kennedy space center bus tour map

• Kennedy Space Center Tours
• Clearwater Beach Tours
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Sports Experiences
• Manatee Tour in Crystal River
• Clearwater Beach Day From Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center Tour
• Attraction Tickets
• Clearwater Beach
• Kennedy Space Center
• Crystal River Manatees
• Family Vacations
• Meet the Team

The #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour

• Kennedy Space Center & Airboat Ride
• Kennedy Space Center Chat With an Astronaut
• Transport to Kennedy Space Center
• Kennedy Space Center Tickets
• Clearwater Trip with Seaside Lunch
• Sea Screamer & Clearwater Beach Day Trip
• Pirate Ship Clearwater Beach Tour
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium & Beach Trip
• Clearwater Beach & Deep Sea Fishing
• Clearwater Beach Transportation
• Manatee Snorkelling at Crystal River
• Real Wild Florida Adventure
• Boggy Creek Airboat Adventure
• Half Day Manatee Snorkeling Adventure
• NBA Orlando Magic Game Tickets & Transport
• NBA Orlando Magic Basketball Tickets

Orlando to Jacksonville Jaguars Tickets, Transportation, & Tour

• Clearwater Beach Day from Orlando

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

Already a member.

Username or E-mail

Forget Password?

Don't have an account? Create one.

If anybody offers our tour for a lower price, we will match, no questions asked. Find Out More...

• Transportation Included
• Tour Guide Included
• Groups Allowed
• Access for Disabled
• Approx. 12 hours

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour & Shuttle Launch Experience!

Admission to the KSC with transportation, and so much more…

Get ready for an epic adventure with Real Florida Adventures’ #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour! This is where the legendary “One Small Step for Man” happened, and it’s an absolute must-see in Florida. Packed with jaw-dropping experiences and non-stop excitement, this Kennedy Space Center day trip with transportation from Orlando is as real and thrilling as it gets. Prepare for a day full of awesome discoveries and unforgettable moments!

Scroll down to find out more about our Kennedy Space Center tours from Orlando, and please get in touch if you have any questions for us.

What's Included

• Admission into Kennedy Space Center Visitors complex
• Roundtrip Transportation from International Drive, Disney and Kissimmee areas
• Professional, Certified and Licensed Tour Guide

What's Not Included

Pick-up time & schedule.

Margaritaville Resort at 7:15am Main Lobby, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee FL 34747

Golden Corral – Lake Buena Vista at 7:30am 8707 Vineland Ave, Orlando FL32821

Orlando Star Flyer at Icon Park  at 8am 8265 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

There’s a very good reason why we are the best-reviewed tour operator in Orlando: we take our Kennedy Space Center tour very seriously, pouring as much heart and soul into it as we can. And if you’d like a similar experience but for a private group (not sharing with guests you’ve never met), check out our Kennedy Space Center Private Tour .

Not only does this Kennedy Space Center tour offer the past, present, and future of the space program, it puts visitors front and center in the whole experience like never before. Seeing is believing, and you will believe you have been transported to the cutting edge of space exploration through a series of hands-on exhibits, movies, and presentations, including a daily astronaut encounter with one of the modern heroes of NASA’s operations.

The Signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

It all starts with the signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour that provides a complete overview of the full extent of the vast spread of operations, including the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39B, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, with its recreated moon landing and awesome full-size Saturn V rocket.

The KSC Shuttle Launch Experience

Back at the main Visitor Complex, you should definitely make a beeline for the hugely impressive Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, with its moving and emotional presentation of one of the four surviving orbiters, as well as take a ride on the riveting Shuttle Launch Experience, a clever simulator with the inside track on what it feels like to blast off from the Space Center.

You can also visit the Heroes & Legends center (including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame), soak up the grandeur of the IMAX Theater with its eye-popping large-screen movies, and wander the Rocket Garden.

There is SO much to see here! You will definitely need a full day to take it all in, and our bus tours from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center are the perfect way to indulge your inner astronaut! This world-famous site is fully 60 miles from Orlando; let us take the strain out of the journey so you can enjoy the experience to the max – the IMAX. There’s no easier or better way to get from Orlando to KSC!

If you’re looking for more incredible experiences in Florida to add to this Kennedy Space Center Tour, we are extremely proud of the quality of the experiences we’ve crafted for guests. Take a closer look at our wider range of Tours in (and from) Orlando , and our Orlando Private Tours . And please get in touch if you have any questions about our space tours in Orlando or other experiences!

New to Kennedy Space Center: Gateway

Officially referred to as “Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex”, this brand-new exhibit is included in the price of your ticket. It is an exciting look at the future of deep space exploration while also shining a light on the incredible work that is being done in the present. Ever wondered how we’ll travel between solar systems? This is the best place on the planet to find out!

