tours kennedy space center

Kennedy Space Center Tours

The guides at Gray Line Orlando are Kennedy Space Center Tour experts! We travel every day to the Space Coast, and our certified tour guides are experts on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Your guide will provide all the information, tips, and hints you need during the journey from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center. We'll ensure you have a great day and can make the most of your time at Kennedy Space Center. Central pick-up locations are available in Disney, Universal, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, and International Drive region for transport to Kennedy Space Center. Or, if you prefer a hotel pick-up, reserve the Small Group VIP Kennedy Space Center Tour .

Kennedy Space Center Tour - Adults at Kids Price until August 30th 2024

Enjoy a day at kennedy space center with admission tickets, roundtrip travel and lots of insider tips from your local expert gray line tour guide.

Kennedy Space Center Small Group VIP Experience

Get a vip experience on your day to kennedy space center.

Kennedy Space Center EXPRESS - Adults at Kids Rate Summer Promo

Summer promo price - book now. take our express service to kennedy space center for a day that is out of this world.

Kennedy Space Center - Transportation Only

Enjoy a convenient transfer to kennedy space center, where you'll learn everything about space travel. transportation only.

Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Visit kennedy space center with an added bus tour of the nasa grounds.

Kennedy Space Center Express & ICON

Take our express service to kennedy space center for a day that is out of this world plus get a ride on the wheel at icon park.

Kennedy Space Center Tour with 2 Day Ticket

Enjoy a day at kennedy space center, ride the 'shuttle launch experience', touch a moon rock, encounter and astronaut and visit a second day.

Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Safari

Visit the kennedy space center visitor complex to learn everything about space travel as well as see some of the real wild florida on an swamp airboat.

Chat with an Astronaut and Kennedy Space Center from Orlando

Experience a tour from orlando to kennedy space center and have the opportunity to ask a veteran nasa astronaut all your questions.

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The #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour

• Kennedy Space Center & Airboat Ride
• Kennedy Space Center Chat With an Astronaut
• Transport to Kennedy Space Center
• Kennedy Space Center Tickets
• Clearwater Trip with Seaside Lunch
• Sea Screamer & Clearwater Beach Day Trip
• Pirate Ship Clearwater Beach Tour
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium & Beach Trip
• Clearwater Beach & Deep Sea Fishing
• Clearwater Beach Transportation
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• Half Day Manatee Snorkeling Adventure
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If anybody offers our tour for a lower price, we will match, no questions asked. Find Out More...

• Transportation Included
• Tour Guide Included
• Groups Allowed
• Access for Disabled
• Approx. 12 hours

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour & Shuttle Launch Experience!

Admission to the KSC with transportation, and so much more…

Get ready for an epic adventure with Real Florida Adventures’ #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour! This is where the legendary “One Small Step for Man” happened, and it’s an absolute must-see in Florida. Packed with jaw-dropping experiences and non-stop excitement, this Kennedy Space Center day trip with transportation from Orlando is as real and thrilling as it gets. Prepare for a day full of awesome discoveries and unforgettable moments!

Scroll down to find out more about our Kennedy Space Center tours from Orlando, and please get in touch if you have any questions for us.

What's Included

• Admission into Kennedy Space Center Visitors complex
• Roundtrip Transportation from International Drive, Disney and Kissimmee areas
• Professional, Certified and Licensed Tour Guide

What's Not Included

Pick-up time & schedule.

Margaritaville Resort at 7:15am Main Lobby, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee FL 34747

Golden Corral – Lake Buena Vista at 7:30am 8707 Vineland Ave, Orlando FL32821

Orlando Star Flyer at Icon Park  at 8am 8265 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

There’s a very good reason why we are the best-reviewed tour operator in Orlando: we take our Kennedy Space Center tour very seriously, pouring as much heart and soul into it as we can. And if you’d like a similar experience but for a private group (not sharing with guests you’ve never met), check out our Kennedy Space Center Private Tour .

Not only does this Kennedy Space Center tour offer the past, present, and future of the space program, it puts visitors front and center in the whole experience like never before. Seeing is believing, and you will believe you have been transported to the cutting edge of space exploration through a series of hands-on exhibits, movies, and presentations, including a daily astronaut encounter with one of the modern heroes of NASA’s operations.

The Signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

It all starts with the signature Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour that provides a complete overview of the full extent of the vast spread of operations, including the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39B, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, with its recreated moon landing and awesome full-size Saturn V rocket.

The KSC Shuttle Launch Experience

Back at the main Visitor Complex, you should definitely make a beeline for the hugely impressive Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, with its moving and emotional presentation of one of the four surviving orbiters, as well as take a ride on the riveting Shuttle Launch Experience, a clever simulator with the inside track on what it feels like to blast off from the Space Center.

You can also visit the Heroes & Legends center (including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame), soak up the grandeur of the IMAX Theater with its eye-popping large-screen movies, and wander the Rocket Garden.

There is SO much to see here! You will definitely need a full day to take it all in, and our bus tours from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center are the perfect way to indulge your inner astronaut! This world-famous site is fully 60 miles from Orlando; let us take the strain out of the journey so you can enjoy the experience to the max – the IMAX. There’s no easier or better way to get from Orlando to KSC!

If you’re looking for more incredible experiences in Florida to add to this Kennedy Space Center Tour, we are extremely proud of the quality of the experiences we’ve crafted for guests. Take a closer look at our wider range of Tours in (and from) Orlando , and our Orlando Private Tours . And please get in touch if you have any questions about our space tours in Orlando or other experiences!

New to Kennedy Space Center: Gateway

Officially referred to as “Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex”, this brand-new exhibit is included in the price of your ticket. It is an exciting look at the future of deep space exploration while also shining a light on the incredible work that is being done in the present. Ever wondered how we’ll travel between solar systems? This is the best place on the planet to find out!

The Gateway exhibition space is huge and it is packed with real spacecrafts and technologies used by NASA to get people and equipment out into space and back again. Here are just a few highlights of what you can look forward to in the KSC’s new Gateway attraction:

ORION EFT-1 CAPSULE SPACEX CARGO DRAGON COTS-2 SIERRA SPACE DREAM CHASER® BOEING CST-100 STARLINER MOCKUP CAPSULE LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE HABITAT ROBOTIC SPACE EXPLORERS INTERACTIVE WALL And so much more!

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🚀 The 7 Best Kennedy Space Center Tours [2024 Reviews]

If space exploration interests you, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the best place on Earth to see real-life space vehicles. In this modern facility filled with dozens of interactive attractions, you can learn everything there is to know about space. You can even speak with a veteran of the American Space Program.

However, there are many Kennedy Space Center trips from Orlando. Not every KSC tour guarantees you’ll meet with a real astronaut or see an active launch pad.

To help you decide, we’ve selected the 7 top-rated Orlando Kennedy Space Center adventures and review them below.

Best Tours of Kennedy Space Center

Quick answer: the 7 best rated kennedy space center tours for 2024.

• Kennedy Space Center with Transportation from Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center Day Trip with Transport From Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center & Airboat Tour
• Kennedy Space Center Tour & Chat with an Astronaut
• Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour
• Kennedy Space Center: Ultimate Space Experience
• Kennedy Space Center: Space Pass Entrance Ticket

Kennedy Space Center Tour Reviews

1. kennedy space center with transportation from orlando.

• Departure Point : Hotel pick-up
• Departure Time : 7:30 AM
• Duration : 9 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, and KSP Visitors’ Complex

This is the best value Kennedy Space Center tour. It enables you to experience everything there is to do and see at the space center. Space enthusiasts will appreciate this full-day experience where you and your family can immerse yourselves in everything space related.

Visit the fascinating exhibit about the Hubble Telescope and then watch the Hubble 3D IMAX movie. This opens your eyes to the distant stars, solar systems, and galaxies we can now view from Earth with the aid of this amazing technology.

Once you’ve seen where humankind is headed, see how we might get there. Enter the amazing Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit where you’ll come face to face with a real-life Space Shuttle that once flew in space and docked with the International Space Station (ISS). This exhibit also reveals the history of NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

There is so much to see at the Kennedy Space Center, and the bus tour of the Mobile Rocket Launch Platform and Vehicle Assembly Building enables you to appreciate the huge scale of this space-faring endeavor.

