Experience the past, present and future of space exploration at the family-friendly Kennedy Space Center. The space complex offers guests an opportunity to meet their favorite astronauts, tour full-size replicas of shuttles and space stations and watch stirring films in the larger-than-life IMAX Theater. Educationally stimulating for adults and teens, most exhibits can also be enjoyed by the youngest of children.

The complex is multi-faceted and the only way to tour it all is with a Maximum Access Pass, which gets you into the two IMAX theaters and onto a guided bus tour that takes you around the different visitors and launch pad observation areas.

The most recent addition to the campus is U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which reopened under KSC auspices after a $700,000 renovation.


Pre-Schooler Favorites

 Although little ones' favorite place is going to be the covered Play Dome, complete with a 1:5 scale Space Shuttle/Space Station Gym, pre-schoolers will be fascinated by the rocket parts and pieces. They can walk through a replica of the space shuttle Explorer at the main visitors center and climb into Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsule replicas in the Rocket Garden. "Exploration in the New Millennium" has some hands-on opportunities - kids can even touch a chunk of Mars! Don't miss the gift shop for toy space ships or freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches, astronaut style.


Grade-School Winners

 At the Visitor Complex, older kids will laugh as they learn in the Robot Scouts exhibit, a flashy, funny multi-media presentation you walk through. "Mad Mission to Mars 2025"uses stereoscopic 3-D computer animation, spectacular theatrical effects and wacky characters to transform guests into "astronaut trainees," then guide them on an interactive journey through the cosmos.

The IMAX theater presentations can vary; check the Kennedy Space Center's website to find the latest showings.

To reach different aspects of the space center, you must board the tour bus. One stop is the 60-foot-tall LC39 Observation Gantry, a multi-level deck that looks out at two launch pads, the Crawlerway and Vehicle Assembly Building. On the gantry's bottom floor, there's a theater presentation and interactive room for behind-the-scenes and hands-on involvement.

At the awesome Apollo/Saturn V Center, kids can touch an actual moon rock (and dine next to it at the Moon Rock Café), gape at one of only three 363-foot moon rockets in existence overhead, and step into the Firing Room Theater for a shuttle launch re-creation and to engage in other interactive displays. The Lunar Theater presents a multi-media show culminating in the landing of a moon module.

Older kids and adults with an interest in space can immerse themselves in one-of-a-kind experiences including coming face-to-face with space heroes from past missions, who answer questions and tell personal tales of space exploration during daily Astronaut Encounter briefings.

Terrific for 'Tweens, Teens and Upwards

 Older kids and adults with an interest in space can immerse themselves in one-of-a-kind experiences including coming face-to-face with space heroes from past missions, who answer questions and tell personal tales of space exploration during daily Astronaut Encounter briefings. To take it a step further, pre-arrange participation in the Lunch with an Astronaut program.

Through an Up Close Tour of Kennedy, you gain entrance into the International Space Station, where you get a privileged view into the assembly facility and walk through the habitation module of a full-scale mock up.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, in addition to its tribute to America's space heroes, adds a thrill portion to your visit with space flight simulators that jostle you across Martian terrain, turn you upside down and let you experience zero gravity and G-force first-hand. Adults will enjoy the nostalgic walk down memory lane - a sound and sight time line tracing space history as it coincides with contemporary popular trends and world events. You can tour it separately or with a Maximum Access pass from KSC.


Launch Off

 Want to experience a launch first-hand? No problem. Simply time your visit around NASA's next scheduled liftoff. Tickets for on-site viewing are available through Kennedy Space Center or you can watch for free from the beaches along A1A in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Call 321-449-4444 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com for ticket information, launch schedules and general attraction information. A word of warning: weather and technical problems often delay launches, so have an alternative activity planned.