A day out at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the perfect addition to any Orlando holiday. Step into the world of space exploration and find out more about some of the most important missions of our time.
There’s so much to see and do here that going on one of the guided tours is a great option. You’ll get expert insights, exclusive access to historic launch sites, and some epic photo opportunities.
Let’s have a look at the best Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex tours and discover which one is right for you.
Mission Zones at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is split into Mission Zones, where attractions and tours are organised by chronological era. From the very start of exploration into space to the present day and future plans, you can find out more here.
The Mission Zones are:
- Heroes & Legends: Find out more about NASA’s early space programmes and spot some familiar faces in the U.S Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing®
- Behind the Gates: This is the section you’ll get to see on some of the behind-the-scenes tours. You’ll get access to historic launch sites and operational spaceflight facilities
- Race to the Moon: Discover the people and machinery behind the Apollo Moon Landings and learn more about the almost-legendary space race between two world super powers. This area is also home to the Saturn V moon rocket
- Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other: In this mission zone, you can see a genuine space shuttle. Atlantis was one of the shuttles that transported astronauts to space and back on missions
- NASA Now & Next: Find out what’s happening in space right now and what NASA has planned for the future
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
Type: Bus tour with local space experts
How to buy: There’s no need to purchase anything extra, the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included in your admission ticket.
Duration: The tour lasts around 45 minutes but allow 1 hour 15 minutes for the whole experience
The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is perfect if you’re trying to stick to a budget during your trip, as it is included in the price of your admission ticket.
During the tour, you’ll access the restricted areas of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to see operational facilities for both the history and the future of American spaceflight, all from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach.
Visit some of the most important areas of the center and get closer to exclusive areas, including:
Launch complex 39B: the site of the Apollo and space shuttle launches. NASA is now configuring the complex to support future Space Launch System launches.
Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB): Home to the Saturn V Moon rockets and the space shuttle launch configuration since the 1960s. The VAB is currently being modified to support the Space Launch System.
You’ll also hear from local space experts and discover how NASA and its commercial partners are preparing for the future of space exploration. The tour concludes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can explore the Race to the Moon Mission Zone at your own pace before getting the bus back to the visitor complex.
At this Mission Zone, you can learn more about the people and machines that made the Apollo Moon landings possible and see the enormous Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown. Enjoy interactive and engaging exhibits that relive the excitement of this time. It’s just one small step for you!
Return buses leave from the visitor complex every 15 minutes each day. The running hours depend on the center’s opening hours.
Visitor complex closing time | Bus tour hours |
5pm | 9.30am to 2.30pm |
6pm | 9.30am to 3.30pm |
7pm | 9.30am to 4.30pm |
8pm | 9.30am to 5.30pm |
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour highlights
- View restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Launch complex 39B
- Vehicle Assembly Building
- Local space experts as guides
Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour
Type: Behind the scenes bus tour
How to buy: There is an additional charge for this tour. You can purchase the upgrade in advance or on the day, as long as there is availability.
Duration: Around 2 hours
Think of the Explore Tour as an enhanced version of the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. You’ll go behind the scenes and ride along with a space expert on a tour of America’s Spaceport.
The tour goes beyond the bus tour and makes several stops to areas otherwise inaccessible to the public. You’ll be able to see iconic spaceflight operations, including the Vehicle Assembly Building and the historic Launch Complex 39. You’ll be able to disembark to get some incredible photos, too.
The tour covers areas normally only open to NASA personnel, such as the Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building where astronaut crews spend the final days before their flights.
You’ll also get to see the International Space Station Processing Facility, where components of the ISS were built before being ferried into space.
Your expert tour guide will share fascinating historical facts about the sights you see along the way. The tour finishes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center which you can explore in your own time.
Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour highlights:
- Go beyond the Bus Tour
- Launch complex 39B
- Vehicle Assembly Building
- Space expert guides
- Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building
- Space Station Processing Facility
Fly with an Astronaut
Type: Bus tour with NASA astronaut guide and space launch experiences
How to buy: There is an additional charge for this experience, and it can be purchased in advance.
Duration: 5 hours
Ever dreamt of becoming a real astronaut? Well, you can (almost) on the Fly with an Astronaut tour! You’ll meet for a pre-flight briefing and get all the equipment you need for your special mission, including badges and specialised listening devices.
As a newly recruited crew member, you’ll meet your tour guide, a veteran NASA astronaut. Learn more about the early space programme and what it takes to become an astronaut before boarding the tour bus.
You’ll take a behind-the-scenes tour with access to some restricted areas and learn more about the exciting space exploration advancements which take place here.
Later, you’ll enjoy lunch with your astronaut guide who will tell you more about their experiences in space. You’ll get a souvenir pin as a special reminder of your experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Next up, board Space Shuttle Atlantis® for a guided tour. It’s an actual space-flown shuttle and is displayed as it would have been in space – rotated 43.21 degrees with the doors open and Canadarm extended. It’s as if the International Space Station (ISS) has just unlocked it!
The final part of the tour is the Shuttle Launch Experience®. Simulate travelling into space at 17,500 mph alongside a veteran NASA astronaut as you discover what a space launch is really like!
Fly with an Astronaut highlights
- Space is limited to 43 guests for a personalised experience
- Catered lunch with an astronaut
- Guests receive a souvenir pin
- Space Shuttle Atlantis®
- Shuttle Launch Experience®
ATX™️ Astronaut Training
Type: Astronaut training experience
How to buy: Available to purchase at AttractionTickets.com in advance of your visit. This is a separate ticket to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission so you’ll need both if you want to explore the center following your experience.
Duration: 5 hours
Another perfect tour for budding space cadets, ATX™️ Astronaut Training gives you the closest possible experience of training for a space flight that you can get without actually becoming an astronaut.
There are three steps to your training:
- Launch Mission: Learn how to launch a spacecraft and dock with an orbital target. Help the crew complete basic missions and train for emergency scenarios. Practice your hand-eye coordination
- Spacewalk Training: Perform simple mechanical tasks on the microgravity chair. Give instructions to the team from the Training Control Center
- Mars Operations: Explore the different terrains and feel what it’s like to walk on Mars. Land a vehicle on the red planet and drive it
Afterwards, you’ll receive an electronic report detailing all your achievements and a video log that you’ll record on the day.
ATX™️ Astronaut Training highlights
- Learn how to launch a spacecraft
- Spacewalk training
- Walk on Mars
- Mars Lander Rover Control
Kennedy Space Center Tour
Type: Package tour with transfer
Price: This package tour is available to purchase at AttractionTickets.com
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
If you don’t want to make your own way to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you can buy a package tour with return transport and admission included. This is an easy option as you don’t have to worry about driving or having to navigate public transport.
As well as transport, this package tour includes admission, plenty of time to see the interactive exhibits and a professional driver guide.
Kennedy Space Center Tour highlights
- Return transport from International Drive, Disney, and Kissimmee
- Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Free time to explore the complex
- Professional driver/guide
How to see a launch at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
There’s nothing that comes close to watching a live rocket launch. It’s a bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime experience and if you’re lucky enough to have a holiday to Orlando that coincides with a launch, you should definitely add it to your itinerary.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has a launch schedule, so you can check the dates there. Please be aware that launches are subject to change due to technical and mechanical issues and the weather.
You can buy tickets for launches, and these are available in addition to the admission fee for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
A fantastic addition to your Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex day trip, the tours are a great way to gain further insight into this fascinating and important area of science. It’s a perfect option for an educational day out and one that any space buffs will love!
