FLORIDA FEATURE ARTICLES : SPACE COAST

Kennedy Space Center

Each year, nearly two million guests from around the world experience their very own space adventure by exploring the exciting past, present and future of America’s space program at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Built in 1967 as a means for NASA astronauts’ and employees’ families to view space center operations, today the Visitor Complex is one of Central Florida’s most popular tourist destinations.

Since 1995, when Delaware North Parks Services began managing the Visitor Complex, every aspect of this 70-acre facility has been entirely redeveloped and enhanced. From larger-than-lifeIMAX® films to live shows, hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes tours, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers guests an educational, entertaining and comprehensive space program experience. Attractions, exhibits, programs and services include:

Some of the Live Shows/Programs are “Mad Mission to Mars 2025,” a live-action stage show that takes guests on an interactive journey with 3-D computer animation to Mars, and Astronaut Encounter in which guests come face-to-face with a real astronaut every day of the year.

The Kennedy Space Center Tour takes guests on a narrated, video- supplemented bus tour of restricted areas of Kennedy Space Center including the LC-39 Observation Gantry, where guests enjoy a panoramic view of Kennedy Space Center and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where dramatic multi-media shows and numerous hands-on displays provide visitors with an inspirational and exhilarating look into America’s quest for the moon.

Among many more special exhibits and programs, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex also features early space exploration, exploration in the new millennium, the new Astronaut Hall of Fame, and the ever-popular outdoor Rocket Garden with eight authentic rockets from the past. And at Shuttle Plaza, "Explorer," a full-size Orbiter replica, allows guests to picture more clearly what it’s like to live and work in space. Full-size, genuine solid rocket boosters and an external tank are also on display, representing all three components of a Space Shuttle.





Photo: Visit Florida

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© Travel Tidings Florida 2006 All Rights reserved - Travel Tidings Florida is a free Florida (FL) travel guide about Florida tourism and vacations with travel feature articles on Florida destinations such as the Space Coast, Florida and the Kennedy Space Coast Center.