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Space Exploration: Discover Life in Space
4.6
121 Ratings
Huntsville
Explore space history and future at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Discover artifacts, interactive exhibits, and simulators. Optional movie experience available.
Explore space history and future at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Discover artifacts, interactive exhibits, and simulators. Optional movie experience available.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Situated in Huntsville, Alabama, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is esteemed as one of the most extensive museums dedicated to U.S. manned space flight hardware and holds the title of the largest spaceflight museum globally. Its extensive collection of rockets and space hardware includes over 1,500 items, valued at…
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Situated in Huntsville, Alabama, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is esteemed as one of the most extensive museums dedicated to U.S. manned space flight hardware and holds the title of the largest spaceflight museum globally. Its extensive collection of rockets and space hardware includes over 1,500 items, valued at tens of millions of dollars. From America’s inaugural satellite, Explorer I, to cutting-edge space vehicles like Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, the museum highlights the history, present, and future of human space exploration.
With numerous exhibits, this remarkable museum offers something for everyone, including the National Historic Landmark Saturn V Moon Rocket, Pathfinder – the world’s only full-stack space shuttle display, Apollo 16 Command Module, Skylab Orbital Workshop, and an Apollo 12 Moon Rock. Step back in time to experience the reality of space travel. Visit and discover how astronauts reached for the stars and ventured into space.
What's Included
- Entrance into the Space and Rocket Center
- Entrance into the Space and Rocket Center
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Discover what it takes to live and work in space at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center! Gain insights into the development and evolution of the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station, along with NASA’s latest missions. Delve into Huntsville’s significant role in the ‘Space Race’ and learn how America achieved the monumental feat of…
Discover what it takes to live and work in space at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center! Gain insights into the development and evolution of the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station, along with NASA’s latest missions. Delve into Huntsville’s significant role in the ‘Space Race’ and learn how America achieved the monumental feat of landing a man on the moon. From remarkable artifacts of the nation’s space program to engaging interactive exhibits and space travel simulators, experience the enduring dream of life in space. Opt for an additional movie experience with your admission at checkout.
- Bring your voucher to the ticket desk inside for entry into the museum.
- 90-minutes from Chattanooga Tennessee
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Public simulators included in admission
Location
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
1 Tranquility Base,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(121 Ratings)
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Newjerseyfamily
May 28, 2023
A great place to visit - We really enjoyed the center. Outside of the Space Museum in Washington DC, we haven't seen anything like it. We opted to see the planetarium and fully enjoyed it. Nice that they have popcorn available to view with. The place is big. Plan on several hours to see everything. I like how they reached out to appeal to all audiences. The toys from the 1960's reflecting space were particularly appealing. The history was nicely laid out. Loved being able to walk at our own pace. The Mars cafe was pretty decent with a lot of selection. I love that they have rides for kids and enough to keep them interested. For some of us, this was a trip down memory lane when the space age was explored. Everyone should see this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelgirl179
Jun 17, 2021
Great Exhibits! - This was such a cool experience for kids and adults alike! They had so many awesome exhibits that were well designed and super informative. Our group was particularly interested in the drone exhibit that they had when we were there in addition to being wowed by all the rockets and interactive features throughout the museum. You can pay for additional experiences, like the planetarium or zero gravity rides. We didn't, but loved walking through and witnessing other people do them! It was a little crowded and space camp was going on, so there were a lot of kids. But that didn't hinder our experience at all. This is a must see if you are visiting!
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Jean
Jun 5, 2021
Not Just For Space Geeks - The exhibits were great, even for someone non-scientific like myself (a history major), and the hands-on exhibits helped explain some technical things like thrust, etc. The fact that my father-in-law worked for Martin Company who supplied components for the rockets, gave it deeper meaning for my husband. The indoor and outdoor exhibits gave us a full picture of the American space program.
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Osimajorusaf
Apr 13, 2021
Wonderful! - A fascinating museum! My wife and I enjoyed the museum and found it very educational. I would love to have my grandchildren be able to visit the museum.
