Kennedy Space Center - Any tips?
 

We are going to Orlando later this week for a quick break from the Minnesota cold. Thought we would visit the KSC during our trip. I am just starting to research it and wonder if others had any tips, advice or insights on this one.

Thanks
taitai

They have two bus tours around the complex . . we took the more expensive one and are glad we did . . it takes you much closer to the pads than the free/cheaper one.

Watch for the eagle nests . . they are huge!

Be sure to take the (free) bus tour out to the Saturn V complex - there's a lot to see and do out there.

Many visitors don't realize that the Astronaut Hall of Fame is also included with your admission.

If you have any interest in wildlife, be sure to look for the eagle's nests as Rich notes above, and if you have time, you could visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (the entire space center grounds are within the refuge, but there's a visitor center for the refuge to the north of the KSC visitor center).

Will you be in the area on the 16th? There will be at Atlas V rocket launch that evening.

If you plan to take the bus tour, get there early and consider buying your tickets in advance online. The visitor center opens at 9:00 a.m and the first tour starts at 10:00 a.m. The visitors complex closes at 6:00 p.m. Since the tour takes approximately 3 hours, the last tour of the day is around 3:00 p.m. During peak season, the tours can fill up quickly.

Where are you coming from in Orlando? There are two entrances to Kennedy Space Center. The most direct route from the theme parks is to take the Beach line (S.R. 528) east to S.R. 407 (left exit), to S.R. 405. Turn right onto S.R. 405, which turns into the NASA causeway and takes you to the visitor center.

If you are interested in the Astronaut Hall of Fame, just reverse the route going back, and it will be on your left as you leave the space center. If you are interested in the wildlife refuge, you will need to leave the space center via S.R. 405, head north on U.S. 1 through Titusville, then back onto the refuge via S.R. 406. There is a park on either side of the Indian River on 406, and you can often spot manatees and dolphin from either side. Or, walk the causeway from either location for a good view. Be aware that the gates for the refuge close at dusk.

If you want to spend a little time at the beach, or have a meal in a neat Florida setting, then exit out the other gate via S.R. 3, then head east on the Beach line to Port Canaveral. You can get to the beach at Jetty Park (for a small fee), or go south and park for free at Ron Jon's Surf Shop. At the port, you can sit, have dinner at Grills, Fishlips, or Rusty's, and watch the cruise ships head out most nights.

321go, do you know if they still have the bleachers for viewing rocket launches on the north side of the port? DS said there were lots of people in the area for the last rocket launch. Now that the shuttle has been retired, guess interest in the rocket launches has picked up!

Wow, this is great information. Thank you. I will buy tickets tomorrow online. Just need to see if that locks us in to a specific time and go from there.

We won't be around on the 16th so will miss the launch. Too bad as I am sure my boys would enjoy it.

taitai

Hey rascat, long time no see! I haven't heard if they still have bleachers in the port area; DH and I went to Jetty Park for the Delta V launch last month, and it was crowded out on the jetty (and a glorious sight!).

You've gotten enough info likely but I'll add this...
We've taken in several tours and you will enjoy them...see www.kennedyspacecentertours.net for a list.
Our report describes other places along with NASA:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...pace-coast.cfm

Also this: www.kennedyspacecenter.com and check "Visit us" and find an interactive map of the main complex with some interesting things besides the tours.

And the official site: www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html

Bill in Boston

Hey 321go! DH transferred to Charleston as the Shuttle program came to a close. We kept our place on the Space Coast, and I travel back and forth. I guess you can say you travel a road (I-95) a lot when you can calculate how many more miles to go with each mile marker, and which exits have the best stops for food and gas! Between the traveling and family health issues, I didn't spend much time on the forum for a while.

We miss seeing the launches. It is amazing how much misformation there is about NASA when you get away from the area. I've had several people try to tell me we no longer have a space program. They are always surprised when I tell them about the rocket launches, not to mention ISS, Hubble, or the numerous probes and rovers that are still being monitored. Still, it would be great to hear more about the next program!

If it's still up and running - the Astronaut Hall of Fame has a great flight simulator - as good as a ride in a real jet fighter - which I was priviledged to do a few times.

rascat, one of my best friends had friends in the same situation as you; they're in Charleston now (you don't have a wildlife biologist friend at the cape, do you?). Hope you're enjoying Charleston.

Yes, a lot of people have no idea that there are rocket launches fairly often, much less that the ISS is still up there!

It's a bit late now but some advice to anyone thinking of going here, is that center it isn't as good as it used to be. Saturn V is worth seeing but Kennedy Space Center isn't the only place where you can see an original.

Despite its history, it appears that Kennedy Space Centre is being left to naturally waste away probably driven by the fact that countries like China now lead the way in Space Exploration.

The shuttle experience is a joke. 20 years ago it may have been cutting edge but this attraction is less than 5 years old. I could achieve the same experience in my own home with a DVD on a large TV and tipping my chair backwards.

The customer service we got, whilst we were there, was the worst of our whole holiday.