OK, I confess. I have never visited The Kennedy Space Center. This is unusual because I have lived in Florida my entire life. So today, Brenda and I decided it was time to take a day trip. We came back with some recommendations and a countdown of Things to see at the Kennedy Space Center. This huge complex is where space exploration has made history. For our 10th Anniversary, we spent the day looking at rockets, the Apollo Program, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. We also learned about missions to space. I know, romantic right?
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – All Systems are GO
Let’s start our Countdown of Things to See at the Kennedy Space Center. Stand by for a visit to the Mercury Space Program which put the first American astronauts into space. Are you interested in taking a gander at the Gemini Spacecraft and understanding the challenges of Space Walking? How about stepping foot on the Moon with the Apollo Program? We will stop over and see the Space Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other. We will take a peek at The Mission to Mars program. Will life survive on the red planet?
Are you ready? Because all systems are GO!
T-Minus 10 Seconds and Counting
Heroes and Legends: The Astronaut Hall of Fame
I have followed NASA’s launches throughout my life. Visiting the Astronaut Hall of Fame is a chance to relive the thrills and dangers of America’s earliest space missions. We were able to read information about each astronaut and understand which qualities define these men and women as heroes. We were then able to find these space heroes on a wall which included those inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
What’s more, each astronaut has their own role in NASA’s early space programs. They helped inspire a nation to reach for the stars.
T – Minus 9 Seconds – All Systems are Go
The Rocket Garden
Exiting the Hall of Fame, put us near the Rocket Garden. This is home to a host of rockets that took astronauts and satellites into space. The garden is one of Kennedy Space Center’s most photographed attractions and I can see why.
Wandering among the missiles, we realized that we were walking among the actual machines that began America’s space exploration.
T-Minus 8 Seconds – We have a Go for All Systems Start
The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
After strolling through the Rocket Garden, we headed to the bus stop to be taken to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The bus took us behind the gates passing the Vehicle Assembly Building. This is where the rockets are assembled and prepared for flight. The driver shared some interesting facts saying that is it one of the largest buildings in the world by area.
TIP: If you had that Venti cup of high-octane java this morning, you might want to delay boarding the bus. The tour is about 40 minutes and There are no restrooms until you get to the Apollo Center.
T-Minus 7 Seconds and Counting
The Apollo/Saturn V Center
The Bus Tour takes you to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Here you will experience the countdown and launch of the Apollo 8 mission to orbit the moon. You’ll experience the thrill of being in the center of the launch control room during a launch. The consoles are the actual ones that were used during the Apollo Missions. See and feel the powerful Saturn V Moon rocket lift off from the launch pad and blast into space. As the spaceship blasts off, the room shakes and the windows rattle as if an actual launch had just occurred.
Afterward, you get an up-close look at the actual Saturn V rocket. This is the rocket that took men to the moon. The rocket is elevated above the ground so you can walk under it and marvel at its mass. You will stand in amazement under the largest rocket ever flown into space.
Moonscape is one of the most compelling new exhibits at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. See the landing site from Apollo 11 as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong plant the flag on the lunar surface. The most spectacular artifact is an authentic Lunar Module 9 created for the Apollo Program.
There are moments in American history that unify our country and shift our culture. The Apollo Moon landing that put a man on the moon was one of those achievements. Those words of Neil Armstrong when he stepped on the moon still echo today. “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
T-Minus 6 and We Go into Final Hold
Lunch at The Orbit Cafe
Holds are generally built into the countdown and launch window. Since we are on hold for 6 seconds, that gives us plenty of time to grab some lunch. By this time, we had worked up an appetite. An out-of-this-world dining experience is easy to find at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It is nice to be able to sit down and experience lunchtime indoors with a delicious burger (recommended by staff). Add to that, an order of hot crispy french fries, and an ice-cold Coca-Cola. They also offer sandwiches, pizza, dessert, and more.
