Is the Kennedy Space Center amazing?

[dcrunnergirl52]

I haven't been, but researched it briefly when we booked our cruise out of Port Canaveral. What stopped me was the admission price: $50/adult, $40 for kids. Not worth it to me unless you or your kids are really into space.

[krystee]

The only reason I thought it was worth the price was because we also got to see a launch that day. I'd save it for when she is older and skip it for now, unless you have a huge space enthusiast who is dying to go.

[bowies]

Not worth it. But you can get astronaut ice cream from many of the area gift shops! That was always the highlight anyways.

[auntie]

IME, the NASA's KSC is more appealing to the people who lived through the era or who have a special interest in the space program.

Aside from babyboomers and their parents, the site is visited by nerdy sorts of engineering and science types. Last time I was there it was as if they were hosting an Aspergers Convention. (no offense intended- I was there because my son with Aspergers wanted to be). It's pretty cool.

[jinxy]

If you love space and rockets it is a fun place to visit. There's not much else there. The shuttle launch ride is fun. I enjoyed visiting there, but I feel like there's a lot more at the air force museum in terms of exhibits.

[rex]

I loved it as a kid, but I also got a microscope as a birthday present, so...

[turkletsmom]

A few years ago H received an award for some work he did on one of the shuttle engines so our group had a private tour that took us as close as you can get to the docked shuttle which was really cool. We enjoyed the rest of the Center a lot but I was also on a bus filled with NASA employees so we were probably biased with our excitement. I'd vote a yes for older kids and adults interested in space.

[VillainV]

I love it, but I'm really into stuff like that. My MIL took my niece and nephew last year(8 and 10), neither of whom have a particular interest in space or science, and they absolutely loved it.

[timorousbeastie]

Mar 15, 2015 18:41:19 GMT -5 auntie said:

IME, the NASA's KSC is more appealing to the people who lived through the era or who have a special interest in the space program.

Aside from babyboomers and their parents, the site is visited by nerdy sorts of engineering and science types. Last time I was there it was as if they were hosting an Aspergers Convention. (no offense intended- I was there because my son with Aspergers wanted to be). It's pretty cool.

I was going to object and say that H and I aren't boomers and we loved it... But then I got to the next part; H is an engineer, and I'm a scientist, so maybe your assessment is accurate

We didn't have a kid when we went, but the playground area seemed like it would be fun for the right age kid. The tour probably would be boring for most kids, unless they're really into that type of thing.

[mpc]

They have one of the space shuttles (Atlantis) on display now, which is pretty awesome. That whole exhibit (which is fairly new) is really well done. There are a lot of interactive exhibits around it. A "space station" that kids can crawl through, a big slide that's the same angle as a landing shuttle, and I think there are other ones where you can pretend to operate the robotic arm and one where you land the shuttle. I think it'd be really great for a little bit older kid. My 2 yo has found things that he liked, but much of it was quite literally over his head. There is a really elaborate playground for little kids. There is a rocket garden, which is kind of neat to see a bunch of full size rockets. The IMAX movies are usually pretty interesting, but they might be too long for a toddler to sit through. There's a chance to have lunch with an astronaut every day. I think it's a nice enough place if you have some sort of interest in space exploration and have an extra day. With a toddler, I would decide based more on what the adults want to do. With older kids I'd probably say yes definitely take them if you have the time.