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Jazzhead2011
May 27, 2023
Overall a good visit but needs some TLC - First, the website has not been updated since Covid and is confusing. There are "timed" tickets shown and when called the Center said that you can enter at any time as that is "just a leftover from Covid". Update the website! It was also unclear if you can leave and return on the same day ticket, or whether you could reenter the next day in the event of a late entry on the day of your ticket. Getting someone live on the phone is difficult.
Secondly, the main exhibit hall on entry from the ticketing area is dark and very sparse. I recall visiting 30 years ago and that hall was bright and vibrant with more exhibits. A portion of the hall is being prepped for new exhibits and was closed. I only hope it is a major improvement.
The newer Davidson Center with the Saturn V inside is the star of the museum. Most of the items worth the visit are inside such as the Saturn V stack, the instrumentation ring, some Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo era trainers, the Apollo 16 Command Module, and one of two remaining actual quarantine trailers. We had a tour guide at 10 AM that gave us an excellent one hour talk. Even my 9 yr old twins lasted to the end!
The kids loved the Planetarium which used to be the IMAX theatre, but is now a staff-hosted live show.
The outdoor exhibits have a rundown appearance with paint peeling from the outdoor models, and ancient-looking rides -- with the exception of the huge standing Saturn V model in front of the Davidson Center.
Overall, we enjoyed the visit but don't expect a comprehensive spaceflight history on display. The focus, understandably I suppose, is on the aspects of the space program that were managed at MSFC such as Redstone and Saturn V vehicles. Don't expect much coverage of Soviet/Russian history or the US Space Shuttle history. There are models of the ISS modules in the Space Camp areas which can be open for visitors to tour when not in use.
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Donnamg9296nn
May 1, 2023
Interesting interactive experience - The Center is a large campus with many opportunities for learning. Much is aimed at children, and there were a large number of school class visits while we were there. Be prepared for some walking. There are many exhibits of rocket and space hardware and a good history of the space race of the mid to late 20th century. The Saturn V hall is full of such exhibits, dominated by the huge full size mock-up of the Saturn V rocket that took men to the moon. We also did the virtual reality experience which puts you in Apollo 11, the first manned moon landing in 1969, which was almost like actually being there. Many of the optional activities require additional fees. We had the opportunity to spend time with a retired NASA manager who answered many of our questions and had many recollections and first-hand stories about the US space program's development and history. That personal perspective was very valuable. If you have a chance to engage with one of the docents like him, take it.
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Journalmytrips
Jun 11, 2021
Always interesting. - This was our third visit to this attraction and i noticed some changes since the last time over a decade ago. One major change is the increased price for admission so if it has been a while since your last visit be prepared. This time we visited when the facility opened and it was already very busy. An early afternoon visit might be better for that. If you are vaccinated you do not need to wear a mask. It seems that the IMAX theater now features planetarium programs. Check times for the one that may interest you.
The cafe is large and has a good selection and adequate seating. There is also a picnic area nearby.
My favorite park, as always, is the rocket park so try not to miss that weather permitting.
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Jhonw169
May 27, 2021
good - this really nice place i love it This picture is worth a thousand words i like it a lot such a great place
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K8ejoe
May 18, 2021
home school field trip - We opted to home school this year on account of COVID. We visited the Space center during May for my daughter's birthday, during the time that we were learning about space science. She absolutely loved it! We did wear our masks, and the employees did as well. They did an amazing job at sanitizing, and we were able to purchase tickets for the Apollo VR movie. SHE LOVED IT! This was such a great learning experience for her! It brought up so many inquisitive questions for us to revisit later in our lessons! I definitely recommend this adventure for those of all ages!
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142laned
May 16, 2023
A once great experience now hampered by nickel-and-diming the visitors - The US Space and Rocket Center was an important part of my childhood. In the past decade I have taken my kids almost yearly since they were old enough to appreciate it. However during our most recent trip I was very disappointed in the overall experience.
I understand that everything has gotten more expensive for everyone thanks to inflation. But, not only was the base admission significantly higher than the last time we visited, attractions that were previously included with the base ticket price now cost an extra $10 per person for EACH attraction. And on top of that, several exhibits were closed or undergoing renovation.
At least the Moon Shot and G-Force rides were still free... my kids made good use of those.
But I don't know if or when we will go again - it's no longer worth the expense.
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