Planning your trip to Kennedy Space Center or wondering if it's worth it to make a trip?  Here you'll find all the ultimate travel guide, my tips to plan your trip plus honest Kennedy Space Center reviews to see if it's worth going.

Kennedy Space Center Reviews & Visitors Guide

The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex is one of the most unique things you can do when visiting Central Florida.  It's home to dozens of unique attractions that help you explore the history of space travel from its origins in the 60's to modern-day privately funded space travel.  Where else can you see a REAL space shuttle, rockets, Apollo, and Saturn V rocket?  If you are looking for a Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center Guide, travel information, and honest Kennedy Space Center reviews, you will find it here.

Kennedy Space Center has an interesting mix of historic artifacts like the space shuttle, historic tours, 3D space movies, plus interactive experiences, and even simulators.  It's kind of like a theme park for space enthusiasts!  There is a chance to go on a space shuttle simulator, which is SO realistic, and interact with real astronauts.  It is filled with inspiring stories, feel feel-good movies and is the kind of place that makes you feel like crazy dreams- like space travel - can come true.

Kennedy Space Center Reviews

Kennedy Space Center reviews can be mixed, but here is my honest assessment.  Since it's about an hour away from Orlando and carries a high ticket price... is it worth it?

I think it does! If you are a space enthusiast, have a passion for rockets, or have kids about 5 who can soak in all of the history, you will love visiting.  If you've been to Orlando and have already done Disney and are looking for something different and unique, it is worth the time and energy to go.  I love space travel and have been several times (check out my 2014 old-school blogging post)  and could still go back for more. There is also a lot included in your admission price, making it feel like you got a lot for your money.

If your kids are too young to understand, or if you don't have an interest in space travel, it's probably not for you, but otherwise, I would go!

Where is Kennedy Space Center?

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex is located on Merrit Island, Florida which is near Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach on the East coast of Florida.  It is south of Daytona Beach.  It's about an hour East of Orlando.  The official address is Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA.  If you are arriving by GPS make sure to put the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex in your system so you will get to the right spot in the center, which also has lots of land for rocket launches and operating buildings.

Kennedy Space Center Logistics:

• Hours: It's open 9-5 daily.  It's closed on Christmas Day.  The last bus tours stop 2.5 hours before closing time.
• Cost: Kennedy Space Center tickets vary but are around $75 for adults and $66.07 for kids.  There is a discount if you buy them ahead of time online.  Sometimes they run specials where children are reduced or free.  Buy tickets at the official site.
• Getting Around:  There is an app to download which has a map to help you explore.  If you have smaller kids, you'll want to bring a stroller for them.  You can bring your own or rent one there.  Older children will be fine walking as it's not as large as Disney.  My 5 year-olds were fine without a stroller.
• Time: There is a lot to do at the complex and you can easily make a whole day out of it.  I'd plan to spend 6-8 hours to do most of the things there.  If you are super short of time and just want to hit the highlights you'd need a minimum of 2-3 hours.
• Food: There are several counter-service restaurants in the complex including the Orbit Cafe with a variety of food including burgers, hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, and fries.  There are also healthier salads and vegetarian options there.  The food is decent for theme park food.  You can bring your food if you prefer in a small soft-sided cooler for a meal or just snacks.
• Best Times to Go: Like the other Orlando area attractions, Kennedy Space Center can get very busy on weekends and school holidays.  The best way to avoid a crowd is visiting mid-week in the off-season.  It can be very hot there in the summer, so visiting during the cooler months of October to April can also be helpful. Go early in the morning when they open to beat the crowds.

Must See Attractions at Kennedy Space Center

Space Shuttle Atlantis and Shuttle Launch Experience

One of the top things to see at Kennedy Space Center visitors center is the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Shuttle Launch experience.  It's home to the real retired Shuttle Atlantis, which is one of only three space-flown orbiters that are on display in the US.  I saw one of the other ones here!

There is a cool introduction movie to the space shuttle, which opens up to a huge area where the shuttle is displayed and is home to all sorts of interactive exhibits for the kids.

The kids an pretend to fly the shuttle and interact with all sorts of games.

There's also a huge slide and tunnel they can go through.  For the adults, all of this has all sorts of history and learning thrown in.

The other top exhibit in this area is the Shuttle Launch Experience with a simulator that makes you feel like you are part of the shuttle launch.  There are all sorts of warnings before you get on, to the point I was worried about my 5-year-olds, but it was perfect for them and they loved it!  One of them even had motion sickness, and he didn't have a problem.

