You don’t have to be a huge space exploration fan to have a great time at the Kennedy Space Center.
You’ll learn more about the NASA space program and find interactive exhibits that appeal to all ages and attention spans.
There is so much to see and do at the Kennedy Space Center. You can easily spend an entire day there and not see everything, but it still makes a great day trip if you are short on time.
One of the best things about visiting Kennedy Space Center is leaving with a greater sense of wonder and appreciation for outer space.
You’ll be inspired by the future of space travel and learn more about exciting things to come.
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The Space Shuttle program lasted from January 5, 1972, to August 31, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center.
Five space shuttles launched humankind into space during that time, and the STS-135 Atlantis had the program’s final mission.
It is possible to see a LOT of the Kennedy Space Center even if you don’t have a full day.
The information booth is a great place to start if you want assistance planning your day when you arrive.
Purchase Your Kennedy Space Center Tickets Online Ahead of Time
Kennedy Space Center is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States.
You can purchase your tickets at the self-check station when you arrive.
I would recommend purchasing your Kennedy Space Center tickets online ahead of time before you go.
This is a great way to reduce time in line during peak times at the attraction, especially around the holidays and spring break.
Admission is higher but includes a lot of experiences that would be à la carte at other attractions.
2-day tickets are a better value if you prefer to divide your time at the attraction.
Is the Kennedy Space Center Tax Payer Funded?
A common misconception about the Kennedy Space Center is the assumption that the attraction is taxpayer-funded.
Since 1995, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been entirely visitor-funded and operated for NASA by Delaware North.
How to Save on Kennedy Space Center Tickets
Find the best savings on your general admission tickets to Kennedy Space Center with the following ticket options, where you can go straight to the gate:
- 1-day admission ticket
- 2-day admission ticket
- 1- day admission ticket + chat with an astronaut
- 2- day admission ticket + chart with an astronaut
- 1-Day Admission + KSC Explore Tour
- 2-Day Admission + KSC Explore Tour
- Astronaut Training Experience
*Atlantis Annual Pass – the annual pass does not have a straight-to-the-gate option
Parking at Kennedy Space Center
There is an additional fee for parking at Kennedy Space Center, but has plenty of parking spots.
*Annual passes include parking.
Plan Your Day at the Kennedy Space Center
Get a park map and daily schedule so you can plan accordingly.
Some activities at Kennedy Space Center are time-sensitive. For example, some time slots for the IMAX movies could fill up, and the last bus tour runs 2.5 hours before closing.
You’ll also want to allow enough time to explore the interactive displays that pique your curiosity.
Wear Comfortable Clothes and Shoes!
Comfortable shoes are a MUST! You’ll walk a LOT during your visit. Kennedy Space Center is HUGE! It’s six miles wide and 34 miles long, so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes.
Your visit combines indoor and outdoor attractions, spending the majority of your time indoors.
There are structures/ exhibits for kids to explore, slide, climb, and crawl through…and parents may need to crawl with them, so plan your attire accordingly.
Plan Ahead for Older or Younger Guests
It’s also important to note that many visual presentations are presented while standing versus a seated option.
I would suggest a stroller with a sit-and-stand option if you have younger kids. Older guests may need a wheelchair if they have trouble standing for long periods.
If you’re traveling with a guest who needs to sit more often, rentals are available for electric scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, and double strollers.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Kennedy Space Center?
The best time of year to visit the Kennedy Space Center is May and October, when there are fewer crowds and the weather is still great.
Midweek also has fewer crowds, and you’ll want to arrive around 9 or 10 am.
How Much Time Should You Allow For Your Visit to the Kennedy Space Center?
It’s recommended that you allow a minimum of 6-8 hours to experience most of the main attractions at a leisurely pace during your visit.
It can feel a bit overwhelming on your first visit, but with some preparation ahead of time, you can still see the majority of the attractions.
Can You Bring Your Own Food and Drinks to the Kennedy Space Center?
You can bring food and beverages in a small soft-sided cooler, but you can’t bring outside alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, or containers.
There are picnic tables outside with umbrellas for guests to use.
Attractions Included with Your Admission to Kennedy Space Center
There are a LOT of attractions included with your admission! I’m also sharing the suggested time allowances for each attraction to help you strategize your day.
