An Out-of-this-World Kennedy Space Center Itinerary with Tips
Visiting science sites around the world is a passion of mine – observatories, aquariums, fossil sites, science museums, and of course, space centers! In the US, there are few you can visit, but as someone who has been to three and counting, by far the most incredible is the Kennedy Space Center outside Orlando, Florida.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex truly is a full complex with so much to do. You can easily spend a whole day discovering and learning from all their exhibits. Plus, they offer a “Behind the Gates” bus tour where you can see where the action happens including research, spaceflight testing, and launches!
In this Kennedy Space Center itinerary, I’ll share a good strategy for tackling the massive Visitor Complex in just one day. I’ve done this exact step by step a few times now and it never fails.
Launching in 10…9…8….7…6…5…4…3…2…1! Blast off!
Kennedy Space Center Itinerary Hour-by-Hour
Kennedy Space Center (aka KSC) is loosely organized into Mission Zones, which are areas that have exhibits and attractions. The Mission Zones were designed so that as you move through their layout, you’ll explore the US space program in chronological order from Mercury to Shuttle with Gemini and Apollo in between.
However, as the years have gone on, they’ve kind of dropped the Mission Zone labeling, so it’s not exactly clear the order in which you would go through the exhibits to maintain the chronological order. But, it is nice to know that whatever exhibit you’re in, is designed around a specific era of space exploration.
For this Kennedy Space Center itinerary, I’m starting you off with the Apollo missions.
9 AM — Arrival and Bus Tour
The Visitor Complex opens every day of the year at 9 am, so it’s best to arrive then to maximize your time and beat the crowds.
Once you’re in, it can be tempting to get distracted by the MANY shiny things including exhibits, shops, and literal rockets and rovers, but I recommend powering through straight to the Bus Tour as this is the best thing to do first!
The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included in your daily admission and takes you behind the gates around the actual working space center. You’ll see restricted areas and the spaceflight facility where there are current plans to send astronauts into deep space.
One of the most impressive buildings in terms of sheer size is the Vehicle Assembly Building, which can house a full size rocket end-to-end standing up. Your guide, the amazing Emily Calandrelli, will give you some size comparisons that will blow your mind! It’s where they’re assembling the rocket for Aretemis III.
The Bus Tour, which is 15 minutes, takes you to The Gantry at LC-39 and then the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
9:15 AM— The Gantry at LC-39 and Apollo/Saturn V Center (Race to the Moon)
First at The Gantry at LC-39, you’ll learn about how space exploration has led to innovation that has improved life on Earth. The four story space has a model rocket engine that comes to life in a simulated static launch.
When you’re done here, you’ll board the bus and move on to the Saturn V Center to learn about the race to the moon.
I’ll admit, this was easily my favorite part of the Kennedy Space Center and I full on cried in here a couple times. Once a scientist, always a scientist.
When your bus arrives, you’ll enter a lobby where you’ll hear about the Race to the Moon with audio and video recordings from news reports at the time and former President Kennedy himself. It’s seriously so moving to hear about how all of America came together to make the moon landing happen in the Apollo missions! Yes, I this is where I cried first.
The next room is The Firing Room Theater where you get the incredible opportunity to relive the thrill and wonder of Apollo 8, which was the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the moon in 1968 on the Saturn V rocket, which you’ll see soon!
The room features audio and visual safety and engineering checks, the countdown, and the “launch,” which shakes and lights up the room in a stunning and magnificent display. Yepp, you guessed it, I cried, again.
After this 20 minute show, you’ll proceed into the Saturn V Rocket room, which houses one of these massive rockets that were used in every Apollo mission.
The sheer size of this thing is sure to impress every visitor to the Kennedy Space Center. It is afterall, the largest rocket ever flown at 363 feet long (that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty including the pedestal!).
If that’s not enough (but I mean, it totally is), there’s exhibits surrounding this rocket where you’ll learn even more about the Apollo missions including who crewed each one, what the goals were, and see relevant artifacts.