With transport from local resorts and full access to all of the Kennedy Space Center’s many exhibits and visitors’ complex, this is the best Kennedy Space Center adventure from Orlando for any space-loving family.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. kennedy space center day trip with transport from orlando.

• Departure Point : Hotel pick-up available
• Departure Time : 8:00 AM
• Duration : 10 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, and dine with an astronaut

This Orlando Kennedy Space Center trip is ideal for the truly space-obsessed family. It offers the unique opportunity for you to dine with a genuine astronaut!

Have you ever dreamed of speaking with someone who has experienced living and working in a vacuum and without gravity? With this unique “dine with an astronaut”, you can. You and your kids can ask all those questions you always wanted to when you come face-to-face with one of the few people on Earth qualified to give you the answers you seek.

This long-day excursion to the Kennedy Space Center also gives you a behind-the-scenes experience at NASA’s launch headquarters. You’ll see the Space Shuttle launch pads from the vantage of a 4-floor observation deck.

In some of the many exciting exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center, you can take the helm of a Space Shuttle, reenact Neil Armstrong’s famous “giant step for mankind”, and feel what it’s like to float in outer space.

This is the best Kennedy Space Center excursion from Orlando for a fun-packed family adventure that ticks all the space-lover’s boxes. Before you go, make sure you write a list of all the questions you want to ask a space veteran.

3. Orlando: Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Tour

• Duration : 12 hours
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Mobile Rocket Launch Platform bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, meet an astronaut, and go for an airboat ride

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for anyone who also wants to experience the wonders of nature in Florida’s swamps. It features a 30-minute airboat ride along the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett.

Hang onto your hats as your airboat tears along the river at adrenaline-pumping speeds of up to 45 mph. Once you’ve reached the best location to observe the unique flora and fauna of this special wilderness area, your boat will slow to a crawl as you snap photographs of cypress knees, wading birds, and, of course, alligators.

But you didn’t come to this part of Florida just to admire the amazing wildlife. At the Kennedy Space Center, you’ll get to walk beneath the giant Saturn V moon rocket and meet a real-life astronaut. This is your chance to ask anything you want about space when you meet a person who really knows the answers.

You’ll need all day to take in the many interactive exhibits at the space center. The highlight must be the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit. At this unique exhibit, you’ll come face-to-face with a vehicle that entered space no less than 33 times during its 26-year career.

Get your cameras ready for the greatest adventure of your lives. Unless you’re chosen for the first manned mission to Mars, this Orlando space center adventure will be the closest you ever get to space.

4. Kennedy Space Center Tour and Chat with an Astronaut

This is the best Kennedy Space Center trip for people who want to experience what it’s actually like to be an astronaut. The latest interactive technology enables you to become an astronaut aboard a virtual space shuttle.

Arguably, the most thrilling experience is strapping yourself into the shuttle cockpit as you prepare for the countdown to an imminent launch. Feel the trepidation as you listen to the countdown and anticipate the chemical reaction and associated acceleration kick.

Be extremely careful as you pilot the space shuttle during a virtual extravehicular activity and dock your shuttle with the International Space Station. And when your flight is over, you have the arduous and dangerous task of gliding your shuttle to a landing on the re-entry slide.

But this Kennedy Space Center tour isn’t all virtual. You’ll get to speak and eat with a real-life astronaut. What’s more, you’ll see genuine space vehicles on display, including the rockets that took men to the moon and the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

This full-day Kennedy Space Center adventure is perfect for families who love everything space-related. There will not be a single dull moment, and you’ll likely want to visit again as soon as possible.

5. Kennedy Space Center With KSC Explore Tour

• Departure Time : 8.45 AM
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Vehicle Assembly Building & Launch Complex 39A bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, and KSP Visitors’ Complex

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for visitors interested in the future of space exploration. This Orlando space excursion includes a visit to the launch pads now used by NASA’s new commercial partners, such as ULA and SpaceX. Witness with your own eyes the place history is made today.

This special space excursion from Orlando begins with an astronaut meet and greet welcome. You’ll get to speak with a real-life astronaut and learn firsthand about their experiences in outer space.

After an orientation tour, you are free to explore the many exciting interactive exhibits around the space center. This includes the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit where you will see a genuine space shuttle posed as it appeared in space with its payload bay doors open and its camera boom extended.

A variety of high-tech simulators enable you to experience many of the more exciting parts of space exploration. Strap yourself in for a takeoff, practice the delicate maneuvers of docking the space shuttle with the International Space Station, and find out how it feels to float in a zero-gravity environment.

With many other exciting exhibits to experience, including 2 IMAX films and the Saturn V Rocket, there’s plenty to do and see during this day-long Florida space adventure. Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

6. Kennedy Space Center: Ultimate Space Experience

• Departure Time : 8.30 AM
• Includes : Transportation, KSC entrance, Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, Discover KSC bus tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, KSP Visitors’ Complex, and lunch with an astronaut

If you prefer fully guided tours, this is the best Kennedy Space Center trip for you. It features the Discover KSC bus tour. On the Discover KSC bus tour, you are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, and your bus accesses areas not seen on the regular launch pads bus tour.

This tour also provides you with the enviable experience of eating with an astronaut. An astronaut from NASA’s space program will join you for a buffet lunch and tell you about their experiences in training and in space. If your kids dream of becoming astronauts, this is their best opportunity to find out what it’s really like from someone who knows.

After the bus tour and lunch, take the time to fully explore the Kennedy Space Center. Walk under the mammoth Saturn V Space Rockets and go to visit the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit. Nowhere else on Earth will you find so many genuine space vehicles on display.

With the latest interactive exhibits to experience, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time. Be an astronaut for the day and maybe prepare yourself to sign up for the first manned mission to Mars.

7. Kennedy Space Center: Space Pass Entrance Ticket

• Departure Point : 1275 NE 79th Street, Miami
• Departure Time : 7:00 AM, 2:00 PM
• Duration : 4 or 8 hours
• Includes : Boat charter, life vest & safety equipment, fishing gear, lures, fishing licenses, and cold bottled water

This is the best Kennedy Space Center tour for space lovers who like to organize things for themselves. You arrange your own transport to the space center, but your ticket is valid all day so that you don’t need to rush.

The one event you must plan your day around is your buffet meal with an astronaut. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet with a veteran of the American Space Program who can tell you all about their experiences in outer space.

There are over 60 interactive exhibits in the Kennedy Space Center visitors’ center. These fascinating exhibits enable you to see real space vehicles and discover how they work. You’ll also have the chance to touch a rock brought back from the moon.

If you’re thinking of applying to join the first manned mission to Mars, don’t miss out on all the simulations around the center. You can discover what it’s like to blast off into space, experience weightlessness, and learn how to dock a space shuttle to the International Space Station.

The highlight of this Kennedy Space Center trip is the Discover KSC bus tour. A knowledgeable guide will take you around the space center on a 2-hour guided tour. You’ll see areas not covered by the regular space center bus tour as well as seeing the launch pads used by the space shuttles when they were in operation.

Spend all day at Kennedy Space Center and see all you can. When your time is up, you won’t want to leave. And you’ll definitely want to come back again soon.

Orlando, Florida Travel Guide

The kennedy space center.

• Traveling in the Time of COVID

Airports & Entry

Planning tips, restaurants & eating out, nightlife & entertainment, getting around, accommodations, attractions.

The city of Orlando is famous world-wide. Many who have never stepped foot in the US can point to this fascinating city’s location on a world map. But Orlando isn’t famous because of its history or fine architecture. Instead, it is so well known because of a simple business decision made by the Walt Disney Company in the late 60s to build Walt Disney World in its southern suburbs.

The opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 was followed by the construction of other major theme parks in the area, such as Fun Spot America, Universal Studios Florida, the Holy Land Experience, and Legoland. This makes Orlando the world’s capital for theme park fanatics.

But Orlando isn’t only about theme parks. It is also home to the internationally renowned Kennedy Space Center and a range of other cultural and educational sites. For example, there is Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Gatorland, and Orlando Museum of Art.

Orlando boasts easy access to a broad range of unique natural attractions. For example, it is a great base for exploring the fascinating wilderness areas of the Florida Everglades. You can enjoy a boat safari through this unique environment and admire the waterfowl and amphibians that make it their home.