The Gateway exhibition space is huge and it is packed with real spacecrafts and technologies used by NASA to get people and equipment out into space and back again. Here are just a few highlights of what you can look forward to in the KSC’s new Gateway attraction:

ORION EFT-1 CAPSULE SPACEX CARGO DRAGON COTS-2 SIERRA SPACE DREAM CHASER® BOEING CST-100 STARLINER MOCKUP CAPSULE LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE HABITAT ROBOTIC SPACE EXPLORERS INTERACTIVE WALL And so much more!

Related Tours

NBA Orlando Magic Basketball Tickets (Tickets only, no transportation)

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

• Share "Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour" on Facebook
• Share "Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour" on X
• Share "Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour" on LinkedIn
• Share "Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour" by Email

Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Home > Tours > Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Watch Itinerary

Enjoy a visit to kennedy space center with the addition of the ksc explore tour that goes beyond the regular bus tour of the nasa grounds.

• Explore Kennedy Space Center!
• Explore the NASA grounds and view the icons of the NASA flight operations
• Learn all there is to know from your professional driver-guide
• View the Space Shuttle Atlantis up-close
• Roundtrip transportation from Orlando, Kissimmee, Disney or Lake Buena Vista meeting points
• Admission to Kennedy Space Center
• Ticket to the KSC Explore Tour
• Assistance from a driver-guide
• Optional gratuities
• Meals and beverages
• Ticket cannot be used on BLACKOUT Dates for Kennedy Space Center - for example Delta Heavy Rocket Launches

When would you like to go?

Unavailable, please select:, options selected:, optional extras, price breakdown:.

Pickup points

Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?

Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.

Pickup Info

We have meeting points throughout the tourism corridors of Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, and Kissimmee including the Disney and Universal areas. Please arrive to your meeting location at least 5 to 10 minutes prior to the departure time. Wait outside the meeting point as the Guides will not go into lobbies or stores to look for guests

You may also like

Kennedy Space Center Admission (No transport) Standard

The Orlando ICON & Madame Tussauds Combo Ticket

Gators, Gators, Gators! Airboat Ride and Gatorland Park Combo

Orlando City Lions - Major League Soccer Tickets

Your browser does not support iframes

• Things to do
• Orlando Attractions
• Kennedy Space Center
• Chat with an Astronaut
• Women in Space
• Mission Zones
• Cape Canaveral
• Launches & Events
• SpaceX Launch

Visitor Complex

• SpaceX Crew-7 Mission
• Plan Your Visit
• Guided Tours
• Restaurants
• Orlando to KSC
• Transportation
• Launch Tickets
• Rocket Garden
• Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other
• Heroes & Legends

Behind the Gates

• Saturn V Rocket
• Space Shuttle Atlantis
• NASA Now + Next
• Race to the Moon
• WonderWorks Orlando
• Orlando ICON Park
• Madame Tussauds
• SEA LIFE Orlando
• Clearwater Beach
• Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
• Festivals and Events

Everything You Need to Know About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours

Go beyond the gates of the Visitor Complex to visit the restricted sections of the Kennedy Space Center! Keep reading to find out more about what makes the Kennedy Space Center bus tour worth an experience, what to expect, essential information, & more.

Book a Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Why take a kennedy space center bus tour.

• By taking the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, you get access to all the restricted sections of the complex like the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, & other operational facilities.
• Get an exclusive and comprehensive behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center along with an expert tour guide.
• The Explore Tour also gives you access to the Visitor Complex, where you can visit 31 attractions spread across 5 exciting zones.
• Spend an entire day learning about space exploration, discover artifacts, see original rockets, find out about current & future NASA missions , & so much more!
• Save the hassle of figuring out transportation and get round-trip transfers from Orlando , Kissimmee, Disney, or Lake Buena Vista areas.

Your Tickets Explained

• The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex, which houses 31 exciting attractions.
• Witness larger-than-life facilities from your bus and get a closer look into areas like the Launch Complex 39 and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
• Learn all about the complex and space exploration from an expert tour guide.
• Your Kennedy Space Center bus tour also offers live presentations including Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted live show and exhibit, and the Mission Status Briefing.
• This ticket allows you to opt for a 1-day pass or a 2-day pass depending on your preference.

*Please note that the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is different from the admission tickets with bus transfers and the shuttle buses that are available within the Visitor Complex. The latter two involve a bus driver who will act as a tour guide only during the bus ride. However, the Explore Tour includes an exclusive space expert.

Flexible Duration: Your tickets come with a flexible duration.

Cancellation Policy: Tickets cannot be rescheduled or canceled.

Essential Information

Here are some important things to keep in mind for your Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour.

• Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
• Duration: 2 Hours
• Start and end point: The tour ends at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
• Return transfers: The return buses leave every 15 minutes
• Restaurants: Try the Moon Rock Café at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Shopping: The Right stuff shopping is available at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Restrooms: Restrooms are available atApollo/Saturn V Center

What to Expect on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

Once you have boarded the bus, prepare yourself for a 40-minute tour through NASA’s property. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour will take you behind NASA’s gates in an unexpected way. With the help of an expert space tour guide, you will be given a peek into the most mission-critical regions of the Kennedy Space Center .

