If you have kids who love space, rockets, astronomy, or aeronautics, make plans soon to bring them to the movie Hidden Figures, which celebrates the contributions of the female “human calculators” at NASA in the 1960s. (It was also just nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture!) Even better, plan a trip to one of these space-related museums and attractions around the country from New York City and Houston to Los Angeles. With every look inside a real space craft, ride in a flight simulator or chance to operate a robot, your mini-astronauts will be further inspired to pursue STEM studies.
Kennedy Space Center
Where: Titusville, FL
Why you should visit: You’ll need several hours to see and do everything at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The vast Visitor Complex includes the space shuttle Atlantis, which is open for viewing. You can test out astronaut training simulators, climb through a mock International Space Station suspended from the ceiling, and re-enact a space shuttle launch on the Shuttle Launch Experience. Additional exhibits include the Children’s Play Dome, a 3D IMAX movie theater, and the Astronaut Encounter Theater, where you can meet a real astronaut.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Eric Long
Where: Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, DC
Where: Washington, D.C.
Why you should visit: It’s almost unbelievable, but admission to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is completely free. Most of your time here is spent looking up at the suspended airplanes and space craft. You can even walk through a few—like a 747 cockpit, a vintage DC-7 cabin, and the Skylab Oribtal Workshop–for a better look at the interior compartments and control panels. There are additional experiences which cost extra, including the IMAX movies, planetarium shows and virtual flight simulator. Read our family guide to the National Air and Space Museum before your visit.
Dane Penland
Where: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA
Where: Chantilly, VA
Why you should visit: Displays that don’t fit inside the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. fill two huge hangars at this complex in nearby Chantilly, Virginia. The actual space shuttle Discovery is on display, as is a supersonic Air France Concorde, and thousands of aviation and space artifacts. Kids love the five-story IMAX theater where you can watch movies and planetarium shows. Plan to visit on a “Family Day” to take advantage of special hands-on activities, presentations, and meet-and-greets with pilots, astronauts, and scientists.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Where: Huntsville, AL
Why you should visit: The 363-foot tall Saturn V moon rocket replica will be the first thing you see as you approach the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. You can get a better look inside, where the real Saturn V, the Apollo 16 capsule, and a huge collection of space artifacts are displayed. Interactive exhibits let kids land a shuttle, jump 30 feet in the air in a space walker, manipulate a robot arm, experience G-force and weightlessness, and scale the Mars Climbing Wall. Yes, this is also the place where lucky kids head each summer for Space Camp.
Space Center Houston
Where: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX
Where: Houston
Why you should visit: This educational complex and space museum is also the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control and an astronaut training facility. Visitors get to see more than 400 space artifacts, including the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples. Standing eight-stories tall, Independence Plaza lets you explore the Independence shuttle mounted on a shuttle carrier. A tram tour will bring you to the Mission Control Center, Rocket Park, and the “Blast-Off!” theater, where you’ll experience the sensations of a launch. You can also meet—or even have lunch with—an actual astronaut. Read our family guide to the Space Center Houston before your visit.
Pima Air & Space
Where: Tucson, AZ
Why you should visit: One of the world’s largest aviation museums, the Pima Air & Space Museum will wow you with its collection of more than 300 air and spacecraft and more than 125,000 artifacts, including authentic moon rocks. You’ll get to see some rare and one-of-a-kind historical planes, and take a tram through the 2,600-acre “Aircraft Boneyard.” On “Soarin’ Saturdays,” 90-minute kid programs are offered on STEM topics like rockets, robotics and model airplanes.
Leroy Hamilton
Where: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA
Where: Los Angeles
Why you should visit: Another space shuttle, Endeavor, has been installed at the California Science Center for the public to view and appreciate. While this is the standout of the air and space collection, you’ll also see the Gemini 11 and Mercury-Redstone 2 capsules, an Apollo capsule and spacesuit, several rocket and satellite replicas, as well as several space telescopes. The seven-story IMAX theater presents space-related programs, and kids can get hands-on during “Science Saturdays” and other live demonstrations.
Evergreen Space Museum
Where: 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR
Where: McMinnville, OR
Why you should visit: Two museums in one, this complex near Portland keeps the space exhibits separate from the airplanes, so you can structure your day according to what you want to see. One can’t-miss exhibit is the Titan II Missile, displayed inside its silo. You can experience a simulated launch sequence in the neighboring launch room. The most kid-friendly attractions are the space museum playground, the aviation museum kid zone, the Biplane Carousel, the Spruce Goose cargo bay, the Tank Lawn, and the 3D Theater. Treat the kids to a cool-down at the indoor Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark, where they can slide down from a rooftop Boeing 747.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Main image: Intrepid
Where: 638 W 47th St, New York, NY
Where: New York City
Why you should visit: In 2012, the Space Shuttle Enterprise was dramatically transported via barge on the Hudson River to its forever home, the Intrepid on Pier 86 in Manhattan. Within an immense WWII aircraft carrier—the USS Intrepid—an entire pavilion is dedicated to the Enterprise and related exhibits. Also on display is the Soyuz TMA-6 space capsule, 28 historic aircraft, including a British Airways Concorde, and the Growler submarine. Curious kids will love the interactive virtual flight simulators: G-Force Encounter, XD Theater, and the Transporter FX. Read our family guide to the Intrepid before your visit.
Space Foundation Discovery Center
Space Foundation Discovery Center
Where: Colorado Springs
Why you should visit: The first and only space museum in this region of the country, the Discovery Center includes the El Pomar Space Gallery, with an amazing collection of spacecraft and artifacts. The “Launch to the Moon” exhibit is a must-see, with lessons on how astronauts live in space, what they eat, what they wear and what they do. Kids get a kick out of seeing the spacesuits and the space food on display. Even the youngest visitors are considered, with “Space Story Parties” for two to five year olds, and “Star Days” crafts and activities once a month. “Outdoor Family Star Parties” allow you to view stars and planets through telescopes on the lawn.