The following indoor attractions are included with your admission to Kennedy Space Center:
- Heroes & Legends – (allow 45 minutes) ( Located in Heroes and Legends Building)
- U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame – (allow 15 minutes) ( Located in Heroes and Legends Building)
- It’s a Matter of Fact Show – (allow 45 minutes) ( Located in Universe Theater)
- Astronaut Encounter – (allow 40 minutes) (Located in Universe Theater) Meet a veteran NASA astronaut during a live presentation
- Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour (tour length 15 minutes – allow 2 hours) ( * The Tour concludes at Apollo/ Saturn V Center )
- Apollo 8 and the Firing Room – (allow 20 minutes) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Center ) Learn more about the space race to the moon
- Path to the Moon – (allow 20 minutes) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Center) Learn more about the Apollo program.
- Moonscape – (allow 20 minutes) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Center) You can see an authentic Lunar Module 9 (LM-9).
- Exploring the Moon – ( allow 15 minutes including the Saturn V Rocket) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Center)
- Ad Astra Per Aspera – ( allow 10 minutes) (Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Center)
- Lunar Theater – (allow 10 minutes) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Building) Relive the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission
- Apollo Treasures Gallery – ( allow 15 minutes) ( Located in Apollo/ Saturn V Building)
- Saturn V Rocket – (allow 30- 40 minutes including exhibits) (Located in the Apollo/ Saturn V building)
- Hubble Space Telescope Theater – ( allow 8 minutes) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis)
- Astronaut Training Simulators – ( allow 15 minutes ) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis)
- Forever Remembered – ( allow 10 minutes) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis) Learn about former NASA crew members who lost their lives on the Challenger and Columbia space shuttles.
- ISS (International Space Station) Triumph of Technology – ( allow 10 minutes) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis)
- Shuttle Launch Experience – ( allow 30 minutes) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis) The next best thing to an actual space shuttle launch is during a simulation of the space shuttle’s 8.5-minute ascent into orbit for guests that are 44 inches or taller.
- Space Shuttle Atlantis – ( allow 45 minutes for shows and viewing of the Atlantis) ( Located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis) View the only space shuttle displayed in flight
- Journey to Mars – ( allow 30 minutes) | Launched By United Launch Alliance ( Check daily schedule)
- LEGO Build to Launch – (allow 15 minutes ) ( Located inside IMAX theater), an immersive STEAM learning experience
- Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator – ( allow 10 minutes)
- IMAX Theater – ( allow 60 minutes) (Located inside IMAX theater ) incredible space-themed IMAX films, including Journey to Space and the new 3D movie ASTEROID HUNTERS
- Mission Status Briefing – (allow 20 minutes) ( Located in Universal theater)
- Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – ( allow 45 minutes without Spaceport KSC) ( Located in the Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex building)
- Spaceport KSC – ( allow 30 minutes) (Located in Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex building) You can experience one of four space simulation journeys: Red Planet, Daring Explorers, Cosmic Wonders, and Uncharted Worlds for guests 39 inches tall and up.
- Planet Play – ( allow 30 minutes – 1 hour ) interactive play area for ages 2-12 ( Located within the IMAX building)
- S.T.E.A.M. Interactive Carts – (various locations and times- check daily schedule)
Outdoor Attractions Included With Your Kennedy Space Center Admission
The following outdoor attractions are included with your admission to Kennedy Space Center:
Moon Tree Garden – ( allow 15 minutes) (Located outside the Apollo/ Saturn V building) Bronze statue with Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, and 12 trees representing the 12 crewed Apollo missions.
Rocket Garden– (allow 20 minutes) (Location – You can’t miss them!) Check the daily schedule for guided tours to learn more about the history of early rocket science.
- KSC Step. Power. Launch! – ( allow 5 minutes) Interactive game stepping on the tiles (On your way to the bus tour entrance)
- Space Mirror Memorial – ( allow 15 minutes) (Near the water to the right of the Planet Play entrance in the IMAX building)
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
To maximize your time during your visit, take the bus tour first.
The bus tour in an air-conditioned motorcoach provides a great overview and takes you to restricted areas of America’s multi-user spaceport.
* Check the daily schedule for any changes in the route due to upcoming launches.
See the Vehicle Assembly Building
One of my favorite things about the bus tour was that it provided us with views of the Vehicle Assembly Building and other restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center.
The Vehicle Assembly Building is the fourth-largest building in the world by volume. It covers eight acres, at 525 feet tall and 518 feet wide.