Ride through monumental sites within NASA’s gates, including the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, and many other facilities in between. Since the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are both working launch facilities, the tour routes can be changed at any time.

Toward the end of your bus tour, you will get down at the Apollo/Saturn V Center where NASA’s Project Apollo comes into existence. Here, you can tour at your own pace and explore the many exhibits. Once done, board another bus and you can head back to the main visitor complex. It is recommended to keep 2-hours aside when taking the bus tour and exploring the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

What is Covered on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex and beyond! Explore 31 attractions inside the Visitor Complex and then go behind the scenes to look at the Vehicle Assembly Building & Launch Complex 39.

As you head to the main Visitor Complex, you will get the chance to explore 31 attractions spread across 5 zones. Some must-see highlights inside the complex include the Rocket Garden, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Apollo 8 & the Firing Room, Journey to Mars, the original Saturn V Rocket, & the IMAX Theater. Learn more about what's inside each zone from a space expert who knows the ins and outs of the complex!

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you on an exclusive journey through NASA’s restricted areas. Explore the area where the Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched and discover the launch pads currently used by NASA and its partners. The tour will also take you past the Vehicle Assembly Building, a pivotal structure when it comes to past and future space missions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Yes, there is a Kennedy Space Center bus tour that you can opt for to explore the attractions inside along with an expert tour guide.

You can book your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets online for a seamless experience.

Yes, the Kennedy Space Center bus tour is officially called the Explore Tour. This tour takes you behind the gates of the complex to restricted areas and operational facilities.

By taking the Kennedy Space Center bus tour, you can go through the back gates and much further than the Visitor Complex . If you wish to see NASA’s launch pads and other official facilities, then this is one you don't want to miss!

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is priced at $107.

No, the daily admission ticket does not include a bus tour. You will have to book tickets for the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour separately.

By purchasing your tickets online well in advance, you can enjoy deals and discounts on your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets. Keep an eye out for discounts here .

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

Yes, on the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour, you get to view NASA’s restricted areas, launch pads, and other operational facilities.

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour operates between 9 AM and 5 PM.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour takes two hours.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour is equipped with a wheelchair and scooter-accessible lifts. Please reach out to a staff member if you require additional assistance.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour takes you beyond the Visitor Complex to the official launch pads and other operational facilities. It is absolutely worth the experience!

Kennedy Space Center Guided Tours

Plan Your Visit to the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Mission Zones

• © Roadtrippers
• © Mapbox
• © OpenStreetMap
• Improve this map

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

SR 405, Titusville , Florida 32899 USA

• Independent
• Credit Cards Accepted

“drive by space shuttle launch pads”

Short of becoming an astronaut, there’s no better way to get a glimpse of Kennedy Space Center than on the Kennedy Space Center Tour (KSC Tour). Take a NASA bus for a drive-by view of the space shuttle launch pad and then experience the historic Apollo 8 launch site and marvel at a massive 363-foot-long Saturn V moon rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The KSC Bus Tour is included with admission and departs every 15 minutes from the Visitor Complex. The tour is self-guided, allowing guests to depart the bus and spend as much time as desired at each location. LC 39 Observation Gantry is included in the General Bus Tour. Date and times are subject to change. Now available on Friday and Saturday: The KSC Bus Tour includes LC 39 Observation Gantry viewing.    Tour Length: 1.5 - 2.5 hours  Kennedy Space Center guided tours are also available for those with special interests - and allow you to take an up close look at specific aspects of Kennedy Space Center. Guided tours are led by trained space experts and sell out daily. Reservations are strongly suggested. Reserve online or call 866.737.5235. Travel nearly a quarter mile on this bus tour within the perimeter security fence of Launch Pad 39-A. Enjoy a close view of the 350-foot-high fixed service structure, rotating service structure, propellant storage containers, water tanks, flame trench and other aspects of the launch pad complex. This was the lift-off point for most space shuttle missions and Apollo moon missions. The highlight of the tour is the stop in the flame trench which offers the photo opportunity of a lifetime at the pad. This is the first time anyone other than astronauts and NASA employees have been allowed inside the Pad perimeter. Other sites on the tour include drive-by views of Launch Pad 39-B, the Vehicle Assembly Building, mobile launch platforms with a stop at the Apollo Saturn V Center. There are also other specialized bus tours so visit here for more options: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/tours/ksc-up-close-launch-pad-tour.aspx

Reviewed by Tatiana Danger

• Road Warrior
• 1,169 Reviews
• 911 Helpful

The KSC tour departs every 15 minutes. It's self-guided, so you can hop on and off the bus as you like. For an additional fee they also have a guided tour. The KSC is a working facility so it's pretty cool to visit and get a first-hand look at the amazing things going on there.

Be the first to add a review to the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour.

• Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know .

Has RV parking changed? Let us know .

• Unavailable Parking
• Unknown Pets Allowed
• Unknown Restrooms
• Unknown Wifi
• Unknown Wheelchair Accessible
• Check Credit Cards Accepted

Nearby Hotels

Click to discover a great deal!

Related Trip Guides

The ultimate guide to biscayne national park, the best-kept secrets of disney world, the top things to do on an i-95 road trip, the top things to do on an i-10 road trip, keep exploring with the roadtrippers mobile apps..

Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road!

Connect with us and hit up #roadtrippers

Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful.

• Roadpass Digital
• Mobile Apps

Business Tools

• Partnerships

Get Inspired

• Road trip ideas by state
• National parks
• Famous routes
• Voices from the Road

Fresh Guides

• The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Badlands National Park
• Route 66 Leg 2: St. Louis to Tulsa
• Route 66 Leg 1: Chicago to St. Louis
• Route 66 Leg 3: Tulsa to Amarillo
• Top 10 things to do in Ohio
• Offbeat Road Trip Guides
• Road Trip USA
• Scenic Routes America
• National Park Road Trips
• Terms and Conditions

Cape Canaveral Special Interest bus tours return to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Guests of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex once again have the opportunity to participate in premium, add-on bus tours to restricted and historical locations around Cape Canaveral. 

The two extended bus tour options — Cape Canaveral Rise to Space and Cape Canaveral Early Space — offer guests the opportunity to experience some of the most prominent and historical locations of the United States'  early space program. 

Two options to suit varying interests

The Cape Canaveral Rise to Space tour is a four-and-a-half-hour, guided   experience and will take guests to restricted areas of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station including historic launch sites, the Sands Space History Center, and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.

The tour also includes a visit to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's historical Hangar C where guests will have the opportunity to view historic space and aircraft   before concluding for a day of exploration back at the Visitor Complex.

The Cape Canaveral Rise to Space tour is available only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning at 11 a.m. to guests ages 14 and older and costs $75 plus tax per attendee.

More: New rocket on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

More: At KSC Visitor Complex, SpaceX Falcon booster exhibit is ready to wow guests

The Cape Canaveral Early Space tour is a shorter experience that lasts two and a half hours and will take guests to the historic launch locations of the Mercury and Gemini space programs that helped humans reach the moon.

The tour also offers opportunities of reflection with stops at the Mercury 7 memorial and the Apollo 1 memorial site at Launch Complex 34.

Guests will also get to visit the Air Force Space & Missile Museum before concluding their tour at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

The Cape Canaveral Early Space and is available to most guests ages 3 and older and costs $25 plus tax per attendee. It is available Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Special tour requirements  

The tours are special interest options available to purchase in addition to the cost of daily admission to the Visitor Complex — $57 + tax for adults and $47 + tax for children ages 3 – 11.

Due to necessary pre-registration protocols to visit Space Force locations, tickets are required to be purchased 72 hours in advance. 

Guests that are U.S. citizens must present a U.S. government-issued driver's license, passport, military ID or U.S. state ID card while international guests must present a valid passport to participate. 

For additional safety protocols, guests are required to wear flat, closed-toe shoes.

Guests, including those vaccinated against COVID-19, are required to wear face coverings in all indoor locations, except when actively eating or drinking. Guests who have been full vaccinated are not required to wear face masks outdoors.  

Contact Jamie Groh at [email protected]. Follow her on  Twitter  at @AlteredJamie.

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.

Related Posts

One Day In Tampa Itinerary

12 Best Restaurants In Panama City Florida

40 Miami Quotes For A Feel Of Florida

20 Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Tips For Non-Muggles

Your Guide To The Best Things To Do In Little Havana Miami

40 Best Things To Do In St. Augustine, Florida

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!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

What are you looking for?

🚀 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

Related articles, the 7 best key west snorkeling tours [2024 reviews], the 8 best maui & molokini snorkel tours [2024 reviews], 🚁 the 7 best oahu helicopter tours [2024 reviews], top 15 things to do in maui.

10 Best Attractions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

Last updated: 7th January 2022

Visiting NASA has been on our bucket list as we’re both a couple of space geeks – Phil has an engineering background and Garth is a huge Sci-Fi fan. So we were super excited to finally visit the Kennedy Space Center! In this guide we’ll show you the 10 best attractions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Table of Contents

Florida’s Space Coast

Located on Florida’s ‘Space Coast’ the Kennedy Space Center proved to be an easy day trip from our base in nearby Orlando. It’s just 42 miles and takes about an hour to drive, the motorway has a toll but our hire car included the SunPass toll so you can whizz through the express lane.

