Your Florida vacation is not complete without a trip to Kennedy Space Center – the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet an Astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.

Worlds apart from Orlando’s theme parks – but only 45 minutes away. Plan on a full day to explore NASA’s launch headquarters, located on a huge island wildlife refuge eight times the size of Manhattan.

Each year, millions of visitors from across the world make the trek to this hub of technology and discovery, where many of mankind’s greatest accomplishments take place.

At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you get the unique chance to tour – up close – NASA’s launch and landing facilities. Experience interactive simulators, live shows and jaw-dropping encounters with massive rockets, as well as have the opportunity to meet a real member of NASA’s Astronaut Corps. It’s all what you can expect from an inspiring day at Kennedy Space Center.

Your exploration of NASA's launch headquarters traverses an amazing area that includes towering launch pads, huge rockets, history-making technology, and vast stretches of Florida wildlife. The NASA Up-Close Tour and the Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour are guided by a space program expert and take you deeper into the operations of Kennedy Space Center.

Where is the Space Shuttle assembled and launched? How does it land? Where do astronaut crews prepare and train? These are a few of the questions we’ll answer on this intriguing guided tour through NASA’s Space Shuttle program.

You’ll visit KSC’s industrial area to see NASA KSC's headquarters, and get the closest possible view of the Space Shuttle launch pads. Plus, you’ll visit KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility, get a view of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, and NASA’s gigantic Crawler Transporters

The highlight of this tour for most visitors is the A/B Camera Stop, where visitors have the closest possible Space Shuttle Launch Pad viewing, and ends at the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER BUS TOUR
Runs approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours

One of the most popular programs at Kennedy Space Center, “Lunch With an Astronaut” gives visitors a one-of-a-kind experience to meet a member of NASA’s Astronaut Corps and get their autograph.

Held once daily during lunch hour, this session offers an up-close and personal opportunity to share in the excitement of space exploration through the eyes and personal stories of one of NASA’s best, all while enjoying a delicious meal.

An impressive roster of astronauts have appeared since the program’s inception in 2001, among them Wally Schirra, John Glenn, Jim Lovell, Gene Cernan, Walt Cunningham, Story Musgrave and Jon McBride.

In two giant IMAX® theaters, the dream of spaceflight comes alive with a wall of sound, five-story screen and realistic 3D special effects. Dramatic footage shot by NASA astronauts during actual missions will make you feel like you’re floating right alongside them.

Now Showing:

Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D” – Presented and narrated by Tom Hanks, Magnificent Desolation features rarely seen NASA footage with live-action renditions of the lunar landscape to propel audiences nearly a quarter-million miles above the Earth's surface.

“Space Station 3D” – Blast-off into space with the astronauts and cosmonauts from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome to rendezvous with their new home in orbit 220 miles above Earth. Narrated by Tom Cruise "SPACE STATION 3D" is a story of challenges, setbacks and triumphs and ultimately, the shared international victory of men and women whose dreams exceed the limits of life on this Earth.

Come live the human side of space like you never imagined you could - complete with the sights, sounds and experiences of the real astronauts who first ventured into the frontiers of space. Experience exhibits dedicated to our nation's astronauts, including the world's largest collection of personal memorabilia and realistic astronaut training simulators.

Then, it's your turn to take the controls in the Astronaut Adventure® room, suit up, strap-in, and blast-off into an interactive experience that gives you a true taste of space, like the G-Force Trainer that lets you feel the pressure of four times the force of gravity. Feel what it's like to walk on the moon or ride a rover across the rocky Martian terrain, then carefully guide the Space Shuttle to a smooth landing.

Explore a rare collection of astronaut artifacts and see remarkable displays, exhibits and tributes dedicated to the heroes. From Wally Schirra's Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft and the Apollo 14 Command Module to stunning glass etchings that line the Hall of Heroes, this facility celebrates those astronauts inducted into the Hall of Fame.