Discovering Kennedy Space Centre

Kennedy Space Centre is the base of America's space programme and is an interesting day out for all space lovers everywhere.

Kennedy Space Centre was NASA's launch headquarters from the 1960s until 2012 when the final shuttle launch. Now due to a space programme with major private investment, visitors to the complex can once again view live rocket launches. If you are wondering how far is Kennedy Space Centre from Orlando, it is only 45 minutes away by car. 



Admission to the space centre includes so much including the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, the Shuttle Launch Experience, various 3D films showing life in space, and the Apollo/Saturn V centre. If you are really lucky you can even catch a shuttle launch or visit the Astronaut Encounter where you can listen to a real astronaut talking about their experience in space.



The rocket garden

There are various shows and talks throughout the day and I would recommend planning what you want to see as soon as you enter as some of these are timed experiences.


Wendy Lawrence - centre

The first thing we did was the Astronaut Encounter. Our astronaut for the session was Wendy Lawrence, the first female graduate of the US Naval Academy to fly into space. Wendy spent a total of 51 days orbiting the Earth on four shuttle missions including STS-86 Atlantis. The audience had a chance to ask her questions too which was great. I learnt that when she was up in space she saw a sunrise every 45 mins. Did you know that an orange space suit is worn for a launch and that a white space suit is worn for a spacewalk as it can deal with higher temperatures? Astronauts also need to exercise 2 hours a day in space to prevent muscle loss due to the lack of gravity. 

If you get a chance to attend the Astronaut Experience, do it as it's free in the cost of your admission ticket.


Space shuttle Atlantis experience

The Shuttle Launch experience located inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is also well worth doing. You get to feel what it is like in a shuttle launch. Strapped flat on your back, waiting with anticipation for the countdown and then launched into space at simulated speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour, you feel the G force then the weightlessness as if you are floating in space, and see the breathtaking view, of Earth below.

We really enjoyed this experience, you do get an insight into what a shuttle launch is like, and although there are signs everywhere not to ride if you have motion sickness or back problems it isn't as scary as a theme park ride, in fact, it's quite awesome.


A rocket launch pad

The Kennedy Space Centre tour bus leaves every 15 minutes and is included in the price. On this tour that takes between 90 mins to 2 hours you get a chance to view a launch pad, and then experience the historic Apollo 8 launch site and marvel at a massive 363-foot-long Saturn V moon rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.



Saturn V

Two IMAX cinemas show various shows in 3D all relating to space exploration. We watched an incredibly interesting show narrated by Patrick Stewart called Journey To Space. It covers deploying and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and assembling the International Space Station (ISS). The film then concludes with a realistic scenario of how astronauts will actually get to Mars, live there, and then return home after a two-and-a-half-year mission. It's amazing to think that in my lifetime there will be astronauts on Mars and people possibly living there.

There is much more to do at Kennedy Space Centre than I have touched on in this blog post. We really did not have enough time there to explore. I would recommend getting to Kennedy Space Centre early in the day as it really is a full-day attraction. Daily admission is $50 and there are special options you can pay extra for, such as having lunch with an astronaut, and up close tours.


If you are a history lover and curious about space exploration's future, I would recommend a visit. You need to be of an age where you can take it all in and read and absorb the information, so it is suitable for older children and not the littlest ones. If you are a lover of space exploration then Kennedy Space Centre is a fantastically inspiring day out. Also, don't forget to stop in the gift shop for an ice cream sandwich or some strawberries - both freeze-dried like the astronauts eat in space!

Kennedy Space Centre is a fantastic day out for all the family. Check out more of the best family vacation spots in Florida here. 


Have you been to the Kennedy Space Centre?

* We were gifted tickets for an honest review

40 comments

  1. really interesting! I'm sure I'd love the visit if the opportunity arises:) #city tripping

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  2. This just looks so amazing! I loved seeing it on your IG feed :)

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  3. Would totally love to go, I'm so interested in space travel, and this sounds like a once in a lifetime experience.

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  4. I would love to go but I doubt I ever will as I am in the UK and I don't like to travel. But it sounds great. There was a movie I loved as a kid where some kids on space camp were sent accidently to space, it was in the early 80's I think. I've always had an interest in space after watching that.

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    1. I remember Space Camp Lynette, I must be a similar age to you.

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  5. I really really want to go here, it's definitely on my to visit plans when I go to Florida x

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  6. I like the idea of the meet the astronaut session. I'm not particularly technical but hearing directly how they live, seeing a sunrise every 45 minutes, exercising two hours a day, that's engaging for me. Would love to visit. #citytripping

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    1. Yes it really brought home how astronaut's live in space.

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  7. I'm so in awe of astronauts. Sounds like you had a great time.

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  8. I've always wanted to go and meet an astronaut! One of these days...

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  9. Wow this sounds amazing! I'd love to go there and experience as much as I can, being a big science geek and all (I don't actually study it but I just find it all so interesting!) :D

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  10. How interesting. Looks like a fab place to visit

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  11. I've always wanted to go here! I'm nearish in August, so maybe it'll be one small step (cab ride) for me...

    Milly | Mini Adventures

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  12. i would definitely go! I'm always intrigued with anything space related

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  13. It seems like a world away, to see the launch sites and rockets up close like that. I don't think I would want to try the shuttle launch experince though, sounds terrifying!

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    1. It actually wasn't Lucy, I really enjoyed it. I think they have to put warnings everywhere due to the culture in the US.

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  14. Wow! What a trip! This looks fantastic! I love space exhibitions at museums so would love this!

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  15. Wow it looks amazing there I would love to take my girls to go and see it. They'd had an amazing time.

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  16. Sounds like a fascinating experience and one I definitely plan to take my girls to some day. The astronaut encounter sounds especially neat - such interesting facts I never knew! #citytripping

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  17. Perfect discovery! I do love these space stuff. Would love to visit Kennedy pace centre one of these days with friends.

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  18. Perfect discovery! I do love these space stuff. Would love to visit Kennedy pace centre one of these days with friends.

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  19. How amazing! When I was little I was desperate to go to space camp!

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  20. Well I have always wanted to go to the Kennedy Space Centre and it is a double whammy that there is a shuttle launch experience that would be fun.

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    1. If you time your visit roght, you may actually see a real shuttle launch Ana. How amazing is that!

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  21. I remember learning about the Kennedy Space Centre in primary school and I've wanted to visit ever since! Looks like a fascinating place.

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  22. I would LOVE to visit this one day! How utterly fantastic!

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  23. I never did Kennedy Space Centre when I visited Florida, but my family did + loved it.

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  24. I went to the Kennedy Space Centre gosh 16 years ago now I think? I don't remember much of it though I have to say. x

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  25. I love the Kennedy space centre i want when I was a little kid and can still remember it so well! x

    Miss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl

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  26. I've been to Orlando a few times, but I never did the space center. Thanks for sharing your review of it. I'll have to return an visit at some point. It sounds like fun! :)

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  27. I would love to visit - sounds so interesting!! x

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  28. I am a bit of a space geek and I would absolutely love to visit this - perhaps when my daughter is older. Growing up I even wanted to be an astronaut (and an archaeologist) and my dream would still be to go into space. Unlikely, sadly, but this would be an amazing taste. Great to know all the things which are included, especially the talk. Thanks for joining up with #citytripping

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  29. The kids would absolutely love this. Ieuan's term project was "We are astronauts". I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to go into space though!

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  30. Oh wow, what an experience. I did'nt realise there was so much to do. The Astronaut Encounter is an amazing opportunity - I love the sound of Wendy seeing those sunrises.

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  31. This sounds amazing!! I would absolutely love it. I am very impressed you get to meet and ask questions to an actual astronaut and experience what it feels like on lift off. Agree that older children would get more out of this. My three year old is too young to appreciate it but I'm thinking a trip to Disney world is due in the next few years so a visit to the Kennedy Space Station is definitely in order. Thanks for linking to #citytripping

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    1. I think your 3 year old wouldn't get much out of it but older children would.

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