The Kennedy Space Center is just North of Cape Canaveral (even those two words sound exciting!) and drum up memories of us watching live shuttle launches on TV. We love learning new things when travelling and we can tell you the Kennedy Space Center is a real education, as there’s so much to do so be prepared! We’ve listed the main attractions we managed to fit in a day and the best order you should do them when visiting.

1. Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour – Lift Off!

We arrived early (8.30am) after the airport style security we headed straight to the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour to guarantee ourselves the shortest queue (or lines as American’s call them). Plan to spend around 2-3 hours for the bus tour and the Apollo/Saturn V Center (where the bus tour ends).

The 45 minute bus tour makes you feel the history of America ‘s Space Program, as the journey takes you into the restricted areas of NASA and drives past real life working facilities like the legendary and super tall Vehicle Assembly Building.  We were lucky enough to get a glimpse inside as the doors were open! It was really difficult to gauge the scale, however we did spot a tiny person in a yellow jacket which helped, this building is enormous!

NASA’s enormous Vehicle Assembly Building. It has the world’s biggest doors!

A glimpse inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. On the left are the windows of the Launch Control Center

View down ‘Crawlerway’ which connects the Vehicle Assembly building with launch pads 39A & 39B

The Vehicle Assembly Building was built in 1966 for the Apollo Moon Program and later modified for the Space Shuttle Program. It’s part of ‘Launch Complex 39’ which also comprises 2 launch pads – 39A and 39B plus ‘Crawlerway’ – a huge gravel path that was used to transport spacecraft from the Assembly Building to the launch pads.

Launch pad 39A is currently leased by SpaceX

The back of launch pad 39A

Launch pad 39A is currently leased by SpaceX – the space exploration company owned by technology entrepreneur Elon Musk. The pad is used to launch their Falcon X Rockets and Dragon capsules – an unmanned vehicle which takes supplies to the International Space Station. Their long term aim is to send humans to space and test for missions to Mars. Amazing to think this was the same platform used to launch Apollo 11 in 1969 to the Moon! The bus tour takes you around the front and the back of launch pad 39A and the SpaceX buildings.

Launch pad 39B – Surrounding the launchpad are 3 steel masts used to protect rockets from lightning strikes.

Launch pad 39B will be used to launch NASA’s next generation of deep space spacecraft for missions to Mars and the Moon using their planned Space Launch System .

There’s great live commentary from the onboard guide, plus some excellent up-to-date videos to watch, our only criticism was sometimes you wanted to looked outside aswell as watching the informative videos.

Alligators and wildlife at The Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is also a wildlife preserve so look out for alligators and other wildlife in this area, we saw lots of alligators and some Bald Eagles. When the Space Shuttle used to land here the runway had to be cleared of alligators basking in the sunshine!

NASA chose the previously occupied Cape Canaveral Air Force base and their current location on Merritt Island because of Florida’s closer proximity to the equator. The Earth’s rotation is faster nearer the equator which means it can help slingshot rockets quicker into Space.

2. Apollo/Saturn V Center – The Race To The Moon

The bus tour finishes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center which tells the fascinating story of America’s race to the moon.

The Soviet Union were first to launch a satellite, Sputnik in 1957 and first to put a man into space in 1961, remember this time in history was a fierce competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union – ‘The Cold War’.  America was now behind in the ‘Space Race’ and the early success by the Soviets forced President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to announce the Apollo Moon Program – his pledge to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to the Earth by the end of the 1960s. Kennedy’s goal was accomplished on July 20th 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

First up is the story of Apollo 8 in the Firing Room Theatre – where we experienced the thrill of the countdown to the launch of Apollo 8, which was the the first manned mission to orbit the Moon and return to Earth. In front of us are the actual consoles used during the Apollo launches.

As the seconds countdown to the launch the hair stand up on the back of your neck. The whole control room comes to life as screens turn on and flash. Consoles are highlighted by lights as you hear the audio of that section. You experience the excitement and concern that the mission controllers must have felt. You hear the sounds from outside as the whole room shakes and windows rattle with the force of the take off,  it’s tense but very exciting!

“The Eagle Has Landed” – Relive the final moments of the Apollo 11 at The Lunar Theatre

Stand by for the launch of Apollo 8!

The actual control room consoles used during the Apollo missions

All the Apollo astronaut capsules were placed on top of gigantic Saturn V Rockets.  Standing under this giant rocket really is awesome, we walked the length of the largest rocket to ever be flown. It’s massive at 111 metres tall, about 18 metres taller than the Statue of Liberty . In total 13 Saturn rockets were launched, today 3 remain in the USA.

The Saturn V rocket was a three stage design. The 1st stage engines fired for 168 seconds and was able to achieve lift off for about 50 miles. The 2nd stage fired for about 8 minutes to get Apollo through the upper atmosphere at 15,647 mph. The 3rd stage was used for 2.5 minutes to put Apollo into Earth’s orbit and then fired again for another 6 minutes to send Apollo off even faster and further to the Moon.

