The Kennedy Space Center is located near Cape Canaveral in Florida and is a great place to visit on your vacation because it is so close to other Florida attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and other fun attractions. Not to mention the Space Center is located close to many Orlando Villa Communities and on what is called the Space Coast so not only will you be able to visit many attractions, you will also be able to relax and soak up the sun at the beach. The Kennedy Space Center is not only a fun and exciting place to visit for youngsters and adults, but is also incredibly educational and sheds light on the darkness and unknown of space.
When you visit the Kennedy Space Center you will expose yourself to the amazing world of space and the only Space Shuttle launch site in the entire world. This in itself is worth checking out, but the Kennedy Space Center has so much more to offer as well. All International Space Station hardware is prepared at the Space Center before being launched into space forever. One of the most amazing offerings provided by the Kennedy Space Center are the shuttle and rocket launches. These are truly amazing events and launch missions can be attended by visitors. So, it is important to check out the Kennedy Space Center’s website before planning your vacation to see if there are any upcoming missions you and your family can attend. Or, if it is a day time launch simply avoid crowds and driving and head out to the beach where you can enjoy a nice picnic, the beach, and have a great view of the launch.
Also, the Kennedy Space Center also boasts the nearby US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Here individuals may take tours and learn all about famous astronauts, what influenced them to choose such a line of work, and the different missions they participated in. The Hall of Fame also has moon capsules, simulators and exciting hands on activities for both children and adults to enjoy. The Hall of Fame is separate from the Space Center and costs $13.95 for adults and $9.95 for children.
The Kennedy Space Center also has a visitor’s center that is certainly worthwhile if you are interested in learning more about space. At the center you will view actual space center mechanisms, launch pads, other space paraphernalia as well as IMAX films and general museum like items that outline the history of space travel and the many accomplishments and “leaps" made by mankind. If you head to the Space Center around lunchtime you will also be able to enjoy a meal with an astronaut. This program is known as Dine with an Astronaut and costs $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids. Entrance into the Kennedy Space Center’s visitor area costs $26 for adults and $16 for kids. While this might not be considered economical by many it is a once in a lifetime experience that is really educational, enjoyable and worth the money. Millions of visitors have visited in the 30 years of existence and the majority are glad they did.
Once you have taken in all the Kennedy Space Center has to offer you can visit the Merritt Island National Refuge which is close by and offers hundreds of acres of beach, marshes, and nature to explore. You can access the Canaveral Seashore from the Refuge which is a great place to relax and take in the amazement of a scheduled launch.
There are of course many other activities close by the Kennedy Space Center including a zoo, The Warbird Air Museum, and Jungle Adventures just to name a few. If you are interested in a truly educational vacation make sure you head to Space Beach and enjoy all the area attractions as well as others such as Disney World and Universal Studios just a few miles down the road. Or, if you only have a weekend simply focus on the Kennedy Space Center and a couple days of learning all you can about space and the technology used to explore the dark unknown.
The Kennedy Space Center
If you're bringing your family to Orlando you will no doubt visit Disney World and the other theme parks in the area, but why limit yourself to theme parks, when you can also visit the fascinating and educative Kennedy Space Center located at historic Cape Canaveral? Here is a brief guide to some of the attractions currently on offer at the Kennedy Space Center.
Meet an Astronaut
The center has arranged for various astronauts to meet visitors and talk about their missions in space. Astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle programs are scheduled to take part throughout the year.
Simulated Shuttle Launch
If you want to get an idea of what an astronaut feels during liftoff, then the Space Center's launch simulator is the best way to do it. The room vibrates and roars and when the engines shutdown participants get to view the earth, as astronauts see it when they reach their orbit.
Early Space History
This is a walk through exhibit showing the background of today's space program. One of the highlights is the actual control panel which was used to guide the astronauts of the Mercury and Gemini space programs. Mercury and Gemini capsules are also on display.
Viking Mars Mission
In 1976 a U.S. unmanned craft landed on Mars and took the first pictures of the red planet's surface. This exhibit takes you on that journey and visitors also can see and touch a piece of Mars as well (in the form of meteorite that fell to earth many years ago).
IMAX 3D Theater
With the help of giant screens, five stories high, you are taken on an awesome journey into space. The films contain dramatic footage taken by astronauts during their space missions and you get a feeling that you are right there with them.
Saturn 5 Center
The Saturn 5 was the huge rocket that took astronauts to the moon and back in the early 1970s. Featuring an actual 363-foot, 6.2 million pound Saturn V moon rocket, this exhibit takes you on a trip to the moon with a recreation of the first Apollo mission to the moon. There is also a hands-on exhibit.
LC 39 Observation Gantry
This is a 60 foot tower which will give you a great view of the space shuttle launch pads. There is also an on-the-ground exhibition which includes films of the Shuttle program, showing the actual process used to launch a Shuttle into space.
Space Center Guided Tour
This is a bus ride all around the Kennedy Space Center. It stops at the important places and the bus tours depart each day (except Christmas Day and certain launch days) beginning at 9:30 a.m., and leave continuously throughout the day, with the last bus leaving approximately four hours before closing.
The Space Shop
Are you fascinated by space memorabilia? Then this is the place for you. The Center's gift shop has more than 8,000 space-related items that make perfect souvenirs or additions to your serious space collection.
This is only just a small part of what you can see at the Kennedy Space Center, so if you want to treat your kids to an out of this world experience be sure to add it to your list of ?must-see? places when you make your next Florida Vacation.
Both Ian Walsh & Mark Whichard are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Mark Whichard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Loire Valley, Flea Pest Control and Orlando Vacation. Mark Whichard is a frequent writer on Orlando tourism. He and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Orlando's Finest Vacations Homes. Visit his website for more information on. Mark Whichard's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Mark Whichard to your Favourites.
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