day trip to kennedy space centre

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Suggested Itinerary

Below are top recommendations on how to make the most out of a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. These are only suggestions based on the interests below, and the attractions are not listed in a particular order.

Start Here:

• Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame ® presented by Boeing ® - 1 hour
• Rocket Garden – 15 minutes
• Apollo/Saturn V Center  via the  Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour  - 2 hours
• Space Shuttle Atlantis  ®  with  Shuttle Launch Experience ®  -2 hours
• Astronaut Encounter - 1 hour 
• IMAX ® Space Film - 1 hour
• Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted – 30 minutes
• Dining and shopping – 1 hour

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY Additional recommendations: 

For space enthusiasts:   Mission Status Briefing  - 30 minutes For young families:   Planet Play  - 30 minutes An add-on enhancement for everyone: Chat With An Astronaut (in addition to daily admission) - 1 hour 

Insider Tips:

• Purchase timed daily admission tickets in advance online to limit the time spent in any entry lines.
• Download the Kennedy Space Center Official Guide app to have quick access to the park map, FAQs, and detailed information on attractions, dining and shopping. Download at the Apple Store and Google Play .

One Day Visits

  one day visit: family with children under 10 years of age.

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® 1 hour
• Rocket Garden 20 minutes
• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center 2 hours
• Journey to Mars: Launched by United Launch Alliance 30 minutes
• Planet Play 30 minutes
• Dining and Shopping 1 hour

  One Day Visit: Family with Children Over 10 Years of Age

• Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® 30 minutes
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® featuring Spaceport KSC (minimum height 39 inches) 1 hour
• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience® (minimum height 44 inches) 90 minutes
• Chat With An Astronaut Add-on Enhancement 1 hour

  One Day Visit: Adult Couple or Group

• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® featuring Spaceport KSC 75 minutes
• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience® 1 hour
• Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® 45 minutes
• Journey to Mars: Launched by United Launch Alliance 15 minutes
• Rocket Garden Guided Tour 20 minutes

  One Day Visit: Space Enthusiast

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience® 75 minutes
• Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® 1 hour
• Chat With An Astronaut Add-on Enhancement 40 minutes

Two Day Visits

  two day visit: family with children under 10 years of age.

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience (minimum height 44 inches) 2 hours
• Rocket Garden 15 minutes
• Astronaut of the Day autograph session 15 minutes
• 3D Space Film 1 hour
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® featuring Spaceport KSC (minimum height 39 inches) 60 minutes
• Character Appearance 15 minutes

  Two Day Visit: Family with Children Over 10 Years of Age

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with Shuttle Launch Experience 2 hours
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® featuring Spaceport KSC (minimum height 39 inches) 75 minutes
• Chat with an Astronaut Add-on Enhancement 1 hour
• Astronaut of the Day Autograph Session 15 minutes
• IMAX Film 1 hour

  Two Day Visit: Adult Couple or Group

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience® 90 minutes
• Mission Status Briefing 30 minutes
• Astronaut Encounter 40 minutes
• Astronaut Training Experience® Training Stage Add-on Enhancement 30 minutes

  Two Day Visit: Space Enthusiast

• Space Shuttle Atlantis® with the Shuttle Launch Experience® 2 hours
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® featuring Spaceport KSC 90 minutes
• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center 2.5 hours
• Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® 1 hour
• All Systems Are Go! 30 minutes

BONUS Day Three:

• Astronaut Training Experience (ATX)® Add-on Enhancement 5 hours
• NOTE: not included with daily admission nor is it required.

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A Self-Guided Tour of Kennedy Space Center: 1-Day Itinerary

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Planning a trip to Kennedy Space Center can be a bit intimidating. There is a lot to see and do within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral and it can be tough to decide where to go first, the best way to see the top attractions, and even what things you should see and do and what things might be best left for a future visit. This self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center will help you plan your itinerary and maximize your visit.

The first time I visited Kennedy Space Center, I didn’t have a plan… We just wandered around, in and out of the various buildings. That’s a perfectly fine way to visit if that’s your style, but you will probably miss out on a lot of things, and you won’t necessarily hit things in the best possible order.

On subsequent visits, I had a better plan this time around. Not only in terms of what I wanted to see and do (things I missed the first time) but also in what order I wanted to see and do them.

This self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center will give you a plan of attack and order of operations for your visit that will maximize your time and provide the greatest insight into the U.S. space program and its more than 70 years of history.

In my opinion, it makes the most sense to explore the space program and Kennedy Space Center in a more or less chronological fashion. This means learning about Mercury and Gemini before you learn about the Apollo missions, for example. The Mercury and Gemini programs were the stepping stones that led up to Apollo, after all. The lessons learned in each of those programs culminated in Apollo, and lessons learned there led to the Space Shuttle, and so on.

The problem is that those programs are spread out across different buildings and even areas of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, meaning that you don’t necessarily just want to go from one building to the next in order.

Gaining a greater understanding of the history of human space flight is important! We are living in the most exciting time for space exploration since the 1960s and a visit to Kennedy Space Center will help you appreciate all of that even more.

Let’s jump into how to plan your visit to Kennedy Space Center with this suggested itinerary.

Planning a Day at Kennedy Space Center

The majority of visitors will be coming from the Orlando area, and Kennedy Space Center is located about a one-hour drive from there. The Visitor Complex opens year-round at 9 am and I suggest planning to arrive at opening time.

You can save time by purchasing your tickets online in advance. Tickets for adults  are currently $57 each.

Skip the Line and Buy Your Tickets Now

But you don’t need a reservation for the park unless you are planning on doing the add-on enhancements like chatting with an astronaut or the training stages (for an additional fee on top of an entrance ticket).

Closing time varies depending on the season, but is either at 5 or 6 pm, meaning you have 8-9 hours at Kennedy Space Center. You can easily fill all that time here. So let’s get into our self-guided tour of Kennedy Space Center and your itinerary for the day.

Kennedy Space Center Attractions Map

Be sure to scroll around, zoom in and out, and explore for a better idea of the Kennedy Space Center attractions, including insight into where the launch pads are, the bus route to the Apollo Center, and much more.

Rocket Garden

Just inside the entrance of the Visitor Complex stands the imposing Rocket Garden where you will find real versions of some of the most famous rockets in space flight.

The rockets are primarily from the early days of the space program but also feature some more modern ones, as well.

There are guided tours of the Rocket Garden at different times throughout the day, including one just after the park gates open. I would suggest hopping on this one!

The guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden lasts about 15-minutes and will share with you some of the key developments and progress in manned space flight from the earliest days up through the Saturn IB rocket.

You will also find massive rocket motors and the (tiny) capsules of the various programs which you can crawl inside to experience.

Doing the Rocket Garden first allows you to explore the earliest days of rockets (ballistic missiles) and manned spaceflight, plus it is all outdoors so it is best to do it before the Florida sun starts beating down on you.

Rocket Garden Time: 15-30 minutes

Heroes & Legends

Right beside the Rocket Garden, you should backtrack and head up the ramp to the relatively new Heroes & Legends building. This building explores some of the qualities needed by those early-day astronauts to strap into the top of a retrofitted missile and blast off into space.

The Heroes & Legends exhibit is among the newest additions to Kennedy Space Center and includes many very well-done exhibits, including interactive displays and attractions. You will learn a lot here about the astronauts involved in Mercury and Gemini, including their personal lives and what lead them to be part of the space program.

Don’t miss the Mercury mission control room, the Redstone rocket hung overhead, and Mercury and Gemini capsules on display.

The Heroes & Legends exhibit highlights Mercury and Gemini in greater detail, using some of the rockets you just saw in the Rocket Garden like the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, and Gemini-Titan rockets.

The Mercury 7 program sent six astronauts (flying solo) into space intending to reach orbit. Gemini sent up two astronaut teams with various space travel goals in preparation for Apollo, including spacewalks, docking procedures, and more.

You can make a brief stop at the Astronaut Hall of Fame near the end of the exhibit, or save it for later in the day if time allows.

• Heroes & Legends: 1 hour

Apollo / Saturn V Exhibit

After learning all about Mercury and Gemini, let’s take the lessons learned and head to the Apollo program! The Apollo / Saturn V building at Kennedy Space Center is located in a separate area, accessible via a short bus ride.

Head straight to the bus area and board for a short guided tour of Kennedy Space Center to otherwise inaccessible areas. On the bus route, keep your eyes open for the Mercury-Redstone rocket soon after leaving, the SpaceX operations area (more on them later), and the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) where projects like Artemis (to return to the moon) is being worked on.

You will arrive at the Saturn V exhibit and be guided through a multi-room video introduction that is quite impressive. This tour or entrance will eventually lead you directly under the massive engines of a Saturn V booster hanging the length of the building… A mind-blowing sight to see the size and scale of the rocket that took humans to the moon.

There are numerous exhibits and rooms around the perimeter of the building that explore more of the various Saturn V flights culminating in the landing on the moon with Apollo 11.

There are somber reminders of the dangers as well, at the exhibit of Ad Astra Per Aspera detailing the tragic deaths of three astronauts: Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, in a fire on the launchpad. The first Americans to die for space exploration, and not the last.

Be sure to step outside the building to see Launch Pad 39A and B, the launch pad of so many major milestones in space flight, with lots more to come in the future!

Adjacent to the building is also the Banana Creek viewing area where you can see rocket launches which are becoming increasingly frequent (about once per week). If you are visiting on a launch day, you might want to save the visit to Apollo / Saturn V to coincide with an hour or two before launch.

Click here to check out the Kennedy Space Center launch schedule.

If you’re following the suggested itinerary, you may want to grab lunch here at the Moon Rock Cafe or at the Orbit Cafe back in the main visitor complex area. Either way, you will want to grab the bus back.

Apollo /Saturn V exhibit time: 1-2 hours

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Space Shuttle Atlantis

After taking in the history of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, we are ready to embark on a new and exciting chapter of human space flight with the introduction of the Space Shuttle! The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is located adjacent to the drop-off area for the Apollo bus.

The Space Shuttle marks the most lengthy period of space flight, with 30 years of service, over 100 missions, and more than 300 astronauts flown.

The ability to partially reuse a spacecraft (the shuttle is a glider that is reusable, but the rockets themselves were not) marked a huge turning point in space flight systems and set some of the groundwork for what we have today.

Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, you will find the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis after one of the most impressive reveals you will ever see. Seeing the scale of the Atlantis up close and personal is another mind-blowing experience.

The age of the Space Shuttle is a whole new era that introduced the International Space Station (ISS) still flying overhead and was instrumental in the launch (and repair) of the Hubble Space Telescope which fundamentally changed our conception of the universe.

Don’t miss out on the Space Shuttle Launch Experience which gives you a bumpy ride to space and even the illusion of weightlessness upon arrival. There are numerous exhibits about the shuttle and related technologies throughout the building, and also be sure to check out the memorial to the 14 astronauts who died in the Challenger and Columbia accidents, along with some wreckage from both vessels. Another reminder of the dangers.

The space shuttle itself was retired in 2011 after 30 years of service, and the United States sat idle for nearly 10 years, unable to launch U.S. astronauts from U.S. soil, instead having to buy seats from the Russians to launch from Kazakhstan just to reach the International Space Station… But that was all about to change.

Space Shuttle Atlantis time: 1-2 hours

Gateway Launch Complex

Finally, back near the Rocket Garden at the entrance to Kennedy Space Center is the newest addition, the Gateway Launch Complex. This exhibit takes us into modern times and even explores some possibilities for the future…

Here you will find some space-flown hardware including a SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage booster, a SpaceX Dragon Capsule, an Orion Capsule, and some other space hardware like the Boeing Starliner Capsule, Sierra Space Dream Chaser, and concepts for new space station elements.

It was, of course, the SpaceX Falcon 9 that brought Americans back to the International Space Station from U.S. soil with their first manned flight in November 2020, more than 9 years after the last Space Shuttle flight, and certainly one of the few bright spots in the dark days of the pandemic.

These are the reusable boosters that return to earth, landing upright with engine ignition. It has happened so many times now (some individual boosters have more than 13 landings) but it still seems like CGI or magic every time, especially when they land out at sea on a giant barge. The Falcon 9 is still only partially reusable, and the next step is fully reusable rockets.

In terms of the future, there are some proposals for space station capsules and flight here, as mentioned, plus four different interactive experiences where you can take off to Mars, Trappist-1, and other destinations.

Who knows what the future holds for space flight? Well, after today, you’ll have a pretty good idea of our progress, how we got there, where we are today, and what the future could hold.

Gateway Launch Complex time: 1-2 hours

Tour of Kennedy Space Center Itinerary

• Rocket Garden: 15-30 minutes
• Apollo / Saturn V: 1-2 hours + 30 minutes for bus shuttle (15 minutes each direction)
• Lunch: 1 Hour
• Space Shuttle Atlantis: 1-2 hours
• Gateway Launch Complex: 1-2 hours
• Recommendations to fill any extra time below

These five exhibits on this tour and itinerary of the Kennedy Space Center will fill your entire day but there are still more things to see… These five destinations or exhibits are the most important, not only in terms of the history of space flight but also the most impressive and complete exhibits at Kennedy Space Center.

Visiting the exhibits in this order will take you on an in-depth tour of American spaceflight. Here is a recap of the programs along with some notable accomplishments and a timeline.

