There is one place on Earth where humans can get as close to outer space as possible without ever leaving the planet.
A world-class educational attraction and the centerpiece of Florida’s fascinating Space Coast, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an experience beyond imagination. Visitors can see up close real artifacts that were launched into space, meet veteran NASA astronauts, feel the roar of real rocket launches and much more.
“There are very few places in the world where a visitor can step back in time, surrounded by real objects from the present, and get a scientific look at the future of space exploration and interplanetary travel,” said Therrin Protze, director of operations for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
"The visitor complex offers all of this and more through authentic and original experiences, exhibits, artifacts and activities that immerse visitors in the real side of space exploration. We also offer visitors the opportunity to take advantage of special programs included with admission and to interact daily with veteran NASA astronauts, hearing their exciting stories and learning about their experiences."
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has received rave reviews from top media outlets and other organizations, and was recently named one of the Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
According to Tripadvisor, Google and elsewhere, visitors to the complex agree. On Tripadvisor, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is listed as the #1 Merritt Island activity, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. In addition, the visitor complex has a Google rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a multi-day educational experience based on fact, history and science. Admission includes the new Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®, All Systems Are Go!, an exciting immersive edutainment experience featuring state-of-the-art puppetry, lights, sounds and beloved Peanuts characters in the Universe Theater sponsored by Northrop Grumman; Heroes & Legends, featuring the US Astronaut Hall of Fame®, presented by Boeing®, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, Journey To Mars, space films, the Rocket Garden, Planet Play and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
2024 is a record-breaking year for launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, another compelling reason to visit. There have already been 50 launches so far this year, on track to surpass the record of 72 launches in 2023. That’s an average of one launch per week, providing frequent opportunities to see a launch during a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Several launches are complemented by special packages that ensure first-class viewing and allow for unforgettable experiences, including live commentary from experts and collectible commemorative souvenirs.
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex isn’t complete without a tour of the world’s largest space shop. The 15,000-foot-tall Space Shop is the world’s largest store dedicated to space memorabilia and NASA items, and features a vast collection of souvenirs, memorabilia and merchandise. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of NASA astronauts through the original Apollo 11 gantry on the second floor. Additional Right Stuff and Shuttle Express outlets are available at the Apollo/Saturn V Center and Space Shuttle Atlantis®.