This December I took an epic road trip through Florida, during which I drove from Jacksonville, all the way down to Key West, and then back. I was focused on seeing the state’s national parks (and I saw all but two!), so the Kennedy Space Center was originally an extra attraction that I slapped into my itinerary at the end of one particularly long day of sightseeing.
When I found myself sitting on the beach in the Cape Canaveral National Seashore after waking up early, visiting two different forts maintained by the National Park Service, and walking around in the historic city of St. Augustine, I realized that I wouldn’t make it to the Space Center in time to see it. It didn’t help that tickets were $50 and parking was $10- if I’m paying $60, I’m going to take my sweet time. So, I gave up on the idea, feeling disappointed that I hadn’t managed to get it into my packed schedule.
At that point, I figured that I simply wouldn’t visit, and I didn’t think about it again until I was staying in a hotel outside of Orlando. I was planning on spending my last day in one of the Disney parks, but it ended up making me feel too sad, since it is a family tradition to visit Disney together. Dismayed that I was feeling unenthusiastic about one of my favorite places, I eventually came to the conclusion that I should spend the day at the Kennedy Center instead. It is unique to Florida, and I wouldn’t feel too guilty about visiting without my folks.
In retrospect, I am so grateful that I made this decision. I would not have known what I was missing, but it would have been very unfortunate to not visit here. When I first got into the park, I wasn’t sure how things worked, but it turns out that there are two main things to do on an average day here, take the bus tour, and explore the visitor’s center.
The bus tour takes you to see launch pads, the massive building where shuttles used to be built, and a museum that houses an Apollo ship as well as some very amazing relics. I have to say, this little tour was very emotional for me; getting to see so many places that I had seen in movies and read about in American history was amazing. There is also a recreated space ship launch experience, in which you get to sit in the old launch control room.
Once you get back to the main park, things are a bit more immersive, but no less amazing. The shuttle experience is extremely well done, from the movie covering the story of the shuttle program’s creation, to the reveal of the Atlantic, and the shuttle experience ride. Seeing the Atlantis may be one of my favorite memories from Florida; it is such a marvel of human ingenuity and imagination.
I would highly suggest visiting the Kennedy Space Center, whether you love history, space, or just a great time. It isn’t to be missed and it is nowhere else in the world.
stylelullaby
wow looks amazing babe! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/beauty/cabo-ready-kashmere-kollections/
waitingforrain28
It was!
Amy M
Looks amazing! The fact that we are able to travel to space still blows my mind. Technology has progressed so far. Astro Tim Peake is an awesome person to follow on Twitter – he posted some beautiful photos when he was up there!
waitingforrain28
That was definitely part of the fun. It is amazing what we have accomplished!
Ro
so cool you got to see this in person. ever since i was a kid, its been a dream of mine. total science geek here 🙂
waitingforrain28
I hope you can make it out someday, it is amazing. I am a science nerd myself, but I had no idea how much I would love it.
Sally White
Loved Kennedy Space Center! I went there on a 2nd grade field trip & it was sooo boring. Now it’s wow- I took the kids there last year and had such a great time! They’ve come a long way!
waitingforrain28
I’m happy that they have been working on improving things. It would be so disappointing if it wasn’t so fun.
The Family Voyage
That looks fascinating! I used to be a planetary scientist so I have a soft spot for KSC, plus now I have a space-obsessed 5yo. We’ll definitely add this to our east coast travel list.
waitingforrain28
That is super cool! I bet your kid would love it. 😀
Ava
My dad worked in aerospace and worked on building the fuel tank for one of the space shuttles. I would love to visit here!
waitingforrain28
Wow! So cool! You have a personal connection to this place then. I hope you make it out someday.
Ruxandra
It looks so cool and fascinating!
waitingforrain28
Definitely!
Amber
We want to do this the next time we’re in Florida! It looks so awesome. I know I’d love it.
waitingforrain28
Yeah! You will have a ton of fun!
theblissfullyexhaustedmama
I plan to visit someday! I love the pictures you took.
waitingforrain28
Thanks! I hope you make it out someday, it is really amazing.
caseyp1110
Glad you didn’t miss it either! What an awesome experience!
waitingforrain28
*thumbs up!*
Hil D (@Raisingfairies)
I visited there when I was a kid and we loved it. My four year old is super interested in Space and planets, I can’t wait to take her there when we get down to Florida!!
waitingforrain28
She will have so much fun! They have done an awesome job making their stuff immersive. Hopefully it will inspire her too.
chavamazal
I remember wanting to go badly as a kid. Looks fun!
waitingforrain28
You will still enjoy it! Definitely make it out there if you can.
Janine Good
I loved the Kennedy Space Centre! It is such a thrill to see the rockets and it is great for kids.
waitingforrain28
I agree 100%. Fun for adults and kids. 😀
Andrea R Warren (@WaldorfFries)
I lived in FL for over 30 years and never made it. But I didn’t make the same mistake when I moved to TX already hit the space enter here. Our kids had a blast. I need to go to Kennedy the next time I visit my dad in FL
waitingforrain28
I missed that when I visited Texas, but it sounds super cool. I am sure you will love the Kennedy Space Center when you finally make it back. 😀
michenn (@michennblog)
Ahhh this looks like such a great activity to do, especially with your family. Next time I visit Florida, I need to try this out!
waitingforrain28
Definitely give it a try. Definitely fun for both kids and adults.
Blair Villanueva
Wow your post is one of the unique travel stories i’ve read recently. Visiting a space center? OMG this is a dream come true for me.
waitingforrain28
Thanks! That is very sweet. I hope you have the opportunity to visit some day in the future. It is a ton of fun.
Nina Bosken
I can sometimes let the cost of things stop me from seeing them. This sounds amazing and like something I would have to budget in.
waitingforrain28
Same here! That is what initially stopped me, but it was definitely worth the ticket price in the end. And it is so unique.
Find Your World Girl (@findurworld)
I was lucky enough to live in Florida for a few months when I was little and the space centre was my absolute favourite! So glad you enjoyed it too 🙂
waitingforrain28
Yes! It is such a cool place.
Sam the Writer
I completely fangirled out just reading this XD I am a complete nerd and I am so glad (and jealous!) that you included this place on your trip 😀
waitingforrain28
I’m a nerd too. :p It was too cool. Maybe you will visit some day; you won’t regret it!
Ricarda Christina Hollweg
Very interesting blog post. I haven’t seen much of the US yet and never considered a visit there. But Florida is on my list and I will extend the list for Florida now.
waitingforrain28
Awesome! You won’t regret it. 🙂
Kat | finding Malokoko
Wow this looks like something our 5-year old would enjoy so much! He´s currently totally into rockets 😉 Will definitely visit when we visit Florida!
waitingforrain28
He would love it! You will too. It is just super fun and interesting.
Girl @ girlintherapy (@girlintherapy)
😱😱😱 This is definitely going on our itinerary for FL! I know we would enjoy this so much!
waitingforrain28
YAY! You will have so much fun.
travelerettenyc
The Kennedy Space Center really does look amazing. The Space Race is such a fascinating part of history. I hope to go to Florida some day and see it for myself!
waitingforrain28
I hope you make it out too! The launch pads are still active!
Mommy Engineering
Wow this place looks like a great place to take the family to and visit! I’m a huge fan of the space exploration so this would not be removed from my bucket list if I were in the area!
waitingforrain28
Yeah! Definitely make it out. I think it would be fun for anyone, but especially people who love space exploration.
Roads and Pages
Wow! The Kenny Space Center is really a must visit most especially for those Science Fanatics. I would love to see it in real as well.
waitingforrain28
I completely agree. I hope you make it out sometime!
Danique
I think it must be awesome to visit this place! It’s such an unique destination you probably won’t see twice in your life. I think I would feel so small seeing all those shuttles and launch pads. Incredible what people can create actually.
waitingforrain28
I agree! I am so happy that I made it out there. I would love to go with my family though.
Alice Chen
I love the kennedy space center!! Definitely a great place to go!
waitingforrain28
I agree! I’m so glad that I didn’t miss it.
Khansa
I never like ruling out any place that comes on my list. It’s a good thing that you ended up going there. It looks amazing from your pics.
waitingforrain28
I agree! I just didn’t think I would have time to go until the end of the trip. Lucky me!
Megan Elliott (@LushtoBlush)
I’ve never been to the Kennedy Space Center, but always thought it would be such a cool experience!
waitingforrain28
I definitely think that you would enjoy it!