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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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Space Coast Launches App

Are you obsessed with space? Download our Space Coast Launches App to watch a live stream of every rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida.

• Locate the exact spot on the horizon to watch during a live rocket launch using the Compass feature.
• Countdown every second with real-time launch clock on the main screen.
• Keep track of upcoming missions including current launch schedule, in-depth mission plans and rocket details.

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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Price & Hours

• Facilities 4.5
• Atmosphere 4.0

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an excellent alternative to the city's crowded theme parks. Though it's about 45 miles east of downtown Orlando in Merritt Island, Florida, the space center is worth a visit, especially for those interested in NASA history. Items and exhibits found on-site include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, NASA's former launch countdown clock, a garden with various rockets, astronaut training simulators and the space shuttle Atlantis. You can also take a tour of the property's facilities, watch space-themed IMAX movies or even have your photo taken with a real astronaut.

Space enthusiasts and families alike will enjoy exploring the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Most former visitors said the site offers tons to see and do, especially if you're looking to kill some time on a rainy day and many recommend spending the whole day there.

Standard tickets include one day of access for $75 for adults and $65 for kids 3 to 11. Since this attraction will take most of a day (if not multiple days) to explore, it may be worth spending an extra $15 per person for a two-day ticket. Annual passes are also available.

No matter which ticket you choose, you'll have access to a bus tour, IMAX films, a viewing area for rocket launches (when scheduled), an astronaut meet-and-greet and most of the property's exhibits and experiences. Multiple shops (including the world's largest store with space memorabilia), restrooms, and several casual eateries are available as well. Public transportation between the attraction and Orlando is not offered, but you can drive and park in the on-site lot for a $10 fee. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. daily, year-round. For more information about visiting hours, exhibits, tickets and special events, check out the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's website .

Tours & Tickets

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Orlando day trips: kennedy space center visitor complex.

Discover out-of-this-world adventures, live rocket launches and a full day of family fun. Blast off to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (pictured), just an hour east of Orlando.

Updated Feb. 15, 2023

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of … well, you and your family and friends. And if you have a personal mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where you’ve never gone before, then it’s time to chart a course for the one-and-only Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor Complex .

Save on discount tickets: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Inviting you to explore space without ever leaving Earth, this historic, world-famous venue is just an hour from Orlando’s tourism districts on Florida’s east coast, resulting in an easy day trip. And with so much to see and do there, it’s easy to make a full day of it. Here’s a checklist of all the reasons why you’ll want to make the KSC Visitor Complex part of your next journey to the Theme Park Capital of the World.

Discover: Day Trips From Orlando

Witness Actual Rocket Launches From Up Close

Kennedy Space Center hosts live rocket launches throughout the year, including those from NASA, Blue Origin and SpaceX. If you’re timing your trip to coincide with a scheduled launch, there is no closer place to see it than the Visitor Complex — and with expert commentary, to boot. All official viewing locations are about as close to the launch pads as safety allows, giving you an unparalleled opportunity to see and feel the liftoff of spacecraft propelled by enormous rocket engines.

Note that the higher profile the launch, the more likely there is to be an additional fee to access viewing locations. Check Visit Orlando’s events calendar or Kennedy Space Center’s website for upcoming launches and viewing opportunities for your next chance.

Experience Modern Space Travel — and Its Future

KSC Visitor Complex is organized into Mission Zones, featuring attractions and tours grouped by chronological eras — and the newest is also one of the most fun. Launched in 2022, Gateway™: The Deep Space Launch Complex gives you the chance to enter the spaceport of the future before embarking on one of four journeys: Red Planet, Daring Encounters, Cosmic Wonders and Uncharted Worlds. All four take you to decidedly different corners of our galaxy, from Mars to the deepest reaches of space.

Heads up that Gateway can be a somewhat intense experience. If members of your group don’t meet the height requirements or have restrictions or sensitivity to motion, they can still experience a full ride without the movement by visiting the Observation Bay. Gateway also features exhibits where you can immerse yourself in the science of current missions to the International Space Station and upcoming journeys into deep space.

Stand Nose-to-Nose With Space Shuttle Atlantis

After 33 missions, 4,848 Earth orbits, and nearly 126 million miles, NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis landed for the final time at KSC in 2011. Now, the Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other Mission Zone invites you to see it up close and in person, along with 60 interactive exhibits that celebrate the history, technology and impact of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.

Beyond getting to see the actual Atlantis , reasons to visit this Mission Zone include the Hubble Space Telescope Theater, Astronaut Training Simulators, and the Shuttle Launch Experience®, where you’ll experience the sights, sounds and sensations of blasting off into space aboard a shuttle. Go for launch, indeed!