The city is also surrounded by a near countless number of lakes, many of which are perfect fishing destinations. Florida is the sport-fishing capital of the world, and Central Florida around Orlando boasts the best freshwater bass fishing you can find. Thousands of keen anglers flock to Orlando every year to fish at Clear Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, Sarke Lake, Turkey Lake, Lake Underhill, Lake Tohopekaliga, and other fantastic angling spots.

Cape Canaveral on Florida’s eastern coast is less than an hour’s drive (55 miles) away from the city, making Orlando the best base for visiting the world’s most famous spaceport. Cape Canaveral has hosted space rocket experiments and exploration since 1949 when early rockets were tested here.

Since 1968, the Kennedy Space Center (KSS) has been the main launch site of NASA’s human spaceflight programs. Famous space missions such as the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Skylab programs were based here. And today KSS is still a launch center for space flights, including the commercial SpaceX launches that so often feature in news reports.

Today, many iconic spacecrafts from NASA’s history are displayed at KSS, including the Space Shuttle Atlantis and a gigantic Saturn V space rocket. KSS also features a wealth of historical artifacts connected with space exploration and interactive attractions designed to entertain and educate the whole family.

Traveling in the time of COVID

Like many other destinations worldwide, some tours and visitor attractions in Miami may have adopted special procedures during the pandemic.

Wearing a mask may be mandatory in some locations, especially in enclosed public areas such as travel hubs and shopping malls. You may be expected to supply your own mask and wear it when you enter buildings.

It is in your own interest to keep your distance from other visitors who are not in your family group or bubble. You may be expected to keep your distance inside minibuses and other vehicles and when seated in restaurants.

At the time of writing, the State of Florida welcomes visitors but requires pre-travel testing for Covid-19 for visitors arriving from overseas not more than 3 days before traveling. Visitors must also sign an attestation that their documentation is genuine. Visitors will be required to hand over “covid-free” certification at the airport You can obtain the most up-to-date information directly from the Florida Health website.

The easiest way to travel to Orlando is by air. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major travel hub for Central Florida. In 2019, MCO handled over 50 million passengers, though this dropped to 21 million in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Obviously, MCO is extremely busy 24/7. At the time of writing, the new South Terminal Complex is still under construction, which will help to handle the expected surge of visitors after the COVID restrictions are ended. However, even now, MCO has the well-trained staff and facilities to make your arrival and departure as painless as possible.

MCO is packed full of stores and restaurants alongside the other facilities you’d expect in such a busy airport. While many of the stores close by 5 pm and the restaurants by 8 pm, the Main Terminal McDonald’s is open from 5:30 am to 10 pm.

An interesting fact is that Orlando is the world’s biggest rental car market. You’ll find 10 major car rental companies at the airport on the Ground Transportation Level on the A-Side of the Terminal: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. Avis, Budget, and Payless also operate on the B-Side. Given that MCO is only a short 15-minute drive from downtown Orlando and several of the local major attractions, renting a car is an easy option.

Lynx operate an airport bus service from the A-Side of the Main Terminal. Regular Shuttle Bus services operate from both the A-Side and the B-Side. Alternatively, taxis are available on both sides. You should expect taxi fares from MCO of around $45 to downtown Orlando and $65 to Walt Disney World.

If you are taking an international flight into Orlando, you will need your passport as well as authorization and your “covid-free” certification. If you play to stay fewer than 90 days, you will need an ESTA, Electronic System for Travel Authorization . This is a form of visa waiver.

Many people believe Orlando is the same year-round and an easy place to visit. Given that so many tourist-focused attractions are based around this city, this is partially true. However, there are some important facts you should take into consideration.

Here are a few tips. If you have questions about your visit that aren’t covered by this guide or other tips for visitors, leave us a message in the comments.

Tip #1: Go in Spring or the Fall

For fewer crowds and better weather, it is preferable to visit Orlando in the spring or the fall. If you must visit in summer due to your kids’ school holidays, go late in August when local children are back in school.

With 75 million visitors a year, there are always queues in Orlando. You should be prepared for this. Major US holidays should be avoided at any cost unless you want to be stuck in the longest queues at the airport and attractions. Especially avoid Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — unless you have your heart set on seeing the special holiday season events and decorations.

Tip #2: Be Prepared for the Tropical Weather

When you see Orlando attractions on the TV or in films, the weather is always beautiful. There is a lot of truth to this. However, if you visit during the summer, it is important to prepare for the humidity and draining heat. The temperatures can reach as high as 100 0 F and the humidity 100%.

Brief but sharp thunderstorms are common, so light plastic ponchos you can don in a hurry are advisable. Ensure you use plenty of sunblock and consider wide-brimmed hats for added protection from the sun.

Tip #3: Enjoy Day Trip Tours but Book Ahead

With more theme parks and tourist attractions than any other city in the world, there are lots of tours available in Orlando. You might want to take a guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center or enjoy a safari in the Florida Everglades. However, with so many tourists pouring into Orlando, you should book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Tip #4: Spend at Least One Day in Nature

If you’re on vacation with your family, it’s tempting to spend all your time at theme parks. There are so many! However, if you do this, you will miss one of Orlando’s greatest benefits.

With the Florida Everglades on its doorstep plus more lakes than any other major destination, Orlando is a wonderful location for nature lovers. Whether you want to go kayaking on a lake, enjoy some quiet time fishing, or see the alligators in the Everglades, there are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Orlando.

Tip #5: Allow Plenty of Time at the Theme Parks

When you glance at those colorful park maps online, you might get the impression that you can walk from one ride to the next in a couple of minutes. Don’t be fooled! The Walt Disney World Resort, for example, is spread over an area of 47 square miles. It is not always practical to walk from one ride to the next and walking in the Florida sun can be tiring.

Allow plenty of time in your plans for enjoying all the rides and park attractions that you want to experience. And remember your young kids may become tired quicker than you expect in the tropical weather. Also note some rides and attractions are too scary for young children and some unsuitable for pregnant ladies.

As you can easily imagine, the large number of tourists regularly flocking to Orlando has given rise to a vast range of restaurants offering every kind of food you might want. Within the theme parks, there is a wide choice of fast-food outlets. However, these can be overpriced. Outside the parks, you will find many relatively inexpensive eating outlets.

A great place to visit is Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road. Here you’ll find the greatest range of choices in Orlando. Restaurant Row offers you the chance to sample some of this city’s finest restaurants and its culinary diversity.

Many seasoned Orlando visitors head for the restaurants for breakfast before hitting the theme parks. There are many “eat all you can” buffet-style restaurants that offer fantastic value for money.

In the afternoon and evening, watch out for Early Bird Specials. Because so many visitors stick to the theme parks until late, the restaurants outside the parks offer incentives to attract early diners.

Early Bird Specials are typically served at a la carte restaurants between 4 pm and 6 pm. Note that doggy bags are a norm in Florida a la carte restaurants, so don’t be shy about asking for one if you cannot finish your meal.

Also watch out for meal discount vouchers. You may find these scattered among the tourist leaflets at your hotel or even on display outside the restaurants. With the competition between eateries so intense, discount vouchers are common.

A quick visit to the Tourist Information Center will provide you with information about restaurants offering significant discounts and possibly a physical card that entitles you to discounts at participating restaurants. To encourage repeat visits, some restaurants offer an extra-large discount to returning customers who produce their last bill.

The profusion of theme parks in Orlando has led to an interesting broad range of evening dinner shows. If you ever wanted to attend a medieval banquet in a castle complete with jesters and jugglers, you’re in the right place.

Alternatively, eat with pirates or enjoy live wrestling while you eat. Whatever kind of entertainment you enjoy the most, you can probably find a dinner show in Orlando to suit you and your family’s taste.

Much like with the restaurants, the large number of visitors has given rise to a wide variety of nightlife in and around the city. You’ll find some of American’s top nightclubs, live music venues, and bars waiting to welcome you.

Two especially popular night spots are Disney Springs in Walt Disney World and Universal City Walk in the Universal Orlando Resort. These two locations offer a range of shows, bars, and night clubs to suit all tastes.

If you prefer a quiet evening and enjoy sampling unique craft beers, check out Orlando’s local brewery scene. There are many craft breweries to choose from, including the Crooked Can Brewing Co., Sea Dog Brewing Co., Ocean Sun Brewing, and Dead Lizard Brewing Co.