• Alan Shephard first American in space (1961)
• John Glenn first American to orbit the earth (1962)
• Gordon Cooper with 22 orbits (1963)
• Ed White with the first American spacewalk (1965)
• Neil Armstrong performed the first manned docking in space (1966)
• Neil Armstrong first man on the moon (1969)
• Apollo 17 the final voyage to the moon (1972)
• Bruce McCandless first untethered spacewalk (1984)
• Hubble Space Telescope launched into orbit (1990)
• Eileen Marie Collins was the first woman to command a Space Shuttle mission (1995)
• First crew abroad at the International Space Station (2000)
• SpaceX Dragon capsule docks with ISS, the first private spacecraft (2012)
• SpaceX Falcon 9 lands the first stage of an orbital booster for the first time (2015)
• U.S. Astronauts travel from U.S. soil again to the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9 (2020)

Tip: Read the book Into That Silent Sea & In the Shadow of the Moon before you go to gain better insight into the early days of the space program and a better appreciation for everything you will see here.

If you have more time that you want to utilize, I’d suggest budgeting a little more time on the period of most interest to you, whether that is the Space Shuttle, Apollo, or early Mercury/Gemini programs.

If you want a break, I’d suggest working in an IMAX movie after lunch or in the afternoon — check out the app or pamphlets at the entrance for a schedule. There are also massive gift shops if you want a NASA or SpaceX t-shirt (the best one is at the main plaza).

You can also finish out the day by visiting Journey to Mars, the Space Memorial Mirror, the Nature & Technology exhibit, or the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame if you bypassed it earlier while visiting Heroes & Legends. These are all secondary exhibits, in my opinion, and should be left for the end of the day or included in future visits.

I hope that this suggested itinerary and schedule of Kennedy Space Center prepare you for an incredible day at one of my favorite places in Florida. I’m adamant that Kennedy Space Center is not just a stopover to include on an Orlando family vacation, but an incredible destination in its own right.

The experience is even more incredible if you can time it with a scheduled rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center. Unmanned launches are a pretty regular occurrence these days, so your odds are good! But even if you can’t make a launch, the visit to Kennedy Space Center is 100% worth it and I try to return periodically to absorb even more details and insights about space exploration and to explore new additions to Kennedy Space Center.

Be sure not to miss my guide on things to do at the Kennedy Space Center with more details about each exhibit and the highlights you can’t miss at each spot, plus thoughts on where to stay in Titusville and other necessary trip planning help.

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Thank you SO much for this itinerary! Just visited, and this helped a ton 🙂

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16 Kennedy Space Center Tips for Your First Visit

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Planning on visiting Kennedy Space Center for the first time? Then make sure you read all my Kennedy Space Center tips to help plan your trip here!

One place that should be on everyone’s US bucket list is visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Wow, what a place this is. Honestly, I can’t tell you how much I loved it here.

It’s just so different to all the other theme parks in Florida , partly because there’s SO MUCH to see and do. Also, there’s so much to learn too – and that’s a good thing!

It kinda feels like a school trip when you’re a kid. Everything is new and exciting – you just want to play with everything, hit all the buttons, and rush from one display to the next. It’s a lot like that. I don’t think I’ve ever come away from somewhere with such awe for space and this planet we call home.

If you’re planning on visiting Kennedy Space Center for the first time, it can be incredibly overwhelming. I know it was for me. The whole site is absolutely massive, and squeezing everything in takes a lot longer than you’d expect. If you’re not prepared beforehand, the day can really run away from you.

That’s why I wanted to come up with these Kennedy Space Center tips to help plan your trip here. I’ve done all the research so you don’t have to.

All you need to do is read these top tips, take them on board, and hopefully they’ll make things a little easier on the day.

So, if you’re planning of visiting KSC, make sure you bookmark this article for your next to Florida!

Heading to a different part of Florida? Then check out the best adventures in Florida , and my detailed guide to Fort Myers .

Why you should visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Like all kids, I was absolutely captivated by space growing up. I wanted to be an astronaut, I had the glow-in-the-dark stars and planets on my ceiling, the whole shebang.

Even when you grow up, that sense of fascination with space never leaves you. The numbers are just so staggering. Did you know it’s thought our universe contains 70 septillion stars? That number looks like this – 700,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

In comparison, astronomers estimate there are roughly 10,000 stars for each grain of sand on Earth. So every time you walk on the beach, it’s like walking over millions and millions of stars. It’s hard not being overwhelmed with numbers like that, isn’t it?

That’s what I loved about the KSCVC though. Everything was brought to life, and I learned so much along the way.

From interactive displays where you get to launch a rocket to fun 4D simulators that take you to outerspace, everything is fun and exciting.

Then there are extras like learning all about the James Webb Telescope at the IMAX theatre or having lunch with an astronaut. Or standing underneath the rocket thrusters of Saturn II, or walking around the Rocket Garden.

As you can tell, there is A LOT to do here, which brings me along beautifully to my top tips for Kennedy Space Center. As I said, hopefully these can help plan your trip here. I wish I knew these before my first visit, I’ll tell you that!

Kennedy Space Center Tips

Have a plan of action beforehand.

As I’ve already touched upon, time is everything here. You really don’t want to waste a minute so you can jam everything in. I was here for two days and even then I wish I had more time.

One thing I would recommend is take a look at the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex map beforehand so you’re familiar with where the main sections are. Obviously it can take a fair bit of time walking around the park, so factor that in when planning.

Also, appreciate the fact that things take longer that they say. The timing for the James Webb Telescope film at the IMAX says it takes 40 minutes, but that’s just for the film. When you factor in queuing up beforehand, then leaving the theatre afterwards, it’s more like an hour.

Don’t worry, I’ll give you a rough Kennedy Space Center itinerary later to help with timings.

Download the KSC app to see the schedule

To help come up with a plan of action, I’d recommend downloading the KSC app before your visit. Then you can see the schedule of what’s on when, and start planning your day around that.

If you know before you arrive that you want to see the “Chat with an Astronaut” at 10am, then the “Rocket Garden tour” at 11:15am, then the IMAX movie at 3:30pm, then you’ve got the backbone of a plan.

Otherwise, you’ll walk into the park, look at the schedule on the big board at the entrance and say “I want to see everything”, and just waste time coming up with a POA. Save yourself time by doing it all before visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Come for two days instead of one

One way of taking that time pressure off you is by getting a two-day ticket instead of a one-day ticket. We came for two days, and I was so thankful we did – we would never have had enough time to see everything in a day. Also, it’s really not much more money getting a two-day ticket.

The price of a one-day ticket is $75. The price of a two-day ticket is $89. That’s only $14 more for an extra day here. I think that’s really good value for money. Then you really can see everything this place has to offer.

Gates open at 9am, but the carpark opens at 8:30am

The Kennedy Space Center is open from 9am to 6pm. However, not everyone knows that the car park opens at 8:30am. This is a bit of a local secret, as you’ll see everyone with annual passes arriving at this time.

Even though there is a bit more of a queue to get into the carpark at 8:30am, it does mean you can get into the park pretty much on the dot of 9am when everything opens up.

Head straight to Spaceport KSC

One of the biggest attractions is Spaceport KSC . This is where you can embark on four incredible journeys to outerspace during an interactive themepark ride. These are more like some of the rides you’d get at other parks in Orlando.

The four rides are Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet, and Uncharted Worlds. They really are worth queuing up for, even if it does take a while.

On my first day here, I didn’t realise how long it’d take to queue. Even though the queue length said 40 minutes, I thought it must be quicker than that. In the end though, it took an hour – I was so frustrated as I wanted to see so much more of the park and not waste time!

On my second day, I headed straight for Spaceport KSC and there was no queue at all. For the first hour of the day, from 9am to 10am, you’ve got a good chance of going on all four rides without having to queue up. That means you can tick them all off before exploring the rest of the park.

If you only ride one, pick Red Planet

Obviously everyone’s different, but I thought Red Planet was the best ride by far. It also has the most seats, which means it’s the quickest ride too. That means, if you only have time to go on one ride, I’d really recommend Red Planet.

I really liked Cosmic Wonders and Uncharted worlds, but Daring Explorers was a bit meh in comparison.

If you’re travelling with babies/young kids, make use of the child swap system

There is a height restriction of 99cms (39 inches), so if you’re travelling with babies/young kids that aren’t tall enough, then this one’s for you.

At KSCVC they have a child swap system. This is where you all queue up together as a family. Then when you’re at the front, one of you goes on the ride, and the other goes off into a side room with your kid.

Then, after you’ve been on the ride, you swap over and the other parent can go on the ride without queuing all over again.

Chloe and I did this and it was really useful. It meant we both could experience all the rides without wasting loads of time. Obviously it takes a bit longer than if you don’t have kids as you’re going on separate rides, but it’s a great system. It means one of you doesn’t miss out when looking after the kid.

Factor in 2 to 3 hours for the Kennedy Space Center bus tour

I didn’t realise this before I visited KSC, but there’s a whole other section to the park that’s miles away. So far away that they have a separate bus tour just to get there.

One of the Kennedy Space Center tips I wish I knew beforehand was how long this tour would take. Well, I’d factor in a good 2 to 3 hours for this.

The other site is where the house the Saturn V rocket in it’s full resplendence. Nothing can prepare you for how big this is. You also get to see the original luna command center where they do a cool interactive display of what it would’ve been like in the countdown to liftoff in 1968.

There is so much to see over here. From how to luna landing was nearly aborted, to seeing how small the Apollo 14 command module is, to touching space rock, you could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon just here. You’ve been warned – there is a lot to do at the Apollo/Saturn Center!

Sit on the right side of the bus

When you get on the bus itself, make sure you sit on the right side. This means you’ll have a much better view of VAB, the Vehicle Assembly Building . This is a massive block of a building where they assemble rockets pre-launch.

It was originally built in 1966 for the Apollo-Saturn V space vehicle. When you’ve seen the size of the Saturn V rocket, you’ll understand why they needed such a big building. In fact, it’s the eighth-largest building in the world by volume, and it has the biggest doors in the world. The doors themselves take 45 minutes to fully open!

Also, if you sit on the right, you’ll have a much better view of the crawler-transporters used to move the giant rockets themselves. These things move at a sedate 1mph, so they’re not exactly quick, but when you see what they’re transporting it’s easy to see why!

There’s a secret lift that mean you can skip the queue for Atlantis

I’m not too sure I should include this in my Kennedy Space Center visitor tips or not, but here we go.

The Atlantis complex is one of the most popular attractions at KSC. Usually you have to queue up before you can enter the main theatre. Depending on show timings, you can be waiting around a bit. And as they can only let in a set number of people you might have to wait for the next show.

However, there’s a lift that can bypass the queue. We found this out because we had our son in the pram and we didn’t want to push him to the top of the building. We saw this lift directly to the left by the toilets immediately after we entered the building, so we decided catch that to the 3 rd floor. We were pretty surprised that this deposited us directly in the Atlantis theatre and meant we had bypassed the long queue.

I would say only use this one if you actually need to – it is mainly there for families with prams or with wheelchairs.

Skip breakfast or lunch; have it with an astronaut instead

One of the paid extras you can do is have breakfast or lunch with an astronaut. At $50 extra, you might think this is expensive, but I actually thought it was quite good value for money.

These talks are either at 9:45am (Monday to Friday)/10am (Saturday & Sunday) or 2pm. They are basically a 45-minute Q&A session with an astronaut where you can pick their brains about space. You can ask them anything from whether they were scared going up to space, or what it’s like taking a crap.

Included in the ticket is a buffet, and it’s actually very substantial. For lunch, I had slices of beef brisket with bbq sauce, sliders, cheese and biscuits, then there was cake and other sweet treats to choose from. It also included an alcoholic beverage (beer or wine) which I thought was a nice touch. It was loads of food though, definitely enough for breakfast or lunch.

This means, instead of paying for breakfast at your hotel or lunch in the park, you can plan your day around the talk and have a meal included. All in all, for lunch with beer, and chatting to a real-life astronaut, and getting a commemorative coin and signed photo, all for $50 – I think that’s pretty good.

Share some Space Dots

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, I’d really recommend Space Dots. These are little balls of ice cream and sorbet, perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

At $7 a pop, they’re one of the cheaper snacks in KSC, but they’re pretty big too. I would say one pot of Space Dots could easily be shared between two people or even with your kids.

Book the Hyperdeck VR early in the morning

One of the top things to do at Kennedy Space Center is the Hypderdeck VR game. This is when you’re an astronaut sent to space and you have to mine crucial resources with your laser blasters. It’s an immersive multi-simulator virtual experience and I absolutely loved it. It was definitely one of my favourite things to do here.

As there are only limited spaces, it’s best to book this on the KSC app as soon as you arrive. You can book a 10-minute slot for up to 4 people, but it’s best to get in early so you don’t miss out on this one.

Go on as many tours as you can squeeze in

For me, I really loved all the little tours. Some of these like the Atlantis tour were only 20 minutes long, but I learned so much more than I would’ve done if I walked around myself. I think a lot of people skip the tours so they have more time for other things, but I think the tours are invaluable for getting the most out of your visit.

Another tour I’d really recommend is the Rocket Garden tour. I found this fascinating learning all about the Space Race and what all the different rockets were used for.

Find out when a rocket launch is happening to coincide with your trip

I mention this in my article about the top things to do in New Smyrna Beach , but one of the reasons we were so excited about visiting Florida this time around was the chance at seeing a rocket launch. You can see them from New Smyrna Beach itself or other places along the Space Coast.

SpaceX launched 93 times in 2023, and they’re aiming for 144 times in 2024. That means if you’re staying in New Smyrna Beach or the Space Coast for more than a few days, you’ve got a good chance of seeing a rocket launch. Amazing, right?

Some locals were surprised at how excited we were to watch a launch, but this was our FIRST EVER ROCKET LAUNCH! Obviously we were super excited, and it was such an amazing experience. If you can coincide your trip to KSC with a rocket launch, then I’d definitely recommend that.

I didn’t find it that busy in the park

I’m not too sure if this is a tip or not, but I never found it oppressively busy at Kennedy Space Center. It was busy, but it wasn’t you-can-barely-put-one-leg-in-front-of-the-other busy.

Now you can say “I bet you went on a Monday in January.” I went on a Friday and Saturday at the very start of Spring Break. It should’ve been rammed, but it never felt crazy. I think that’s because everything is so spaced out which is a real bonus.

Kennedy Space Center itinerary

As I’ve been banging on about why you should get a 2-day ticket, I’m going to give you our 2-day itinerary. Hopefully this will give you a rough outline of what to see and timings.

09:00 – Arrive, park up and get your tickets 09:30 to 10:30 – Head straight to Gateway and do all the Spaceport KSC rides 10:30 to 11:15 – Explore Gateway and the interactive displays 11:15 to 11:30 – Rocket Garden tour 11:45 to 12:15 – Hyperdeck VR game 12:15 to 13:00 – Lunch 13:00 to 15:30 – KSC bus tour 15:30 to 16:30 – Atlantis experience (there is an Alantis walking tour at 15:30 too directly in front of the Atlantis shuttle on the 3 rd floor)

09:00 – Arrive, park up and enter the park 09:30 to 10:30 – Heroes & Legends 10:30 to 11:00 – Mission Status briefing 11:00 to 12:00 – Journey to Mars 12:30 to 13:30 – IMAX Movie: Deep Sky 14:00 to 15:00 – Chat with an Astronaut (with lunch included) 15:00 onwards – Free time to experience anything else you think you’ve missed!

This post was in association with Visit Florida and Kennedy Space Center promoting the best things to do in the area. As always, all views are entirely my own and without bias.

If you have any questions about Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, let me know if the comments below and I’ll help plan your trip here.

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About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• Transportation Included
• Tour Guide Included
• Groups Allowed
• Access for Disabled
• Approx. 12 hours

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour & Shuttle Launch Experience!

Admission to the KSC with transportation, and so much more…

Get ready for an epic adventure with Real Florida Adventures’ #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour! This is where the legendary “One Small Step for Man” happened, and it’s an absolute must-see in Florida. Packed with jaw-dropping experiences and non-stop excitement, this Kennedy Space Center day trip with transportation from Orlando is as real and thrilling as it gets. Prepare for a day full of awesome discoveries and unforgettable moments!

Scroll down to find out more about our Kennedy Space Center tours from Orlando, and please get in touch if you have any questions for us.

What's Included

• Admission into Kennedy Space Center Visitors complex
• Roundtrip Transportation from International Drive, Disney and Kissimmee areas
• Professional, Certified and Licensed Tour Guide

What's Not Included

Pick-up time & schedule.

Margaritaville Resort at 7:15am Main Lobby, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee FL 34747

Golden Corral – Lake Buena Vista at 7:30am 8707 Vineland Ave, Orlando FL32821

Orlando Star Flyer at Icon Park  at 8am 8265 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

There’s a very good reason why we are the best-reviewed tour operator in Orlando: we take our Kennedy Space Center tour very seriously, pouring as much heart and soul into it as we can. And if you’d like a similar experience but for a private group (not sharing with guests you’ve never met), check out our Kennedy Space Center Private Tour .

Not only does this Kennedy Space Center tour offer the past, present, and future of the space program, it puts visitors front and center in the whole experience like never before. Seeing is believing, and you will believe you have been transported to the cutting edge of space exploration through a series of hands-on exhibits, movies, and presentations, including a daily astronaut encounter with one of the modern heroes of NASA’s operations.

The Signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

It all starts with the signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour that provides a complete overview of the full extent of the vast spread of operations, including the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39B, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, with its recreated moon landing and awesome full-size Saturn V rocket.

The KSC Shuttle Launch Experience

Back at the main Visitor Complex, you should definitely make a beeline for the hugely impressive Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, with its moving and emotional presentation of one of the four surviving orbiters, as well as take a ride on the riveting Shuttle Launch Experience, a clever simulator with the inside track on what it feels like to blast off from the Space Center.

You can also visit the Heroes & Legends center (including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame), soak up the grandeur of the IMAX Theater with its eye-popping large-screen movies, and wander the Rocket Garden.

There is SO much to see here! You will definitely need a full day to take it all in, and our bus tours from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center are the perfect way to indulge your inner astronaut! This world-famous site is fully 60 miles from Orlando; let us take the strain out of the journey so you can enjoy the experience to the max – the IMAX. There’s no easier or better way to get from Orlando to KSC!

If you’re looking for more incredible experiences in Florida to add to this Kennedy Space Center Tour, we are extremely proud of the quality of the experiences we’ve crafted for guests. Take a closer look at our wider range of Tours in (and from) Orlando , and our Orlando Private Tours . And please get in touch if you have any questions about our space tours in Orlando or other experiences!

New to Kennedy Space Center: Gateway

Officially referred to as “Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex”, this brand-new exhibit is included in the price of your ticket. It is an exciting look at the future of deep space exploration while also shining a light on the incredible work that is being done in the present. Ever wondered how we’ll travel between solar systems? This is the best place on the planet to find out!

The Gateway exhibition space is huge and it is packed with real spacecrafts and technologies used by NASA to get people and equipment out into space and back again. Here are just a few highlights of what you can look forward to in the KSC’s new Gateway attraction:

ORION EFT-1 CAPSULE SPACEX CARGO DRAGON COTS-2 SIERRA SPACE DREAM CHASER® BOEING CST-100 STARLINER MOCKUP CAPSULE LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE HABITAT ROBOTIC SPACE EXPLORERS INTERACTIVE WALL And so much more!

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17 Spectacular Kennedy Space Center Tips (Your Ultimate Guide)

When you think of the John F. Kennedy Space Center you think of the illustrious history of the space program here in America.

From the first man on the moon to the mission to Mars, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has been a cultural staple for many of us.

This American launch site has been used by NASA for human space flight since December 1968.

Because of this, I thought it would be great to bring you the best tips to conquering your day.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

1. Buy Your Kennedy Space Center Tickets Online

I always recommend buying your tickets online for any attraction in Florida.

I say this because it starts your day off on a good note since you won’t have to wait in the line to purchase your KSC tickets.

Your tickets can be bought on the official website where you’ll be able to print them out at home or pick them up from Will Call at the Visitor Complex.

Once you have your printed ticket from home, all you have to do is walk directly to the turnstiles and start your space adventure!

Can I buy tickets at Kennedy Space Center?

Yes you can. However, if you’re going on a busy day, then I recommend purchasing them online first.

How much does it cost to go to Kennedy Space Center?

Single day admission cost:

• Children $65 (age 3-11)
• Adults $75 (Ages 12+)
• Annual Pass $149 (Ages 12+) and $120 (age 3-11)

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2. Know Where to Buy Kennedy Space Center Discount Tickets

The prices on the official website are pretty good, but you may luck up on possible Kennedy Space Center discounts and deals using Groupon.

Groupon Kennedy Space Center Florida

KSC is pretty good about running great deals, but on Groupon you can find additional excursions to spice up your trip.

Ventures such as, the Space Coast Slingshots which will give you the opportunity to explore this beautiful coast of Florida with the wind in your hair!

If you’re vacationing in Orlando and you don’t have a vehicle, you can look up day tours that will take you over to KSC for a small fee.

Recommended: Ultimate Florida Packing List: What to Pack for Your EPIC Trip!

3. Download the App

Map out the day prior to your visit by downloading their app.

This is a great way to make a note of your must do’s and it’s also a wonderful way to help you see and experience as much as you can if you’re only there for a short visit.

Hipster Power Tip: Having the park app will allow you to view the map and get familiar with the layout of the Visitor Complex.

Kennedy Space Center App Features:

• Available for free in both the App Store  and  Google Play
• Has the Visitor Complex map in the app
• Answers your frequently asked questions
• Has descriptions of the shows and attractions
• Gives information on guest services, dining and shopping
• Keeps you updated on rocket launches
• Allows you to maneuver your way around the Visitor Complex and the Apollo/Saturn V Center

Downloading the app is one of the top Kennedy Space Center tips I wish I knew before my trip.

4. Have the Kennedy Space Center Address Handy

Before you leave your destination, it’s always good to have the address on hand.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex address is Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953.

Is Cape Canaveral the same as the Kennedy Space Center?

The Visitor Complex is located in the city of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Therefore, Cape Canaveral is not the same as Kennedy Space Center.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

5. Use the Map to Plan Your Day

It can be overwhelming stepping foot into this incredible visitor complex, that’s why I recommend going over the KSC map before you get there.

Kennedy Space Center Map

It will help you:

• Get familiar when the layout of the Visitor Complex
• All you to map out your day
• Plan what time you want to do the bus tour and when you want to have lunch

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6. Know the Kennedy Space Center Hours

The Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. EST every day of the year and closes at 6 p.m. This time can go up to an 8 p.m. closing time, depending on the season.

7. Map Out How to Get from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center

Here are my most basic Kennedy Space Center directions from Orlando.

If you’re coming from the theme park area or Orlando, then you’ll want to:

• Get on the FL-528 E from I-4 to FL-3 N/N Courtenay Pkwy in Merritt Island (about a 45-minute drive or 47.5 miles)
• Take exit 49 from FL-528 E
• Continue on N Courtenay Pkwy. Drive to Space Commerce Way (about a 10-minute drive…or 8 miles)

Does Kennedy Space Center provide transportation?

The visitor complex does not provide transportation to and from Orlando.

You can use one of the tours mentioned earlier that provides transportation by searching Viator.

8. Be Prepared to Pay for Parking at Kennedy Space Center

The parking lot is adjacent to the Visitor Complex. It will take you about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the lot to the front gate depending on where you parked.

It was an easy walk for me and a much simpler process than the theme parks.

How much does it cost to park at Kennedy Space Center?

• Motorcycles – $5.00
• Automobiles –  $10.00
• Oversized vehicles, motor homes or RVs –  $15.00

9. Know Exactly What the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Is

The Visitor Complex is an out-of-this world experience dedicated to showcasing the major accomplishments made through the space program.

It is divided into Mission Zones where the attractions and the tours are organized by chronological era.

What to do at Kennedy Space Center

• Astronaut Encounter
• Free Bus Tour
• IMAX Theaters
• Planet Play
• Lunch with an Astronaut
• Rocket Garden
• Space Shuttle Atlantis Attraction

It is here where you’ll get a hands-on interactive treat as you go through attractions and experiences presenting the many periods of time and achievements.

How long does it take to go through Kennedy Space Center?  

You should expect to spend at least 6 hours at Visitor Complex. I recommend the full day (9 hours) if you truly want to see everything.

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KSC Mission Zones

As mention above, KSC is split into Mission Zones. Let’s go through them all.

Heroes & Legends

This area allows you to learn about the pioneers of NASA’s early space programs along with the famous Rocket Garden.

It’s one of the newest additions to the Visitor Complex and has an amazing exhibit that walks you through each era of a typical astronaut’s life.

Hipster Power Tip: Be sure to stand on the second row to get a great view of the amazing film that you’ll watch in the second portion of the attraction in the Heroes & Legends building.

There’s even a spectacular U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® for you to explore.

Also, make sure you walk around the majestic Rocket Garden to view the actual rockets of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.

Time needed for Heroes & Legends zone: 30 minutes

Behind the Gates

This area is where you get to see the historic launch sites and working spaceflight facilities. You do this by jumping on the  Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour .

Hipster Power Tip: Sit on the right side of the bus to get the best views of the tour, including those famous Florida alligators.

Don’t worry about any additional costs, the bus tour is included with your admission.

Time needed for the Behind the Gates zone: 1.5 hours

Race to The Moon

This is my favorite area of KSC . Once your bus tour of the historic launch sites is over, you’ll be dropped off at the Race to the Moon area.

The bus tour is the only way to get to this area which showcases the July 20, 1969 celebration of when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

This whole section is dedicated to legends of the Apollo era. It is here where you’ll be able to see the actual size of the Saturn V moon rocket!

It’s one of the most breathtaking things to witness.

You’ll also be able to learn more about the Apollo history with real artifacts and interactive games that will blow your mind.

Make sure you plan to spend at least one hour inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center, basking in all of the history.

Time needed for the Race to the Moon zone: 2 hours

Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other

My other favorite area of the Visitor Complex takes you on a journey through NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.

Outside the Atlantis complex is a 184-foot space shuttle stack, with an external tank and two solid rocket boosters.

You actually have the opportunity to revel at the awe-inspiring American icon, shuttle Atlantis.  

The shuttle Atlantis now has a permanent home at the Visitor Complex and you can see it up close!

The way the Visitor Complex presents Atlantis to you will send chills up your spine.

So, I will not spoil the big moment for you!

Hipster Power Tip: If you’re brave enough, then experience what an astronaut goes through on an actual shuttle liftoff on the Shuttle Launch Experience . This is a must do attraction!

This zone also has some amazing hands-on simulation and games to help you truly become an astronaut.