NASA Kennedy Space Center has been the primary launch center of human spaceflight since 1968.
Did you know that Kennedy Space Center is in the middle of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is next to one of Florida’s largest and most diverse wildlife preserves, Canaveral National Seashore. There is a lot of wildlife in the area, including bald eagles, alligators, sea turtles, manatees, and more.
You Can See a Live Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the closest public viewing for rocket launches, only a few miles from the launch pads, with live commentary from space experts.
Did you know that All Launches in Florida begin their journey on the Launch Pads of Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station?
You can check out the events calendar for upcoming rocket launches.
Where can you watch a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center?
Launch Viewing Locations at Kennedy Space Center:
- LC-39 Observation Gantry
- Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area (adjacent to the Apollo/Saturn V Center)
- The Apollo/Saturn V Center lawn
- The main visitor complex, with bleachers set up in designated viewing areas
It’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance for the launch because day-of tickets can sell out.
Make Your First Stop at the Apollo/ Saturn V Center
The bus tour stops at the Apollo/ Saturn V Center, where you’ll find multiple attractions (listed under the attractions section above) in one giant building.
You’ll learn more about Apollo astronauts who are household names, including Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
You’ll also learn about lesser-known heroes of space on other Apollo missions.
Once you’re done viewing the exhibits, you can catch a bus that departs every 15 minutes.
Go to the Atlantis Building Next,
The Atlantis building is a MUST if you can only visit for a day.
Inside, you’ll view the Atlantis shuttle on display, which is 122.17 feet long.
Plan Ahead for Planet Play
Planet Play is the best place for kids to burn off energy during their visit. The interactive multi-story indoor play area is for kids ages 2 to 12.
I recommend saving this area as a reward for later in the day. Realistically, your kids won’t want to do anything else after they start exploring and climbing around this play area.
Consider setting a time limit at Planet Play if you want to explore more attractions that day afterward.
If you have a family of multiple ages and want to take turns checking out the exhibits while the other parent stays with the kids.
The Planet Play Lounge is also a great place for parents to take a break and enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine, or a beer.
Restaurants at Kennedy Space Center
There are several dining options available at Kennedy Space Center. Many restaurants offer healthier menu items, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Orbit Cafe- Pro tip: Take advantage of mobile dining ordering to skip the line.
- Space Bowl Bistro – acai bowls and “build your own” savory bowls
- Moon Rock Cafe (at the Apollo/Saturn V Center)
- IMAX SNAK – traditional movie snacks and drinks
- Planet Play Lounge – coffee, beer, and wine
- Red Rock Grill – outdoor lunch stand serving fries and hot dogs
- Milky Way – ice and space dots
- Space Dots – next to the Space Shuttle Atlantis building
Experiences and Attractions for An Additional Fee at the John F. Kennedy Space Center
The following experiences at Kennedy Space Center are an additional cost:
- Chat With an Astronaut (small group encounter with a real astronaut)
- Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour
- Fly with an Astronaut
- Launch Director Tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Astronaut Training Experience
- Mars Base 1
- ATX Training Stages
Where is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral Located?
The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex is at Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, Florida.
This attraction is an easy drive as a day trip from Central Florida or cities along the beach along the Space Coast.
What is the Closest Airport to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex?
There are several airports located around an hour from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) 43.8 miles ( 44 minutes)
- Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) 47.1 miles (51 minutes )
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) 61.5 miles ( 1 hr 4 minutes)
Save on Area Hotels and Vacation Rentals Near Kennedy Space Center
Ready to book your stay? Use the interactive map above to compare prices on hotels and vacation properties.
Here are a few popular hotels nearby
- Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center
- Hyatt Place Titusville / Kennedy Space Center
- Fairfield by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center
- Extended Stay America Premier Suites Titusville Space Center
- Hampton Inn Titusville/I-95 Kennedy Space Center
You can compare prices on hotels and vacation rentals using the interactive map below.
Additional Things to Do Near Along Florida’s Space Coast & Central Florida
- Cocoa Beach
- Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour at Indian River Lagoon
- Daytona Beach – Check out these great places to eat in Daytona
- Top Things to Do in Daytona Beach and Ponce Inlet, Florida
- The Best Restaurants in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Perks of Staying at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort in Orlando, Florida
- Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando Resort on a Budget
Such epic history got to be sure I Plan-et a trip this year.. I know it was terrible but i had to do it.