We spent about 6 hours at the NASA Space Center, closer to Houston than Galveston. We got two-for-one coupon admission at Sam’s Club in Houston. It seemed like it was about 5 miles off I-45; we thought we had passed it, but eventually the signs led the way.

When we first got there, there was an indoor playground called Kids Space Place. If you have been to Makootu’s Island or the old Club Disney, it was very similar to those indoor play areas, and inside you can explore and experiment with commanding the space shuttle or living on the space station. The activities are set up to replicate life like an astronaut. It was a large climbing structure, and the kids loved it. We pulled the kids out of there and went to the flight simulator. I did not ride, but it looked like it would shake the boots off of you!!! We got a ticket for the tram tour – it is free, but you need a ticket. It takes you to see many aircraft and the training facility for the astronauts – we got to see some doing experiments and training through a huge glass wall.

They have a nice gift shop, and we got astronaut ice cream – another kid favorite! As you are boarding the tram, they take a picture of your group – it costs $10 and is on display when you get off. We tried to get a picture ourselves, but none of them turned out quite as nice, so be prepared to want the picture. There was an astronaut gallery that had pictures and information on all the astronauts that have gone into space with lots of space suits to view – my son loved that. Other exhibits were on the space station itself. There was a film, shown on a five-story screen that shows you what it takes to be an astronaut.

Give yourself plenty of time to walk around the giant pieces of equipment out on the grounds. Remember that most of the year the weather in this area is hot, nasty and can wear you out fast. Take plenty of time for cool drinks, especially water and wear a hat and sunscreen when outside.

The Space Center is the visitor's part of the Johnson Space Center. You'll get to see moon rocks and space probes. Climb inside real astronaut space bunks and learn how the shower, eat and sleep. After you take a short ride on the tram, you can go behind the scenes of NASA's mission control. The space center is open 7 days a week.

'The closest thing to Space on Earth' is their slogan, and it's true. Very realistic programs designed to be intelligent fun for the whole family.

Visit the Shuttle Cockpit, take a 'walk' on the Moon, see what the astronauts see from Space!