8 NASA Visitor Centers to Visit across U.S.

NASA Visitor Centers are scattered across the U.S. and based at Space Center and research centers. Each offers a deeper look into the past, present and future of space exploration. Some offer retired rockets and orbiters; most offer NASA space uniforms and all-over inspiring exhibits to learn about how STEM gets humans from Earth to Space. Here are the NASA Visitor Centers across the US.

NASA Visitor Centers to Visit across the U.S.

Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral in Florida

Space Center Houston

U.S. Space and Rocket Center Huntsville in Alabama

Virginia Air and Space Center

NASA Goddard Visitor Center in Maryland

INFINITY Space Center in Mississippi

NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Virginia

NASA Glenn Visitor Center in Ohio

Is a NASA Visitor Worth Visiting?

To learn more about NASA, visit one of its visitor centers across the U.S. You can see everything from Apollo capsules to space suits to retired Space Shuttle orbiters.

The visitor centers include activities and exhibits for everyone, from kids to grandparents. This is a great way to engage students who might be interested in pursuing a career in engineering.

In addition to seeing historic NASA equipment and learning about its historic missions, some visitor centers offer viewing platforms for launches.

Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral in Florida

One of the official NASA visitor centers and the Mothership of NASA. It was named after John F. Kennedy, who launched the 1960s space race. It’s also close to one of the launch facilities, Cape Canaveral.

If you’re visiting just one NASA visitor center, this is the one. As a bonus, it’s a few hours away from Orlando.

First, see the retired Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis. Then, walk through the Rocket Garden to see a visual history of the rocket’s evolution. Another must is the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

You can also board the tour buses for the working Kennedy Space Center’s Spaceflight Center, including a look at the Apollo/Saturn V Center and the upcoming Mission to Mars, which features live shows and interactive exhibits.

Note: Visitors can see the launches from here. For an up-close view, an additional ticket is required.

Located at Space Commerce Way. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. during school breaks. Adult admission is $75, and kids 3 to 11 are $65, this includes the bus tour and IMAX film.

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Space Center Houston

As an official NASA visitor center, it’s also home to the Johnson Space Center, named after Lyndon B. Johnson, who championed human space flight and the Mission to the Moon in the 1960s.

This is where Mission Control is located for NASA launches. See the original 1969 Apollo Mission Control. The majority of Astronaut training occurs at the Johnson Space Center, which is also responsible for the development of human space flight.

The sprawling complex requires a tram ride to see all the attractions. The standout exhibit is the original shuttle carrier, NASA 905, with a full-scale orbiter replica mounted on top. It’s a converted Boeing 747 used to transport the Space Shuttle Orbiters.

Located at 1601 NASA Parkway. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $29.95, and kids (3 to 12) are $24.95.

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U.S. Space and Rocket Center Huntsville in Alabama

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center features a sprawling complex with the largest collection of rockets and space memorabilia in the world. A day’s worth of discovery and learning awaits, along with an IMAX theater and a glimpse into Space Camp.

As a Smithsonian affiliate and the Official Visitor Center of NASA’s Marshal Space Flight Center, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center features a rocket park that grew into the NASA program. Here, you can find the Space Shuttle Pathfinder, a test simulator, and one of the original Saturn V rockets.

This location is also home to Space Camp, a specialized camp for kids, educators and adults. Participants work through a mock Astronaut program.

Located at One Tranquility Base. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Adult admission is $30 and $20 for kids (5 to 12) and 4 and younger entering for free.

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Virginia Air and Space Center

Visit the official NASA Visitor Center of Langley Research Center. It’s the birthplace of America’s space program.

Learn about 100 years of flight and see 30 historic aircraft. Don’t miss the Apollo 12 Command Module, which landed on the Moon. You can also find an IMAX theatre.

Located at 600 Settlers Landing Rd, Hamilton, Virginia. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and closed Monday and Tuesday. Adult admission is $22.50 and kids (3 to 18) are $19. The IMAX film is included.

NASA Goddard Visitor Center in Maryland

This facility focuses on Earth Science so learn how NASA explores Earth from Space.

Learn about the James Webb telescope, built at Goddard Space Flight Center, and then the Hubbard Space Telescope, which has been in orbit for 25 years.

Learn about the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, and its mission to map the moon’s surface. The LRO’s mission continues to look for ice, water, and suitable places to land on the Moon.

Don’t miss a walk through Goddard’s Rocket Garden and the Astrobiology Walk.

Located next to Goddard Space Flight Center on ICESat Rd., it’s free to visit. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. It stays open  until 5 p.m. during the week in July and August.

INFINITY Space Center in Mississippi

It’s the official visitor center for NASA Stennis Space Center. Learn about the evolution of the NASA space program, starting with the Gemini Project, the Apollo Program, and the International Space Station (ISS). Also, learn about the future of NASA with the latest on the SLS, the Space Launch System, which will get humans to Mars.

See the Apollo 19 Saturn V first-stage booster from the canceled Apollo program. Also, you can find the Apollo 4 command module.

Located at 1 Discovery Circle in Pearlington, Mississippi, in southeast Mississippi. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Generadmission (3+) is $15.

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NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Virginia

This facility explains the role of orbital and sub-orbital rockets and scientific balloons. It’s also a launch facility for sub-orbital missions.

Located at Building J20, Route 175 on Wallops Island. It’s free to visit. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NASA Glenn Visitor Center in Ohio

Located inside the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, learn about living in space at the International Space Station. Then, yo can see the Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module.

Located at 601 Erieside Avenue. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission to the Great Lakes Science Center is $19.95, students with ID $18.95 and kids (2 to 12) $14.95.

Other NASA Sites

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory offers tours for groups or individuals with advance notice. After seeing a movie, you can take a tour of the Karman Visitor Center, Space Flight Operations Facility, Earth Science Center and Spacecraft Assembly Facility.

Located at 4800 Oak Grove Dr. in Pasadena, California. All visitors 18 and over must present a valid driver’s license or passport. All non-U.S. visitors must present a passport or resident visa card.

The Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is listed as an official NASA visitor center. Though it doesn’t support public tours on a regular basis.

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