at the tour desk. To request sign language interpretation, audio description, or an accommodation not mentioned, please contact the Accessibility Office at least 2 weeks in advance of the tour at  [email protected]  or 202-416-8727.

Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy Exhibition Highlights Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy Exhibition Highlights

Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy Exhibition Highlights - an overview of the exhibit that journeys through Kennedy's presidency, where visitors experience his passion for the arts that promoted American culture and democracy across the nation and around the world. (20 min) Take some time while visiting the exhibit and experience one of our scavenger hunts, copies for each found at each entrance. Options include: Pre-school to elementary (2-9 years old) featuring photos and objects found throughout the exhibit: Middle school (10-13 years old) a deeper dive in the exhibit with this educational scavenger hunt featuring President Kennedy’s impact on the arts and ideals at the Kennedy Center: and Young Adults gives you an in-depth look at the four main themes in this exhibit: Art and Democracy, Social Change, The White House, and Art and Culture (30-45 min)

Group Tours

Whether you are a group of seniors, professionals, or friends, you can book a Campus group tour for your party of 15 or more. If your group would like to attend a performance to accompany your tour, visit kennedy-center.org/whats-on/group-sales . Our tour does not include information about campus rentals, catering or special event inquiries. For more information visit kennedy-center.org/rentals .

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Museum of Moscow

• Park Kultury • 2 min walk

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Museum of Moscow - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Tue - Wed 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Fri - Sun 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• (0.11 mi) The Park
• (0.15 mi) Versal at Ostozhenka Hotel
• (0.24 mi) Kebur Palace Hotel/Hotel Ambassadori
• (0.20 mi) Grossotel
• (0.21 mi) Bear Hostel on Zubovskiy
• (0.02 mi) Dushevnaya Kuhnya
• (0.02 mi) Art-Cafe Diana
• (0.02 mi) Restaurant Of Press Center Mid
• (0.02 mi) Gastroclub Saveurs & Friends
• (0.02 mi) Z-Bulvar

• Bahasa Indonesia
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• Russian Kitchen

Russia set to build new space center in Moscow (PHOTOS)

Russia’s new National Space Center is being constructed on the site of the Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center in western Moscow.

On June 21, the Moscow City Architecture Committee approved the urban planning solution, according to the official website of the Moscow Mayor’s Office.

The tender to develop the architectural concept, announced in October 2019, was won by the Russian design bureau UNK Project.

According to their concept, the main component of the center will be a triangular tower in the form of a 248m-tall rocket, which will house the headquarters of Roscosmos. The facade of the building will be illuminated to create a moving-up effect. And at the base, lighting fixtures will simulate the flame of a rocket booster.

Adjoining the tower will be a long building with research labs and offices. This building will be traversed by a 545m-long central gallery, along which canteens and consumer services will be located.

In addition, the complex will feature open-air museums in U-shaped courtyards, where pieces of aerospace equipment will be suspended in the air via cables between the buildings.

The ceremonial laying of the first stone took place in September 2019, and construction is scheduled to finish by 2022.

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