Activities such as:

• a gigantic slide to mimic a space shuttle landing
• the opportunity to test your skills at performing a spacewalk
• hearing stories from the Space Shuttle Program workers
• exploring modules and microgravity of the International Space Station

Time needed for the Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other zone – 2 hours

NASA Now + Next 

This is the area where the two main IMAX theaters are. Here you can watch Journey to Space 3D  and  Touch the Stars: The Journey Has Begun 3D.

The goal of this zone is to teach you the lessons learned of NASA’s past missions and where the space exploration program is going next!

Hipster Power Tip: Be sure to get a photo in front of the Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator®

Get the FULL list for all of the attractions here!

Time needed for the NASA Now and Next zone: 2.5 hours

10. Keep Track of the Kennedy Space Center Launch Schedule

If you’re super luck, you may be able to catch a one-of-a-kind launch experience. There’s nothing like watching an actual rocket launch so close by you.

The power of witnessing an actual launch rumbles your soul! No theme park attraction can compare to this world class adventure!

Kennedy Space Center Rocket Launch Schedule for 2024

Listed below are the rocket launches scheduled for 2024.

ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-70

• Where:  Space Launch Complex 37 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Mission: A ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office from space launch complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• Learn more here.

Rocket Launch: SpaceX Falcon 9 Eutelsat 36D

• When:  Spring 2024
• Where:  Launch Complex 39A Kennedy Space Center
• Mission: SpaceX will launch a new generation of multi-mission geostationary telecommunications satellite for Eutelsat.

Rocket Launch: ULA Atlas V Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test

• When:  May 2024
• Where:  Space Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Mission: The Crew Flight Test (CFT) will demonstrate the ability of Starliner and the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket to safely carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Hipster Power Tip: Remember that all launch times and dates are subject to change without notice. Be sure not to plan your whole trip around a shuttle launch date as it is always changing.

Kennedy Space Center Launch Viewing Areas

Listed below are the view options for you on your visit to Kennedy Space Center.

LC-39 Observation Gantry

This is the historic area where Apollo astronauts launched to the moon and is the closest viewing area to the launch pads of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

For an additional cost, you’ll get outdoor bleacher seating plus a shaded area if you don’t want to be directly in the sun. The Lc-39 Observation Gantry is 2 to 5.5 miles from launch pads.

Includes: Live launch commentary, snacks and refreshments

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Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area

This viewing area is 5 to 8 miles away from the launch site and is adjacent to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

A great perk about the Banana Creek location is that if the Apollo/Saturn V Center is open , then you’ll be able enjoy the theaters, dining and shopping experiences inside. Plus, you can view the Saturn V up-close.

Hipster Power Tip: Kennedy Space Center recommends that you bring sun and insect protection for this location.

Main Visitor Complex

Viewing a launch from the Visitor Complex is included with your admission ticket. The viewing area is located next to Space Shuttle Atlantis®, which is 7 miles away from the rocket launch area.

Here you’ll get bleacher and lawn seating, so sun protection is recommended.

Cost is included with your admission ticket . Please keep in mind that all prices mentioned in this guide are subject to change without notice.

11. Stop by Kennedy Space Center Gift Shop

The Space Shop is absolutely incredible!

I pride myself on leaving theme parks with my money still in my pocket, but not at this Kennedy Space Center Gift Shop.

…and probably not you either.

The newly renovated shop opened on June 29, 2018 and is “The World’s Largest Space Shop” at 15,372 square feet!

I spent a lot of time walking throughout the massive store filled to the brim with space memorabilia and NASA gear.

There are so many things to see and do inside this interactive shopping adventure such as, walking in the steps of NASA astronauts across the original Apollo 11 gantry located on the second floor.

You can find the space shop at the center point of the Visitors Complex.

Other Places to Shop at Kennedy Space Center:

• The Right Stuff located at the Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Shuttle Express ®   located inside Space Shuttle Atlantis®
• Information (yep, that’s the shop name) is located right at the visitor complex entrance

What’s the BEST Escape Room in Orlando? This One Will Surprise You.

12. Try Space Food at Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center offers four restaurants and three snack stands at the Visitor Complex. I will say that the food is not anything to brag about.

It’s pretty much your standard amusement park fare, which will hold you over while on your trip.

Hipster Power Tip: There are vegetarian, gluten-free and healthy choices available at all restaurants.

Kennedy Space Center Restaurants and Dining Experiences

• Dine with an Astronaut – This is one of the key highlights at Kennedy Space Center where you can dine with an astronaut. I wasn’t able to do it, but it is on my must do list for my next visits.
• Rocket Garden Café – Serves standard breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
• Moon Rock Café – Offers standard sandwiches and burgers. This café is located in the Apollo/Saturn V building.
• Orbit Café – Serves salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and desserts.
• Red Rock Grill – Offers hot dogs and beer in an outdoor lunch stand next to Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted.
• Rocket Fuel Food Truck – Serves snacks and coffee near the entrance of the Visitor Complex.
• Milky Way – Probably the highlight of my day. Here you can get a delicious waffle covered with all of the tastiest sweet treats your heart can imagine. This is the ice cream shop of the Visitor Complex that serves soda, ice cream and Space Dots ® .
• Space Dots ® – You can get the famous ice cream dots right next to Space Shuttle Atlantis.

13. Have Your Kennedy Space Center Itinerary Ready to Go

• 9:30 a.m. – Arrive at Kennedy Space Center
• 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. – Explore Heroes and Legends Area
• 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Watch the IMAX 3D space films (be sure to arrive 15 minutes before showtime)
• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Have lunch with an Astronaut (or Explore the Gateway: Deep Space Launch Complex)
• 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. – Do the Bus Tour and Apollo/Saturn V Center (a must do)
• 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Discover the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Shuttle Launch Experience
• 3:05 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. – Visit the gift shop
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. – Get an ice-cream waffle at Milky Way, relax, or revisit your favorite areas
• 4:55 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. – Take any last-minute photos

I hope you like my one day visit guide. You can read the recommended itineraries from Kennedy Space Center here!

14. Do a Kennedy Space Center Tour

There are a variety of different Kennedy Space Center tours that range from day trips from Orlando or helicopter rides.

Kennedy Space Center with an Airboat Tour

On this tour you’ll get a great view of Kennedy Space Center.

This includes the launch pads area, Visitor’s Complex, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, and airboat ride up the St. John’s River and so much more! 

You can learn more about this tour here!

Kennedy Space Center Tours from Orlando

Viator also offers a variety of day trip tours from Orlando to the Visitor Complex just in case you don’t have a vehicle on your Disney vacation.

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15. Know the Best Days to Visit KSC

You may be thinking, “when should I go to Kennedy Space Center?”

The best time to visit KSC is in October, November, December, January, February, or May during the weekday.

What are the Crowd levels?

The worst time to visit Kennedy Space Center is on launch days, on major holidays, during the spring and summer break season.

16. Know What to Pack

While preparing for your day at the Visitor Complex, you should know what basic items to bring with you.

• Disposable Rain Ponchos   or rain jackets
• Download Kennedy Space Center App
• Small Backpack
• Reusable water bottle
• Simple first aid supplies
• Small snacks
• Hand sanitizer
• Downloaded Park Map
• Hat for sunny days
• Portable Phone Charger
• Personal Hygiene Products
• Cash/Debit Card
• Water mist sprayer

Is food allowed in Kennedy Space Center?

Per the website , food and beverages packed in small, soft-sided coolers are permitted. Glass bottles or containers are also not permitted.

Beer is for sale at select locations and no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Are backpacks allowed at Kennedy Space Center?

You are allowed to bring in your own backpack. Just remember that all backpacks and bags will be inspected by security.

What should I wear to Kennedy Space Center?

Lightweight clothing such as shorts, leggings, comfy shoes,  a t-shirt,  a hat, and sunglasses are all perfect for your trip.

17. Know What Hotels are Near Kennedy Space Center

When planning your KSC trip, you’ll need a hotel that’s close to all the Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach action!

There aren’t too many hotels or resorts I can recommend that are near the Visitor Complex, but these are my picks for now.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral – Cocoa Beach
• Hampton Inn Titusville I-95 Kennedy Space Center

My Final Thoughts and KSC Review

There you have it! My top Kennedy Space Center tips. Overall, I had one of the best days ever visiting KSC.

Before you decide to go on your own space journey, I want to give you some pros and cons of my visit.

• Easy layout to navigate
• Wonderful to view the Atlantis up close
• Love the tribute to all of the wonderful people of the space program throughout the years
• The Rocket Garden is visually intoxicating and enchanting
• A super fun bus tour (line looks long, but goes fast because the buses are large and are constantly going)
• Lots of indoor attractions ( great for beating the Florida heat)
• Amazing IMAX 3-D presentations and the NEW Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex
• The Shuttle simulation is phenomenal
• Food and drinks are reasonably priced
• Not too many shaded areas to sit under outside
• Food is average
• The bus tour takes out a big chunk of your day
• No exhibition showing the contribution of Black Americans or women to the space program

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide to doing Kennedy Space Center like a pro.

Remember to arrive early, explore space, and capture your own adventure!

Have you ever been before? If so, let me know what your favorite memory is in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love these:

• 5 Adventurous Things to do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks
• Why You Should Visit the Alligator Capital of the World: Gatorland
• How to Find Cheap Flights to Orlando
• Magic Kingdom for Adults the Complete Guide
• How to Find a Vacation Home Near Disney World
• 18 Tips for Going to a Theme Park Alone

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

(Original Article Date: May 20, 2019/Updated March 29, 2024)

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2024 complete guide to hersheypark season pass: new benefits, discounts, and more, 6 thoughts on “17 spectacular kennedy space center tips (your ultimate guide)”.

NikkiJ, these tips are awesome. Thank you!

Glad I could help. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions 🙂

This helped so much. I went so long ago. Much has changed.

I so happy that I could help. I hope you have a wonderful visit. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions 🙂

Thank you so much for your indepth report. I’m going next month and cannot wait. (I don’t know why it took me so many years to plan a visit!). Looking forward to using your advice. Thanks again!!

My pleasure! I hope you had a wonderful time 🙂

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Kennedy Space Center

Space Commerce Way, Titusville, Florida

The Kennedy Space Center has been hurtling humans and shuttles into space since 1968 and is still a primary site for NASA launches. Parts of the sprawling campus are open to the public. On daily tours, you can interact with astronauts, try simulated space flights and an astronaut training experience, and see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

The campus comprises several “mission zones,” all accessible with admission. See the Rocket Garden, filled with historic engine replicas and full-size Titan rockets; the Space Shuttle Atlantis; and the Early Space Exploration Hall, where you’ll find hands-on exhibits highlighting the pioneers of spaceflight and the global race to the moon.

Narrated bus tours depart every 15 minutes on 2-hour routes to several launch sites, including those used by the techy space explorers at SpaceX and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can navigate astronaut artifacts and walk beneath a 363-foot (110-meter) rocket from the Saturn V mission. Visit on a day trip from Orlando, or opt for an Ultimate Space Pass that includes a tour of NASA’s launch headquarters, lunch with an astronaut, two IMAX movies, the Shuttle Launch Experience, and free time to experience the center’s exhibits and galleries.

There’s lots to see and do at Kennedy Space Center, so plan on spending a full day here.

The space center is one of the most popular family attractions in Florida .

The general admission bus tour stops running 2.5 hours before closing time.

Choose a helicopter tour over the Kennedy Space Center for a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling facility.

Visitors can purchase day admission tickets or 2-day admission tickets.

The Kennedy Space Center visitor complex is adjacent to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Titusville, 45 minutes from Orlando by car, on the eastern side of the Intracoastal Waterway. There is no public transit to the center, but several tours include transport to the Space Center from Orlando. There’s on-site parking for cars, motor homes, and RVs, though only multi-day tickets include the cost of parking.

Because there’s so much to do, it’s best to arrive as close to the daily 9am opening time as possible. Closing times vary seasonally between 6pm and 8pm. The center is seldom crowded (except on launch days), but you can avoid large field trip groups by visiting on a weekend.

To count down and feel the rumble of lift-off just a few miles away from a real launching rocket, you’ll have to time your visit just right, as only a handful take place each year. The visitor center offers the closest viewing stations for shuttles and rockets blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and has four designated spots for lawn chairs (some of the spaces require tickets, which typically go on sale two weeks prior to launch).

1-day tickets to Kennedy Space Center cost $75 for adults and $65 for children; 2-day tickets cost $89 for adults and $79 for children. You need two days to see all the attractions and exhibits, including the KSC Bus Tour, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, astronaut appearances, and more.

No, you cannot visit Kennedy Space Center for free. Tickets—which you can buy in person or online—are $64–$75 for 1-day access and $79–$89 for 2-day access. You should take 2 days to explore the vast visitor complex, which includes the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, KSC Bus Tour, and more.

No, you do not need to book tickets to Kennedy Space Center in advance; you can simply walk up and purchase tickets at the entrance kiosks—they’ll be the same price as if you bought them online. However, if you book online, you can skip any queues and proceed directly to the entrance turnstiles with your ticket barcode in hand.

At 100,000 square feet (9,290 square kilometers), Kennedy Space Center recommends 2 days to go through all the fantastic attractions and exhibits, from the KSC bus tour and the Apollo/Saturn V Center to the IMAX theater and astronaut meet-and-greets (and beyond). If you only have one day, bank on spending your entire day at this space-age wonder.

Many consider the best day to visit Kennedy Space Center to be any weekday, especially when school’s in session—that way, you’ll avoid both the weekend crowds and the family vacationers. Come early during the day (around 9am) to avoid any lines, get better parking, and have the best, most crowd-free experience.

