We were hosted by Kennedy Space Center on a media visit, as always opinions are our own.
If you are visiting Florida and only have one day to spend at Kennedy Space Center, it can be done and I will show you how to do it!
Tickets and Parking
To save time (and often money), I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance online. That way, you would not have to wait in a long line and get to the fun faster. However, you will still have to go through the security line but it goes by really fast.
At this time of posting, one day ticket prices are $75 Adults (age 12+) and $65 Child (age 3 -11). There are also discounted tickets for military and senior visitors.
There is plenty of parking for cars, motorcycles and oversized vehicles. The cost is $15 for automobiles, $5 for motorcycles and $20 for oversized vehicles, RVs and motor homes.
Parking is for one day only.
Tip: Use this address when using your GPS: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 (or look up Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex). Do not enter Kennedy Space Center because it will not take you to the visitor complex. I believe it goes to an entrance for employees only.
Here is a list of Must Do Activities when you only have one day at Kennedy Space Center.
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
This is included with your admission ticket so definitely don’t skip this awesome tour!
You will be taken behind the restricted NASA gates on an unforgettable bus tour to see the famous Vehicle Assembly Building, launch pads and visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center that is home to the Saturn V rocket.
We were in for a surprising treat when the bus driver pointed out one of Space X’s rocket boosters in transport for its upcoming launch.
TIP: Do this first in the morning when you arrive because it fills up throughout the day and the last bus tour runs 2.5 hours before park closure.
Apollo/Saturn V Center
Experience a piece of history at the Firing Room Theater (and I’m not going to spoil it for you but there is a good reason why it’s called that!)
Next, see the Saturn V rocket up close. Saturn V is the largest rocket ever built and was used in the Apollo space program.
Watch “The Eagle Has Landed” at the Lunar Theater at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. You will relive the final minutes of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Take the bus back to the Visitor Complex and grab lunch.
The Shuttle Launch Experience
This is a very realistic simulator of what it feels like to launch in a shuttle headed to space. If you have a weak stomach, I recommend doing this experience before you eat lunch!
You will feel everything from the rumble of the rocket boosters to the “twang” – what they call the upright position and sideways motion seen before launch.
Atlantis
See the retired Atlantis space shuttle that traveled 125 million miles – it’s a beautiful experience.
Atlantis went on 33 missions and was retired after its final flight in July 2011, closing out the end of NASA’s shuttle program.
Rocket Garden
The rockets are from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, dedicated to all who brought the dream of space exploration to life. You could wander through the garden without a tour or join a guided tour (included in your ticket) for more in-depth information about the rockets.
Experience Interactive Exhibits and Films
The complex splits the attractions and exhibits into “Mission Zones”. Each zone has different attractions based on the different eras in space exploration including exhibits related to today’s space program. Nature & Technology, Heroes and Legends, Space Mirror Memorial are just a few areas to name that are there to experience.
And that leads us to my new favorite, Gateway!
Gateway
This new exhibit building opened in 2022. We could’ve spent most of the day in there, it was so much fun!
It represents a gateway to the future of space exploration. This state-of-the-art facility offers a lot of interactive exhibits including four different simulated space journeys in the Motion Theater (Uncharted Worlds, Red Planet, Daring Explorers, and Cosmic Wonders) We managed to get on three of them.
The space journeys are comparable to Disney World Epcot’s Soarin’ Around the World ride, if you are familiar with that.
Go Explore
There is so much to see at the Visitor Complex, including special shows like the live action performance of “All Systems Are Go!” Follow along with Snoopy and Woodstock’s space mission on this 20 minute adventure at Universe Theater.
If you have kids, they will love Planet Play, it’s a 3 story indoor play area for kids up to age 12.
Also check out other experiences like the Space Film in IMAX “Deep Sky” and Journey to Mars (shows every 30 minutes until 3:30pm.)
I think everyone should experience Kennedy Space Center at least once. It’s not only educational but will also spark a curiosity for space exploration that will last a lifetime.
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