Due to the large number of visitors and the way the various theme parks are spread widely across the city, public transport is a viable way of getting around in Orlando. In fact, the LYNX bus is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways of traveling within the city.

There are 60 LYNX routes that cost $2 per ride running at either 15-minute, 30-minute, or 1-hour intervals. And LYNX also operates a FREE loop bus service around downtown Orlando running every 5 minutes called LYMMO. Watch out for bus stops marked with a pink bus symbol or paw prints.

Many large Orlando hotels offer free shuttle bus services to the major theme parks and the airport. Check with your hotel before you travel.

If you’re looking for a more personal service from doorstep to doorstep, there are dozens of taxi companies in Orlando. The majority use a meter with a $2.23 standing charge followed by a $1.76 per kilometer rate. Uber is generally cheaper and growing ever more popular in Orlando.

However, as mentioned earlier, car hire is the most popular transport option in Orlando. This is a city designed with cars in mind, so the road network is well-built and maintained and there are ample parking facilities at all the major attractions. Driving yourself around offers the most flexibility and is the most convenient if you’re staying in a rented vacation villa.

Note that you’ll need a US or International Driving License to hire a car in Orlando. There are toll roads in the city, including the routes from the airport to Orlando’s main attractions. And the gas stations closest to the theme parks and the airport charge inflated gas prices.

With more tourists than residents, you’ll find a broad range of accommodation available in Orlando. There are thousands of rental homes close to the theme parks and major attractions, many with luxury amenities like a gym and a swimming pool. And there are over 450 resorts and hotels to choose from.

The best advice we can offer is to first decide what kind of accommodation best suits your family and then shop around. Generally, hotels inside the more popular theme parks will charge premium prices, and you can rent a villa a few miles from the gates for a fraction of the cost.

If you are traveling as part of a large family group, a vacation rental home will usually be your best value choice. But if you are traveling alone or just with your partner, you may find a hotel room more convenient and affordable.

The hotels are mainly clustered in three areas: International Drive, Kissimmee, and Lake Buena Vista.

If you are not hiring a car, International Drive (I-Drive) is your best option. Along the 11-mile length of I-Drive, you’ll find attractions, stores, restaurants, and hotels side by side. These attractions include The Orlando Eye, Aquatica, Sea World, and Universal Studios. Most of the hotels here offer free shuttle services to the major theme parks.

If you prefer somewhere quieter and away from the busy parks and attractions, you’ll like Kissimmee. It is only a short drive from Disney World and International Drive but far enough away to avoid the noise and crowds. You’ll find lots of high-quality vacation rental homes in this area. Kissimmee also makes a great base for exploring other parts of Florida beyond the city, such as the Kennedy Space Center.

If you’ve come to Orlando because you’ve always dreamed of visiting Walt Disney World and intend to spend most of your time there, stay in Lake Buena Vista. It is the most convenient location for reaching all 5 Disney Parks. Lake Buena Vista is also a prime destination for outlet shopping and golfing.

As mentioned earlier, Orlando benefits from fine sunny weather year-round, but there are distinct seasonal variations. Orlando’s weather can be summarized into two seasons: one warm and dry, the other hot and wet.

From mid-October to April, the weather is typically warm and dry, with daily temperature maximums ranging from 70 0 F to 84 0 F and minimums from 49 0 F to 65 0 F. There is little rainfall during this period.

From May to mid-October, the weather tends to be hot but wet. The average daily temperature maximum hovers around 90 0 F and the minimum around 75 0 F. During the summer, there are frequent rainstorms that are short but sharp.

While hurricanes rarely hit Orlando, there is a small risk. The hurricane season occurs toward the end of the summer between mid-August and mid-October. There are often bargain vacation deals offered during this period, but it’s a good idea to check the Orlando weather updates before visiting.

Orlando boasts the world’s best selection of major theme parks and other must-see attractions, such as the Kennedy Space Center, the Holy Land Experience, and Central Florida Zoo.

You can’t possibly see everything during a single visit. Here is a brief selection of highlights.

Walt Disney World

It’s no big secret that the majority of tourists headed for Orlando go there to see the mouse. Walt Disney World is the world’s most visited resort welcoming 58 million guests per year before the pandemic.

Walt Disney World is divided into four parks, of which Magic Kingdom is the best known. That’s where you’ll find Cinderella’s Castle and all your favorite cartoon characters. Epcot Spaceship Earth is where you can visit other countries and experience different cultures.

The Hollywood Studios park offers visitors an insiders view of movie magic. There you can tour movie studios, see stunt people in action, and watch live special effects. If you’re interested in African animals, you’ll love the Kilimanjaro Safari Experience at Animal Kingdom where you can see big game animals running free in their natural habitats.

Universal Studios Florida

Not to be outdone by Disney, Universal Studios offer a combined working movie studio and theme park experience in Orlando designed with the help of Steven Spielberg.

There are 7 themed islands withing Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Each island is dedicated to a major theme franchise, such as the Marvel Superhero Island and the Jurassic Park Island. There you can meet your favorite movie characters and enjoy thrilling themed rides.

Many younger visitors are lured by the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here you’ll find Hogsmeade village, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Orlando Sea World

This world-famous sea life center is renowned for its huge aquariums where you can enjoy whale and dolphin shows. A behind the scenes tour is a great way to learn about marine conservation as well as seeing the baby dolphins at play.

Sea World also features adrenaline-pumping rides including a selection of refreshing water rides. Those who enjoy roller coasters will be eager to ride the Kraken Virtual Reality Coaster, the Manta Coaster, and the Mako Hyper Coaster.

While you’re in Florida, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to get up close and friendly with a whole bunch of crocodiles, alligators, and other reptiles. Gatorland features daily shows and demonstrations where you can learn all there is to know about Florida’s most famous animals.

Gatorland also features 2 exciting ziplines: the Gator Gauntlet and the Screamin’ Gator. These ziplines zip you through the air over the crocodile and alligator pens. You might also enjoy the self-guided swamp walk and the Gator Gully Splash Park for younger visitors.

Tour Guides

The Ultimate Space Pass is our Editor's Choice for the best tour of the Kennedy Space Center

Robert Baker

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Your Gateway to Space

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Always Exploring at The Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has its origins in 1963 when NASA allowed self-guided tours and later when congress approved funding for a full scale visitor center, Spaceport USA.

Today, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex sits on 42 acres and is America’s front row view to space travel past, present, and future. Historic artifacts, Kennedy Space Center tours, astronaut encounters, rocket launches, and models and simulation of future space travel.

Check Off Your Bucket List

Seeing a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast is on many people’s bucket list, and there’s no way for a civilian to get closer to the action than through special viewing options offered by the Visitor Complex. Common options for major launches include “Feel the Heat” which gives you a front row seat at the viewing area at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, only 6 miles from the closest pad. 

May 2, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-55

A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

May 6, 2024

Atlas V N22 | CST-100 Starliner Crewed Flight Test

This is the first crewed test flight of Starliner spacecraft. It will carry NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-56

May 7, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-57

May 30, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-26

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-30

Upcoming Space Coast Launches

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the best place to watch a rocket launch on Florida's Space Coast! Check out what's launching soon

Unique Experiences

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is packed full of attractions and artifacts from America’s Space Program. Some of the experiences include:

• U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame – Pay your respects to the great heroes of the United States Space Program and learn about the early days of our journey to the stars
• Apollo/Saturn V Center – Until you’ve stood under it, you cannot understand how massive the Saturn V rocket is. Relive the entire Apollo program with various exhibits built around America’s trip to the moon
• Space Shuttle Atlantis – There are only 4 real space shuttles on display across the country, and we have one here! Space Shuttle Atlantis is presented in all its glory with it’s bay doors open. Don’t miss the Shuttle Launch Experience ride and the full scale replica of the Hubble Space Telescope
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – Step into the modern era of Commercial Government collaboration in space. Check out a real SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and other artifacts from NASA’s commercial partners. Then step into Spaceport USA ride where you can virtually journey to the stars

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive early: There is so much to do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and so little time to do it. Guests are often disappointed that when they choose to arrive later in the day they end up missing out on large sections of the experience. Your family can explore for 2 days and still not run out of things to discover
• Plan Ahead: Knowing which exhibits you want to and planning your route can help those with limited time get the most out of KSCVC. The Visitor Complex sometimes offers special viewing options for major launches, and this is the best way to get up close to the action, but this is also one of the closest spots to view normal launches as well. If you can time your visit with a launch attempt there are sometimes speakers and events centered around them as well.