No, parking is not free at Kennedy Space Center. Rates are $5 for motorcycles, $10 for cars, and $15 for oversized vehicles, motorhomes, and RVs. If you opt for an annual pass, free parking is one of the perks. To avoid parking, rideshares and taxis are permitted in Lot 4 with proof of fare.

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Kennedy Space Center Express & ICON

Home > Tours > Kennedy Space Center Express & ICON

Kennedy Space Center Express & ICON

Watch Itinerary

You’ll be over the moon for this awesome look into the science and history of the space program with our express option, you will meet the bus at our final meeting point and get transportation straight to the space center plus, when you get back to orlando, you can take a ride on the wheel at icon park to get views of the whole city.

• Skip the pickups and get direct service to Kennedy Space Center from ICON Park
• Feel the liftoff with a shuttle launch experience
• Touch a piece of real moon rock
• Stroll around the Rocket Garden
• Walk underneath the Saturn V
• Experience the Space Shuttle Atlantis
• Get a bird's eye view from the Wheel at ICON Park Orlando!
• Round trip transportation from Orlando's ICON Park
• Admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
• Ticket for the Wheel at ICON Park
• Professional guide/driver services
• Meals and beverages
• Optional gratuities
• Admission on 'black out dates' due to special launch events at Kennedy Space Center

Please Note

• Bring a camera to capture all of the amazing sights!
• Visitors may bring backpacks and soft-sided coolers into the visitor complex. Food and beverages packed in small, soft-sided coolers are permitted. Glass bottles or containers are not permitted. Beer is for sale at select locations and no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. For security, all bags are subject to search.

If your scheduled your date becomes a rocket launch please contact us, as regular packages may not be permitted (launch dependent).

Restrictions

When would you like to go, unavailable, please select:, options selected:, optional extras, price breakdown:.

Pickup points

Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?

Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.

Pickup Info

This does not include hotel pick up. You will meet the bus at the ICON Park under The Wheel at 8:00am. This is at the rear side of the plaza, facing Universal Blvd. Free parking is available in the ICON Park parking garage

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Monday-Friday From 8 am – 6 pm (EST)

Saturday-Sunday From 10 am – 2 pm (EST)

• Approx. 11 Hours
• Roundtrip Transportation
• Free Cancellation

Trip Details

Getting from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center has never been easier! Hop aboard the Kennedy Space Center shuttle for a full day of space exploration at NASA’s launch headquarters. Let us take care of the driving so you can relax and enjoy the ride with roundtrip transportation from convenient pickup locations in the Orlando, Kissimmee, and Disney areas. The shuttle to Kennedy Space Center does not include admission. Tickets must be purchased separately.

Trip Highlights

• Roundtrip transportation to Kennedy Space Center
• Sit back, relax and let us navigate the traffic
• Convenient pickup and drop-off locations in Orlando

Trip Includes

• Free Cancellation May be canceled or changed up to 24 hours prior to departure
• No Hidden Fees! Sales Tax is included in all prices

Trip Excludes

• Admission Ticket
• Optional Gratuities
• Meals & Beverages

After pickup from your selected location, take a short drive from Orlando to Cape Canaveral on the roundtrip shuttle bus. On the way there, you’ll hear interesting facts about the history of NASA’s space program and learn about the must-see-and-do attractions at KSC from your tour guide.

When you arrive at Kennedy Space Center, you’ll be dropped off by the Visitor Complex. Once inside, you’ll have the full day to explore NASA’s launch headquarters on your own. Visit previously restricted areas, walk under the massive Saturn V rocket, and even meet an astronaut from outer space! Explore the Heroes & Legends exhibit featuring the Astronaut Hall of Fame where you’ll find American heroes of the Last Frontier. See the largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia and space artifacts ever assembled.

At the Observation Gantry , get a bird’s-eye view of the space shuttle launch pads. Stop by the Apollo/Saturn V Center to see a real rocket and touch a piece of moon rock! You can even watch IMAX movie screenings of Hubble 3D, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, or Space Station 3D, which takes you on a virtual trip to the International Space Station.

Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit see the legendary spacecraft, Atlantis. More than 60+ interactive experiences highlight the people and passion behind NASA’s space program that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and built the International Space Station. Find out what it’s like to be a real astronaut! Take the helm at the shuttle cockpit and experience the sensation of floating in space as you strap in for a simulated shuttle launch.

At the Deep Space Launch Complex – Gateway , which opened in May 2022, you can explore the future of space travel. Discover the futuristic prototypes of cutting-edge innovations for space exploration from NASA and their commercial partners. Then, enter the spaceport of the future and launch aboard one of four unforgettable journeys on an immersive experience through deep space.

Once your day comes to an end, and you’ve experienced all the fascinating attractions that Kennedy Space Center has to offer, hop onboard the shuttle bus for a relaxing ride back to Orlando.

Depart & Return Orlando

8:30 am to 7:30 pm

Trip Duration

Approx. 11-hours

Pickup & Drop-off Locations

(Google Maps)

7:00 am – Charley’s Steak House (2901 Parkway Blvd, Suite 1A, Kissimmee, FL 34747)

7:10 am – Walt Disney World Swan (1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830)

7:20 am – Golden Corral Buffet & Grill at Lake Buena Vista (8707 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821)

7:35 am – Loews Royal Pacific Resort (6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL 32819)

7:50 am – Avanti Palms Resort & Conference Center (6515 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819)

8:00 am – ICON Park (8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819)

How long do orders take to process?

Orders typically take 1-2 Business Days to process. You’ll receive an email confirmation once your order has been received. A final confirmation will be sent with your ticket voucher once the booking is confirmed.

Can I change or cancel my order?

Most of the activities on our website can be changed or canceled up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure date. However, a select few are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please refer to the Trip Details , or contact us for questions regarding a specific activity.

Do I need to bring a photo ID?

Yes. The person who placed the order must be present on the day of the activity. The credit card holder is required to show a valid photo ID and a matching ticket voucher. Otherwise, entry will not be permitted.

Can I book a trip for someone else?

If you would like to book a trip for someone and you will not be present on the day of the activity, you must submit a Credit Card Authorization Form and a copy of your valid photo ID and credit card for verification.

What should I bring on the day of my tour?

We recommend packing a day bag with your swimsuit, towels, a change of clothes, snacks, water, and sunscreen. Closed-toed shoes may be required for certain activities.

What time do I need to be at the pickup spot?

Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the pickup time indicated at checkout or on your confirmation email/tour voucher. 

Can I park my car at the pickup location?

Yes. Most of the pickup locations allow free car parking and are easily distinguishable. If you park at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts or Universal Orlando Resorts, there will be an additional fee for parking.

What if I need help on the day of the trip?

If you need help on the day of your scheduled activity, or you need to contact the tour operator for any reason, please contact the phone number listed on your ticket voucher. 

Are tour vehicles wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair- and scooter-accessible vehicles are available upon request. Any passenger requiring an ADA-accessible vehicle must inform us at least 2 Business Days prior to departure. 

What languages are available?

All of our tours are guided in English. Other languages may be available upon request for groups. Please contact us to inquire about tours in other languages.

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• Visiting Kennedy Space Center With Kids: Babies, Toddlers and Older Children

From key attractions, entertainment and food and drink, to practical info on timings and getting around, if you’re visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids, this guide will help you plan your day.

We’ve just returned from an amazing space-themed trip to Florida! As well as two incredible days at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, we were also lucky enough to catch a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach and spend a couple of days exploring the Space Coast. A holiday based around rockets and beaches… what’s not to love?!

Our son Cooper had just turned one when we embarked on this journey. He took the 9-hour flight from London Heathrow to Orlando in his stride, kicked the jetlag quicker than us, and seemed excited by the change of scene. We were too, after all we’d left behind a chilly 10 degrees Celsius in London (50 Fahrenheit for my US readers).

The highlight of our trip was our time at the Kennedy Space Center. After developing a fascination with space travel during childhood, I’d always wanted to visit. I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint.

In this post I’ll be sharing my tips on visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids. While Cooper may be heading from being a baby into the toddler era, I’ll also be giving some information on how to visit with older children too. It’s such an inspiring place to visit with school age children, and will no doubt supercharge their passion for science and engineering.

Tips For Visiting Kennedy Space Center With Kids: How To Plan A Family Day Out

Why should you visit kennedy space center.

We all grew up learning about space. I was always fascinated by stories of rockets zooming through the air, men landing on the moon and all the space research that has been undertaken in more recent years on the International Space Station. The latest images of galaxies and stars taken on the James Webb Telescope are enough to blow anyone’s mind!

So, when I had an opportunity to immerse myself in this fascinating and mysterious world at Kennedy Space Center, I couldn’t wait! Some of you may be reading this post thinking we’re mad for visiting with our one-year-old, but honestly, we all got something out of the experience.

I got goose bumps as we walked through the Rocket Garden. Seeing the giant rockets up close gave me such a thrill. There were some really moving films as part of the Atlantis and Heroes & Legends experiences too. I left feeling so inspired by what these brave astronauts have achieved.

As for Cooper? Well, he might not have a full understanding of the world yet, but a lot of the experiences had sensory elements. He loved pressing buttons, looking at the lights and crawling around Planet Play. While screen time is limited at home, he got to watch some amazing videos at the complex!

There’s a quote I’ve seen which says ‘why travel if they won’t remember it’. I think there are so many reasons. All of these experiences are helping to build his character and personality. They’re showing him the world; that it’s a big place with lots of people and different ways of doing things. I’m hopeful that these worldly experiences are encouraging him to be a thoughtful, understanding and adaptable child. And if nothing else, maybe he’ll grow up aspiring to be an astronaut!

Navigating around the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

As a quick overview, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is divided into these distinct areas:

Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex featuring Spaceport KSC

• This area is dedicated to space exploration now and in the future. There’s a chance to see some of the latest technological innovations, space suits, and learn more about Artemis – the next mission to visit the Moon.
• Spaceport KSC is the name for four interactive movie experiences, Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet, and Uncharted Worlds . Forget the rides at Walt Disney World, these impressive simulators will make you feel like you’re visiting deep space!

Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit

• This area focuses on the space shuttle, which flew 33 missions between 1985 and 2011. As well as some exciting video content telling the story of the shuttle, you get to see the actual space shuttle! When the huge curtain raises up and you see Atlantis in front of you, you’ll be amazed.
• There’s lots of information on the International Space Station, the Hubble Telescope and practical exhibits on things like how astronauts eat, go to the toilet and sleep. I really enjoyed this section.
• It’s also where you’ll find the Shuttle Launch Experience – an incredible simulator which gives you an idea of what it was like to fly on Atlantis. Space travel has never felt closer!

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center

• For this experience you board a 15-minute coach tour around the NASA site, learning more about the buildings you see around you, including the ginormous Vehicle Assembly Building. This is where they assemble the rockets. To give some perspective, just one star on the flag on the building is 6 feet wide! That blew my mind. You’ll also realise the scale of the entire site – it’s vast, and mostly green. Something I found quite surprising considering rockets blast off from here every few weeks.
• The Apollo/Saturn V Center focuses on the race to the moon with the Apollo missions. Many of us have heard the story of the Apollo moon landing in 1969. This was when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon’s surface, reaching there on Apollo 11. To be honest, I didn’t know about the other missions, so it was great to have such a section of the attraction dedicated to this.
• You also get to see the Saturn V rocket. Every human who stepped foot on the Moon launched from Kennedy Space Center in a Saturn V rocket. To this day, it’s the largest rocket ever flown. It’s just so vast – you could never gauge the scale until you’re standing underneath it.

Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

• This inspiring zone tells the stories of famous astronauts and NASA’s dedicated workers. There’s an incredible film, that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps!
• Inside the Astronaut Hall of Fame, you can learn about the US astronauts in more detail.

Rocket Garden

• We took a tour of the Rocket Garden, which was a quick and informative way to learn about the rockets. These are free and take place across the day.
• Just wandering around this zone is a great experience. The largest is the Saturn 1B, which is turned on its side. Also in this area is the Mercury-Redstone 3 rocket, on which Alan Shepard completed the first U.S. human space flight in 1961.
• The Rocket Garden is an iconic photo spot too, where you’re guaranteed to snap some great photos of your kids living their space dreams!

IMAX Theater

• The movies may vary depending on when you visit, but during our trip we watched Deep Sky. This film shared the story of NASA’s James Webb Telescope, showcasing some of the amazing images it’s captured and the journey the team went on to get them.

Universe Theater

• This theatre hosts live events and talks throughout the day. It’s where you’ll find the shows for children, as well as talks by veteran NASA astronauts and Mission Briefings.

Journey to Mars

• This exhibition focuses on NASA’s plans to explore deep space, including Mars and the Moon. There are some Mars rover vehicles on display, as well as plenty of interactive games.

Planet Play

• This is a really fun and fully-immersive multiple-story play area for children.

As you can see, there’s a lot to do! While some of it may be more suited to adult visitors, there’s one big question I’m going to answer straight away…

Should I buy a one or two-day ticket?

When you start thinking about your trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex I’d urge you to study the map and have a good think about what you want to see and do. It’s not on the scale of Walt Disney Land or Universal Studios in Florida, but there’s definitely more than you can fit into a day trip.

If you can, I’d recommend spending 2-days at Kennedy Space Center. If I was visiting with my partner we may have got around quite a lot of the park in one day, but I still think it’d be a stretch. Adding kids into the equation adds time to everything, especially if they need to let off some steam in Planet Play for a while!

