It’s one of the most popular destinations in Florida, but is visiting the Kennedy Space Center worth it?
To help you decide, let’s look at the admission price, extra costs, and the overall experience you can expect.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go to the Kennedy Space Center.
What Is Included with Admission to the Kennedy Space Center?
When you opt for daily admission, you’ll have a full day’s access to the core attractions, including:
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Shuttle Launch Experience
- The Apollo/ Saturn V Center
- Astronaut Encounter
- Planet Play
- Heroes & Legends
- U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Universe Theater
- IMAX theater
- Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted
- Rocket Garden
How Much Does It Cost to Go to the Kennedy Space Center?
When it comes to the price of Kennedy Space Center admission, you have a few different options.
A standard one-day admission ticket for an adult is $75, while tickets for kids from ages three to 11 are $65. Kids age two and under are free.
Considering going for two days? You can get discounted Kennedy Space Center admission by paying for the two days.
For adults, it’s $89 for the two days, while kids aged three to 11 are admitted for $79.
What Is NOT Included with Admission?
There are “add-on enhancements” that are not included with daily admission.
These include:
- Chat with an Astronaut
- Astronaut Training Experience
- KSC Explore Tour
- Launch Director Tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mars Base 1
- Fly With An Astronaut
Chat with an Astronaut
Chat with an Astronaut is a small-group discussion where you’ll get the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session with the Astronaut of the Day.
The sessions are available every day at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for kids. The cost includes a signed portrait as well as light bites and drinks.
Astronaut Training Experience
For aspiring astronauts, the Astronaut Training Experience is an unforgettable afternoon.
This is a four to five-hour (depending on the season) interactive experience that will show you how to dock and then allow you to explore Mars.
The program is available to any aspiring astronaut age ten and over, but note that anyone under age 17 must be accompanied by a paid adult who will also participate in the session.
Admission costs $175 (plus tax) per person.
KSC Explore Tour
Want to truly see it all?
When you sign up for the KSC Explore Tour, you’ll get behind the scenes and experience more than that free bus tour that is included with the price of admission.
Explore the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, Apollo/Saturn V Center, and more.
Adult: $25
Child: $19
Launch Director Tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis
See the space shuttle and meet with its director on a three-hour tour. This $75 (for adults and kids) tour is twice a day at 9:30 am and 1:15 pm.
Mars Base 1
Want to live and work on Mars for the day?
Any would-be astronaut age 10 and over can take on this $150 experience for a five to seven-hour (depending on the season) workday. The event starts daily at 9:30 am.
Want a quicker trainer session? Check out the $30 ATX Training Stags for a 30-minute experience.
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Fly With An Astronaut
Every day from 9:15 am, you can experience the Kennedy Space Center with an astronaut.
This five-hour experience will give you a complete tour of the center (there’s no need to buy a separate ticket) and lunch with an Astronaut.
For ages 12 and over, tickets are $206, while kids from three to 11 can go for $181.
Are Kennedy Space Center Discounted Tickets Available?
Yep! There is a wide range of discounts available for entry into the space center.
Here are a few that might work for you:
- Senior (Age 55+) One-day admission: $70
- Senior Two-day admission: $84
- Military One-day admission
- Adults (Age 12+): $70
- Child (Age 3 to 11): $60
- Military Two-day admission
- Adults (Age 12+): $84
- Child (Age 3 to 11): $74
Does Kennedy Space Center Have a Yearly Pass?
Live in Florida and love the space center? There are a few annual pass options to consider.
Atlantis Annual Pass
For one year, you can get unlimited admission as well as free parking and a 10% discount on admission for any guests you bring with you.
As an annual pass holder, you’ll also be sent discounts through the year of restaurants and stores located within the center.
Adults (age 12+) $149
Child (age 3-11) $120
Cosmic Club Family Annual Pass: For two adults and up for four kids (aged three to 11), you can also get a family pass for unlimited admission for $432.10.
What Will I See On the Free Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?
On the tour that is included with admission, you’ll get to drive by the Vehicle Assembly Building and other facilities that are used by NASA.
The bus will bring you to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you’ll get to see the real Saturn V moon rocket along with moon rocks and other artifacts from the Apollo program.
You’ll want at least two hours to do the tour, so give yourself plenty of time. The tour arrives and departs from the visitor complex so you can show up pretty much anytime and hop on.
Note that if you’re already doing the Special Interest Tours, you don’t need to buy the normal admission tickets.
Booking.comFrequently Asked Questions
Should I Buy My Tickets Ahead of Time?
Ticket prices are the same whether you buy them online or at the center. If you opt to buy them at home, you can just show them on your phone when you arrive, print your tickets at home, or collect them at the entrance to the visitor’s complex.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?
Yes, unlike other attractions that insist that you buy absolutely everything on-site, you can bring a small cooler into the center. Just note that you can’t bring glass bottles or containers and your cooler must be soft-sided. While you can drink at the park, you can’t enter with alcoholic beverages.
Will I See a Real Spacecraft?
Yes! At the Kennedy Space Center, you can see Atlantis, one of the Saturn V Moon rockets, the Apollo 14 Kitty Hawk capsule, the Mercury Sigma 7 capsule, and the Gemini 9.
Will I See a Rocket Launch?
Kennedy Space Center will bring you as close as possible to the action and will show you launched from Kennedy and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. These launches are not daily, however, so check the center before you go.
Is Parking Free?
Nope. Parking is not included in the cost of admission.
Here’s what to expect when you arrive in the parking lot:
- Motorcycles: $5
- Cars: $10
- Oversized vehicles (RVs, Motorhomes): $15
Conclusion
So, what do you think? Is visiting the Kennedy Space Center worth it, or is it too expensive?
For all of you aspiring astronauts out there, it is worth at least one day. Just be sure to plan ahead to maximize every moment.
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