See How Our Journeys Began

It can be argued that no NASA program did more to ignite mankind’s passion for space exploration than the historic Apollo Moon landings. It could also be argued that there is no better place to explore that era than the Race to the Moon Mission Zone at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which is accessible via a short bus ride from the main Visitor Complex.

Step inside and see a massive Saturn V rocket, which launched lunar astronauts from Kennedy Space Center in the 1960s and ‘70s. Marvel at an Apollo spacecraft and Alan Shepard’s spacesuit — complete with actual Moon dust. And experience the thrill of the space race by viewing the launch of Apollo 8 from The Firing Room. These and other activities and exhibits are a stunning tribute not just to the unprecedented achievement of putting humans on the moon, but the awe felt throughout the world in that magical moment.

Rub Shoulders With Heroes, Legends … and Rockets

Discover what it truly means to be a hero at the Heroes & Legends Mission Zone, which features the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing®. Here, you can learn about American astronauts from Project Mercury to the Space Shuttle Program through today. For that matter, you can get face time with an actual spacefarer by participating in Astronaut Encounter or the more intimate, add-on option of Chat With an Astronaut.

You can also explore the men and women who helped put a man on the Moon at Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo. And no trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is complete without a stroll through their famous Rocket Garden, home to rockets used in NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

Access Restricted Areas — Legally

Interested in gaining exclusive access to historic launch sites and operational spaceflight facilities at Kennedy Space Center? You can at the Visitor Complex, and without breaking any laws in the process. Just hop on a KSC Bus Tour, which are included with admission and will take you behind NASA’s gates to see the past, present and future of America’s multi-user spaceport before visiting the legendary Apollo/Saturn V Center.

For a personalized experience, book a KSC Explore Tour, which is available as an optional upgrade to Visitor Complex admission. You’ll be paired with a space expert as you tour the spaceport and make stops along the ways for iconic photographic views.

Still More to Explore

In addition to the KSC Visitor Complex’s Mission Zones, each of which takes two or more hours to fully explore, the center has numerous add-on enhancements beyond those mentioned above. They include:

• Astronaut Training Experience : Train to live and work on Mars through exciting and immersive simulation technology.
• Mars Base 1 : Travel to Mars and spend the day solving authentic NASA science and engineering challenges.
• Cosmic Quest : Develop your space-exploration skills with the only live-action gaming experience in the galaxy featuring real NASA missions.

Naturally, KSC Visitor Complex is also a great place to stock up on space-related souvenirs, including those based on all of your favorite NASA mission programs. You can even buy your own NASA jumpsuit! You won’t go hungry during your visit, either, thanks to space-themed eateries to satisfy any cravings, including vegetarian, gluten-free and other healthy choices.

With so many ways to learn, explore and play at KSC Visitor Complex, it’s no wonder why numerous Orlando visitors make it part of their getaways. Blast off for your own adventures during your next visit.

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Nate Shelton

Content senior manager at Visit Orlando. He’s a native Floridian and longtime Orlandoan who enjoys good food and drink, live entertainment, music, theme parks, comic books, video games, movies, cats, and all the other things that make life worth living.

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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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The Only Guide You Need to Plan Your Visit to the Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is one of the most exciting places to visit for children and adults alike. One of the ten field centers of NASA, the Kennedy Space Center is crucial to the USA's space program and is also a popular tourist attraction. The Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center has a range of educational and entertaining attractions that offer you a rare glimpse into the world of space, science, and technology. Read on to find the best ways to plan your visit to the Kennedy Space Center.

Kennedy Space Center Opening Hours

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Last Admission: The last admission to the Visitor Complex is at 4 PM.

Closed: The Kennedy Space Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Duration of Visit: We suggest spending about 6 to 8 hours at the Kennedy Space Center. This will give you enough time to explore all the attractions at a leisurely pace.

Best Time to Visit the Kennedy Space Center

Weekday vs Weekend: If you want to avoid large crowds, your best bet is to visit the Kennedy Space Center on a weekday. Try and plan your visit around 9 or 10 AM so you have the whole day to explore the attractions at your own pace.

Peak Season vs Low Season: The peak tourist season falls during the months between November and February, as well as March and April. However, the weather is cooler during this time as compared to the rest of the year. The best months to plan your visit to the Kennedy Space Center is either the first half of May or October. The weather is pleasant and the crowds are lesser. June to September is usually hot and humid, which could make it an uncomfortable experience for you.

Where is the Kennedy Space Center?

Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA | Find on maps

The Kennedy Space Center is located extremely close to Orlando and Daytona Beach. It is located on federal property, so all visitors must adhere to speed limits as traffic violations will result in heavy fines. Follow the rules to ensure that you have a hassle-free visit to the Kennedy Space Center.

Closest landmark: Blue Origin Rocket Factory

Getting to the Kennedy Space Center

No public transportation is available to the Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center. 

The best way to visit the Kennedy Space Center is to drive down there. You can drive to the Visitor Complex in a private vehicle. The Visitor Complex is about 51-minutes away from the nearest airport which is Melbourne (MLB) Airport. Alternatively, you can hail a local taxi from Orlando or Miami to get to the Kennedy Space Center.

GPS Coordinates:

• The exact GPS coordinates to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are 28o30'56.0"N and 80o40'54"W. 
• Use your GPS device to search for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and not just the 'Kennedy Space Center,' which will lead you to the incorrect location. 

Nearby locations:

• Cocoa Beach (21.4 miles away)
• Daytona Beach (63.7 miles away)
• Orlando (52.1 miles away)

Parking Facilities

• The Visitor Complex at Kennedy Space Center allows motorcycles, automobiles, and oversized vehicles such as RVs.
• The parking fees will be collected at the entrance to the lot.
• Visitors with disabilities can park their vehicles in Lot 2 with a valid parking permit.
• Rideshare and taxi drop offs are permitted in Lot 4 with the appropriate proof of fare.
• If you are an annual passholder, you will receive complimentary parking.
• Those with multi-day tickets will receive one complimentary parking voucher.
• You can access parking 30 minutes before the complex opens.

Parking Rates

• Motorcycles - $5.00
• Automobiles - $10.00
• Oversized vehicles, motor homes, or RVs - $15.00

Know Before You Go

• The information desk at the main entrance offers a map of the complex and provides any other assistance needed. It also holds any lost and found items. You can also rent smart-guides, strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters from here.
• There is a first-aid center at the Visitor Complex for anyone who may need medical assistance.
• Designated smoking areas can be found throughout the complex.
• The Visitor Complex has a free kennel for pets, which is accessible during its operational hours. Pet owners are encouraged to provide food, snacks, toys, and blankets for their pets.
• Restrooms and baby-changing facilities can be located at various points across the Visitor Complex.

• The Kennedy Space Center is wheelchair accessible and you can rent a wheelchair on the premises for $10.
• All tour buses are equipped with wheelchair and scooter-accessible lifts.
• Theater access to IMAX has wheelchair-accessible lifts to upper seating locations. 
• Guests with autism and/or hearing sensitivity can access noise reduction earmuffs. 
• Restrooms for visitors with disabilities are located across the park.
• Service animals are permitted inside the premises.

• The Kennedy Space Center is a great place to spend the day with your family, with lots of kid-friendly activities.
• Baby-changing facilities and restrooms and available throughout the park.
• Strollers are available for rent from the information desk at the main entrance to the Visitor Complex.
• Planet Play is an indoor play area designed for children between the ages of 2 to 12.

• Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking areas.
• Large coolers, large bags, and suitcases are not permitted inside the premises.
• All guests are required to wear proper attire (shirts and shoes) to enter the Visitor Complex. Clothing with obscene and objectionable material, or those that expose tattoos with obscene content, are not permitted. Costume masks of any kind are not allowed.
• Glass bottles and containers are not allowed inside the premises, however, food and beverages packed in small and soft-sided bags can be carried inside. Alcoholic beverages from outside cannot be carried inside the Visitor Complex.
• Weapons of any kind are not permitted inside the premises.

• Visit Cocoa Beach, which is just a few miles away, towards the South of the Kennedy Space Center.
• Go on a cruise at Port Canaveral which is just minutes from the Kennedy Space Center. Ships set sail from this bustling port offering many oceanic adventures.
• Head to Daytona Beach where you can leisurely explore the Daytona Beach Pier and the Daytona Lagoon Water Park.
• Go shopping for antiques that are famous in this part of Florida at stores like 'The Vintage Thistle' in Cocoa and the 'Vintage Venue' in Rockledge.

Things to do at the Kennedy Space Center

Attractions

The Kennedy Space Center has a range of top attractions that are both exciting and educational. Some of the major attractions at the Visitor Complex include the Rocket Garden, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis, among many others.

If you're looking to collect some space memorabilia to keep as souvenirs during your unforgettable trip, you can head to the 'The Space Shop', and 'The Right Stuff,' at the Kennedy Space Center or visit their online store.

Indulge in some delicious meals during your visit to the Kennedy Space Center. It is home to a variety of restaurants like the Orbit Café, the Moon Rock Café, and Planet Play Lounge among others, and offers a range of food options for visitors to try out.