Having two days at the park meant we could take our time, save a few key attractions for day two, catch a few of the talks and not feel stressed out by the idea of missing something important. It’s only a few dollars more for the 2-day ticket, so it’s a bit of a no brainer.

Child-friendly itineraries for Kennedy Space Center

Depending on how many days you’ll be spending at the space center, I’d recommend popping together an itinerary before you visit. If you have kids of different ages, you (adults) might want to tag team for some of the day, so that you can fit everything in.

Here are two suggestions of itineraries that you might like to follow, with rough timings included.

One-day itinerary for visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids

9am: Arrive at the Kennedy Space Center, purchase Space Center tickets if you haven’t already, stop by the Visitor Center and familiarise yourself with the park area 9.15 – 10.15am: Visit Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex 10.15 – 11am: Enjoy 1 or 2 of the Spaceport KSC experiences (depending on height restrictions and wait times). Child swap is available here if not all meet the height restrictions. 11 – 12pm: Walk through the Rocket Garden and try to see one of the pop-up shows 12 – 12.45pm: Lunch at Orbit Café 12.45 – 2.45pm: Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center 2.45 – 3.15pm: Planet Play 3.15 – 4.30pm: Space Shuttle Atlantis, including the Shuttle Launch Experience depending on height restrictions. 4.30 – 5pm: Heroes & Legends Exhibition 5pm or 6pm: Center closes (hours change by month)

Two-day itinerary for visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids

9am: Arrive at the Kennedy Space Center, purchase Space Center tickets if you haven’t already, stop by the Visitor Center and familiarise yourself with the park area 9.15 – 10.15am: Visit Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex 10.15 – 11.15am: Enjoy 2 of the Spaceport KSC experiences (depending on height restrictions and wait times). Child swap is available here if height restrictions are an issue (more on that below). 11.15 – 11.30am: Walk through the Rocket Garden 11.30 – 12pm: Planet Play 12:20 – 12.30pm: Meet a Space Person for a photo 12.30 – 1.15pm: Lunch at Orbit Café 2 – 2.45pm: Chat with an astronaut (extra charge) 3 – 4pm: It’s A Matter of Fact Show 4– 4.30pm: Try Space Dots (ice cream balls) 4.30 – 5pm: Visit the Space Shop (the world’s largest shop dedicated to space!) 5pm or 6pm: Center closes (hours change by month)

9 – 11.30am: Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center 11.30 – 12.30pm: Watch IMAX Movie 12.30 – 1.15pm: Lunch at Space Bowl Bistro 1.30 – 2.30pm: All Systems Are Go Show 2.30 – 3pm: Planet Play 3 – 4.30pm: Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Shuttle Launch Experience (if tall enough) 4.30pm onwards: Heroes & Legends   5pm or 6pm: Center closes (hours change by month)

Is it worth visiting Kennedy Space Center with a baby?

If you’re considering visiting with a baby or toddler, you might be questioning if it’s worth it. We did it and I can say it definitely is! We also saw so many other parents with children under the age of 3, with the youngest being just a few months old.

The site is very accessible, children under 3 are free, and with a child napping for part of the day, you’ll be able to enjoy lots of the attractions! You might find yourself tag-teaming with your partner a little, so you can both enjoy some of the adult activities. There are also options like ‘child swap’ available, so you can manage your time efficiently.

What is there specifically for children at Kennedy Space Center?

There are a few attractions which are specifically designed with kids in mind.

The top one is the incredible play area Planet Play. Think of it as a space themed soft play playground, with tonnes of interactive elements. There are games to play (ball shooters, puzzles, jumping , match the constellations), as well as lots of cool climbing apparatus. The highlights are the big slides and nets you can climb through. I wished I was a bit younger so I could have a go!

Planet Play is really well designed, and there’s even a small area just for babies and toddlers. Cooper enjoyed playing here. It was quieter than the main zone and had a few things that were at a low height for him to reach. I also took him to some of the older zones and he enjoyed looking at the lights and crawling around the digital floor with the constellations on.

The website suggests Planet Play is for 2–12-year-olds, but there really wasn’t a strict lower age limit. In fact, the toddler zone said it was for kids from age 1-3. You can leave your stroller by the entrance and there’s also an adult seating area where you can chill out while your kids run around.

Planet Play is an absolute must if you’re visiting Kennedy Space Center with kids. No doubt they’ll want to burn off some energy, so definitely allow time for one or two visits in your day.

Atlantis Slide & ISS Explore Space

Within the Atlantis building, you’ll find a really fun slide, which is ideal for bigger kids as well as adults! The slide takes you from the top floor to the bottom, telling the story of how Space Shuttle Atlantis lands on a runway. It features a steep 22-degree angle, and gives you a fun adrenaline rush (perhaps a little fraction of how the astronauts felt!)

There are safety restrictions for many attractions, and for this one you must be 38 inches tall (97cm / 3.2 ft). It’s easy to meander down the ramp if you don’t fancy the steep slide.

Within the Atlantis area you’ll also find an area of tubes you can climb through, replicating the small areas of the International Space Station. 

Are there shows for children at Kennedy Space Center?

There’s some great entertainment aimed at younger visitors. Each day, the Universe Theater hosts a show that’s specifically for children. When we visited this was called It’s a Matter of Fact . This educational show brings science and space to life through a range of really fun experiments. Kids will get to see liquid nitrogen in action, and interact with the hosts throughout.

I also saw they run a puppet show called All Systems Are Go! , but sadly it was taking a break during our visit. I’m sure younger visitors, such as our little Cooper would have loved that one though, so take a look at the daily schedule when you arrive (or check the app before visiting).

The other thing we loved during our 2-day visit to Kennedy Space Center, was the number of pop-up events! Crew members would appear at various spots (e.g. the outdoor stage, inside the Gateway Complex) and demonstrate various science experiments. They were always really fun hosts, interacting a lot with the children watching. It really brought science to life, even for us adults!

Is there a minimum height for any attractions at Kennedy Space Center?

You’ll be pleased to hear that the majority of the space center is accessible for all: babies in strollers, little ones toddling around, bigger kids, adults and those with disabilities. I was really impressed by how easy it was to get around. However, with some amazing simulators and experiences, there are a few height restrictions to be aware of. It might even be worth measuring your little ones before the day, (if you think they’re on the cusp) just to manage expectations.

There are four awesome Spaceport KSC experiences within the Gateway Complex. These are a style of simulator where you are strapped into a one-row theme park style ride, with a huge film in front of you. Cue motion, wind in your face, music and amazing visuals. It really does feel like you’re flying around space! There’s are four experiences to choose from (or you can try to get through all of them): Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet, and Uncharted Worlds . My favourite was Red Planet , where it really does feel like you’re flying to Mars and landing on the surface!

To ride on the Spaceport KSC experiences you’ll have to be a minimum height of 39 inches (99 cm / 3.2 ft)

Within the Space Shuttle Atlantis building you’ll find the Shuttle Launch Experience. This is an incredible simulator where you feel like you’re zooming to space on the shuttle! You’re strapped in and spend a lot of the ride on your back (gravity / pressure… it’s just the way things are in space!). I loved this experience and I’d definitely recommend it to families visiting Kennedy Space Center. You have to be a bit taller for this one, with a minimum height of 44 inches (112 cm / 3.6 ft).

Inside the IMAX building you’ll find HYPERDECK with its VR experience MISSION MOON. This multisensory activity is included in your entrance ticket, but you’ll need to reserve it arrival. For this immersive, virtual reality experience you wear a VR headset and hold a controller. You’re transported into an immersive world, collecting lunar minerals from your rover.

This was one of the most fun activities we took part in. The graphics are so realistic, and there are so many extra effects including wind and heat, adding to the magic of the experience. The HYPERDECK VR experience has a minimum heigh of 46 inches (117 cm / 3.8 ft).

FAQS about visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with children

Can you take your stroller to kennedy space center.

Yes, and I’d recommend it as there’s a lot of ground to cover. We switched between our baby carrier and stroller throughout the day. You can’t take a stroller on the bus to the Saturn V Center, but there’s a stroller park by the bus queue. It’s not manned, so I wouldn’t leave any valuables on the pram while you’re gone. You can also hire strollers for the day, both at the main complex and the Saturn V complex.

How does the child swap work?

When we visited the KSC Spaceport area in the Gateway Complex, we saw the words ‘child swap’ on a door. I wondered how this worked, so on day 2 we tested it out.

Essentially, you can queue as a family, but then once you reach the front, one of you can wait in this little room with kids who don’t want to go on the ride or who don’t reach the minimum height requirement. Then, once the first adult has been on the ride, they can swap over and the second adult can go straight to the front of the queue. We used this successfully and thought it was a handy option to curb wait times. Plus, it meant neither of us missed out!

Does anything cost extra?

In general, you can just pay your entrance ticket and have an incredible day or two at Kennedy Space Center. However, there are a few extra experiences to consider if you can afford it, or you / your kids are space mad.

Chat with an Astronaut

We booked this experience and loved it. It’s an informal experience where you sit at big round tables, eat some snacks from a buffet, and ask the astronaut anything. Our session was with Tony Antonelli, who was really engaging and inspiring. It never gets boring listening to someone who has actually been to space! There were lots of kids between the ages of 5-12 in the audience, and they loved asking questions about space travel.

Launch Viewing Tickets

If you’re lucky enough to be in the area when there’s a rocket launch planned, you could book a ticket to view it from NASA itself!

Astronaut Training Experience

If we’d had longer, I’d have loved to book one of these experiences. In the special training program, adults and children age 10 and up get the chance to launch a mission, land and walk on Mars, as well as experience microgravity. The VR simulators are incredible, and will really make you feel like you’ve left Planet Earth for a while!

Mars Base 1

This is a special program within the Astronaut Training Experience with a focus on Mars. For this one, you’ll travel to Mars to work for the day at Mars Base 1. You’ll get to harvest plants in the Plant Lab, program robots to optimize solar energy as well as lots of other cool space tasks.

What food is available?

The one thing I’d mark the park down for is the quality of the food. There’s basic fast food, a Starbucks, and a take away bar serving bowls of rice and noodles. None of it felt like top quality food, and there wasn’t a huge variety as you’d find in Orlando’s top theme parks. Interestingly, you can take your own food into the park, so I’d recommend that if you’re a family on a budget. We also took snacks for our one-year-old and were very glad we did.

The one thing I’d recommend trying are Space Dots! These novelty ice cream balls are really yummy and one pot is easily big enough to share between a family.

Where should I stay if I’m visiting?

We booked a night at the Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center . Around 10 minutes by car from the complex, it was an ideal location to maximise our time in the park. The hotel was clean and smart, with a quirky space theme.

We loved the astronaut light projector in the bedroom, which made it look like the ceiling was covered in twinkly stars! The rooftop bar was also a great spot. What better spot to watch a rocket launch from.

Where else should I visit?

We sandwiched our time at the space center with a few days on two beach areas: New Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach (on the Space Coast).

They’re both close by, but have very different vibes. New Smyrna Beach is a beautiful hippy area, with cute boutiques, art galleries, a surf vibe, lots of outdoor dining options and a beach you can drive on. Smyrna Dunes Park is close by, famous for its boardwalks, pristine beaches and gopher tortoises.

Cocoa Beach is a little more built up, but still has a great beach. I’d recommend a trip to the historic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for cocktails, a spot of shopping at Ron Jon Surf Shop (the largest surf shop in the world) and a boat tour to see dolphins and manatees. You can read about the best things to do in Cocoa Beach here .

I hope this guide has helped you plan your time at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email. I hope you have the most amazing family day out.

Find out more about visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex here . Also, a big thanks to VISIT FLORIDA for hosting us on this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for information to make the most of your time in the Sunshine State, don’t miss my Florida travel guides:

• 17 Cool And Unique Hotels in Florida
• The Ultimate Holiday Travel Guide To Miami, Florida
• 16 Amazing Things To Do In Fort Myers, Sanibel + Captiva, Florida
• 16 Amazing Things To Do In Cocoa Beach
• 17 Romantic Things To Do In Orlando For Couples
• 48 Hours In St Petersburg & St Pete Beach, Florida: Top Things To Do
• Crystal River and Pasco County, Florida: A 3-Day Travel Guide
• Florida Food Scene: Best Restaurants In Tampa, St Petersburg, Pasco County And Crystal River
• 9 Things To Do In Stuart, Martin County, Florida
• The Ultimate Travel Guide To Martin County, Florida

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center Tours

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Kennedy space center visitor complex is an out-of-this-world destination not to be missed.

Welcome to the home of One Small Step for Man. In simple terms, the Kennedy Space Center is one of the most essential – and thrilling – attractions in Florida, and planning a visit during your time in Orlando is a must-do.

Our guide to Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center Tours

The Kennedy Space Center offers the past, present and future of the space program and puts visitors front and center in the whole experience like never before.

Seeing is believing, and you will believe you have been transported to the cutting edge of space exploration through a series of hands-on exhibits, movies, and presentations, including a daily Astronaut Encounter with one of the modern heroes of NASA’s operations.

There is SO much to see here, you will definitely need all day to take it all in and a Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center Tour is the perfect way to indulge your inner astronaut! All tour options included an experienced guide and return transportation from Orlando (approximately 60 miles away).

There are four tours to choose from:

• Real Florida Adventures #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour  - Enjoy an action-packed visit to the Kennedy Space Center including return transport from Orlando and the services of a professional guide.
• Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center with Airboat - Combine your Kennedy Space Center Adventure Tour with the thrills of an airboat ride and the chance to enjoy some of the real, natural Florida.
• Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center Transport Only - A great option for those that already have a Kennedy Space Center Ticket and would prefer not to drive from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center.

