Insider’s Guide to Planning Your Kennedy Space Center Tour

Before our visit to Florida’s Space Coast, I spent countless hours researching tips for our Kennedy Space Center tour. I came across many helpful articles that went into depth about what we could see during our visit, but there was nothing that laid it all out and said “this is the best way to have an incredible experience.”

Until now…

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❤️ A special thank you to the Kennedy Space Center for providing us with two complimentary tickets in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own. ❤️

Insider’s Guide To Planning Your Kennedy Space Center Tour

During the time leading up to our vacation, I was a little worried about planning our visit to the Kennedy Space Center. From what I had seen, and heard, I knew it had to be an ‘out of this world’ experience (Sorry, I had to!) and we didn’t want to miss any of it.

Well… thank goodness for helpful employees.

While purchasing an additional ticket for my father-in-law, the woman at the ticket counter asked if we had ever been there before, to which we replied no. She grabbed a copy of their daily schedule, and started numbering it with her suggestion of each place we should visit and in what order. Could it really be that easy?!

Because of that simple gesture from an employee, our visit was better than we ever imagined. We were able to make our way through the Kennedy Space Center, all while checking off each place she suggested, and enjoying every moment.

You Are Go For Launch!

Due to the size, and quality, of the Kennedy Space Center, I highly recommend getting there right before they open. This not only allows you time to purchase tickets or use the bathroom, it also lets you take part in one of my favorite things from our Kennedy Space Center tour.

The national anthem.

A few minutes before they open the gates, everyone pauses to sing the national anthem. Talk about a moving experience. I still get goosebumps reliving that moment as our family stood in front of the John F. Kennedy fountain, singing The Star Spangled Banner while the flag blew in the wind.

After the anthem was done, the gates opened and it was game on! The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is separated into Mission Zones. Each attraction, ranging from the dawn of space exploration, to N.A.S.A.’s current mission, is beautifully organized and laid out. It allows you the perfect opportunity to get an up-close and interactive experience. You will also leave with a greater understanding for the time and effort every day people have put towards our journey to space.

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3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF!

Below you will find the exact Kennedy Space Center tour route we took, as suggested by the helpful woman at the ticket counter. Everything is broken down by what time we visited each Mission Zone, along with an estimate of about how long each one takes.

#1 Heroes & Legends

• Arrived – 9 a.m.
• Duration – Approximately 45 minutes

As you enter the Heroes and Legends building, you will enjoy a short video about how astronauts are every day people just like you and I. Discover some of who the past and present astronauts describe as their heroes, what being a hero means to them, and how they were inspired to reach for the stars.

You will then make your way through a section where you will learn some of the top qualities that define being a hero. Each interactive display is separated into hero qualities like “Curiosity” and “Tenacity.” You will find artifacts like spacesuits, toys, and school books, inspiring even the youngest of visitors to reach for the stars.

Suspended overhead is a Redstone rocket along with the Sigma 7 capsule. Wally Schirra, the fifth American in space, spent nine hours inside the capsule where he more than doubles the distance traveled by all of the previous U.S. astronauts. Aiding NASA’s ambitions for longer duration missions in the future.

U.S. Astronaut Hall Of Fame

Walk through the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in utter awe of the many American men and women who have been remembered and honored for their work and dedication to NASA. Each inductee is selected by special committee of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Rocket Garden

Upon exiting the Heroes and Legends building, you will find yourself among giants!

Giant rockets that is.

The Rocket Garden is home to eight authentic rockets: Juno 1, Delta, Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Atlas-Agena, Gemini-Titan II, Juno II, and the rather impressive Saturn 1B. Measuring in at 224 feet, the Apollo Saturn 1B will give you a greater appreciations for the technology that gave us the drive to defy gravity.

The Rocket Garden offers guided tours throughout the day, weather permitting, so make sure you keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss the next Mission Zone.