Visitor Tips

• Buy your tickets to the Kennedy Space Center online and in advance to ensure that you don't miss out on the experience.
• Wear comfortable footwear while visiting Kennedy Space Center because you’re going to be walking around a lot.
• Large coolers, luggage and other large bags are not permitted through the front gate.
• Proper attire, which includes a shirt and shoes, is required for admittance.
• Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics is prohibited.
• Costume masks of any kind are not permitted during your visit to the Kennedy Space Center.
• Food and beverages packed in small, soft-sided coolers are permitted. Glass bottles or containers are not permitted.
• Take a guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center for a more meaningful experience on your visit.

Book Kennedy Space Center Tickets & Tours

Frequently asked questions about visiting the kennedy space center.

Yes, you can purchase a ticket to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and indulge in a range of exciting and interactive space exhibits.

No, you need to purchase a ticket to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. 

Visiting the Kennedy Space Center is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the journey of human space exploration. Aside from the many exciting attractions, you also get to marvel at original rockets and space shuttles like the Apollo and Saturn V , among many others.

Food and beverages packed in small, soft-sided bags are permitted. Glass bottles and containers cannot be carried inside.

Yes, you can carry a small backpack to the Kennedy Space Center. Anything larger than a backpack will not be permitted.

The Kennedy Space Center is a family-friendly destination so ensure you dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. 

You can bring food and drinks into the Kennedy Space Center but larger coolers are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages cannot be carried inside.

There is a significant amount of walking involved during your visit to the Kennedy Space Center so it is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes. 

The Kennedy Space Center is best enjoyed as a full-day experience so set aside at least 6 hours to immerse yourself in the destination.

Yes, you can take photos inside the Kennedy Space Center but flash photography is restricted.

The Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island, Florida.

Driving to Kennedy Space Center is usually the best option since no direct public transportation is available.

The Kennedy Space Center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Kennedy Space Center Timings

Attractions at the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

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 EXPRESS - Adults at Kids Rate Summer Promo

Summer promo price - book now. take our express service to kennedy space center for a day that is out of this world.

Kennedy Space Center Small Group VIP Experience

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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.

An expert's guide to Orlando, Florida – beyond the theme parks

May 5, 2024 • 7 min read

From glistening beaches to space exploration past and present, Orlando has tons for you to see © Shutterstock

There's a reason 75 million people visit Orlando annually, and it isn't just the mouse. Don't get us wrong. Disney World is incredible and deserves a place on any theme park lover’s bucket list, but Orlando is so much more than its theme parks. It’s an ever-evolving city with vibrant parks, public art and award-winning restaurants. And that’s before you get to amazing day trips to the Kennedy Space Center or New Smyrna Beach . 

I have family near Orlando and I’ve visited dozens of times through the years, usually for a week at a time. I’ve come to love this special place. Whether it’s your first trip to Orlando or you’re looking for something to do outside the theme parks, our expert guide to Orlando will help you make the most of your trip. 

When should I go to Orlando? 

There’s no wrong time to visit Orlando , but here are a few facts to inform your decision. First, no matter the time of year, holidays are crowded and expensive (this includes the days framing the actual holiday). There’s also the rainy season from May to October. Luckily, in a place as lovely as Florida, the rainfall is intense but mercifully brief. 

Hurricane season is from June through November. In recent years, weather systems like Hurricane Ian have caused theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios to close for multiple days. If you’re visiting Orlando during hurricane season, it’s best to book flexible airfare, lodging, rental car reservations, etc.  

The high tourist season in Orlando is from March to April and June to August. Kids are typically out of school for spring and summer breaks, so the big attractions like theme parks are often crowded. Humidity is high, and temperatures are often in the 90s. 

The shoulder season in Orlando is in May and September through November. In May, temperatures reach the mid to high 80s, and after the sweltering summer, they drop to the upper 70s in November. During the shoulder season, you’ll usually find better deals on lodging. 

December is usually the low season (excluding Christmas through early January when the kids are on holiday break). The temperatures are cooler but exceedingly pleasant, with averages in the middle 70s. This is the time of year when you’ll usually get the best pricing as long you avoid school breaks and holidays.

How many days do you need to see Orlando? 

Although you can easily spend longer and not regret it, the average visitor to Orlando spends 5-7 nights. A stay of this length ensures you’ll have time to visit the theme parks (if that’s on your itinerary), plus explore downtown Orlando and some Florida beaches. 

Is it easy to get around in Orlando? 