Pick-up Time & Schedule:

• Margaritaville Resort at 7:15am (Banquet and Event Entrance, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee FL 34747)
• Golden Corral Restaurant LBV at 7.30am (8707 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821)
• Orlando Star Flyer at Icon Park at 8am (8265 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819)

Around 12 hours in total.

Real Florida Adventures Kennedy Space Center Tours Reviews

Average 4.7 out of 5.

Fantastic being dropped and collected at the door.

Trusted Customer reviewed Kennedy Space Center with Transportation 13 Jan, 2020

As before. I have already answered this question

Clive Lockyer reviewed Kennedy Space Center with Transportation 19 Dec, 2019

Had a good tour driver was very good bus on time too

Katrina Salter reviewed Kennedy Space Center with Transportation 08 Dec, 2019

Very good, guide on the tour was excellent

Russell Tremain reviewed Kennedy Space Center with Transportation 26 Nov, 2019

Trusted Customer reviewed Kennedy Space Center with Transportation 25 Nov, 2019

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10 Things To Do In Cocoa Beach: Complete Guide To This Sunny Florida City

C ocoa Beach might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about places to visit in the Sunshine State, but this chic seaside location does have a lot to intrigue newcomers. It is sun, sand, and surf galore in this Space Coast beach town, famous for its surfing opportunities, which nurtured the highly decorated multiple world champion Kelly Slater .

Water-based activities highlight the main draws in Cocoa Beach, with kayaking tours, boating excursions, and fishing expeditions promising newcomers a remarkable holiday experience. The beaches, pristine and teeming with marine creatures, are perfect for lounging and soaking in the sun while watching some of the best surfers in the country perfect their craft.

Away from the water, Cocoa Beach is also a getaway to the Kennedy Space Center, a hub for space enthusiasts, and its beachfront dining, featuring fresh seafood and refreshing cocktails, will delight any foodie out there. Here’s what to expect from one of the most underrated beach towns in Florida .

Things To Do in Cocoa Beach

From surfing on its calm, consistent waves and enjoying sweeping views of the Atlantic from its pier to dreaming of space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center, travelers are in for a delightful experience. Below are the top things to do in this fascinating Florida summer destination .

Related: Scenic & Serene: 10 Prettiest Beaches In Florida

Stroll Through The Cocoa Beach Pier

Cocoa Beach Pier is an iconic landmark that embodies the upbeat vibe tourists can expect in this charming city. Family-friendly, with dramatic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, the pier is a bustling hub of activities, hosting a mix of shops, restaurants, and bars that make for the perfect fun day outside.

The pier stretches about 800 feet above the clear waters of the sea and is one of the most sought-after spots in the town, welcoming over one million visitors annually . Guests can jam to the live music on the pier, partake in a beach volleyball game, or jump into the water for fun activities like swimming or surfing.

• Admission : Free
• Hours : Sun to Thur (11 am – 9 pm), Fri & Sat (11 am – 1 0 pm)

Cocoa Beach Pier is an excellent fishing spot, hosting a wide variety of species, such as redfish, snapper, wahoo, bluefish, and whiting. For a small fee ($5), anglers can rent equipment ($20) and showcase their skills.

Discover The Area’s Past At The Historic Cocoa Village

History aficionados will have an exciting experience roaming the charming downtown Cocoa City. Located just under 10 miles inland, historic Cocoa Village welcomes visitors to explore its 19th-century heritage, highlighted by colorful historic buildings lining its peaceful alleys and artisanal stores with cute souvenirs.

The streets also host galleries, shopping venues, and several quaint restaurants worth stopping by. Don’t forget to catch a live show at the iconic Cocoa Village Playhouse or attend one of the many festivals at this scenic location overlooking the Indian River Lagoon.

Several buildings in Cocoa Village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Porcher House and Cocoa Village Playhouse , making them a must-visit for history buffs.

Related: This Might Be The Best (Historic & Beachy) Small Town In Florida

Check Out The Florida Surf Museum

America’s East Coast is renowned for its surfing opportunities and Cocoa Beach has produced some of the best surfers in the world. At the Florida Surf Museum, housed in the Ron Jon Watersport building, vacationers get a glimpse into the history of the vibrant surfing culture on the East Coast.

The modest museum was established in 1999 with barely anything to showcase but has grown through the years and exhibits various artifacts and old surfboards today. Guests will also learn about the roots, evolution of the sport, and surfing legends from the area through old photographs, magazines, videos, and other interesting exhibits.

• Hours : 9 am – 5 pm, daily

Florida Surf Museum is located right next door the Ron Jon’s 24-hour surf shop, which is an excellent follow-up activity after going through the exhibits in the small museum.

Hang Out At The Lori Wilson Park

This sprawling 32-acre nature park on North Atlantic Avenue offers tourists an attractive outdoor space perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Lori Wilson Park is home to a forested area, scenic boardwalks, and isolated nature trails where travelers can take their canine companions for a refreshing walk.

The atmosphere is simply serene, with a cool sea breeze and panoramic views of the Atlantic. Guests can choose from several entertaining activities to keep busy at the park, including wading in the shallow beach waters, lounging on the soft sand dune area, or playing a game of beach volleyball on the shores.

• Hours : 7 am – 7 pm

Pet owners can bring their furry friends to the dog-friendly Lori Wilson Park for a fun time outdoors and let them interact with their own kind at the on-site dog park.

Get Intrigued At The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is about a 40-minute drive from Cocoa Beach on Merritt Island and will be an excellent day trip for any space enthusiast in the city. The iconic facility hosts diverse educational and historical exhibits that chronicle the rich legacy of America’s space exploration pursuits.

Highlights include the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the real Gemini 9 and Sigma 7 capsules, and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which honors the country’s space travel heroes. Visitors will also be in awe of the interactive simulations, which offer visitors the illusion of being in space, and the IMAX theater.

• Admission : Adults $75, Kids $65

There is much to see and do at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and guests can expect a full-day experience.

Learn To Surf At The Ron Jon Surf School & Shop

Travelers looking to polish up their surfing skills and take advantage of the incredible surf opportunities in Cocoa Beach can head to the Ron Jon Surf School & Shop , just off North Atlantic Avenue. Both are housed in the same building, and the expansive stores sell all kinds of surfing merchandise, including surfboards, swimsuits, water shoes, and more.

The school was launched in 1993 and guests can get quality lessons from top surfers in the state. Additionally, the school hosts a surf camp for kids between 7 and 17 years, where they learn about kiteboarding and stand-up paddleboarding.

• Hours : 9 am – 11 pm

Surf lessons cost $65 per person for a 1-hour session or $95 for a 2-hour session. Group lessons are priced at $50 or $75 per person for 1-hour or 2-hour sessions respectively.

Visit The Dinosaur Store And Museum

The Dinosaur Store and Museum is an excellent attraction for vacationing families in Cocoa Beach. It started in 1996 as a small shop but has expanded to feature a lovely museum and an exciting adventure zone. The facility hosts a vast collection of fossils and ancient minerals guaranteed to catch every eye in the building.

These include unique finds like Tyrannosaurid teeth dating 75 million years ago or Pachycephalosaur toes that have been around for 65 million years. The Adventure Zone is packed with awesome interactive showcases tailored to kid’s entertainment, offering the opportunity to enjoy boat rides, pan for minerals, play arcade games, and even see live animals.

• Admission : Museum (Adults $16, Kids $12), Adventure Zone ($12 per person), Combo (Adults $26, Kids $22)
• Hours : Mon to Sat (10 am – 5 pm), Sun (12 – 5 pm), closed on Tue

Don’t forget to stop by the on-site gift shop at the Dinosaur Store and Museum for a cute souvenir to take home.

Take In The Scenes From The Top Of Exploration Tower

Situated on Port Canaveral Jetty Park, Exploration Tower is not only an architectural marvel with gorgeous features but also an activity-filled attraction that will keep visitors preoccupied for the whole day. The seven-story structure was designed to resemble a ship’s sail waving in the wind, akin to the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

On its first floor, guests will find an information desk, souvenir shop, and small café, while the second floor features a discovery center with diverse exhibits focusing on European settlers, local wildlife, and indigenous tribes.

Climbing to the third floor, a world-class movie theater awaits, and at the very top of the building is an observation tower that spoils visitors with dramatic scenes of the surrounding region.

• Admission : $10
• Hours : 10 am – 5 pm

The Exploration Tower is closed due to maintenance as of September 2023.

Unwind At The Cocoa Beach Wellness Center

After a long day of touring the city and exploring its diverse adventures, the Cocoa Beach Wellness Center is the perfect spot to rest, recover, and rejuvenate. This tranquil facility, located smack dab in the middle of downtown, provides amazing healing therapies using natural laws.

Tourists can benefit from all manner of treatments, including massages, acupuncture, detox, facials, and hot stone therapy.

• Hours : Mon to Sat (10 am – 6 pm), Sun (1 pm – 6 pm)

The cost of services varies depending on the procedure or treatment offered. For instance, a deep tissue massage lasting half an hour costs $40. Visit the official website for more information.

Take A Day Trip To Melbourne

A sweet escape from Cocoa Beach, Melbourne offers a delightful day trip for travelers who want a change of scenery. The relaxed beach town sits about 30 minutes to the southwest of the city, boasting a picturesque shoreline and quaint cafes and shops worth exploring.

For beachgoers, Melbourne, which is just across the Indian River, is one of the best beaches on Florida’s East Coast .

Those who prefer isolated locations will fancy its laid-back vibe without rowdy crowds. Another highlight is the Sebastian Inlet, which beckons fishermen and surfers with its rich water-based activities.

Don’t forget to visit Brevard Zoo while in Melbourne. The property spans 75 acres and hosts over 900 animals representing species from all over the world.

Related: Sunshine State: 10 Best Beaches In Florida To Visit In The Summer

Best Time To Visit Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach enjoys sunny weather for a huge chunk of the year, making it pleasant a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit this charming coastal town is spring. The weather is warm, with temperatures ranging between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This period sees a sizable crowd visiting the town to make the most of the ideal beach weather.

Schedule accommodation arrangements well in advance to skip last-minute hassles.

For those looking to skip the crowds, fall presents a wonderful time and Cocoa Beach is among the best beach towns in Florida for a fall vacation . This is also a slow season for tourists, so great deals for accommodation and flights abound.

Warm-weather travelers looking for a festive atmosphere can join other beachgoers in summer, which is a pretty busy season in Cocoa Beach. The conditions are perfect for the diverse water-based fun in the town, with kayaking, swimming, surfing, and boating highlighting the top activities.

Finally, the not-so-cold season (in Cocoa Beach) lures a decent number of visitors, with winter birds perching in the town for the 70 to 75-degree weather. Additionally, the town hosts remarkable holiday events, including a Christmas parade and a Boat Parade.

How To Get Around Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a relatively small town, so travelers should have no issues getting from point A to B. Conveniently, there are many options to get around.

Those who fancy car-free vacations will find the modest town of Cocoa Beach quite pedestrian-friendly. The Cocoa Beach Pier and downtown district are perfect for exploring on foot. The same is true for the historic Cocoa Village, where visitors can uncover fascinating historical gems.

There are multiple car rental agencies right next to the beach, which guarantees first-timers quick access to a set of wheels. This is an excellent option for day-trippers who’d like to venture beyond the town limits and head to attractions like Exploration Tower and the town of Melbourne.

And with Orlando being just an hour’s drive away, it makes for one of the best road trips to O-Town and back .

Public transportation

For a cheaper way to traverse Cocoa Beach, visitors can try the public transit system, with Space Coast Area Transit operating bus routes to different parts of the town. The only thing is that the routes are circuitous and can be very time-consuming.

• Fares : Adults $1.25, Seniors & Student $.60

Alternatively, the Cocoa Beach Trolley runs up and down Florida’s scenic AIA highway , ferrying passengers between Shephard Park and Exploration Tower.

• Fares : Adults $1.50, Seniors & Students $.70
• Schedule : Mon to Sat (6 pm – 11 pm), Sun (7:45 am – 5:40 pm)

Related: 10 Amazing Florida Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

Where To Stay In And Around Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach offers guests a wide variety of accommodation options. From some of the most luxurious beachside resorts in the state to more affordable B&Bs, there is something to cater to all budgets and preferences. These are spread out in different neighborhoods in the town, each with its own vibe and attraction:

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is perfect for tourists who like to be close to the beautiful shores of the town. It hosts numerous beachside hotels and vacation rentals, with the vibrant Cocoa Beach Pier highlighting the main attractions in the area.

Cape Canaveral

Situated a couple of miles north of Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral is an excellent option for space enthusiasts and prospective astronauts, as it puts vacationers within striking distance of the Kennedy Space Center. It also offers access to beautiful beaches and houses various beachfront hotels.

Satellite Beach

Satellite Beach is another gorgeous location just south of the Patrick Space Force Base and is a great alternative to Cocoa Beach for those who prefer secluded spaces. Day trippers will also like that it is close to other beautiful small towns in Florida like Melbourne and Indian Harbor Beach.