Phil and Garth looking up at the Saturn V Rocket that transferred astronauts to the moon

The Saturn V Rocket had a three stage design

Close up of Saturn V’s 1st stage engines

Learning about the various Apollo missions was fascinating. The most famous was Apollo 11 led by Commander Neil Armstrong and pilots Buzz Aldrin & Michael Collins. We always assumed there was just one moon landing but there was actually a total of 6 crewed landings and a total of 24 astronauts were launched to the Moon. Sadly Apollo 1 ended in tragedy when the 3 astronauts were killed by a flash fire during a launch rehearsal. Apollo 13 nearly ended in disaster after a faulty oxygen tank exploded leaving the astronauts with very little oxygen to get home. The final mission was Apollo 17, which ended in 1972.

What really struck us both looking at all the exhibits in the Apollo/Saturn V Center was how low-tech everything appears. The early astronaut suits look like pieces of nylon sewn together with bits of rubber and velcro strips tacked on, whilst the Lunar Rover looks like some simple kit car you’d put together yourself. But we suppose they were cutting edge at the time and one-offs, things must have been invented on the fly?

It’s really is mind blowing to think of the challenges NASA faced – making space travel a reality and how they achieved it with limited technology and the uncertainty of outer space. What an amazing feat of science, engineering and courage by the astronauts, it must have been very exciting times working at NASA in those pioneering days.

“Man Walks On The Moon!” Phil checks out the worldwide newspaper headlines

Garth touching an actual piece of moon rock, was it so smooth because of all the visitors touching it?

One of the Lunar Rovers used on the Apollo missions

The Apollo 14 command module

Actual spacesuits worn by astronauts on display in the Treasures Gallery

Close up of Alan Shepard’s spacesuit still covered in moon dust

We had lunch here at the Moon Rock Cafe, nothing special just the usual fast-food burgers and chips, but do eat outside where there are great views across to the launch pads and assembly building. To get back to the Kennedy Space Center there are buses that depart every 15 minutes.

View from the cafe seating area outside

One of the viewing platforms for rocket launches

3. Space Shuttle Atlantis

After a short queue to enter, without doubt Atlantis was our favourite exhibit. It starts with a video telling the story of NASA’s 30 year Space Shuttle Program and the story of Atlantis.  We won’t spoilt the reveal to Atlantis because it’s genius and will give you goosebumps! like it did us.

Seeing Atlantis in the flesh is just incredible we were totally awestruck, which doesn’t happen that often. Probably because the Space Shuttles played a part of our generation growing up, we can remember at school being allowed to watch some Shuttle launches in the early 80s on TV. Perhaps we watched the very first shuttle launch of Columbia in 1981?

Garth and Phil outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis building

Phil and Garth stood next to Space Shuttle Atlantis

The Space Shuttle was a revolutionary development allowing a spacecraft to be used for multiple trips to and from space. Atlantis was the workhorse of NASA’s fleet, it took 33 missions over 26 years and orbited the earth 4,000 times, it also took astronauts on the very last Space Shuttle flight and mission in 2011.

Atlantis is brilliantly exhibited – suspended in the air at 42.3 degrees as if floating in space with the payload doors open and the ‘Canadarm’ remote-controlled mechanical arm extended.  On a side note we laughed at all mansplaining going on here!

Space Shuttle Atlantis is suspended and angled as if floating in space

Close up of the white insulation tiles to protect against ultra cold temperatures

Underside of Atlantis is covered in black tiles to protect against ultra high temperatures

There’s a full size replica of the Hubble Telescope

There’s also a full scale replica of the Hubble Telescope suspended next to Atlantis.

Even the space toilets are on display!

Phil at the Space Shuttle controls

Garth practising his best landing technique

There’s lots of interactive exhibits that make you feel what it’s like to be an astronaut, plenty to keep kids (and big kids) entertained.

Seeing Space Shuttle Atlantis was amazing, but we both talked about witnessing the tragedy of Challenger live on TV in 1986, we paid tribute to them and their bravery in the memorial gallery here ‘Forever Remembered’ which honours the 14 brave astronauts who lost their lives on both Challenger and Columbia.

4. Shuttle Launch Experience

Before you leave the Atlantis exhibit there is a theme park style simulator ride – The Shuttle Launch Experience where you buckle up to see what it feels like blasting off into space at 17,500 MPH in 8.5 minutes! The rumble and shaking felt a bit rough and uncomfortable at times but we guess that’s what it would have been like for the astronauts!  You’re not allowed to take any belongings onboard, so free lockers are provided.