• Protect Yourself: While most of the artifacts are inside air conditioned buildings, a good chunk of time is spent out in the Florida sun and rain walking between major attraction areas. KSCVC is surrounded by nature and swampland, and as such, bugs can become an issue at certain times of the day. Check the weather and pack sunscreen, rain gear and bug spray as appropriate
• Know Your Peak Seasons:  Like other Florida theme parks, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is usually busier around the holiday season, and times when families have vacations. Plan your trip accordingly, pack your patience, and be prepared for slightly longer lines

Related Yearly Events

• Yuri’s Night – April: Party with your fellow space nerds, astronauts, and more and celebrate Yuri Gagarin (the first human to leave Earth) and all things Space!
• Space Coast International Air Show – April/May:  South Brevard’s premiere Air Show takes over the skies above Melbourne
• Cocoa Beach Air Show – April/May:  Enjoy the waves and sun, while some of the greatest aircraft in the world put on a show above Cocoa Beach
• Thunder on Cocoa Beach – April/May: Get your adrenaline pumping as power boats and other watercraft race to be king of Cocoa Beach
• Taste of Space/Marstini Shake-Off – Oct-Nov: Sample the special menu at the Visitor Complex and enjoy special food and drink events all month
• Holidays in Space – Dec: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex goes all out for the holidays with special exhibits and decorations

Want to Keep Living Like an Astronaut?

• KSCVC Featured Attractions (7)
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• Cocoa Beach (1)
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Cape Crossing Resort & Marina

Cape Crossing Resort & Marina offers the option to step away from the crowds and into a smaller more private setting. Townhomes – offer private garages and personal access to the units.  These two-story units give plenty of room to self-isolate even within your own family.  Giving you much needed space…

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Playalinda Brewing Company- Hardware Store

Nestled in a renovated, 100 year old hardware store in historic downtown Titusville, Playalinda Brewing Company first opened its doors in 2014. Named after the Space City’s go-to beach, Playalinda has since become a gathering place for both locals and visitors alike. The variety of beers on tap is constantly…

Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill at Cape Crossing

Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill at Cape Crossing is Florida’s Space Coast newest destination for food, fun, family and friends. Nestled along the shores of the historic Canaveral Barge Canal on Merritt Island, Dolphins is located at the world-class Cape Crossing Resort & Marina. It is the largest tiki bar…

Courtyard by Marriott: Titusville – Kennedy Space Center

Nestled in Titusville, Florida, the Courtyard Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center offers modern comfort amidst the coastal landscape. The spacious rooms provide a sanctuary with special space-themed touches, plush bedding, and contemporary furnishings. Enjoy the large outdoor resort-style pool with a children’s splash zone, cabanas, and a poolside bar. Savor…

Sands Space History Center

Formerly known as The Air Force Space and Missile History Center, the Sands Space History Center is located just outside the south gate of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Here you will learn about the spirit of space exploration and discover displays for each launch complex on site at Cape…

Golf N Gator!

Golf ‘n Gator is a mini golf course featuring two 18-hole courses that you can either choose to play individually or a flat-fee for ‘all you can play.’ Lining the courses are tropical landscapes with streams and waterfalls, as well as bridges that cross over two ponds that where live…

Casa Coquina del Mar Bed & Breakfast

We are a family-owned Bed and Breakfast with great views of Space Coast Launches. We offer full breakfast, complimentary evening snacks and beverages, a super garden hot tub and an electric car charger. Our guest’s comfort and enjoyment is our principal goal.

Hyatt Place Titusville / Kennedy Space Center

Watch the next Rocket Launch without leaving your room at Hyatt Place Titusville Kennedy Space Center. Make yourself at home in one of our 110 rooms including 8 suites. Kick back in the Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper, or get more space to stretch out with our 550-square-foot one-bedroom suite. We…

Long Doggers Melbourne

Located across the street from the King Center, swing by before or after your show to this casual and laid back restaurant. Offering fish, burgers, soups, salads, some Mexican fare, appetizers and a large variety of beers–including craft beer–locals and vacationers alike give it high ratings for the quality of…

Space Coast Launches App

Are you obsessed with space? Download our Space Coast Launches App to watch a live stream of every rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida.

• Locate the exact spot on the horizon to watch during a live rocket launch using the Compass feature.
• Countdown every second with real-time launch clock on the main screen.
• Keep track of upcoming missions including current launch schedule, in-depth mission plans and rocket details.

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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center, one of 10 NASA field centers, is a premier multiuser spaceport with more than 90 private-sector partners and nearly 250 partnership agreements. The presence of commercial companies at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is larger than ever before, enabling us to embark on a new era of space exploration. Although Kennedy is the agency’s main launch site, the center also is home to facilities that research and develop innovative solutions that government and commercial space ventures need for working and living on the surfaces of the Moon and other bodies in our solar system.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

July 1, 1962

Janet Petro

Latest Kennedy News

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Programs and More

Kennedy plays a vital role in supporting science, technology, exploration, and human space flight.

Commercial Crew Program

The Commercial Crew Program represents a revolutionary approach to government and commercial collaborations for the advancement of space exploration.

Deep Space Logistics

Gateway is a critical part of NASA's deep space exploration plans, along with the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and human landing system.

Exploration Ground Systems

EGS is preparing the infrastructure to support several different kinds of spacecraft and rockets, including the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis missions.

Launch Services Program

NASA's LSP is responsible for launching uncrewed rockets delivering spacecraft that observe the Earth, visit other plants, and explore the universe – from weather satellites to telescopes to rovers and more.

Research and Technology

The developments made inside Kennedy's labs and its unique facilities are critical to the future success of space exploration and play an important role in improving the quality of life for all Americans.

Commercial Resupply

NASA's commercial space program has enabled a successful partnership with two American companies to resupply the International Space Station, helping build a strong American commercial space industry.

See a Launch up Close

Experience the sights and sounds of a launch like never before.

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Visiting Kennedy on Business

Doing business with kennedy.

Kennedy has nearly 250 active partnership agreements in place with more than 90 private-sector partners.

Whether you want to launch spacecraft or engage in other aerospace-related activities, Kennedy Space Center – with its unique facilities, proven technical capabilities and experienced workforce – can provide a partnership that will help you reach your goals.

Master Plan

Kennedy Space Center is the world’s preeminent launch complex for government and commercial space access, enabling the world to explore and work in space.

Learn more information about Kennedy’s background, mission, and process that went into constructing the Master Plan.

Any person entering Kennedy Space Center on official business must have a Kennedy-issued badge in order to gain access.

Clearance to enter the center complex should be coordinated through your Kennedy sponsor – the individual or office you intend to visit. You may pick up your badge at the Kennedy Badging Office, located just outside Gate 3. Select “Read More” for directions to the badging office, as well as a list of accepted documentation required to pick up your badge.

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Learn more about how you can become virtual guests at launches and milestone events.

Pioneering spaceflight and innovation

In July 1962, the Launch Operations Center was established, and by December 1963, it was renamed the John F. Kennedy Space Center.

Launch pads and towers rose one by one above the scrub land, dotting the shoreline of Florida’s East Coast. By 1960, the Missile Firing Laboratory had become an extension of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. On July 1, 1962, NASA officially activated the Launch Operations Center at the seaside spaceport, granting the center equal status to Marshall and offering the center’s new director, Dr. Kurt H. Debus, a direct report to the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The following year the center was renamed to honor the president who put America on the path to the Moon.

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Invitation to Dance

Dive in to the exciting 2024-2025 season of Dance programming.

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What’s On Now

• Social Impact

National Symphony Orchestra Manfred Honeck conducts Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony | Nurit Bar-Josef plays Beethoven

May 2 - 4, 2024

Manfred Honeck, whose 2020 recording of Bruckner’s Ninth earned him three Grammy nominations, presents the gripping work live to D.C. audiences. NSO Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef showcases her “especially beautiful playing… brimming with character” ( The Washington Post ) in Beethoven’s rarely heard Romances for violin and orchestra.

