Florida has many excellent attractions all over the State. We have seen many of them on both coasts and in the middle of the State too. If I had to choose only one every family absolutely MUST visit it would be Kennedy Space Center.
Our family comes from Russia. We launched the first sputnik, the first man into space, the first space station – it is really hard to surprise and awe me by anything related to space exploration. But Kennedy Space Center did just that. All technological advances aside, what Kennedy Space Center does best is inspire. Inspire to explore, to dare, to think out of the box, to be the better version of yourself – courageous, hard-working, creative and dedicated to a purpose.
If you are already planning your first trip to Kennedy Space Center with kids it may be a daunting task. This Kennedy Space Center review gives you all the tips you need to make the whole experience much more simple and much less stressful for the whole family.
Kennedy Space Center does not look too big or complicated on the map: a couple of pavilions, a couple of outdoor exhibitions, a couple of launch pads in the distance. If you have braved Disneyland or Disney World before, for instance, Kennedy Space Center with kids may seem like a piece of cake. Wrong assumption!
There is so much to see within each pavilion, so many movies to watch, lots of special events and meet & greets to attend – it is easy to get overwhelmed. But, don’t worry, I am here to take you through Kennedy Space Center one step at a time.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 1
The crowds at Kennedy Space Center are not as big as at Disney parks but still sizable, especially during school breaks, and there are security checkpoints at the entrance. Assuming you already have tickets (I suggest buying them online – sometimes you can get a discount for doing that), it may take about 20 minutes just to get it.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 2
Plan at least 2 days to visit Kennedy Space Center because you will not notice how time flies by. A bus tour to the launch pads and Apollo/Saturn Visitor Center is a must and it lasts at least 2 hours without stopping for food (likely more, depending on the crowds that day and how long you have to wait for the bus for each ride: to and back). You cannot walk there and back, you have to rely on tour buses and so you just sit back, relax and enjoy.
The tour is definitely worth 2 hours of your time. You will see the launch pads (photo above), the assembly building, the crawlers that bring the rockets from the assembly building to the launch pads (photo below) and so much more! The tour guide will even talk about wildlife around the Center.
Apollo/Saturn Visitor Center is huge, there are tons of things to see and do there. If you can do only 1 thing, try the rocket launch sequence where you get to experience what happens at the launch control room and what it feels like when a rocket takes off just a stone through away. Truly amazing experience!
There is a big food court in the visitor’s center so you don’t need to worry about food. If you have lunch there your tour would probably last close to 3 hours.
I suggest you do this bus tour in the morning and then plan the rest of the day depending how much time you have left.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 3
When you arrive back from the bus tour you will be dropped off next to the Shuttle Atlantis building so it makes sense to explore it next. Inside the building you can watch a short movie about the creation of the shuttle program and then see the REAL shuttle in its full glory.
This building has lots of interactive stations so take your time to explore them all: sit in the shuttle cabin, slide down from the shuttle exit, etc.
Another part of the exhibition in Shuttle Atlantis building is devoted to international space station. Again, tons of interactive opportunities – my guys loved “trying out” a potty on the space station 😉
Forever Remembered gallery is dedicated to 2 shuttle crews that never came back from their missions.
There many intriguing exhibits to see in Shuttle Atlantis building so I would say allocate another 2 hours here.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 4
By now you would have spent at least 5 hours at Kennedy Space Center so it makes sense to end the day with something relaxing like a movie at an IMAX theater. There are different ones shown throughout the day so pick and choose the one to your linking.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 5
Start the second day with reviewing the schedule of special events, movies and meet & greets with astronauts. Since you are not leaving the main part of the Kennedy Space Center today you can easily shift between special events and exhibits viewing. Thus, you can attend many of the events since you did not have an opportunity for any of them the previous day.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 6
Have a leisurely stroll through Rockets Garden. There are a couple of opportunities to climb inside the exhibits.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 7
Take your time to explore the journey to Mars and the future of NASA in Journey to Mars pavilion. One of our most favorite exhibits here was Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator designed to explore Mars surface.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 8
Most of the exhibits at Kennedy Space Center are free with admission but there are special add-on experiences you can purchase. You can find out detailed information about add-on offerings HERE. At the minimum, Cosmic Quest Badge to participate in Cosmic Quest game for kids ages 8+ is totally worth it for under $10. This time we did not have an opportunity to enjoy various add-ons but next time I definitely plan to book a lunch with an astronaut.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 9
Download a FREE Kennedy Space Center app before you go. It has maps, detailed descriptions of attractions and events and much more.
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 10
Don’t forget to stop by a gift store. I am typically not a fan of gift stores but at Kennedy Space Center there is so much great stuff and memorabilia you can buy for yourself or gifts to family and friends – it is totally worth it. 😉
Kennedy Space Center review: Tip # 11
I asked a Center employee when it is the best time to visit Kennedy Space Center and she told me that it is Christmas time. The crowds are much less and the weather is much nicer.
If you are interested in space exploration also check out Space Shuttle Endeavor in LA.
Here are other articles you may find useful for planning Florida vacation:
Things to do in Key Largo with Kids
8 Super Fun Tampa Attractions for Families
Things to do in Tampa with Kids
Things to do in Sarasota with Kids
If you found Kennedy Space Center review useful, please do me a little favor and share this information with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travel plans. 🙂 Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where I post many more cool photos and videos about our trips than I could include in a blog post, and organize some nice giveaways!
P.S. Here is a pin to save this itinerary for later:
