We travelled to NASA with our 8-year-old Kidsetter during the Christmas season. A stunning time to visit NASA as the grounds were decorated in a 1960’s-inspired holiday bash of galactic proportions.
10,000 sparkling lights, festive holiday décor, holiday music and interactive photo opportunities filled the atmosphere.
Arriving at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex we commenced our NASA journey at the Heroes & Legends, featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame presented by Boeing. Celebrating the pioneers of NASA’s early space programs.
Next, we meandered through the Rocket Garden in pure amazement of these phenomenal spacecrafts. We felt so small in comparison.
We then visited the Journey to Mars section of the Space Center. Our Kidsetter thoroughly enjoyed a teacher presenting ‘Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted’ in a interactive intimidate setting.
We then explored the Astronaut Training ExperienceCenter. The Astronaut Training Experience (ATX), along with the companion program Mars Base 1, bought us close to training, living and working on the Red Planet as possible without ever leaving Earth. Our Kidsetter was able to practice his docking skills, navigate the unique Mars terrain and experience the sensation of performing a spacewalk in a microgravity environment.
Next, we watched a captivating film titled ‘Journey to Space’ at the IMAX Theatre about the past, present and future of space exploration.
We then visited the Space Shuttle Atlantis displaying more than 60 exhibits and simulators. Our Kidsetter loved immersing himself in this American icon’s 126 million miles of space travel.
It was then time for ‘Dine with an Astronaut’.
We had pre-booked a 90 minute buffet-style lunch featuring a veteran NASA astronaut named Norm Thagard describing his life as an astronaut whilst living in space. A unique and educational once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Included with our Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex Admission Ticket was a bus tour to Apollos/Saturn V Center.
Standing in amazement beneath the largest rocket ever flown was awe-inspiring. The Apollo/Saturn V Center pays homage to the people and machines that made the improbable possible.
Our Kidsetter enjoyed Moonscape showing a scene from Apollo 11 when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong planted the American flag on the lunar surface.
The Apollo/Saturn V Center is full of exhibits alongside the rocket highlighting its assembly and the more than 400,000 people who helped build the massive machine. We watched Apollo-era footage projected on the side of the vehicle.
We visited the Moon Tree Garden which display a one-of-a-kind bronze statue of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
After a full day exploring NASA’s Kennedy Space Center it was time to depart. Our Kidsetter left in awe of the wonders of space and with a deeper appreciation of what it was like to be an astronaut.