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Shear Madness

Oct. 3, 2023 - Sep. 29, 2024

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

Divinity Roxx

May 4 - 5, 2024

Celebrate self-love and positivity with Divinity Roxx, a Grammy ® -nominated musician, recording artist, and composer. Her upbeat and sunny music is filled with powerful messages that encourage young people to become the best versions of themselves. 

Opera Lafayette presents Les Fêtes de Thalie

May 3 - 4, 2024

Mouret’s spirited opéra-ballet, Les Fêtes de Thalie, looks at love through the eyes of three women in these delightful vignettes: La Fille (The Girl), La Veuve Coquette (The Coquettish Widow) and La Femme (The Wife). Conducted by Christophe Rousset and directed by Catherine Turocy, these witty tales, in which women get the better of the men in their lives, feature a young and diverse cast of American singers and dancers.

Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour

Fri. May 3, 2024

Known as the King of Rant, the Grammy Award®–winning stand-up Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world.

Washington National Opera Let’s Go There : “A Turandot for Today” – Panel Discussion

Sun. May 5, 2024 4p.m.

Explore the themes of WNO’s  Turandot  through a special panel discussion and afternoon tea.

Dixie’s Tupperware Party

May 7 - Jun. 2, 2024

Dixie Longate is the fast-talking, gum-chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma’s Tupperware party into the 21st century. Filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation, and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom, Dixie’s Tupperware Party leaves your heart a little bigger and your food a little fresher.

Washington National Opera Christopher Tin Sing-In  with the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra

Tue. May 7, 2024

Calling all singers and gamers! Washington National Opera, in partnership with composer Christopher Tin and the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra, invites you to participate in this free “sing-in”!

National Symphony Orchestra Benjamin Grosvenor plays Liszt | Anja Bihlmaier conducts Berlioz

May 9 - 11, 2024

Strap in for the psychedelic rollercoaster of Symphonie fantastique , Berlioz’s epic fever dream of obsession, ecstasy, tantrums, and wild ambition. The NSO also performs Bryce Dessner’s Mari and Liszt’s scintillating Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by the “one in a million giant of solo piano” Benjamin Grosvenor ( The Independen t).

George Lopez

May 10 - 11, 2024

George Lopez’s illustrious and multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night television. Lopez has broken ground for Latino comics by embracing his ethnicity, confronting racial stereotypes, and fighting for his community on and off the stage.

Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival 2024

Join us in honoring the life and work of the “first lady of jazz,” legendary pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. Hosted by the incomparable Dee Dee Bridgewater, this year’s two-day festival features performances by Eliane Elias, Endea Owens, Ingrid Jensen and the Center Song Project, Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band, and more phenomenal women leading today’s jazz scene.

Washington National Opera Turandot

May 11 - 25, 2024

Love makes a princess stronger in this glorious production by Francesca Zambello, offering a Turandot for our times.

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Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy

Free Admission 10 a.m. to Midnight

This major permanent exhibit in the massive roof-level Atrium will explore Kennedy’s appreciation and promotion of the arts and why the Kennedy Center came to be the living memorial to him and his ideals.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream) NSO Youth Fellows

Thu. May 2, 2024 6p.m.

Students from the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Program will perform chamber music on the Millennium Stage.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream) National Symphony Orchestra

Fri. May 3, 2024 6p.m.

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play an assortment of chamber music.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream) Pokey LaFarge

Sat. May 4, 2024 6p.m.

Pokey LaFarge returns with In The Blossom of Their Shade , out now via New West Records. The collection is the follow up to LaFarge’s critically acclaimed 2020 studio LP Rock Bottom Rhapsody which NPR’s Fresh Air named a “Best of 2020” and an “Album that made an art of escapism.”

Millennium Stage Films Extraordinary Cinema:  Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story

Sun. May 5, 2024 3p.m.

Join us for FREE film screenings in the Justice Forum at the REACH. Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story is an intimate, career-spanning portrait of Ukrainian immigrant and punk legend Eugene Hütz. Featuring a post-show film Q&A with directors Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib, producer Beverly Chase, and Eugene Hütz.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream) Mateusz  Krzy ż owski

Wed. May 8, 2024 6p.m.

Mateusz Krzyżowski is the winner of the International Competition for Young Pianists Arthur Rubinstein in memoriam (2021) and the International Piano Competition Ignacy Jan Paderewski (2022). In 2021, he reached the semi-finals of the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition. In 2024, Mateusz Krzyżowski returns to the USA with a second concert tour (the previous one took place in 2023).

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Be Ready When the Luck Happens : An Evening Conversation with Ina Garten

Tue. Nov. 26, 2024

In a live moderated conversation at the Kennedy Center, Garten will discuss and elaborate on the themes of her memoir—from childhood to becoming an author of bestselling cookbooks and a celebrated television host.

Aug. 2 - 11, 2024

Based on the groundbreaking Italian film 8 ½ , Nine follows famed director Guido Contini, suffering from “director’s block” on his latest film and from a strained marriage to the neglected Luisa, as he retreats into his mind, where a parade of women—lovers past and present—bombards his senses and throws reality into question.

Don’t Tell Seth! An Evening with Seth Meyers Writers

Jun. 14 - 15, 2024

Don’t Tell Seth! is a variety show featuring members of the writing staff of Late Night with Seth Meyers . Unshackled from the confines of network censors and what Seth thinks is “appropriate” for his show, they are finally free to let loose!

From the writing desks of late night, catch John Lutz, Peter Grosz, Matt Goldich, Jenny Hagel, Jeff Wright, Allison Hord, Ben Warheit, and Ian Morgan at the Kennedy Center.

BeBe Winans

Fri. Jul. 26, 2024

ONE NIGHT ONLY! The renowned gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, and producer captivates the Concert Hall.

Sat. Jun. 1, 2024

Daybreaker returns with its PEACE TOUR! The event begins with an outdoor morning yoga class and then transitions into a dance party emphasizing self-expression and unity with others.

National Symphony Orchestra Angélique Kidjo

Wed. Jun. 12, 2024

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo entrances audiences with her striking voice, stage presence, and visionary fusion of West African culture, American R&B, Latin music, funk, dancehall, and jazz. A once-in-a-lifetime performance!

National Symphony Orchestra DECLASSIFIED ® : Ben Folds Presents  BANKS & Julien Baker

Fri. Jun. 14, 2024

BANKS and Julien Baker join NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds at his next late-night  DECLASSIFIED ® concert! This Kennedy Center-exclusive “part concert, part party” event defies the traditional symphony presentation by offering great live music—both classical and contemporary—in a laid-back, casual setting. Come early and stay late for drink specials, live shows, and more!

National Symphony Orchestra A Gospel Symphony Celebration

Jun. 18 - 19, 2024

In celebration of Juneteenth, witness the fusion of two extraordinary musical worlds! Grammy Award–winning producer Dr. Henry Panion III leads the NSO, local gospel choirs, and special guests at this unforgettable evening of soulful celebration. Get ready to be moved, uplifted, and inspired by classic and contemporary Gospel hits in a symphonic spectacle that will get you on your feet and singing along with joy!

Jun. 25 - Jul. 14, 2024

Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Aug. 13 - Sep. 1, 2024

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. MAMMA MIA!  is the ultimate feel-good show.

MC Lyte presents PJ Morton and MAJOR.! An R&B Mother’s Day Celebration

Sun. May 12, 2024

Hip hop icon and founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council Member MC Lyte presents an evening with five-time Grammy®-winning soul singer, songwriter, performer, and producer PJ Morton and Grammy Award®–, Soul Train Music Award–, and NAACP Image Award–nominated soul singer and multi-hyphenate MAJOR.! These two legendary artists will host a one-night-only performance in the Concert Hall honoring mothers and mother figures.

Aparna Nancherla

Sat. May 18, 2024

Aparna Nancherla is an acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. Praised by critics and fans alike for her distinctive dry, existential, and whimsical sense of humor, Aparna has toured her stand-up comedy extensively around the U.S. and the world. Now catch her new stand-up set in the Terrace Theater!

National Symphony Orchestra Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival

Tue. May 21, 2024

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael , and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Back to the Future: The Musical

Jul. 23 - Aug. 11, 2024

Great Scott! Back to the Future , the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Washington, D.C., in 2024. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future.

Broadcast & Streaming

The mark twain prize for american humor.