For a great night’s sleep, here are the best hotels to check out in Cocoa Beach:

Luxury options:

Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

• Address : 2080 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
• Rates per night: $290
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Beachfront, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Business center

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Port Canaveral

• Address : 9009 Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
• Rates per night: $221
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee machine, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Flat-screen TV

Mid-range options:

Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites

• Address : 5600 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-3920
• Rates per night: $208
• Amenities : Outdoor pool, Beachfront, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

• Address : 1550 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-3268
• Rates per night : $209
• Amenities : Private beach, Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Coffee shop, Valet parking

Budget options:

Anthony's on the Beach

• Address : 3499 South Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
• Rates per night : $148
• Amenities : Beachfront, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Free parking, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Flat-screen TV, Cable or satellite TV, Internet

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral

• Address : 1275 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
• Rates per night : $139
• Amenities : Snorkeling, Outdoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Coffee machine, Free parking, Business center, Wi-Fi available in all areas

Related: 10 Best Places To Stay For Breakfast In Key West For a Heavenly Morning Experience

Where To Eat In Cocoa Beach

Numerous beachside cafes and restaurants around Cocoa Beach treat visitors to sumptuous servings of fresh seafood to tempt their taste buds. The nighttime brings even more vibrancy to the town as night owls gather at different bars and taverns to sample the local nightlife.

Breakfast :

The Sunrise Diner

• Address : 365 W Cocoa Beach Cswy, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-3531
• Hours : 6 am – 9 pm

Lunch & dinner:

Long Doggers

• Address : Rt. 520 intersection, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-3532
• Hours : Sun to Thur (10: 30 am – 9:30 pm), Fri & Sat (10:30 am – 10:30 pm)

Coconuts On The Beach

• Address : 25 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-2713
• Hours : Sun to Thur (11 am – 11 pm), Fri & Sat (11 am – 2 am)

Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill

• Address : 480 W Cocoa Beach Cswy, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931-3578
• Hours : 11 am – 10 pm, daily

How To Spend The Perfect Day In Cocoa Beach

Start the day at the beautiful shores of Cocoa Beach, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and taking the breathtaking scenery of the Atlantic. Enjoy a short swim or bask on the sand dunes before strolling through the vibrant Cocoa Beach Pier. Hunt for a souvenir at the different shops on the pier or pop into a café for a cup of coffee and snacks.

Later, head to downtown Cocoa Beach to explore the laid-back town, making sure to roam around the historic Cocoa Village. After admiring the hidden historical gems in the quaint neighborhood, grab a quick lunch in one of downtown’s restaurants.

Take a short while to relax in the serene atmosphere of Lori Wilson Park or walk along its isolated trails. Then, stop by the Florida Surf Museum to learn about Florida’s surfing culture. In the same building, move to Ron Jon Surf School & Shop to enroll for a brief surfing lesson and rent the necessary gear.

After the fun in the water, take a trip to Cape Canaveral, climbing up the Exploration Tower to check out the many attractions it houses and enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings. Dedicate the rest of the afternoon to exploring the Kennedy Space Center and get inspired by American heroes who led the way in space exploration.

Finally, head back to town for dinner at Coconuts On The Beach, and follow this up with cocktails till late before calling it a day.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex launches trade-only discount

UK agents can take advantage of an exclusive, trade-only offer at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this summer. Agents with clients holidaying in Florida between now and 30 August 2024 can book adults’ tickets at kids’ prices, saving them US$10 per adult.

For the child price of just US$65 per person for one-day admission, guests can experience the thrill of space exploration and unearth the mysteries of the universe at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. From interactive exhibits to thrilling simulations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The discounted, summer offer is available for agents to book via Attraction World (www.attractionworld.com), Do Something Different (www.dosomethingdifferent.com) and selected UK tour operators.In addition to the out-of-this-world attractions and exhibits available to visitors year-round, guests who come to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this summer have the opportunity to catch one or more of the special events taking place at the visitor complex between May and August. Summer events include:

• 24 – 27 May & 4 – 7 July 2024: To celebrate the US Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will put on games and activities in the Atlantis Pavilion including mini golf, popular US lawn game, “cornhole”, and giant four in a row game plus a party tower with speakers playing music.

• 2 June 202 4: Guest have the opportunity to hear from veteran astronauts and true pioneers of space exploration, David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins, following their induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Hosted in the captivating Universe Theater, the event will commence at 11 a.m. and extend for 30 minutes, followed by a Q&A session and photo opportunity.
• 10 June 2024: Visitors can enjoy presentations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from veteran astronauts Joan Higginbotham and Julie Payette, who will share their space stories and talk about how NASA worked together with the Canadian space agency. They will be available for photos after their presentation.

• 25 & 26 June 2024: On the anniversary of Sally Ride’s first space mission (June 1983), which made her the first American woman in space, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is holding two “Women in Space” panel discussions, featuring other trailblazing women in the space industry. Guests will hear from Susan Kilrain, Barbara Morgan and Nicole Stott on 25 June and Susan Kilrain and Barbara Morgan on 26 June (2 p.m. and 4 p.m.). After the presentations, guests will have the opportunity to get a photo with the astronauts.

• 19, 20 & 21 July 2024:  In celebration of the 55 th  anniversary of Apollo 11’s successful landing on the moon, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is holding a  Moon Festival . An unforgettable experience for all ages, guests will be able to learn about the historic Apollo Missions as well as the current and future Artemis Missions to the moon. Festival activities will include space-themed arts and crafts, Apollo and Artemis presentations, photo opportunities with the moon rover at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, performances from comedy space duo, “Astro and Orbit,” showings of an Apollo 11 short film, and a silent DJ session on the bottom floor of Atlantis.  Guests will also take home a commemorative pin.
• 2 – 4 August 2024:   Aviation Weekend celebrates the remarkable journeys of astronaut pilots and, as part of the festivities, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting a Pilot’s Round Table featuring astronaut pilots sharing their stories of reaching for the skies – what they did before becoming astronauts and how they embarked on their path as pilots.

The event will also feature a paper aeroplane-making station on the bottom floor of Atlantis, where visitors can craft their own aeroplane and participate in a friendly competition, judged by veteran astronauts, to see whose plane flies the farthest. Winners will take home prizes and have the chance to get a photo with the astronauts and their winning plane.

DJ Steve will be on hand for the end of the season block party, in front of Atlantis from noon to 4pm and the fun activity area will include mini golf, the lawn game, “cornhole” and giant four in a row game.

• 31 August 2024:   Kennedy Under the Stars , is a special, adults-only, out of hours event (18:30– 22:00), where guests can maximise on short queue times for their favourite attractions, including Heroes & Legends, Gateway and Spaceport KSC, Hyperdeck, Journey to Mars, Space Shuttle Atlantis ® , including the Shuttle Launch Experience, the Space Shop, and astronaut meet and greets.  The night will be one to remember with a video DJ, techno glow party and other entertainment. Guests are invited to wear their favourite space themed outfits.

Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open daily at 9am. Single-day admission is $75 per adult/$65 per child plus tax, and the two-day ticket is $89 per adult/$79 per child.

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Happy National Space Day 2024! Here's how 8 lucky kids can win a trip to Florida's Space Coast

For National Space Day, SpaceKids Global announces a competition to send eight kids to Florida for an adventure at Blue Origin and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

It's National Space Day, and also the start of a nationwide competition to send lucky eight kids to Florida for the space adventure of a lifetime!

SpaceKids Global, which focuses on teaching students in elementary school and getting them excited about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics), created the National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition which will be quite an experience! 

Eight students who enter the competition will be selected to fly to Florida and make stops at Blue Origin's Rocket Park manufacturing facility and NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and get training on how to be a reporter!

Related: How to become an astronaut

"Our mission at SpaceKids is to reach children at a young age and get them excited about all of the careers available in the space industry," Sharon Hagle, Founder of SpaceKids Global and a former private spaceflyer on a Blue Origin tourist flight , said in a release. "We are bringing the possibility of space to kids everywhere with opportunities like the SpaceKids Press Squad.

"My flight to space alongside my husband, Marc, was life-changing, and we can't wait for these eight lucky kids to experience an out-of-this-world adventure, too! We hope to inspire a new generation of space explorers and future leaders to pursue STEAM careers," Hagle continued.

Here's the details of what each winner will receive if selected:

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• A SpaceKids Press Squad course before the trip to learn interview skills by a professional reporter
• Two round-trip coach airfare tickets for each child and their guardian to Orlando, Florida including two nights of hotel accommodations 
• Round-trip ground transportation to and from Orlando International Airport and while on the Space Coast 
• A tour of Blue Origin's Rocket Park including an opportunity to interview space professionals and, schedules permitting, watch a live webcast of a New Shepard rocket launch 
• Visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex 

Between now and Friday, June 14 at 12:00 a.m. EST, parents and guardians can nominate a child here between the ages of eight and 12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools. Semi-finalists will be announced on Friday, June 28, and will have to submit a 60-second video to head to the finals by Friday, July 12 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The eight winners will be revealed on Friday, August 2 and will include one from an active-duty military family, one from an active-duty first responder family, one member of a Boys & Girls Club, and five others across the United States. 

"We are excited to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a child from our first responder community," Jillian Crane, president and CEO of First Responders Children's Foundation, said in the release. "This experience would not be possible without the innovative work of Sharon Hagle and SpaceKids Global. We are thrilled to partner on this mission and are excited to commence the countdown to the opening of this application."

—   Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches 6 people to space in fourth crewed flight

 —  Blue Origin will return husband-and-wife passengers to suborbital space

— Blue Origin will launch Ed Dwight, the 1st-ever Black astronaut candidate, to space on next New Shepard rocket flight

The SpaceKids Press Squad contest is a joint effort with Blue Origin's nonprofit, Club for the Future , whose mission is to inspire and engage future generations to pursue STEAM careers.

"At the core of our mission is removing obstacles that too often separate underserved children from formative STEM experiences," Jamie Merrill, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida , also said in the release. "We're grateful to SpaceKids for providing this thrilling opportunity to one of our deserving Club members." 

More details on the contest rules and requirements to enter are available on the contest website .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Meredith is a regional Murrow award-winning Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and science/space correspondent. She most recently was a Freelance Meteorologist for NY 1 in New York City & the 19 First Alert Weather Team in Cleveland. A self-described "Rocket Girl," Meredith's personal and professional work has drawn recognition over the last decade, including the inaugural Valparaiso University Alumni Association First Decade Achievement Award, two special reports in News 12's Climate Special "Saving Our Shores" that won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple Fair Media Council Folio & Press Club of Long Island awards for meteorology & reporting, and a Long Island Business News & NYC TV Week "40 Under 40" Award.

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Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

Follow florida today's space team for news and updates at floridatoday.com/space.

Florida's Space Coast is the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where a record-breaking 72 orbital launches took flight last year.

But with 32 rockets lifting off by the end of April, this year's speedier cadence projects out to a new annual record of 96 launches. Will that pace hold through the rest of 2024? Stay tuned.

SpaceX accounted for 30 of those first 32 launches of the year. United Launch Alliance launched the other two rockets:  the first Vulcan on its Jan. 8 certification mission  and  the last Delta IV Heavy on April 9 on the NROL-70 mission .

Following are the latest missions coming up from Cape Canaveral. All launches are listed in Eastern Daylight Time. Be aware: Dates and times are routinely subject to change for a variety of reasons.

For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at [email protected]. For more space news, visit floridatoday.com/space .

Sunday, May 12: SpaceX Starlink

A National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning includes a SpaceX Starlink mission window that will open Sunday night:

• Mission:  A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• Launch window: 8:11 p.m. to 12:42 a.m. Monday
• Location:  Launch Complex 40.
• Trajectory:  Southeast.
• Local sonic boom: No.
• Booster landing:  Drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean.
• Live coverage:  Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at  floridatoday.com/space .

No earlier than Friday, May 17: NASA’s Boeing Starliner crewed flight test

• Mission:   NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will fly aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft and a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station.
• Launch: TBA (postponed after a Monday scrub).
• Location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• Trajectory: Northeast.
• Live coverage:  Starts at 4:30 p.m. at  floridatoday.com/space .

Tuesday, June 25: SpaceX Falcon Heavy GOES-U

• Mission:  NOAA’s last GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) spacecraft, which will monitor weather and environmental phenomena, will launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
• Launch: TBA.
• Location: Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Thursday, Oct. 10: SpaceX Falcon Heavy Europa Clipper

• Mission: NASA's Europa Clipper is a solar-powered spacecraft designed to conduct the first detailed investigations of Jupiter's icy moon Europa.
• Live coverage:  Starts two hours before liftoff at  floridatoday.com/space .

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

Kennedy Space Center Honors Active and Former Service Members During Armed Forces Week

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is honoring the U.S. Military again this Armed Forces Week, offering active and former service members complimentary admission, with a discount offer for up to four of their guests.

What’s Happening:

• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will honor all those who currently serve or who have served in the United States Armed Forces with complimentary admission and a 50 percent discount for up to four guests during Armed Forces Week, May 13 – May 19, 2024.
• Service members will also receive a special 10 percent discount at The Space Shop.
• U.S. service members can purchase tickets on-site at Will Call or Information. Those participating must verify status in-person with an active duty military ID, retired military ID, a valid driver’s license with veteran classification, a Choose VA veteran’s ID Card, or DD214 documentation to redeem the offer.

• Each year guests from around the world experience their very own space adventure by exploring the exciting past, present and future of America’s space program at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Built in 1967, today the visitor complex is one of Central Florida’s most popular tourist destinations.
• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is also home to the  Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame presented by Boeing. It reflects on the early years of the space program to explore the concept of heroism and the qualities that define the individuals who inspired their generation.
• There is also a strong focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration in one of the newest experiences at the complex, where guests visiting Gateway can experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating everything happening right now within the space program. It features a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a “journey” through space, and more.