Some exhibits not to miss in here include Ad Adstra Per Aspera, a dedication to the fallen astronauts of the Apollo 1 mission, Moonscape, which is a recreated scene of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on the moon including an authentic Lunar Module 9, and Path to the Moon, showcasing the technology responsible for the astronauts’ safety.
There’s also an interesting exhibit on the Fisher Space Pen, which is a specially designed pen that doesn’t rely on gravity to write. Instead, it uses a pressurized ink cartridge that allows it to even write underwater!
Be sure to take your time here as there really is so much to see in every corner, like the People’s Moon, a digital art piece where you can take your photo and add it to a large moon comprised of a ton of visitors’ photos.
When you’re done here, you’ll hop back on the bus to return to the main Visitor Complex.
Allow 2 hours to explore the Apollo/Saturn V Center fully and don’t miss the garden outside.
11:30 AM — Lunch
Believe it or not, there are 4 dining options for full meals at the Kennedy Space Center Complex.
I’m partial to the Orbit Café, where they serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pizza. They have a variety of options for dietary restrictions and the food is quite good!
Other options include Space Bowl Bistro, where they have build your own noodle or quinoa bowls and acai bowls, Moon Rock Café, which is in the Apollo/Saturn V Center (you’d eat there before taking the bus back), and Red Rock Grill, a lunch stand serving hot dogs and fries.
12:30 PM – Space Shuttle: Atlantis (Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other)
Get up close to an actual space shuttle, the Atlantis, and learn all about the space shuttle program. These ships transport astronauts to and from space and act as both a rocket and glider!
The exhibit opens with a reenacted history of the start of the shuttle program and follows up with a large theatre showcasing the Atlantis. I won’t spoil it, but this also made me cry. It’s so moving!
In this exhibit, you’ll of course see the Atlantis, but you’ll also learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and the inventions made for space that are now used here on Earth (I LOVED this exhibit!).
Also in this building is the Shuttle Launch Experience, astronaut training simulators, and memorial to the astronauts who lost their lives on the Challenger and Columbia shuttles.
Allow an hour and a half for this building.
2:00 PM — Ice Cream Break
All this space stuff can certainly work up your appetite. Not to mention the Florida heat always warrants an ice cream break.
Pop into Milky Way, the one stop ice cream shop for a scoop of ice cream, milkshake, or Space Dots, which is flash frozen ice cream. You can also get Space Dots from an independent shop right outside the Atlantis building!
2:30 PM — Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex (NASA Now + Next)
This building houses many exhibits that showcase the present and future of space exploration.
You’ll see capsules, spaceplanes, and boosters used in recent missions and some interactive mockups. For example, there’s a full-scale space habitat of that which orbits the moon. You can step inside and see the incredible use of space!
Also in this building is Spaceport KSC is a motion theater ride that transports you to space destinations. You’ll experience one of four journeys and one experience is included in your admission ticket. If you’re running short on time, I’d personally skip this one.
3:30 PM – Journey to Mars (NASA Now + Next)
Don’t miss the small but mighty Journey to Mars exhibit where you’ll see actual Mars rovers and learn all about their findings on their journeys.
They also have great displays and interactive exhibits so you can learn about current NASA plans and missions including Mars, the Moon, and beyond!
Also, while you’re on a Mars kick, don’t miss MRVN (aka the Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator), which is a modern Mars rover concept vehicle that looks straight out of an action movie!
4:00 PM — Heroes and Legends
This entire section is dedicated to heroes, legends, pioneers, and incredible astronauts and is comprised of two main attractions – the US Astronaut Hall of Fame and Rocket Garden.
You can certainly spend the rest of your day in these two exhibits.
In the Rocket Garden, walk among literal rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, which not only are a testament to the incredible rockets but those who crafted, piloted, and crewed them!