5. IMAX Theatre

There are 2 x 45 minute films – ‘Journey to Space 3D’ all about NASA’s achievements and ‘A Beautiful Planet’ which we chose to watch. It’s a powerful documentary about climate change and astronauts living onboard the International Space Station, it’s a great insight into their lives. The best part are the stunning images of Earth filmed from the ISS, so big, so beautiful and breathtaking it’s the next best thing to being in space! Grab some popcorn before entering and enjoy the ride! Oh and the Kennedy Space Center website has trailers for each film, so you can decide on one before you go.

6. Nasa Now + Next

In this smaller exhibition space there are temporary displays of vehicles on loan from NASA and its partners. We saw Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner – a crew vehicle pressure vessel and the Moon Express test vehicle which will be sent to the Moon to mine for natural resources.

NASA Now + Next exhibition space

7. Meet A Real Astronaut

Oh and did we mention you can meet a real life astronaut! Either at ‘Astronaut Encounter’ inside the Universe Theatre or you can meet the ‘Astronaut of the Day’ at the huge gift shop for his or her autograph.

Visitors getting an autograph from Bob Cenker – a real life astronaut!

8. Journey To Mars Explorers Wanted

Journey to Mars is quite nicely done, there’s various small exhibits and a live theatre and multimedia show designed to educate and inspire the next generation of kids. Kinda like a big pitch to join NASA as a future employee, didn’t really tell you loads about NASA’s plans for travelling to Mars, other than their goal is to send humans to the red planet by the 2030s.

Journey to Mars Explorers Wanted

9. The Rocket Garden

We liked walking through the Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden where all the rockets are real (but have never flown). Our favourite was the smaller Mercury-Redstone 3 which in 1961 completed the first U.S. human space flight. There’s also a few replicas of NASA’s space capsules from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, Garth had a go in the Mercury one, a bit of a challenge getting in because it’s so small!

The Rocket Garden

Garth checking out the Mercury capsule for size

10. Heroes & Legends

We finished off our day at the Kennedy Space Center with ‘Heroes and Legends’. This exhibit honours the men and women of the American space programs and starts with a video presentation posing a question to astronauts and the public “What makes a hero?”

Next up is the 4D Theatre experience which is excellent – tales of heroism, humanity and the spirit of adventure. Make sure you stand on the second or third their of the balcony for the best experience.

The Hall of Fame honours some of America’s space heroes, we thought there were only a handful of astronauts but there were hundreds – 338 to be exact, no doubt plenty more to come.

End your day at Heroes and Legends

Recreation of the Mercury mission control room

The Mercury Atlas ‘Horsepower’ Rocket

A hero is passionate, curious, tenacious, inspired, confident, disciplined, principled, selfless and courageous

Finally 9 different pods display the different qualities that make up a great astronaut. Each pod has different memorabilia which are quite inspiring to look at.

Our timeline summary of NASA’s achievements in Space:

• Mercury 1958-1963 – NASA’s first human spaceflight with a goal to put a man into Earth orbit
• Gemini 1961-1966 – First 2 man crew, their goal to develop techniques and technology for the Apollo missions.
• Apollo 1961-1972 – The Moon Landing program, their mission to land a human on the moon and return.
• Skylab 1973-1974 – The worlds first space station owned by NASA, occupied for 24 weeks.
• Space Shuttle 1981-2011 – First time a spacecraft was designed for reuse on multiple missions.
• ISS 1998-Present – The International Space Station, a joint research laboratory with worldwide space agencies.
• Artemis   2017-Present – ‘Moon to Mars’, NASA is sending humans to the Moon by 2024 and to Mars in the 2030s.

NASA’s Iconic Countdown Clock

Take one last photo before you go – next to the car park is the iconic countdown clock, we are ‘go’ for launch!

Garth next to the iconic clock that displayed countdowns to launches

We loved the Kennedy Space Centre as it lived up to our expectations and beyond, a big bucket-list experience ticked off.  Whilst it may have a theme park feel about the place, it’s not really as the exhibits are unique. Even if you have no interest in Space you can’t help be impressed by the history of the human spirit and bravery to explore the unknown. Plus the enormity of the science and engineering that was required to go into space. 8 hours flew by and to be honest we would have liked to spend another day to see absolutely everything and do it more leisurely. For an even bigger bucket-list experience then why not time your visit and witness a rocket launch ?

Disclaimer: We received two complimentary day tickets to The Kennedy Space Center. As always all opinions are 100% our own, this is not a paid sponsored post.

Kennedy Space Center Practical Information & Useful Advice

Phil and Garth at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

Phil and Garth’s Top 5 Kennedy Space Center Travel Tips

• Tip #1 : Arrive early to make the most of your day – we got there at 8.30am (we visited end of April).
• Tip #2 : On the Bus Tour sit on the right (when seated looking forward) for the best views.
• Tip #3 : You’ll need suncream and sunglasses in the fierce Florida heat.
• Tip #4 : Avoid 12 noon for lunch and try eating later or earlier for smaller queues at cafes.
• Tip #5 : Get in the mood and watch Apollo 13 (1995) and First Man (2018) before you go.

