How to Spend a Half Day at Kennedy Space Center

Your Kennedy Space Center adventure begins with the bus tour. This tour takes you on a journey through NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with two essential stops: the all-new The Gantry at LC-39 and the legendary Apollo/Saturn V Center. While you have the freedom to explore each location at your own pace, it’s important to budget about 3 hours for the round trip.

TIP: If you’re arriving in the afternoon, make sure the bus tour is your first mission — it closes earlier than other attractions. Check the daily schedule upon arrival to make sure you don’t miss out.

No visit to Kennedy Space Center is complete without a trip to see the real Atlantis orbiter. This iconic exhibit offers a unique, interactive experience with dozens of hands-on simulators. If time allows, don’t miss the Shuttle Launch Experience^®, located on the bottom floor. This exhilarating ride is a favorite among astronauts, who claim it feels remarkably close to a real launch liftoff. Buckle up—we are a GO for launch!

FEATURING THE U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME

Heroes and Legends is the perfect first stop when you walk through our gates. Learning about NASA’s earliest space programs really sets the tone for the day. Hear from the heroes who dared to launch first and gain an appreciation of where it all began. Then, you will see just how far we have come.

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. Set aside some time to take the guided tour or simply snag a panoramic photo before embarking on the rest of your day.

Whether you take the bus tour or not, do not miss seeing Atlantis. Thirty years of ferrying astronauts to and from space means Space Shuttle Atlantis is rich with epic stories, priceless artifacts, and hands-on simulations.

BONUS: Ever wonder how astronauts go to the bathroom in space? Everyone does. Discover the answer inside!

Get excited for what’s next in space exploration at Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex! Here, get up close to spacecraft that has traveled beyond our planet, and see futuristic technology designed for the next steps in 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.