#2 Journey To Space Movie

• Arrived – 10 a.m.
• Duration – Approximately 40 minutes

Make you way over to the north lawn of the Atlantis building for an outdoor viewing of the movie Journey To Space. Join Sir Patrick Stewart as he takes you on an overview of what NASA has accomplished in the past, what they are currently working on, and their plans for the future. Journey To Space is filled with stunning images that will make you feel like you are right there. Please note that this viewing takes place in an outdoor venue, so it is weather permitting.

#3 Astronaut Encounter

• Arrived – 11 a.m.
• Duration – Approximately 40 minutes

Where else do you get the opportunity every day to meet a veteran NASA astronaut?! At the Kennedy Space Center, that’s where! Inside the Universal Theater, the Astronaut Encounter offers you the chance to meet commanders, pilots, mission and payload specialists who have actually lived and worked in space. Relive their experiences during a live presentation and question and answer session, followed by the opportunity to shake hands and take a photo. Later during the day you can visit the Space Shop for his or her autograph. If you have a child who is interested in space, this is the perfect opportunity to fuel their love of space.

A Kennedy Space Center tour isn’t complete without meeting an astronaut! Make sure you check the Daily Schedule when you arrive for Astronaut Encounter times and autograph opportunities. Online you will find the event calendar for the Astronaut of the Day on the date of your visit.

#4 “Behind The Gates” Kennedy Space Center Tour Via Bus

• Arrival – 12 p.m.
• Duration – The bus ride is approximately 45 minutes. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours at the Apollo/Saturn V building.

This journey gives you exclusive access behind NASA’s gates and into restricted areas. Venture past the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), launch complexes 39A and 39B, and end up at the Apollo/Saturn V building.

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) was originally built in 1966 for the Apollo Moon Program. Located within Launch Complex 39, it is currently being modified for the Space Shuttle Program.

Launch Pads 39A and 39B

Launch pad 39A is currently leased by SpaceX, a space exploration company owned by technology entrepreneur Elon Musk. This is the platform used in 1969 to launch Apollo 11 to the moon! How crazy is it to think that?! Launch pad 39B is currently being modified to support the future Space Launch Program.

During the tour, be on the lookout for wildlife like alligators and bald eagles. Many visitors are unaware that the Kennedy Space Center actually sits in the middle of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. One of largest and most diverse wildlife preserves in Florida. Stop by the exhibit, “Nature and Technology”, that all about the relationship between the Kennedy Space Center and the Wildlife Refuge.

Our family also took part in a kayak tour during our visit to the Space Coast. We ventured deep into the Refuge where we were able to experience some of the wildlife first hand.

Here is a list of the top 3 fascinating outdoor activities for families along Florida’s Space Coast.

Apollo/Saturn V Center

Next stop, the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Here NASA’s Apollo Project comes to life and you are able to explore countless exhibits at your own pace. Believe me, you could spend all day here!

As you enter, you will be taken back in time to experience the extensive history of NASA’s Apollo missions. Relive the countdown for Apollo 8 seated behind the actual consoles used in the Firing Room during the Apollo launches. Feel the power of the Saturn V Moon rocket as it lifts off the launch pad, headed to space.

Do you have someone who is a huge fan of Neil Armstrong? Check out our visit to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum!

Next, get up close to a real Saturn V rocket, America’s Moon Rocket. The same type of rocket that launched a man to the Moon. Walk underneath this mind blowing giant while you try to fully understand its sheer size. It is hard to wrap your mind around the fact that at 363 feet long, it is 60 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Throughout the Apollo/Saturn V Center you will find an extensive collection of exhibits and artifact that made the Apollo missions successful. From the more than 400,000 people who helped build the massive machinery, to the technology of the spacesuits that kept the astronaut safe on their missions into space.

The Center is also full of many interactive experiences like leaving footprints on the moon and touching an actual moon rock.

