The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s Space Coast is the number one attraction in the US. Here’s how to make it your family’s out-of-this-world mission in 2026.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida’s Space Coast
Florida’s Space Coast is warm and sunny year-round, and lined with soft sand beaches, that are generally a lot less crowded than elsewhere in the state. It’s a laid-back and effortless kind of place, so it might come as a surprise to find it’s only 45-minutes drive from Orlando’s theme parks. If that alone doesn’t convince you it’s the best-of-all-worlds Florida family holiday, Space Coast is also home to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which is the top attraction in America and number three worldwide, in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.
How do you get to be the best of the best in a country that’s packed with sensational attractions? By being incredible, including almost everything in the price of admission, featuring weekly rocket launches, and delivering a mix of thrills, fun and learning that’s made for kids, of any age.
Planet Play, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Plan your day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
There’s so much to see and do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex you could easily fill several days. But if you’re planning a visit, make it easy on yourself by getting organised in advance. Here’s the ideal itinerary for a full day visit with kids.
It’s always a good idea to arrive early so you can fit everything you want to do in to the day and leave breathing space, as well as time to re-fuel. The Center has several family-friendly cafés and restaurants, including one where you can eat and Chat With An Astronaut (you need to book in advance for this, but it’s a stand-out experience, especially for older kids).
Also, it’s worth remembering to dress for the weather as the Kennedy Center Visitor Complex is indoors and out. Pack sunscreen and hats, insect repellent, and it never hurts to pop some light rain jackets in your bag too.
Now you’ve got the basics down, here’s what to do.
Start your day with the Bus Tour
This is a must-do that lets you see some of lovely Merrit Island and its wildlife as you tour around.
Your first stop is The Gantry at LC-39 where you have a close-as-it-gets view of the launch pads, less than two miles away. Then deep dive into NASA’s Earth Information Center for interactive exhibits and the thrill of engine test fire simulations.
Apollo/Saturn V Center is the next stop, and kids aren’t ready for how awe inspiring it is to stand under this iconic (and enormous) rocket which played a vital role in the legendary moon landings. This is also the stop to boost your space knowledge with first hand accounts of all the Apollo missions.
Gateway: Deep Space Launch Center
Get close to the Space Shuttle Atlantis®
Now it’s time to make like astronauts yourself at the Space Shuttle Atlantis® exhibit. Not only can you see the actual Atlantis orbiter here – veteran of 33 successful missions – there are also more than 60 interactive experiences to try, including astronaut simulators and the Shuttle Launch Experience: astronauts themselves have said this sensation is as close to a real launch as it gets.
Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex
Then step into the future at Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex! The real spacecraft and astonishing technology in this exhibit fires kids’ imaginations as they learn about the complexity of deep space missions and the innovative thinking that’s behind what’s happening now and what’s next.
Finally, fun it up space-style at Planet Play
After all the fun learning, take a break and just have some straight-up fun at Planet Play. Designed for two to 12 year olds this uniquely space themed play zone is packed with activities your kids will never have tried before. Think, climbing into wormholes and floating through asteroids. Parents can take a moment to relax with a drink in the lounge here too, you deserve one, it’s been a busy day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Space Shuttle Atlantis, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
What not to miss at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Every one of dozens of attractions at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is unmissable, but here are six experiences that should be right at the top of your to-do list.
Time your visit for a rocket launch
First up are the Rocket Launches. These are the events everyone wants to witness and included in the price of admission, if you visit on a launch day. You can watch from the seating behind NASA’s gates and the spectacle is accompanied by live commentary from space experts. We probably don’t need to tell you how phenomenal this entire experience is for kids. There are launches almost every week, and downloading the free Space Coast Launches App keeps you up to date.
Meet with an Astronaut, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Meet An Astronaut any time you visit
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has a different astronaut in residence every day, and the Meet An Astronaut experience is another one that kids will never forget. During a live presentation, visitors get to hear the first hand accounts of outer space from these NASA veterans, and you can ask questions: top tip is to prep these in advance so you don’t miss the moment. Meet An Astronaut is also included in the price of admission.
Though, if you want to make your meeting a little more personal, you can also reserve a Chat With An Astronaut while you eat. This Q&A session with the astronaut of the day, accompanied by your choice of snacks and drinks, is another experience that kids love.
Take the ride of your life at Spaceport KSC
Journey to the future on a Spaceport KSC voyage which travels to unexplored regions from Mars and Trappist-1 to Saturn and Jupiter. This amazing ride is preceded by a simulation of a galactic spaceport, and you can take your pick of four voyages: Cosmic Wonders; Daring Explorers; Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. Again, this is included in the price of admission to the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex.
Visit your heroes in the Astronaut Hall of Fame
A tour of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is another must-do for space-keen kids. As well as learning all about the pioneering heroes of space exploration, don’t forget to have your pic taken with the legendary Mercury 7 Astronauts before you leave: best take home ever.
Get hands on in The Gantry at LC-39
Don’t miss The Gantry at LC-39, one of the newest attractions at the Complex. Set near the launch pads, Kids will love The Gantry’s life-size rocket engine that roars into action in a thrilling simulated test fire complete with sound, lights, and mist. There are interactive exhibits which demonstrate how rockets are designed and launched, and the Earth Information Center shows the way NASA studies and protects the planet. This is one of the stops on the bus tour, and included in admission price too.
Rocket Garden, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Walk with giants in the Rocket Garden
From the first manned space flight completed in 1961 to the Apollo missions, the space programmes that made history were about the astronauts, and also the rockets. The astounding Rocket Garden celebrates the phenomenal feats of engineering, as well as the vision and imagination of the people who turned space exploration from a dream into reality. Gazing at the giants is an experience, but one of the daily guided tours brings the entire garden to life for kids.
Plan your trip to Florida’s Space Coast
How to get there
TUI flies direct from several UK airports to Melbourne Orlando International Airport, Florida between March and November 2026. Flight time from 9 hours, 10 minutes.
There are also year-round direct UK flights to Orlando International Airport from 9 hours, 15 minutes
Drive time from Orlando to Space Coast, Florida, 45 minutes
When to go
Florida’s Space Coast enjoys warm and sunny weather year-round, with temperatures of around 22° in January, rising to 30° and above in July and August.
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