Most long-distance travelers fly into Orlando International Airport. If you’re staying at a Disney area hotel and don’t plan on spending much time outside the resort, you might find it cheaper to take the Mears Connect shuttle over an Uber or rental car, although this largely depends on your group size. The shuttle operates 24/7. 

If you’re a Florida local, the recently debuted Brightline offers fast train service connecting Orlando to cities like Palm Beach , Fort Lauderdale and Miami . Alternatively, the Sun Rail offers train service with stops in Poinciana (about half an hour from Disney World), downtown Orlando, Kissimmee and DeBary. 

Downtown Orlando has an excellent public transportation system. LYMMO provides free Bus Rapid Transit service seven days a week to major downtown destinations like Lake Eola Park or the Bob Carr Theater . The Lymmo does not provide service to the airport or theme parks. Or, enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and utilize Orlando’s bike and scooter share program .

What are the top things to do in Orlando? 

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Orlando has theme parks. Walt Disney World , Universal Studios , Legoland , etc, are all in the area. If these attractions are the reason for your visit, that’s wonderful. However, there are a lot of things to do in Orlando outside the theme parks. 

Embrace downtown Orlando 

Don’t make the mistake of skipping downtown Orlando on your visit to the Sunshine State. Lake Eola Park is the heart of the city, with a paved, wheelchair-accessible walking trail circling the lake. Colorful gardens blossom against the backdrop of the Orlando skyline while swan boats (and real swans) swim in the water. A wheelchair lift was recently installed to make it easier for people with disabilities to enter the ADA-accessible swan boats. If you’re at Lake Eloa on a Sunday, check out the Orlando Farmer’s Market, where local vendors showcase seasonal produce, arts and crafts, plants and even homemade dog treats.

A whopping 48 Orlando restaurants were honored by the Michelin Guide in 2024, so be sure to arrive hungry. For a bucket list dining experience, the intimate Natsu Omakase has just two seatings per night and flies most of its seafood in from Japan. For a casual meal, it’s hard to beat Super Rico , with Columbian dishes like Churrasco or fried green plantains topped with steak, chicken and mushrooms. 

While you’re walking around downtown, keep your eye open for public art. Orlando boasts over 900 paintings, sculptures, tapestries and mixed media displayed in its city hall, neighborhood centers, public buildings and parks. 

Visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens 

The Harry P. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre plant-life paradise. Since this is Florida, there is always something in bloom, and each trip to the gardens is different than the last. Throughout the year, roses, hibiscus, bananas, tree orchids and citrus trees fill the grounds with perfume and color. This is also home to the Historic Leu House Museum, which was originally built in 1888. Today, the mansion has been restored to offer visitors a glimpse back at the past.

Take in a Performance at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as one of the world's most acoustically sound arts venues. The building takes up two city blocks, offering multiple performance spaces, a school of the arts, event rooms and an outdoor plaza with a welcoming lawn. An ever-changing calendar of performances includes family-friendly programming, Broadway touring productions and local theater groups. 

Geek out at Kennedy Space Center

Orlando is only 50 miles from the Kennedy Space Center , and it’s worth a side trip. You can easily spend the entire day there, so don’t short yourself on time. Attractions include encounters with real astronauts, hands-on activities like astronaut training simulators, and virtual reality experiences. Kids love it, and so do adults.

Explore New Smyrna Beach 

Drive an hour to New Smyrna Beach, where you’ll find 17 miles of sugar sand beaches, some of Florida’s best surfing waves, and a cute, walk-around-able downtown brimming with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Nearby Blue Springs State Park is a designated manatee refuge with hundreds of manatees from mid-November through mid-March that visitors can see via a wheelchair-accessible path and viewing platform.

My favorite thing to do in Orlando 

My favorite thing to do in Orlando might seem a little cheesy if you’ve never been inside, but I always recommend Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition . Yes, there are Titanic museums elsewhere, but that doesn’t make this one any less worthwhile since each exhibition holds different artifacts. This one has more than 300 artifacts recovered from the wreckage and 500 personal items from passengers. Costumed actors wander through full-scale room recreations of the Titanic’s interior, pulling you into an eerie, immersive experience. A regular roster of programs includes dinner galas, formal teas and guide tours with rotating themes. 

How much money do I need for Orlando? 