The Apollo/Saturn V Center was, for us, the highlight of the Kennedy Space Center! And it is only accessible by participating in the bus tour. After your visit is complete, hop on another bus for a quick ride back to the main visitors complex.

The Behind The Gates bus tour is included with your admission, and it runs continuously throughout the day. One little suggestion for the bus tour, sit on the passenger side of the bus for the best views. If you are looking for more of an up-close experience, the Kennedy Space Center also offers an Explore Bus Tour. It is approximately two hours long, perfect for all ages, and you get unparalleled camera stops along the way.

#5 Atlantis

• Arrival – about 1:00 pm
• Duration – about one to two hours.

The building to the Space Shuttle Atlantis is pretty hard to miss. Outside is an incredible full-scale shuttle stack with two solid rocket boosters and an orange external tank. I envisioned it as a way of telling visitors that “big things are coming!”

Inside there is a video retelling the history of NASA’s 30 year Space Shuttle Program and the story of how Atlantis came to be. The way that they revealed Atlantis left me with goosebumps. We couldn’t agree more with astronaut, Rex Walheim, when he said,

That is the most graceful, beautiful vehicle, we’ve ever had to fly in space.”

Inside, you get the opportunity to experience Atlantis “floating” as only astronauts have seen her in space. Atlantis first launched on October 3, 1985 and flew 33 missions before its retirement in July, 2011.

Weighing in at 151,315 pounds, it is positioned at just the right angle to give you the feel it is floating in space. The payload doors are open making it look like it just left from the International Space Station (ISS).

All around Atlantis you will find tons of hands-on activity like a space kitchen, lavatory, and the perfect seat at the Space Shuttle controls. Also, suspended overhead is a full-scale model of the Hubble telescope.

Prepare For Descent

As you leave the Kennedy Space Center, don’t forget to stop for a photo at the historic countdown clock. The Launch Complex 39 clock is considered to be one of the most-watched time-keeping devices in the world.

Our Experience

While the Kennedy Space Center is a popular Florida attraction, it is less like a theme park and more like a trip through time. Due to the help of an amazing employee when we arrived, our Kennedy Space Center tour was everything we expected and MORE! You can’t help but feel deeply moved by the dedication, and bravery, of the human spirit to explore the unknown depths of space. The Kennedy Space Center did a wonderful job separating everything by topic and it is very well laid out.

Therefore, we have put together a list of tips that we hope will help you make the most of your visit:

• Tip #1: Purchase your tickets online to reduce your wait in line.
• Tip #2: Arrive early, especially during peak season, to find parking and purchase tickets if needed. For our visit, at the end of February, we arrived around 8:30 am and had no issues.
• Tip #3: Make sure you block off an entire day to visit the Kennedy Space Center. They suggest your visit could take 6-8 hours depending on variables like how busy they are, and how much you want to experience. If you are an avid space lover, they do offer multi-day passes.
• Tip #4: Don’t forget the sunscreen, sunglasses, and reusable water bottle. It is Florida after all!
• Tip #5: When boarding the Bus Tour make sure to sit on the passenger side for the best views. While you can still see everything from both sides, the passenger’s side is better for photos.
• Tip #6: Check out our list of “Out Of This World Books All About Space.” They are a great way to spark some interest, or gain some knowledge, before you visit.

If you have ever thought of visiting the Kennedy Space Center, PERHAPS this is the time to do so! You can relive a childhood dream or fuel the passion of a child. A Kennedy Space Center Tour is a do not miss when you are visiting Florida’s Space Coast.

Know Before You Go

• Website: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
• Phone: (855) 433-4210
• Address: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953
• Email: Website Contact Form
• Ticket & Packages Info: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets
• Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

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• How Our Family Of 5 Flew Roundtrip To Florida For Less Than $325

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Also be sure to check out our Top 30 Gift Ideas for Travelers. It is full of unique gift ideas for those in your life who love to travel… or to add to your own personal carry-on.