Premieres May 11 on NETFLIX

The Kennedy Center presents the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Kevin Hart. Meet the new recipient and watch performances, interviews, and other highlights from past events.

NEXT at the Kennedy Center on PBS Joshua Redman

Available Now

Renowned jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman performs songs from his new album, where are we , as he explores the myths and realities of life in America. Accompanied by soulful vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa and an all-star ensemble featuring Aaron Parks (piano), Joe Sanders (bass), and Brian Blade (drums), the group explores the duality of differing jazz standards interpreted with the improvisational brilliance and melodic invention that is a hallmark of Redman’s artistry. 

NEXT at the Kennedy Center on PBS An Evening with Jacob Collier, Laufey, and dodie

AVAILABLE NOW

Ben Folds invites the virtuosic Jacob Collier, rising jazz superstar Laufey, and chart-topping English singer-songwriter dodie to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra and challenge them to reimagine their music through an orchestral lens.

National Symphony Orchestra William Shatner: So Fragile, So Blue

“This album is about something we all have in common; this beautiful planet Earth that we all call home.”

—William Shatner

2024 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert

Celebrate the esteemed recipients of the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship: virtuoso vocalist/pianist Amina Claudine Myers, prolific saxophonist Gary Bartz, Grammy-winning trumpet player Terence Blanchard, and Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival Willard Jenkins. This concert event features performances by 2024 recipients, powerful tributes, special guest artists, and more.

The Kennedy Center Honors

Full Show Now Streaming

Celebrate the 46th Honorees: actor and comedian Billy Crystal; acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming; British singer-songwriter producer, and member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb; rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.

View the Full Show with a free account.

Kennedy Center Stories

Center magazine.

Explore our new, reimagined patron magazine with more stories, more inspiration, and more fun from our arts community. The May–June issue includes features on Kris Andersson’s drag persona Dixie Longate, trailblazing choreographer Choo San Goh, and this summer’s lineup of free Millennium Stage events.

CENTER Magazine The Riddle of Turandot

Washington National Opera’s new production of Puccini’s Turandot seeks to reclaim the dignity of opera’s icy queen. With her commission of a new finale from playwright Susan Soon He Stanton and composer Christopher Tin, director Francesca Zambello is bringing a Turandot for our times, exploding past cultural appropriation and gender dynamics to reveal deeper, lasting truths about these incomplete characters.

CENTER blog 10 Reasons to Join Us for the 24-25 Dance Season

April 23, 2024

In the words of David Bowie: “Let’s Dance”

CENTER blog How Artistic Sign Language Works

April 17, 2024

Two of our Directors of Artistic Sign Language, or DASLs (pronounced “Dazzles”) share how they bring performances to life in American Sign Language (ASL).

CENTER blog Questions with...Conductor José Luis Gomez

April 11, 2024

The guest conductor with the NSO and music director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra shares his story, approach to music, and advice to young artists.

CENTER blog Nina Simone’s Songs of the Civil Rights Movement Inspire Project ChArma To Move

April 9, 2024

Nina Simone’s incomparable voice sounds like whiskey and honey, or as the incomparable vocalist and musician once said, “Sometimes I sound like gravel, and sometimes I sound like coffee and cream.”

CENTER blog 25 years of the Mark Twain Prize...in caricature!

March 22, 2024

How do you take some of the funniest people on the planet and distill all the joy they bring us into one drawing? 

On Our Digital Stage

Jacob collier and dodie perform “summer rain” with the nso | next at the kennedy center.

The virtuosic Jacob Collier and chart-topping dodie perform “Summer Rain” with the National Symphony Orchestra as part of Ben Folds' DECLASSIFIED series which challenges artists to re-imagine their work through an orchestral lens.

National Symphony Orchestra

• Popular Music

Laufey, dodie, and Jacob Collier perform 'Wild Mountain Thyme' with NSO | Next at the Kennedy Center

Laufey, dodie, and Jacob Collier sing the ode, "Wild Mountain Thyme," combining their talents in a fascinating musicality blend. The artists stun in their solos as well as their melodic intertwining, with Collier encouraging the audience to engage in a fun twist of events.

Laufey Performs Amazing Version of 'From the Start' with the NSO | Next at the Kennedy Center | PBS

Jazz artist, @laufey joins the National Symphony Orchestra to perform a refreshing rendition of her piece "From the Start." Laufey’s vocal and instrumental skills take over the stage while the orchestra kicks off the contemporary jazz tone that provides a new sentiment and meaning for listeners.

• Contemporary Music

Why Kevin Hart Deserves the Mark Twain Prize | 2024 Mark Twain Prize

Hear what some of comedy's bright stars had to say about this year's recipient of the prestigious award.

Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” | The Kennedy Center at 50

Christian McBride, Dianne Reeves, Ray Chen, LaTasha Barnes and the Manzari Brothers perform Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” with the National Symphony Orchestra during the Kennedy Center's 50th Anniversary concert.

Sequoia "REDWOOD" Snyder and Liany Mateo perform "Feed the Fire" | NEXT at the Kennedy Center

Liany Mateo and Sequoia “REDWOOD” Snyder perform “Feed the Fire” by the late Geri Allen, a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. Featured in NEXT at the Kennedy Center on PBS.

Video Gallery Mark Twain Prize Acceptance Speeches

Take a look back and laugh along with over 20 years of acceptance speeches from legends of comedy.

Leyla McCalla - “Mèsi Bondye” w/ National Symphony Orchestra | DECLASSIFIED

Acclaimed multi-hyphenate Leyla McCalla (formerly of the Grammy®-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops) performs "Mèsi Bondye" with the National Symphony Orchestra on July 20th, 2022 as part of the “Declassified: Ben Folds Presents” concert series

Ben Platt and Cynthia Erivo Perform 'You're All I Need to Get By' | NEXT at the Kennedy Center

Tony Award winners Cynthia Erivo and Ben Platt fill the stage with joy as they perform this classic Soul hit. Watch the whole concert on PBS.

Cynthia Erivo Performs 'I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know' | NEXT at the Kennedy Center

Cynthia Erivo, enchanting star of the stage and screen, performs “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”, a song about unwavering love.

Cynthia Erivo performs "Alfie" for Dionne Warwick | 46th Kennedy Center Honors

Cynthia Erivo brings down the house with her soulful rendition of "Alfie" in a heartfelt tribute to 2023 Honoree Dionne Warwick.

Watch the Full Kennedy Center Honors

Available for a Limited time

Celebrate the 46th Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements: actor and comedian  Billy Crystal ; acclaimed soprano  Renée Fleming ; British singer-songwriter producer, and member of the Bee Gees,  Barry Gibb ; rapper, singer, and actress  Queen Latifah ; and singer  Dionne Warwick .

See More On Digital Stage

Explore a treasure trove of videos featuring performance and stories across all our genres.

New Seasons Announced!

Fortas chamber music concerts.

Artistic Director Jennifer Koh introduces her inaugural season of Fortas Chamber Music Concerts exploring the theme of evolution.

NSO Music Director Gianandrea Noseda leads a remarkable season of bold new music, timeless masterworks, world-class guests, and much more.

Washington National Opera

Led by General Director Timothy O’Leary and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, WNO brings a captivating season featuring Fidelio , Macbeth , The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs , Porgy and Bess , and more!

Arts Education Highlights

At kennedy center education, we strive to engage and uplift all learners through quality arts education in ways that spark curiosity, build empathy, and embolden citizen artistry. explore digital education resources, free classroom lesson plans and activities, virtual “field trips” and much more , virtual performance peter and friends.

Inspired by Sergei Prokofiev’s  Peter and the Wolf , this immersive show, presented in collaboration with Teller Productions, will have audience members playing like cats, flying like birds, and engaging with live music all along the way.

Virtual Performance SLOPERA!

SLOPERA! A Bite-Sized Opera is based on Mo Willems ’ book I Really Like Slop! that brings Elephant and Piggie to a place they’ve always belonged: the opera! Elephant and Piggie are best friends, but what happens to besties when they find out they might not be able to share everything together? Do friends have to like all the same things? Free registration required.

Collection Hip Hop Culture

Hip hop embraces these artistic elements, most definitely. But it also has blended and transcended them to become a means for seeing, celebrating, experiencing, understanding, confronting, and commenting on life and the world. Hip hop, in other words, is a way of living—a culture.