• Basic room for two: $100 a night (and up) 
• Basic Airbnb for two: $100 a night (and up) 
• Ticket for Mear Connect: $32.00 roundtrip for ages 10 and up, $26.00 roundtrip for ages 3-9 years old, children under 3 are free
• LYMMO Bus Rapid Transit service in downtown Orlando: Free
• Theme park ticket: varies, but you usually expect to spend at least $120 per person per day
• Cup of coffee: $3.00 
• Price for a sandwich: $8.00 
• Dinner for two: $60 (and up) 
• Cocktail in downtown Orlando: $14 (and up)

Keep planning your trip to Florida:

Keep your wallet happy with the best free experiences Figure out  the best time to visit Cruise your way around the Sunshine State with the best road trips in Florida   Get the inside intel with the top things you should know before you go

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• Park Overview Explore Missions Zones
• Heroes and Legends Space Pioneers
• Behind the Gates Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
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• Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other NASA's Space Shuttle Program
• NASA Now + Next Preparing for Journey to Mars
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Parking Rates

• Motorcycles - $5.00
• Automobiles - $15.00
• Oversized vehicles, motor homes or RVs - $20.00

Hotel For information regarding hotels and other accommodations near Kennedy Space Center, view some area hotels or Visit Space Coast or call 877.57.BEACH (23224). Area Attractions The Space Coast isn’t just about space. Learn about area beaches and other attractions during your Visit to the Space Coast or call 877.57.BEACH (2-3224). Dining Learn more about dining opportunities outside of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex through Visit Space Coast or call 877.57.BEACH (2-3224).

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Science | UCF lab hosts NASA challenge, but ‘Lunar…

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Science | ucf lab hosts nasa challenge, but ‘lunar knights’ robotics club has rough go.

A student from the University of Arkansas, right, cheers while the University of Central Florida’s robotics team carries their entry out of the competition court after it failed to start in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at UCF's Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. 43 college teams from across the U.S. designed and built autonomous vehicles to compete on the simulated lunar surface at the lab with finalists moving on to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Thursday and Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Members of the University of Central Florida’s robotics team carry their entry out of the competition court after it failed to start in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at UCF's Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Members of the University of Central Florida’s robotics team troubleshoot their entry as it fails to start in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at the UCF Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Members of the University of Central Florida’s robotics team arrive with their entry on the competition court in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at the UCF Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Members of the University of Central Florida’s robotics team carry their entry out of the competition court after it failed to start in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at the UCF Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Students from the University of Central Florida’s robotics team carry their entry out of the competition court after their second attempt in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at the UCF Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The Lunar Knights robotics club was one of 43 university teams taking part in NASA’s 2024 Lunabotics Challenge on Tuesday on the final day of the first round of competition at the UCF’s Exolith Lab near the Orlando campus.

“The first time I walked in here, it was like a kid in a candy store. It was just like Disney World,” said UCF’s Samentha Simmons, 30, a computer science major and software engineer ahead of her teammates’ attempt. “I’ve always wanted to be in robotics and aerospace, so the second I walked in here, seeing all the teams and seeing all the different designs, and knowing it was all part of NASA too, it was the most amazing feeling in the world.”

The goal for each team was to have its robotic rover navigate the obstacles of simulated moon terrain cooked up by the lab and create a berm of lunar regolith. In other words, dig up moon dirt and build a pile.

Members of the University of Central Florida’s robotics team carry their entry out of the competition court after it failed to start in the national NASA Lunabotics Challenge, at the UCF Exolith Lab, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)Four members of each team donned white scrubs with booties on their feet and masks to enter the arena, a giant sandbox made up of the course rocky grains designed to mirror the lunar south pole.

They had to haul their rover, which can weigh a maximum of 176 pounds, into the staging area where they got five minutes to set up, 15 minutes to dig and five minutes to dust it off. Each team had two chances over the three days of the first round in the arena.

For UCF, though, its second attempt Tuesday was no better than the first. Its rover, about the size of push lawn mower and equipped with bulldozer plow up front, wasn’t budging once placed in the test chamber. It’s the first time the school has competed in the national challenge in years and the first experience for each of the club’s teammates.

After the failure, Simmons laid out the problem.

“The challenge really was with the network and a lot of the interferences we were having. Some were connection issues and then we had a little bit of hardware issues,” she said. “It just kind of fell apart, but we’ve figured some things out. We’re a little more hopeful for sure, and if anything we’re got a huge plan for next year. … Got some high hopes.”

Each year NASA comes up with a different task related to its Artemis plans for missions to the moon and eventually Mars. Some years it’s been focused on drilling, some on earth moving. Future challenges could involve quadcopters or other aspects of exploration.

The top 10 teams from the first round will move on to compete in the final rounds Thursday and Friday at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They were the University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Utah, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Virginia and Michigan Technological University.

UCF team lead Lee Marshall, 20, a mechanical engineering major, took their rover’s difficulties in stride.

