We don’t dream big enough. The American spirit is indomitable. Space is awe-inspiring.
Those are just a few of the things I learned from visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with my family this August.
When you enter the Complex, you are greeted by the Rocket Garden where the rockets are displayed like sculptures. Each one has a story you can learn about during a 30 minute Rocket Garden Tour. It’s a great way to kick off your visit but before you do, grab the kids and head to the Space Shop to hook them up with a Cosmic Quest badge. They can use this throughout the day to participate in different interactive, science and NASA-based adventures.
Once your kids are Cosmic Quest badged (there’s an extra charge for this, but it's worth it), head to the Space Shuttle Atlantis hall – and be prepared to spend a couple of hours there. Your visit will begin with a video that chronicles the incredible development of the US Space Shuttle program – a program that began with an impossible dream and crazy vision: a space craft that takes off like a rocket, orbits like a spaceship and lands like an airplane. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is on display in all its glory and, at least when we were there, was accompanied by a docent who helped to build it (insider tip: don’t miss the chance to speak with any person over 60 who is working at the Space Center – many of them have amazing stories to share).
Spend some time in the Forever Remembered tribute which not only recognizes, but personalizes, each of the 14 astronauts who lost their lives during space shuttle missions STS-51L/Challenger and STS-107/Columbia (bring a tissue).
Before you leave the Atlantis Hall, hop aboard the Shuttle Launch Experience to discover first-hand what a Space Shuttle launch feels like (hint: bumpy, fast and exciting).
Consider booking lunch with an astronaut where you will join a group of other guests for an extensive buffet before hearing directly from one of NASA’s finest about his experience as part of our nation’s space program.
After lunch it was on to consider the vastness of the universe and the origins of life at Eyes on the Universe, where images from the Hubble telescope will literally take your breath away. Then its Journey to Mars where kids are encouraged to open their minds and hearts to the idea that they themselves could be part of the future of space exploration. I loved contemplating the challenges that will need to be solved before a manned mission to Mars can become a reality, and hearing utter confidence of the astronauts and scientists that each of those problems will be solved and that a visit to Mars is in our not-so-distant future.
The day we visited (and I’m sorry we weren’t able to stay for two days) we had hoped to jump aboard a bus for a guided tour through the working space flight facility of Kennedy Space Center. I was looking forward to checking out the launch pads, Vehicle Assembly Building and Apollo/Saturn V Center. Unfortunately, the tour was cancelled the day we visited – a very rare occurrence and a reason for us to go back.
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an incredibly rich experience. Part history lesson, part science, part mystery, part patriotism, and 100% awe-inspiring. If you haven’t yet been, I implore you to make a visit a priority for you and your family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lny13TMwf-w
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The writer and her family were guests of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Park admission and lunch were provided. No other compensation was received and all opinions are her own.