Explore our rich variety of performances, events, series, and festivals.

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Join us as a Member or simply donate today to support our artistic and education programs in communities around the country.

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JFK Memorial

See how the living memorial explores, challenges, and reflects the contemporary spirit of America.

Visit our online store to find the perfect gift for your family and friends, or yourself.

The Kennedy Center’s Social Credo

As the Nation’s Cultural Center, the Kennedy Center’s objective is to invite art into the lives of all Americans and ensure it represents the cultural diversity of America. 

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Things to do at the Kennedy Space Center

T he Kennedy Space Center is a must visit attraction for anyone interested in space exploration and the history of NASA and there are plenty of other things to do at the Kennedy Space Center .

Whether you're interested in nature, history, or just having fun, there's something for everyone.

This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located just a few miles from the Kennedy Space Center, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and peaceful nature reserve that's home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Visitors can hike, bike, or drive through the refuge, and there are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Canaveral National Seashore

The Canaveral National Seashore is another great place to experience the natural beauty of the Space Coast. This 24-mile stretch of undeveloped beach is home to sea turtles, manatees, and a wide variety of shorebirds. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, fish, or just relax and enjoy the scenery.

Astronaut Memorial Planetarium & Observatory

Located on the Eastern Florida State College campus in nearby Cocoa, the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium & Observatory is a great place to learn more about astronomy and space exploration.

Visitors can watch live planetarium shows, observe the night sky through telescopes, and learn about the history of spaceflight.

Brevard Zoo

Located in Melbourne, just a short drive from the Kennedy Space Center, the Brevard Zoo is a great place to see a wide variety of animals from around the world.

The zoo features exhibits on Florida wildlife, African wildlife, and animals from the Americas, as well as a large collection of birds.

Cocoa Beach

No trip to the Space Coast is complete without a visit to Cocoa Beach, one of Florida's most popular beach destinations.

Visitors can swim, surf, fish, or just relax and soak up the sun. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore in the area.

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

While there are plenty of things to see and do near the Kennedy Space Center, the center itself is definitely worth a visit. One of the best ways to experience the centre is by taking the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour.

The bus tour takes visitors on a guided tour of the centre, including stops at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the launch pads, and the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Visitors can also see the Space Shuttle Atlantis and learn about the history of NASA and the U.S. space program.

Overall, the Kennedy Space Center and the surrounding area offer a wealth of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or space exploration, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The post Things to do at the Kennedy Space Center appeared first on The Rebel Chick .

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The best places in Moscow for space lovers

The Memorial museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow. Source: Lori/Legion-Media

In Moscow lovers of the films “Interstellar” and “Gravity” can begin their space tour as soon as they arrive by staying at the Cosmos Hotel, located in what could be called the “space” part of town. From there they can cross the street to the Cosmos Pavilion at VDNKh and the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics.

Choose the planetarium that fits you best: a fancy one full of wild amusements or a small and cosy Soviet one hidden among the trees of Ekaterininsky Park. For a tour of Zvezdny Gorodok (Star Village) reservations often must be made two months in advance.

Cosmic canine pioneers

At the end of World War II it was still unknown if a living being could survive a space flight. In the USSR, given Professor Pavlov’s previous experience, experiments went forward with dogs, while in the U.S. and France scientists chose monkeys and cats respectively. In the USSR dogs were taken from shelters, as family dogs were considered too soft. Scientists needed dogs with a real “Soviet character,” in other words tough and full of self-denial.

In August 1960 Belka and Strelka accomplished 17 orbits around the Earth and their comeback was a triumph. They spent the rest of their lives in glory, and were often paraded around in kindergartens and schools. When they died their bodies were stuffed with straw and put on display at the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow.

Source: RIA Novosti/Ruslan Krivobok

Nikita Khrushchev gave Pushinka, a puppy of the heroine Strelka, as a gift to President Kennedy’s daughter. The gift was intended as a hint: the First Secretary of the Communist Party wanted to demonstrate that the USSR had beaten the U.S. in the space race. Once the CIA checked it for listening devices, Pushinka became the Kennedys’ pet, soon pairing it off with their Welsh terrier Charlie. She gave birth to four puppies.

The Museum of Cosmonautics

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

The museum has a rich collection including the first satellite, a space WC, the capsule where space dogs Kozyavka and Otvazhnaya lived, the personal belongings of the first astronaut, specimens from the moon and recreations of space flights. Authentic space food is sold in the gift shop.

Everything has been left untouched at Korolev’s Memorial House Museum located nearby. He lived there for six years during an intense period of work, fully devoting himself to projects aimed at conquering space, the most important of which was the launch of the Earth’s first artificial satellite and the first space flight of a man.

Prospekt Mira 111 Metro: VDNKh +7 (495) 683-79-68 www.kosmo-museum.ru   Hours of operation: Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 10:00-19:00, Thu 10:00-21:00; closed Mondays Entrance fee: 200 rubles (3,5$) for adults; 50 rubles (80 cents) for children; free for children under six Guided tour: 350 rubles (6$); photo or video: 230 rubles (4$) Admission to the Buran-2 interactive space flight: 200 rubles (3,5$)

Zvezdny Gorodok (Star City)

Source: Photoxpress

The Astronauts’ Training Center and the Museum of Space Exploration can be found at the closed settlement Zvezdny Gorodok. Here you can learn about the history of spacecraft, see the first Soviet rocket, spacesuits and flight simulators for the training of astronauts. If you submit to a quick medical check-up, you can try all this yourself. But strolling around the grounds through this quiet town is also worthwhile as it’s a fascinating glimpse into Soviet scientific settlements. In order to visit the museum, you need to book a tour by phone or e-mail at least 35 days in advance.

Zvezdny Gorodok, 23 kilometers from MKAD, Sholkovskoe Shosse, Moscow Region +7 (495) 526-38-74 www.zvezdniygorodok.ru   (in Russian) E-mail:  [email protected] Entrance fee: 500 rubles (9$) for adults, 400 rubles (7$) for children

Moscow Planetarium

Source: TASS/Vladimir Astapkovich

The Moscow Planetarium was recently reconstructed and has once again become a major destination for entertainment mixed with a scientific and educational mission. There are Large and Small Star Halls, the Lunarium interactive museum, a 4D cinema and an observatory.

Source: TASS/Anna Salynskaya

The planetarium is located in the Large Star Hall, which projects stars and planets on the ceiling and shows a documentary film on black holes and the collision of galaxies. In the Lunarium you can make the Sun explode with a virtual meteorite, take a walk on Mars, launch a hydrogen-fuelled rocket or give shape to an extra-terrestrial. This is not Moscow's only such facility, as there is also a small but pleasant planetarium in Ekaterininsky Park:  www.planetarium-cc.ru   (in Russian)

Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya ul. 5/1 Metro: Krasnopresnenskaya, Barrikadnaya +7 (495) 221-76-90 www.planetarium-moscow.ru/en Hours of operation: Mon, Wed-Sun 10:00–21:00; closed Tuesdays Entrance fee: 120–700 rubles (2-12,5$)

The Cosmos Pavilion at VDNKh

The Cosmos Pavilion Museum at VDNKh park features a full-size interactive model of the future Mars-Tefo space station. It is part educational project and part interactive museum dedicated to the exploration of Mars. It is also a place where you can experience the role of the astronaut and explorer of distant worlds.

Source: TASS/Milkhail Japaridze

There are three ways to experience Mars-Tefo: you can look, touch or try yourself. Visitors can get on a simulator that mimics a walk on the surface of Mars with views of its landscapes. The walk leads to the station, where you can observe sandstorms.

There are fantastic images of Mars’ surface as well as a panorama of the Gale Crater shot by the Curiosity space probe in 2012. Additionally, visitors can enter the teleport zone and go into the future to a time when humans can explore Mars and a screening room where you can see Mars and a film on the exploration and conquest of the Red Planet.  

Prospekt Mira 119, VDNKh, Pavilion 34 Metro: VDNKh +7 (495) 215-13-41 or +7 (495) 215-13-48 The pavilion is open Tues-Sun, although tours must be booked in advance Entrance fee:  500–2000 rubles (9$-36$), with a five-percent discount if tickets are purchased online  www.marstefo.ru  (in Russian)

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