How to Spend 2 Full Days at Kennedy Space Center

FEATURING THE U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME

A full day at the visitor complex means you will cover most of NASA’s past, present, and future. So, start at the beginning with Heroes and Legends. Learning about NASA’s earliest space programs really sets the tone for your visit. Hear first-hand tales from the heroes who dared to launch first, and gain an appreciation of where it all began. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is found here as well, with new inductees being added each year.

Stop and smell the roses rocket fuel! You can’t miss the iconic Rocket Garden with towering giants from our space program. While most are early-space rockets, spot the newest (and youngest) rocket in the crowd: United Launch Alliance’s Delta II. Snag a panoramic photo before embarking on the rest of your day.

A large portion of your day will be spent on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, but it is well worth it. This guided tour shows you around NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and makes two stops: the all-new The Gantry at LC-39 and the legendary Apollo/Saturn V Center. Explore each location on your own time but make sure you budget about 3 hours round trip. Food, restrooms, shopping, and amazing views of the launch pads are all accessible on this tour.

TIP: For a more comprehensive experience, upgrade your bus tour to the Explore Tour. Learn more about what you will see with a more in-depth look at Kennedy Space Center.

No trip to Kennedy Space Center is complete without visiting the real Atlantis space shuttle orbiter. Stand nose-to-nose with this icon and try your hand at more than 60 interactive simulators. Before you exit the building, head over to the Shuttle Launch Experience^®, located on the bottom floor. It’s an exhilarating ride that astronauts themselves say comes close to a real launch liftoff. Buckle up—we are a GO for launch! Must be 44 inches or 112 centimeters to ride.

This is your chance to meet a real astronaut! Commanders, pilots, mission and payload specialists who have lived and worked in space share their stories every day at the visitor complex. Ask your questions, get an autograph and take photos! Find out who the Astronaut of the Day is during your next visit, and how to meet them, by checking out the Event Calendar.

Unveil the future of space travel to the red planet inside Journey To Mars. Here, explore immersive simulators and get an up-close look at Mars rover replicas. Delve into NASA’s bold missions that aim for the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Don’t miss the “Explorers Wanted” presentation—a powerful glimpse into the pioneers who are paving the way for the future of space exploration.

Larger-than-life space movies are showing daily in the IMAX theater and are included with admission. Sit back, relax, cool off, and enjoy. See the daily schedule once you arrive for show times.

Get ready for a thrilling adventure with Hyperdeck VR! Launch from Earth and land on the Moon in a fast-paced virtual reality environment. With motion effects and interactive elements, it’s a competition or collaboration with friends that promises to elevate your excitement! Reserve your spot when you arrive.

See what’s next in space exploration at Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex! Here, get up close to an actual spacecraft that has traveled beyond our planet, and see innovative technology designed for the future of deep space missions. Then, head upstairs and embark on one of four epic journeys inside Spaceport KSC®, a simulation ride. Must be 44 inches or 112 centimeters to ride.