“It was a little intimidating because this is our first year here, so our robot looked a lot different than most of the teams,” he said. “They’ve done it year after year after year, so they know what they’re looking for, but I feel pretty good about what our robot was.”

Marshall said the mechanical and electrical teams worked separately for this year’s efforts, but that will change.

“They really should be working together as one team,” he said noting they will also document everything. “We knew a lot of our stuff in our heads, but it was hard to communicate that to other people. … we’ll be ready to hit her harder next year.”

One team that saw more success on Tuesday was from the University of Arkansas, whose rover sported a graphic that read, “Space is Dirty.” The Razorback team just like UCF had a motionless rover for the first eight minutes of the timed competition before it finally made the slightest of movements, prompting shouts of “yes, yes!” and “wooo!” worthy of a touchdown celebration.

It took another few minutes, but then their rover got to work creating the largest pile of moon regolith of the day so far, and among the top five for the first rounds. The largest piles were approaching one-tenth of a cubic meter, which is a little smaller than an outdoor garbage bag.

Paul Archer, 19, a mechanical engineer at Arkansas, was high-fiving teammates with a force that could burst blood vessels while jumping up and down.

“That’s the longest eight minutes of my life,” he said.

One of the judges for the competition, Abbie Easter, a UCF grad who now works with nonprofit National Center for Simulation based in Orlando, commended the look of their rover.

“Their design is sick,” she said. “That’s a very solid berm. … it’s exciting to hear the teams cheer.”

They finished 14th in the competition.

UCF professor Dan Britt, the director at the the Center for Lunar & Asteroid Surface Science at UCF that funds the Exolith Lab said this was the first year it had hosted part of the contest, which before the pandemic was held solely at Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex.

It’s part of the university’s “SpaceU” initiative “so we can do better research. It’s a one-of-a-kind facility in the world,” he said.

For UCF’s Lunar Knights, getting their feet in the sand was the primary goal, Marshall said. The final rankings had them tied for last with 15 other schools that unable to get their rovers working.

“This is completely fresh to us — a brand new team, brand new everything,” Marshall said. “So we weren’t here to win. We were here to see how we could win.”

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NASA announces another delay to Boeing Starliner launch

T he first crewed flight for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner will have to wait a little bit longer but is still targeting a May launch. The mission is now slated for no earlier than May 21 at 4:43 p.m, NASA revealed Tuesday.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were sitting in the capsule last week atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 with just two hours to go before launch.

Issues with a valve on the ULA rocket forced a scrub of that launch attempt and a rollback of the rocket from the pad to change the valve, pushing the launch date to what was supposed to be as early as this Friday.

NASA said the valve issue on the ULA rocket’s upper Centaur stage was resolved, but Boeing teams found a new issue on the Starliner spacecraft itself.

“Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster,” according to a NASA press release. “Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic.”

Now teams with NASA and Boeing are working through testing and operational solutions including bringing up Starliner’s propulsion system to flight pressure levels similar to how it would before launch so that the helium can vent and teams can measure it against data to see if it’s working as expected.

NASA said the launch teams were working on no other issues.

The Atlas V and Starliner remain at ULA’s Vertical Integration Facility adjacent to the launch pad while astronauts Wilmore and Williams flew back to Houston over the weekend. The remain in quarantine and will fly back a few days before launch.

The recent delays are small compared with the Starliner program, which is about four years behind SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Both companies were awarded contracts under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to provide regular ferry service from the U.S. to and from the International Space Station.

SpaceX completed its crewed flight test in 2020 and has since flown its fleet of Crew Dragon spacecraft 13 times carrying 50 humans into space.

Boeing’s initial uncrewed test flight in 2019 was not able to rendezvous with the ISS forcing more than two years of delay before it tried again. While that trip in 2022 was successful, more issues after the flight and needed fixes to spacecraft hardware have added another two years.

The Crew Flight Test now aims to bring the pair of NASA astronauts for about an eight-day stay on board the ISS testing out manual features on the spacecraft during docking, and then again on its return home to Earth where it will land in the desert in the western United States.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Nasa honors three chroniclers for helping tell america’s space story  .

Through decades of hard work, three storytellers brought out of this world news down to Earth, providing a lens through which young and old could watch space exploration unfold. This week, NASA recognized the contributions of these Chroniclers during a May 15, 2024, ceremony at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  

NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Associate Director of Management Burt Summerfield was at the spaceport’s Press Site for the unveiling of three brass plates bearing the names of the 2024 honorees – Dan Billow, Michael R. Brown, and Margaret (Maggie) Persinger. 