There are free tours of the Rocket Garden, which I’ve taken and highly recommend. If you want to plan your day around the free tours, download the Kennedy Space Center app so you can see the day’s events.
The US Astronaut Hall of Fame isn’t simply a display of names and photos, it’s an inspiring journey about what it takes to make a hero and how we define a hero. When you see the inductees, you’ll have a greater appreciation for their contributions to NASA space programs and their qualities that make them heroes.
Spot astronauts like Sally Ride, John Glenn, and Mae C. Jemison.
* 5:00 PM – IMAX and Space Mirror Memorial
Depending on what time of year you visit, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex may close at 5 pm or 6 pm. If it closes at 6 pm, or if you find you have more time, I recommend filling it with an IMAX presentation and a visit to the Space Mirror Memorial.
IMAX films now playing are Deep Sky with images from NASA’s Webb Telescope and Space: The New Frontier, which shares modern space exploration efforts. See the daily film schedule when entering the complex or on the KSC app. Your KSC ticket comes with an IMAX showing, so no extra ticket purchase required.
The Space Mirror Memorial is a large sheet of black granite with the names of those astronauts lost to space missions including Apollo 1, STS-51L Challenger, and STS-107 Columbia. The memorial is in the back of the complex behind the Orbit café.
Kennedy Space Center Tips for Visiting
When to Arrive
To beat some of the late-morning/afternoon crowds, I recommend arriving first thing in the morning when Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens at 9 am. Not to mention it takes a full day to explore the Kennedy Space Center to the fullest, so not a minute to lose!
Your ticket must be used on the day you selected when purchasing, but there is no set time window, so you can show up whenever on that day.
When I arrived 10 minutes before opening, there were massive lines queueing up for the security screen, but they moved quickly and the morning crowd dispersed, so it wasn’t really that crowded at all. So, even if it seems crowded in the morning, I stand by arriving first thing in the morning.
Particularly, this will trickle into your first experiences at the Visitor Complex, so you’ll get to experience some areas without many people at all.
Where is the Kennedy Space Center?
Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL
Kennedy Space Center is adjacent to Cape Canaveral and just an hour from Orlando.
When you are navigating to it, be sure to enter “Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex” into your GPS. Leaving out the Visitor Complex will take you to NASA’s area of operations, which is restricted.
How do you get there from Orlando?
From Orlando you want to drive east from the city center, whether on FL-528 E or State Route 50 E. Eventually, you’ll cross over the NASA Causeway Bridge and practically be there. There will be signs as you get closer helping you navigate to the parking lot.
Is parking free?
Unfortunately, not. Parking is $15 per car.
Can you get there via public transportation?
Also, unfortunately, not. There are guided tours that include transportation to and from hotels in Orlando, which you can schedule with the company. I haven’t done this tour personally, but I have used the operator Gray Line Tours before and the buses are very comfortable, so I’d definitely recommend!
How much does it cost to visit the Kennedy Space Center?
Tickets are pretty steep at $77 for adults and $67 for children ages 3-11 not including taxes, fees, or add-ons.
They do have some promotions for military, America 250, seniors, and local county residents.
What’s included in your ticket?
Luckily, A LOT. You get entry to the visitor complex, bus tour with access to behind the scenes areas and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, all exhibits on the main campus in the main Mission Zones, S.T.E.A.M. shows and interactive carts, IMAX Theater, Shuttle Launch Experience, Spaceport KSC theater, astronaut training simulators, Astronaut Encounter show at Universe Theater, and more!
Ticket Add-Ons
Given that quite a bit is included in your ticket, here’s what is not included and is a ticket add-on for an additional price.
- Chat with an Astronaut allows you a chance to speak with an astronaut about their experience over light food and refreshments. It’s offered twice daily. Tickets are $50 per adult and $35 for kids.
- Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is an in depth behind the scenes tour that allows you to get out of the bus to take photos and gives you access to a space expert for a guide. Tickets are $30 per adult and $24 for kids.
