The Kennedy Space Center offers a tour that will take you from the main visitor area to three different buildings that they have on property. Each stop offers a chance to see first hand into the past, present, and future of the space program. Shuttle buses take passengers from stop to stop while playing a movie in between on the history of what can be found at the next location. The commentaries from the videos are wonderful (they really know how to build excitement) and sometimes even better then the actual stops. The lines can get long and at peak seasons expect to spend minimum of half an hour in line waiting for a bus.

The first stop is the LC-39 Observation Gantry: This is just an observation deck where you can see various launch pads. If you have the time stop for a look around. The launch pads are very far from where the actual observation center is so for a closer look bring binoculars. All of the launch pads were used in the past, for former missions into space, but you can catch a glimpse of the one the is used today and if you are lucky and are there when they are getting ready to launch a shuttle you can actually see if on a launch pad. If you are short on time this stop can be missed.

The next stop on the tour is the Apollo/Saturn V Center. On the way there the shuttle goes by a crawler, which takes the shuttle to the launch pad, and you can see the actual NASA building. There are also short movies that you can watch on the way to the next stop. This center we were told was the best by all of the bus drivers. When you get off you go into a building and watch a movie on Apollo and then go into another room and watch a reenactment of the actual launch of Apollo 11. This is really well done and you really feel like you are there. After that you go into another room were you see a Saturn V rocket. There are other activities here as well. You can also eat lunch here. Expect to spend $10 per person and get food that makes cardboard taste good. The food made me feel bad for the astronauts, because if NASA was feeding us this, what were they giving the astronauts?

The final stop is the International Space Station Center where we got to watch scientists work on additions for the International Space Station that is currently in orbit. Most people agreed that this stop was one of the best on the tour.

It has been a few years since I have last visited the Space Center and I was surprised at all of the changes that have been made. This is one place that no one should miss.
The Space Center is split up into several areas. Get there early because during peak season lines get really long and many of the exhibits close before the rest of the center does. Also on certain days and times you can have lunch with an astronaut.

US. Astronaut Hall of Fame: This is about 10 minutes away from the visitor’s complex. Admission in is $17 or if you want to visit the whole Space Center it costs $38. I highly suggest the $38 pass. The Hall of Fame is interesting if you have a serious interest in the space program, there are displays and hands on exhibits that you can view and it gives a timeline of the history of space exploration. It takes about an hour to go though.

Visitors Complex: This part was the best. There are several attractions that you can visit.
Shuttle Explorer: This is a full-scale replica of the Explorer. There are two levels that you can go into. This is something that every kid and kid at heart can enjoy.

Astronaut Memorial: This is a very beautiful memorial in honor of all of the astronauts who gave their lives to further space exploration.

NASA Art Gallery and IMAX theater: The Art Gallery isn’t that great, but the IMAX movie was brilliant. It was produced and narrated by Tom Hanks. It is 3D and allows you to experience walking on the moon. The movie is very educational and funny at the same time. It is enjoyable for almost all age groups.

Rocket Garden: This is a garden of different rockets used throughout the space program. I was there at dusk and got some beautiful shots of the purple sky behind the rockets. Although it isn’t much it is very fun to stand next to them and look at their size.

Early Space Exploration: This is another museum on space exploration. Much more fun then the Hall of Fame.

The John F. Kennedy Space Center is very interesting. When you first get there, you go on a tram to the space center and if you're lucky you get to see a bald eagle (I got to see one!). Then when you get into the space center there are so many things to check out. They have a simulation thing as well. Also, you could go outside and they have an area where you can see alligators. There are gift shops and fast food places there too.

The first thing to do here is to go on the KSC bus tour. They start early and run every 15 minutes. There is also plenty of wildlife to see along the way, and plenty of exhibits throughout each of the stops. The bus driver can be good if you get the right one. Make sure that you give yourself enough time for this trip since it took us around 3 hours and we didn't see everything. There are 3 stops along the way. Those stops include...
(1)LC-39 observation gantry-where you can see some of the launch sites
(2)Apollo/Saturn-V center-touch a real moon rock
(3)International Space Station Center-see them working on the next space craft going to the International Space Station.

Upon returning to the main complex There are two IMAX theaters. One narrated by Tom Hanks (Magnificent Desolation) and the other by Tom Cruise (space Station 3-D) both are good and about 45 minutes long each. Get there early and try not to sit too close for the 3-D effects are better at a distance. P.S. don't forget the popcorn.

Mad Mission to Mars is definitely a kids show and has really limited seating so get here early, and get a seat because the kids have a great time and so will most adults.

The Rocket Garden has an area where the kids can play but better than that they have some of the large rockets. It is AMAZING and it's where you can walk across the same Gantry that Neil Armstrong walked before he went to the moon. Also get inside some of the capsules that 1, 2, or 3 people would get inside. Just remember that they chose men that were about 5'8" or less just to fit the spaces. Twice a day they also have a walking tour with a guide that is fairly informative, but is a little dry and the kids might get a little bored.

Launch Status Center has a lot of info but while we were learning about outer space the kids were getting their booklets stamped. It keeps them somewhat interested but not for long.

Launch Status Center gives an update of upcoming missions but nearby you can see a replica Space Shuttle and the wall of light where those who gave there life in the quest of space.

Maybe best of all could be to listen to a real live astronaut talk about their missions, being able to ask them questions and getting your photo taken with them. Our astronaut had gone up on 4 missions including an untethered space walk and working on the Hubble telescope.

The Robot Scout exhibit is one that is somewhat boring and could easily be passed up.

There are other exhibits and plenty of shopping so leave time for that as well.

There is so much to do here that you will be glad that you can come back the next day for free just make sure that you get your ticket validated as you leave for the day.

The Kennedy Space Center was one of my favorites during my vacation to Orlando. There are many sightseeing package tours available to Kennedy Space Center from Orlando. It took us an hour to drive down there.

We got there and bought basic tour tickets for $35 per person, that included tours to International Space Station Center, LC 39 Observation Gantry, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, except the tour to Hall of Fame. There are a couple of IMAX theatres in every center. Watching the space shuttle launch pads from the tower was thrilling. You see a beautiful view of Cape Canaveral coastline and launch pads lined up along the coast.

Tour buses runs ever 15 minutes from each center, and are usually fun. Space center documentation is played on the TVs in the bus that provide facts and information about the space center and shuttle. Facts about the space shuttle were very fascinating and amazing. Can you believe a space shuttle launch platform alone weighs more than 8 million pounds? Space shuttle with the platform is transported to the launch pad by a crawler, which weighs about 12 million pounds (crawler alone) and moves at a speed of 1 mile per hour. The nearest launch pad from the vehicle assembly building is about 3.4 miles.

You might also be lucky to see the nest of a bald head eagle, one of the most endangered species in the world, during the tour. There are just a handful of these birds left in the world.

It was getting chilly and cold by the end of the day. We drove back to Orlando, tired and exhausted but, with a memory of one of the most fascinating inventions ever—that is definitely a "Giant Step for Mankind".