Resume Final Countdown with T-Minus 6 Seconds
Space Shuttle Atlantis
Let’s continue our Countdown of Things to See at the Kennedy Space Center. T-Minus 6 takes us to the “Space Shuttle Atlantis” exhibit which contains the real Atlantis orbiter that flew to space. With 33 missions to space under her belt, she has logged in 126 million miles.
The orbiter is now displayed as she was in Earth’s orbit with payload bay doors open and the Canadarm extended.
T-Minus 5 Seconds
Shuttle Launch Experience
In Mission Atlantis, they have what was one of my favorite experiences at the Space Center Complex. Besides seeing the real Atlantis Orbiter Space Shuttle, I was able to strap in and experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of a real shuttle launch. I felt the seat shake, and the ground at my feet tremble as the sound intensified. I felt like I was on a space launch leaving earth and heading to space. The Shuttle Launch Experience gives riders a taste of what it would be like to liftoff into space.
T-Minus 4 Seconds – All Systems Check
Astronaut Encounter
Each day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, visitors get the rare opportunity to meet veteran NASA astronauts. During Astronaut Encounter, commanders, pilots, mission, and payload specialists who have lived and worked in space share their experiences. Check the schedule to see who is there on the day you visit.
T-Minus 3 Seconds – Sequences Start
Imax Outer Space Theatres
Two 3D IMAX documentaries offer a thrilling five-and-a-half-story glimpse of views from space. The images in A Beautiful Planet 3D were filmed by astronauts. In addition to the 3D IMAX movies, many of the mission areas have informational videos.
T-Minus 2 Seconds – Main Engine Start
Journey to Mars
Are you fascinated by the possibility of exploring the Red Planet? Discover NASA’s plans to explore deep space, including Mars, asteroids, and once again, the Moon. Try your hand at steering a rover over the Mars surface. This multimedia exhibit highlights what’s happening at NASA right now.
T-Minus 1 Second. We have Ignition
Shopping for a Space Souvenir
One more item completes our countdown of things to see at The Kennedy Space Center. We couldn’t leave without souvenirs so we stopped in for a space memento. Experience “The World’s Largest Space Shop” for stellar souvenirs, and the latest in NASA gear. Brenda and I have made it a point to look for Christmas tree ornaments when we travel. As a result, we found the perfect one. The retail store features a large collection of souvenirs, memorabilia, and merchandise. Now we can blast off on I-95 to head to home base.
Booster Ignition And Liftoff – Go with Throttle Up
Your bucket list should include witnessing a rocket lift off the launch pad and blast off into the atmosphere. The silence during the final countdown is soon replaced by the roar of the engines as the earth moves under your feet. It is quite the experience of watching a spacecraft lift to the heavens.
You can witness this for yourself here at the Space Center. With an upgraded ticket, Kennedy Space Center offers great viewing spots near the Apollo Center to see these magnificent launches. Plan your trip to coincide with any of these future launches that you can find on The Event Calendar.
We didn’t get to see a launch today, but I have visited several times as a Television News Photographer. I have traveled to the Space Center to do live reports for stations all over the country. This put us about as close as a non-astronaut could be to the launch. Perched on the NBC Television News Tower, we were just next door to Mission Control. It was an experience I will never forget.
This completes our Countdown of Things to See at the Kennedy Space Center. Hopefully, it gave you some ideas of what to see when you visit. All the main exhibits, tours, IMAX movies, bus tours, and more are included in the ticket price. There are ticket upgrade options you can purchase, such as lunch with an astronaut.
Trip Tips
- Arrive Early- This gives you the ability to beat some lines and get pictures before the crowds arrive.
- Buy your tickets online: This beats waiting in line at the ticket office.
- You can bring food and snacks to the Kennedy Space Center with a soft-sided cooler.
- Wear comfortable shoes because there is gravity here and you will do a bit of walking.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Need more space experiences? You are close enough to head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and visit Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
