Most visitors spend six to eight hours exploring the attractions at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
On a bus tour, tourists can get a comprehensive overview of the major attractions at NASA’s Space Center in around two hours.
With so much to see and do, visitors wonder how they must plan their outing at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
This article shares information about all the must-see attractions at the Space Center.
Table of contents
Recommended Itinerary
- Heroes & Legends featuring the US 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
Besides the main attractions, families with younger kids can visit Planet Play, which takes around 30 minutes.
Space enthusiasts can check out the Mission Status Briefing, a half-hour activity.
For anecdotal information from the folks who have been up in space, opt for the 1-hour chat with an Astronaut.
These recommended highlights of the Kennedy Space Center are included with all the tickets and tours shared below.
| Tickets/Tours | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Admission ticket | $80.25 |
| Grayline’s bus tour from Orlando | $157 |
| City SightSeeing’s bus tour from Orlando | $159 |
| Space Center entry + Chat with an astronaut | $149 |
| Kennedy Space Center + Airboat Tour | $189 |
Must-see attractions at Kennedy Space Center
The six top attractions at Kennedy Space Center, which all visitors enjoy, are – Rocket Garden, Astronaut Encounter, Heroes & Legends, Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis, and Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted.
Rocket Garden
The Rocket Garden is one of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s most photographed attractions.
Here, guests walk among incredible, authentic rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, which pioneered America’s space exploration.
The Rocket Garden has daily guided tours, where a space expert guides you through the history of early rocket science.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Outdoor attraction
Duration: 20 minutes
Astronaut Encounter
Visitors can meet seasoned NASA astronauts daily at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
In a live presentation and question-and-answer session, commanders, pilots, mission, and payload professionals who have spent time in space discuss their experiences.
Kids who want an autograph of the Astronaut can visit Astronaut of the Day at The Space Shop or Shuttle Express.
Once you are at the venue, please check the day’s schedule for show times and autograph opportunities.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Indoor attraction
Duration: 20 minutes
Location: Universe Theatre
Heroes & Legends
Heroes and Legends at the Kennedy Space Center is the US Astronaut Hall of Fame, presented by Boeing.
Relive the thrills and perils of America’s first space flights and go on an incredible trip to inspire reflection on what it means to be a hero.
You will learn about astronaut pioneers through actual artifacts, including a Redstone rocket suspended overhead along with the Sigma 7 capsule and Gemini 9 capsule.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Indoor attraction
Duration: 45 minutes
Saturn V Rocket
At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, guests walk beneath a real Saturn V rocket.
Every human who stepped foot on the Moon launched from Kennedy Space Center atop a Saturn V rocket.
But before you can see the massive rocket, you get to see a 15-minute long movie about the making of the missile.
*To get to the exhibit, skip to the 16th minute of the video
The Saturn V Rocket arena is a massive hit with both adults and kids because it was the largest rocket ever to fly through space.
The rocket is 111 meters (363 feet) long, making it 18 meters (60 feet) longer than the Statue of Liberty.
At this must-visit part of Kennedy Space Center, you will also learn how the rocket was assembled and how more than 400,000 people helped build the massive machine.
Do not miss the daily guided tour through the rocket’s three stages.
The Apollo/Saturn V Center is only accessible via the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Indoor attraction
Duration: 35 to 45 minutes
Space Shuttle Atlantis
At this popular exhibit at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, guests see
Space Shuttle Atlantis as only astronauts have seen her.
The flying machine is rotated 43.21 degrees with payload doors open, and Canadarm extended as if just undocked from the International Space Station.
Besides the orbiter spacecraft, this part of the Visitor Center also has more than 60 interactive exhibits celebrating the history, technology, and impact of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.
Your visit to the Space Shuttle Atlantis will start with a 12-minute show before the screens split for a dramatic appearance of the reusable shuttle.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Indoor attraction
Duration: 45 minutes
Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted
At the Kennedy Space Center’s Journey to Mars, guests discover NASA’s plans to explore deep space, including Mars, asteroids, and the Moon.
Visitors can test their deep space savvy with interactive games and simulators. You also get to see replicas of Mars rovers.
Once you are at the venue, please check the show times schedule.
Admission: Included with the entry ticket
Type: Indoor attraction
Duration: 30 minutes
So, which Kennedy Space Center ticket do you plan to book?
| Tickets/Tours | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Admission ticket | $80.25 |
| Grayline’s bus tour from Orlando | $157 |
| City SightSeeing’s bus tour from Orlando | $159 |
| Space Center entry + Chat with an astronaut | $149 |
| Kennedy Space Center + Airboat Tour | $189 |
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