“The Chroniclers ceremony is one of Press Site’s greatest traditions,” Summerfield said. “We get a chance to extend our deepest thank you to members of the media – and our NASA and industry communicators – who go above and beyond to tell our story to the world,”  

The inductees join the list of 82 other Chroniclers awardees whose names hang proudly on the wall in the “bullpen” at Kennedy’s Press Site, where journalists, photographers and broadcasters have gathered to cover the space industry since 1962. 

The honorees were nominated by other members of the news media and selected by a panel of NASA officials and current space reporters. 

Dan Billow was born in 1960 in Orange County, California. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1982 in radio and television from California State University in Fullerton and completed a certificate in meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2008. 

Dan began his career in 1982 as a news reporter at KRCR-TV in Redding, California. From 1985 to 1987, he worked as a news reporter with KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1987, Dan took a job with WESH-TV in Orlando, Florida, as a news reporter and meteorologist. While there, he covered all space shuttle missions from 1988-2011. He also covered NASA’s Earth and other planetary missions, including Mars landings, spacecraft flights to Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, the Sun, and Earth’s moon. Dan experienced weightlessness in a NASA KC-135 aircraft in 1998, and he even experienced simulated space shuttle landings in a Shuttle Training Aircraft commanded by astronaut Chris Ferguson in 2011. 

Dan earned the Society of Professional Journalists Silver Medallion in 2003 and the duPont-Columbia Award in 2004 for coverage of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, as well as three regional Emmy awards. 

Dan retired in 2021, settling in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia with his wife of 41 years, Rebecca. They have three adult children: Alex, Jordan, and Marie. 

“Spaceflight is romance – there’s an element of grandeur to it – and that’s the way I covered it,” Billow said. “Spaceflight is beauty, and I will continue to watch the next generation of reporters covering it.” 

Michael R. Brown served in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1972. Following his Navy service, Michael studied photography at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale from 1974 to 1976 and launched his career as a photojournalist beginning with the Thomasville Times in Georgia in 1977. 

In 1978, Michael accepted a job with Florida Today as a photojournalist. He had many notable accomplishments during his 34-year career with Florida Today, including covering all 135 Space Shuttle launches as well as the launches of hundreds of expendable rockets. Notably, he was recognized as a finalist for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for his photo coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. Michael now lives and works in Florida as a freelance photographer. 

“We had a lot of fun setting up remote cameras during shuttle days to get just the right shots,” Brown said. “If we had an idea for a photo, the people here bent over backwards to make sure we could get what we needed. But working with the people here was what I really enjoyed most.” 

Margaret (Maggie) Persinger began her career at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as an archivist assistant in 1975. As a result of her in-depth research of the space program at Kennedy, she was hired by Technicolor to work as a film file at the Motion Picture Lab at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida from 1978 to 1986. Maggie then moved to the Photo Lab at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida where she worked until 1992, ending her time as lead of the Film File Library. 

In 1992, Margaret transferred to Kennedy’s Press Site, providing still imagery to newspapers, wires, and magazines via black and white as well as color photos, slides, and transparencies. With the rise of the digital era, imagery transitioned to include photo CDs and eventually to digital images on the internet. These shifts in technology required learning brand new techniques, procedures, computers, and programs. With her knowledge and experience, Maggie became the Photo Editor at Kennedy. 

In 1995, Maggie’s responsibilities grew to include video, motion picture film, and audio tape releases to the media. Originally this entailed research into the subject matter on VHS, beta tapes, and audio tapes used by TV, motion picture film productions, and radio. It wasn’t long before technology growth changed the nature of her job again with the introduction of high-definition capability and tapes, which added to the already extensive library. Hard copy tapes eventually gave way to digital formats, requiring Maggie to edit video clips that could be rapidly released to the media via computer, thumb drives, or large capacity decks enabling a vast amount of footage. Without a requirement to mail tapes, videos shot at Kennedy to be edited and viewed quickly around the world. 

Maggie’s career saw many advances in film and technology, allowing her the rare opportunity to work with many types of media – newspapers, wires, magazines, TV, documentaries, motion picture film productions, and social media. 

“I was so proud of what NASA is doing and that I could help get word out to the public,” Persinger said. “Back when we worked with print photos and tape, I remember meeting reporters at all hours and at locations like the bowling alley to be sure they had what they needed for their stories.” 

The Chroniclers ceremony is typically held in early May to honor the first U.S. human spaceflight, Mercury-Redstone 3, or Freedom 7, on May 5, 1961. The 15-minute, 28-second flight sent astronaut Alan Shepard into orbit around Earth, ending with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. 

For more listings of all The Chroniclers, visit: The Chroniclers – NASA