- Fly with an Astronaut is an even more exclusive behind the scenes tour with an astronaut. You’ll eat lunch with them, try out the Shuttle Launch Experience, and take a guided tour. It’s not offered every day, so check the calendar and ticket checkout for your options. Tickets are $206 for adults and $181 for kids.
- Astronaut Training Experiences allow you to participate in various immersive simulation trainings to live and work on Mars. There are lots of options here and prices range from $30 to $217, depending on the experience you choose.
- ATX Training Stages allow you to try the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) at a fraction of the time and cost if you don’t have the time or budget to opt for the full program.
- Mars Base 1 allows you to live and work for the day there solving science and engineering challenges. This is also not always available, so check their ticketing site for updates.
- Astropass is a photography pass, which includes all your digital photos from locations throughout the complex. This add-on costs $19.99 and only one is required per family or group.
Is it worth the money?
Yes, 100% yes. I absolutely LOVED my time here. Not only are these exhibits so incredibly well done, but there’s enough to fill an entire day and then some!
Given my experience at Johnson Space Center and the Jet Propulsion Lab, I can confidently say, this one does it best for visitors. Not to say the others aren’t worthwhile, but given the high ticket price, let me assure you it’s worth it!
Related read >> 26 other top science museums in the US
Can you see an actual rocket launch?
If there is a launch scheduled, yes you can see it from the KSC Visitor Center. However, to see it from the designated Launch Locations, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket for entry to that specific location.
Some locations include the North Atlantis Lawn (behind the Atlantis exhibit), Banana Creek Viewing Area (adjacent to the Apollo/Saturn V Center), and LC-39 Observatory Gantry.
Alternatively, you can view rocket launches from the surrounding area like Cape Canaveral National Seashore, which is what I’ve done. It wasn’t too crowded and using the Launch Console app made orienting myself easy to be sure I was facing the launch!
Is one day enough at Kennedy Space Center?
Yes and no. I think for most visitors, you’ll get your money’s worth in just one day. You can see the majority of exhibits, if not all of them in just one day.
If you have multiple days, a 2-day ticket is only $14 more and will allow you to take it slow and be sure you don’t miss anything.
While I think 2 days is certainly nice, it’s not necessary and for most of us, we have plenty of other things to do in Orlando like the theme parks to tend to, so one day is enough!
How much time do you need at Kennedy Space Center?
I’ve seen questions if 3 hours or 5 hours is enough and honestly, I truly think you need the full day to experience Kennedy Space Center.
The Bus Tour with the Apollo/Saturn V Center alone takes 2 hours and that’s not even the main complex. With the other major exhibits including Atlantis, Gateway, and Heroes and Legends, you need the full day.
If you have kids, a full day might be too much. Luckily throughout the complex, there are low sensory areas as well as a play area, called Planet Play, where kids can get some energy out and adults can enjoy coffee or an adult beverage.
What is the best KSC tour?
This depends on your interest level and budget, but honestly, I think the general admission ticket is best for most of us.
Sure, as a scientist, I’d love to add on all the behind-the-scenes tours and chats with astronauts, but every thing you add on is another activity on your itinerary to take away from the exhibits. They’re already so well curated that you don’t need a special tour or add-on to have a great time!
If it’s your first and/or only time visiting, opt for the general admission ticket and don’t miss the Bus Tour first thing.
If it’s a return visit, then I recommend looking into the specialty tours and add-ons.
If you want a guided tour from Orlando, that’s an option, too. This tour comes highly recommended.
Visiting Orlando? Check out these other posts:
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Wow, it definitely sounds like the type of place that I’ll truly enjoy. I feel like spending a full day here will be enough in a way there seems to be a lot of things to explore and see, which definitely complements the idea of visiting Walt Disney World or Universal Studios the next day! 😀
It’s definitely a welcome itinerary change from the theme parks! Space is so cool!
Hello!
Is it convenient to include the meeting with astronaut with refreshment? Is everything in English?
Greetings!