Kennedy Space Center FAQ

• What is the nearest airport to the Kennedy Space Center?  MCO – Orlando International Airport is 45miles away.
• What time zone is the Kennedy Space Center?  GMT -5 hours. Eastern Time Zone.
• What currency is used at the Kennedy Space Center?  United States Dollar (symbol: $)
• What language is spoken at the Kennedy Space Center?  English.
• How many people visit the Kennedy Space Center per year?  1.7 million.
• What number should I call in an emergency?  Dial 911 for police, ambulance and fire brigade.
• What plug type is used in the USA?   Plug type A & B. Voltage is 120V / 60Hz .
• When is the best time to visit the Kennedy Space Center?  January to May and September to November.
• When is the worst time to visit the Kennedy Space Center?  June to October because of regular thunderstorms.
• What is the Kennedy Space Center famous for?  Sending the first human to the moon.
• What is the history of the Kennedy Space Center?  Since 1968 The Kennedy Space Center has been the launch site for every U.S. manned space flight.
• What are the 5 must see sights of the Kennedy Space Center?  Vehicle Assembly Building, Apollo/Saturn V Center, Space Shuttle Atlantis, IMAX Theatre and the Rocket Garden.
• What is the local dish?  Burger and space fries.
• What is the best way to get around the Kennedy Space Center?  The visitor centre is designed for walking.
• What’s a fun fact about the Kennedy Space Center?  The Vehicle Assembly Building is world’s 4th largest structure by volume.
• What movies have been filmed at the Kennedy Space Center?  Scenes from Contact (1997), Apollo 13 (1995) and Tomorrowland (2015) were filmed here.
• Where is the best photo spot at the Kennedy Space Center?  The Rocket Garden.
• Where is a hidden gem at the Kennedy Space Center?  The original countdown clock.
• What is the best souvenir to buy at the Kennedy Space Center?  A spacesuit from the souvenir shop.

Pin our 10 Best Attractions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for later

You may also like

The best of orlando in 3 days, the best tiki bars in fort lauderdale, usa, fort lauderdale airboat rides through the everglades, drive from miami to key west & 18 things to do in key west, dry tortugas national park day trip from key west, usa, a tour of wynwood street art, miami, miami itinerary – 3 day travel guide, america’s iconic monuments, memorials & museums in washington dc, everything you need to know for 5 awesome days in new york city.

Far out, it’s huge! I don’t think a 60-second video has ever convinced me to go somewhere before I’ve even read the article before. Nice job, guys! I get what you mean about the low-tech gear. The space suits look like costumes for a school play but then again it was the 60s and I can hardly remember them. LOL! This would never have been on my list to visit but it definitely is now. I want to see that Rocket Garden.

Everything is SO much more vast than I imagined! I would love to visit and see the actual space shuttles. I hope to visit someday!

The scale of everything is what I notice the most. Everything seems massive! Who knew that the space centre is a wildlife preserve as well? I would love to take my kids here one day. #FeetDoTravel

I’ve been here once before and enjoyed it very much. So much to see and the history is amazing. My partner and I plan to visit again in Sept, Reading this post makes me remember just how much I love it here!

So cool!! We’ve been to several of the NASA installations now. While there are some similarities, each one is unique as each played (and some still play) a different role in the space program. Space Center Houston – the “control center” for many missions – is one of our favorites, but you can’t beat all of those rockets and launch vehicles at Cape Canaveral! Now that you’ve ticked Canaveral off your bucket list, what’s next? Are other space sites in your sights?

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Press accept if you're ok with this. Accept Read More

• Park Overview Explore Missions Zones
• Heroes and Legends Space Pioneers
• Behind the Gates Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
• Race to the Moon Apollo Moon Landing
• Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other NASA's Space Shuttle Program
• NASA Now + Next Preparing for Journey to Mars
• All Attractions
• Plan Your Visit
• Hours Of Operation
• Hotel Packages
• Travel Information
• Events Overview
• Event Calendar
• See A Launch
• Groups Overview Plan Events and Tours
• Youth Groups Programs and Field Trips
• Scouts Adventures for Scout Troops
• Private Events Events and Custom Tours
• International Programs and Custom Tours
• Camp KSC Day Camp for Students
• Educators Resources for Teachers
• Programs Educational Programs at KSC
• Accessibility Information

May 8, 2024 | SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink 6-56

MISSION DETAILS:

• Launch Provider: SpaceX
• Rocket Type: Falcon 9 | Block 5
• Launch Pad: Launch Complex 39A
• Description: Global broadband communications
• Landing: Droneship

SpaceX's Starlink is the constellation of networked satellites aimed to provide internet services to those who are not yet connected, and to provide reliable and affordable internet across the globe.

Receive Launch Alerts