It's a fabulous experience that brings space travel to life for kids of all ages and is one of the top reasons for these positive Kennedy Space Center reviews.

Apollo/Saturn V Center

The second must-see attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center is the Apollo/ Saturn V Center.  It was so cool to see how space travel changed from its origins in the '60s to the space shuttle program.  The exhibit starts with another movie showing the original Mission Control Center for the Apollo V mission and the actual Saturn V rocket itself.

This area is super interesting and made an impression on my kids who still talk about the Saturn V rocket months later.  They even loved seeing this which was used in a moon landing.

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Another big highlight of the Kennedy Space Center is the bus tour that takes you around the grounds and shows you actual launch pad sites and where they assemble spacecraft, even now.  It's in a cozy air-conditioned bus and everyone loved giving their legs a break and learning some history.

Rocket Garden Guided Tours

The Rocket Garden is another fun place for kids and adults to explore that includes moon rockets from NASA's Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.  They offer seasonal tours.

There are also interactive areas for kids around the attraction.

LEGO Build to Launch

Another highlight for us at Kennedy Space Center was the amazing LEGO builds that looked like rockets! My LEGO-loving kids were impressed.

Planet Play

If you are wondering if there are things for kids to do at Kennedy Space Center?  Yes!  There are interactive exhibits mixed in each area and there is a special playground area for the kids called Planet Play.  It has climbing, slides, and more.

Other Fun Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Attractions

• Heroes and Legends featuring US Astronaut Hall of Fame - A museum honoring all American astronauts from Mercury to the Space Shuttle Program.
• All Systems Go - Another fun interactive area for kids featuring Peanuts Characters.
• Chat with An astronaut - For an additional charge you can pay to have lunch or breakfast with a real astronaut!
• Astronaut Encounter - A free program where you can chat with a real astronaut.
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex- An area of the center that explores where space travel is going in the future and how they are now pairing with commercial partners.  This area includes the Journey to Mars - Where you can see real Mars Rover replicas and see if you'd make it as a recruit to go to Mars.
• IMAX Theater - The Kennedy Space Center is home to an IMAX theater and the space movies are included in your addition.  It's a great way to rest, be in the air conditioning, and take a break during the day.
• Gift Shops - The gift shops are another fun place for space enthusiasts to stop! I got my NASA sweatshirt here.

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex Tips

• Go early in the day because, like all Orlando area attractions, it can get busy.
• Visit the most popular attractions, including the bus tour traveling to the Apollo/ Saturn V center first thing first because the wait times can get very long, sometimes up to 90 minutes to get on the bus.  This entire process of doing the bus tour and exploring the Saturn V area can take 2-3 hours to plan accordingly. There is a cafe at the Saturn V Center, so you can eat over there if it makes sense at the time of your day.
• Download the KSC App before you go because it has maps and show times.
• Look around the Kennedy Space Center website before you and plan what you want to do ahead of time.  I found it kind of confusing when you get there without much information.  There is a lot you can miss in big buildings if you don't know what is there.
• Buy your tickets online ahead of time so you don't have to wait in the ticket line.
• Give yourself a full day to explore KSC!  Even in a full day, you will not fit it all in
• Kennedy Space Center Launches still happen!  SpaceX launches around 100 times a year, so if you time it right you can line up your trip to Kennedy Space Center with a rocket launch.  Check out the full event and rocket launch schedule here.
• There is fun stuff for kids! Don't be afraid to take kids here.  The entire complex is filled with interactive exhibits and hidden gems for kids.  We LOVED these slides found in the space shuttle complex.

Honest Kennedy Space Center Reviews

I honestly LOVE Kennedy Space Center.  These Kennedy Space Center reviews are positive because the center brings to life these periods so well! The entire complex is filled with inspiring, feel-good stories that will make you feel like you want to travel to the moon too.

I love how they do a great job of balancing the historical facts for adults, while weaving in play and interactive areas for kids, making it fun for the entire family.

Sure, it might not be as flashy as the Mouse, but if you love space travel at all, it would be a fabulous addition to your Central Florida vacation.

More Attraction Reviews

• Georiga Aquarium Review & Tips
• Zoo Atlanta Guide and Tips
• South Carolina Aquarium Review
• Riverbanks Zoo Review and Tips
• Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Pin for Later: