Had an astronomically amazing time here on a field trip with a group of forty third graders. Due to staff shortages, the amount of students is limited to forty per day, and we had booked two classroom for two days. Some students were not able to go due to this restriction. We arrived at 9:30 and had to walked around outside and observe the outside exhibits until they opened at 10:00AM. Once inside, we sat for a presentation by a very engaging employee. NASA sent the teachers a video to watched prior to our visit, so the students had some interesting questions for our host. After that, that had about an hour to explore the exhibits. Many were hands-on. Our students loved it, and had a blast. It was nice that we had the whole museum to ourselves. The cost for admission is free for everyone, not just for field trips. They are closed Sundays and Mondays. I plan to come again on my own. The first Saturday of each month they do a rocket launching. Kids can bring their own, or buy one from the gift shop which I would have liked to visit. Next ti read more

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As a professional astronomer, I'm *obviously* biased. I'm also not able to make a distinction between what's accessible to the public vs folks who work there, since I was taken on various tours by my colleague. That said, I had a really enjoyable time at GSFC as a visitor. Highlights of my visit included the dinosaur print (who would've thought -- esp. since it was dug up relatively recently, within the past couple decades!), the Nobel Prize from John Mather, the Hubble Space Telescope gallery (which featured many replicas or spare parts from the actual space telescope) and control center (where scientists send commands to the space telescope to make it take various pictures), and my personal favorite, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope that is in assembly phase in the clean room. You can see it behind the glass without entering the clean room. Of course I stocked up on GSFC-specific merch from the gift shops. Really cool place to check out! read more

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What an unexpected local find! Thanks to kidsquarantineandme on IG for leading me here. Living in Fairfax,it's about a 40 minute drive and it was worth the "trip" to MD! You'll be following signs to the Visitor Center. There's a nice open lot for parking and great views. The center is like a mini museum with all interactive displays, an outdoor area, and a theatre. They even have a scavenger hunt that your kiddos can do to find fun facts throughout the exhibits. My son loved checking his answers with the staff and got some stickers to take home! They spent two hours here and would have stayed longer if it wasn't closing for the day. read more

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Hidden gem in Geenbelt and great spot for space and science geeks! It's smaller but still has plenty of interesting exhibits inside and out. And be sure to check out the Goodess Tree out front - the seeds for this tree went to space! read more

Summary: Don't want the hassle of the Smithsonians? Hidden gem in Greenbelt. Totally worth a visit - especially with kids. Lots of interactives keep them engaged (even though the label text is written on basically a graduate level) Pros: -- 6 year old loved it. Lots of buttons to push, interactive displays. -- Small enough to NOT be overwhelming. Going to Smithsonian's Air & Space is a serious commitment. And hard on my feet (I have plantar fasciitis). This place is lots more relaxed. Easy. We did everything in about 1.5 hours. I wasn't exhausted. Just right. And it is 20 min from my house in Brentwood, MD. -- Favorite features: 1) a station that simulates the *smell* of space - woah! 2) a couple of videos that tell personal stories about NASA scientists, including women of color 3) the little alcove they called a "solarium" with a lifesize video of sun "weather" - very chill little spot. Wish there were a bunch of pillows in there! --Visually interesting place inside, lots of cool space photography -- Great outdoor spot for kids to run around. Plus 15 picnic tables -- Cute little gift shop with fun stuff. -- Real (albeit old) rockets outside. -- Lots of free parking -- Free admission Cons: -- Label text and some videos are full of scientific jargon. Made it hard to explain to your kiddo as a science translator from adult speak to kid speak. I'm like "I don't understand so I can tell you about this one, buddy." This is the biggest con for me. I know more about space than the average person, but it was tough to read several paragraphs of science-speak to get to the "takeaway" of each display. -- Outside is very dated - probably hasn't changed since Goddard was built in 1976. (But this is also kind of charming in a time capsule kind of way) -- Videos need captions. Some had it, some didn't. **Protip 1: Get ice cream at Hershey's Ice Cream (across the street) after the museum! There is also a nearby pizza place (Ledos). **Protip 2: Apple maps brought me to the wrong entrance. Try this address instead: 9432 Greenbelt Road Greenbelt, MD 20771 read more

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Fun hands-on place for kids and adults to learn about space. I really enjoyed the section about smells in space. Space smells pretty good!

I took my fifteen year old son there last weekend. We had such a nice time. Yes, it's on the smaller side but it was staffed by some full-time NASA employees who love what they do. They made my son -- a space nut -- feel so special. Goddard's mission is so unique and the docents are so committed to it -- that we came out truly inspired. Two other things I loved: (1) In the back, they had a nice auditorium showing video interviews with Goddard team members. Again, really inspiring. (2) They also had nice posters to give kids -- depicting the OSIRIS-REx mission. Thank you, NASA Goddard. A great and inspiring visit. Special thanks to the NASA personnel on who were on duty on Saturday, December 2. read more

No stop in educational for the kids interactive displays for those children that are interested in space and even for adults. It is on the smaller side and can get quite congested if there are a lot of people there. It is free so that's a plus. They do have some outside exhibits as well.They have a theater which plays various different space related movies and clips. read more

Having a hubby in the aerospace industry got us a backstage tour (for my birthday) of the Goddard Space Flight center. Getting to geek-out on my 40th birthday was amazing. There usually isn't much going on at the facility, when they aren't working on something, but you can see the clean rooms (through observation windows), get up close look at the vacuum chambers and testing rooms that put equipment through its paces before being sent into space. Getting to walk through the different stages and seeing the scale of these facilities is something that has to be experienced in person. I had no idea the iconic white NASA building was Goddard's main building. TV screens are dotted around, showing mock-ups of the latest project and its mission. Tight security, so behave. They have official tours, visitors' center with gift shop and group events. If you are in the area and are at all interested in our current and history of space exploration, then Goddard is worth your time. read more

My wife and I attended a fantastic private tour of the facility put on by Smithsonian Associates. If you have the opportunity to take this tour, do it! You are taken through many areas not normally shown to visitors, including facilities where satellites are assembled and tested. Pretty amazing stuff. The public area of Goddard has some interesting exhibits, but many of them were not functioning properly when we tried to explore them. The solarium is nice, but small, and I would have loved to see more recent images of the Sun. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable and the gift shop has some awesome NASA schwag that you can't find at the National Air and Space museum, so that's worth a visit! read more

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So we took our son here because he loves space and truly wants to be an astronaut when he grows up . Let me tell you , he had the time of his life . They had all these spacE ships , space rocks , Interactive displays that he was trilled with . Me not so much , I felt it lacked a lot , there was this huge open room with not to much to offer . It was free so I can't really complain but once is enough for me to go see this place . read more

A really nice place to visit when you're visiting Maryland, or if you're looking for something educational to do on the weekend. It was free to get in and I learned a lot in the 40 minutes we had there! In 40 minutes, I probably got about a third of the way through the exhibit. They have many interactive exhibits that explain the various ways NASA collects data on the planet and how that data is integrated to provide a picture for how the planet is changing. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on ice cores. I'd lectured on these this past spring, so it was really exciting to see an example of them in person, get a sense of how large they are, and also be able to see how the layers differ from each other from the various time periods. Such a cool stop! read more

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What an extraordinary experience! We would do it all again. Excited for when the James Webb Space Telescope gets out there - picking up on things from our past and in our future? What? We could've stayed in the sun solar simulator for a full meditation! read more

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Interesting spot to visit with children. Next to NASA we learned about the reasons of the rockets and outer space. Taking picture in the space suit was a nice touch and seeing the satellites and capsules was interesting. Interactive spots are there and a room with video on a sphere makes you feel like you have different planets before you floating. A few things stuck with me when I left the museum like the texture of the highway rumple strips. I would return with my family again. read more

Pretty nice place to bring the kids to look at some of the things that NASA has done in the past. (Very educational). They also have a pretty nice gift shop with all sorts of things! read more

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Public Services & Government Near Me - Greenbelt, Maryland

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Great little center to learn about certain Nasa missions that are mainly sponsored by the Goddard Flight Center as well as other exhibits pertaining to space. This is definitely not a visitor center like the Kennedy Space Center in Florida but is worth the trip if you need something to do. Another cool thing is that every first Sunday they have rocket launches, so you can bring out your own little rocket to see how far it can go. They have a little gift shop next to the center to pick out some Nasa gear which was neat. Overall great little visitor center that would be good for something else to do in the DMV area. read more

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Wonderful programming at the Visitors' Center (picture ID required for entry) including a free, traveling photo booth 1-7 day rental for your events (reservations are first come first served). In September there was even a sleepover for middle school aged girls, just wonderful! read more

I recently stopped at the Visitor Center for the first time in probably over a decade. I used to visit a lot during my youth and there were a lot of fond memories. Sadly, when I visited in the early 00's there was mostly nostalgia and not much else. A few new exhibits, but mostly the same things worn down by use and age. That changed when I brought my own children here for a nice day out. They've updated so much about this location, with many interesting (and high-tech) displays. If I had the time to stop and read everything (impossible with a 4-year-old), I could easily have spent a couple of hours or more. They've really done an amazing job updating everything and keeping up with space technology. Even then, there's still some older items from my youth that remain, including the Gemini capsule everyone can sit and play in. I think the only notable issue was that the public display area has become much smaller. A lot of the building space is now taken up with classrooms and educational offices for the groups that meet there. Honestly, that's a positive as they work with local kids to encourage science and leadership. Still, it does limit the amount the public can participate in, although that could still fill a morning or afternoon. Whether you've visited the museum before or are just looking for interesting local sights, I recommend adding Goddard to your list. This is a hidden gem that's recently been polished and worth the trip. Even if it's mostly nostalgic for you, the next generation will find just as much wonder as you did years ago. read more

We haven't been here in a long time and I really like how they created more interactive exhibits for kids but I wish they had a play area for younger kids like they used to. read more

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I have to say that the NASA Goddard Visitors Center is a very fascinating and intriguing interactive museum that makes one feel just slightly insignificant when compared to the greater depths of the universe. Front desk staff were very helpful and informative. The movie and corresponding exhibits are a fun way to further your appreciation of modern research, engineering, and the logistics of space exploration. Additionally, there are several exhibits highlighting the importance of Antarctic research as a tool to better understand both our planet and the universe. I think most of the fascinating research and studies coming out of Antarctica by way of both NASA and the American Antarctic Survey are often ignored by the general public, so I am glad that there are several exhibits showcasing many of the research efforts down south. The gift shop is filled with a pleura of NASA decal and souvenirs including t-shirts, shot glasses, key chains, and a million and one other things that visitors can take home for souvenirs. Kids and adults alike will love the astronaut "ice-cream" food available in numerous flavors. Overall, definitely a great way to spend a couple of hours! read more

We enjoyed our visit, but there was very little interactive, save for turning moon dust wheels and it was also small and didn't have much from which to really learn anything we don't already know. The staff was super friendly and helpful though. I just wish there was more hands-on, and I wish this NASA location did tours. I will say, however, that the solarium was my favorite spot. I wish I had more time to just sit in there and listen to the sun as I watched the flares. Go see it just for that, if nothing else. read more

Went to The nasa home brew club yearly Crab picknic, I had the best time I've had all year. Fine beer , great band, all the crabs and barbecue items you can eat From noon to 5. Bent fender played a good collection of classic rock and originals. Not often do I hear Beatles or cream played anymore, oh darling and white room were especially welcome. read more

Full disclosure: I am as ardent a fan of NASA as anyone who has ever walked this Earth. (Or even those who floated through space). I once had an internship at this particular facility. Yet, Goddard Space Flight Center isn't a thrilling destination. I want so badly to give them a five-star rating, but it's just not there. Their Visitor Center is nice. There are a bunch of grand, brilliant pictures of nebulae and stars. There isn't as much information as one would expect; the only hands-on piece I saw in the small space was a plasma globe, which have been available for purchase to the general community since black lights were big. If you're local and looking for something to do with your kids, Goddard is worth checking out. It's free. It's convenient to 495 and 295. If your kids are really into space, they'll appreciate it. Even if they're not, they might be impressed. NASA has done a good job with the space, but I know they can do better. If you're an adult who follows space and has a solid grasp of space science, you'll find nothing to blow your hair back. As a life-long NASA supporter, I'm disappointed. Goddard isn't tied to the manned space program; their expertise is in the science. They work with unmanned satellites and probes, so it would be nice to see them press their advantage there. They have a couple models of the International Space Station and the (now-retired) Space Shuttle. I'd love for them to have more of their own contributions. If you or your kids want a real NASA experience, get to Kennedy Space Center in Florida or the Jet Propulsion Lab in California. Kennedy has all the manned space program highlights, including the Saturn V Complex, which houses the largest rocket ever built, the Saturn V. It got 12 men to the moon and back. Plus, the Vehicle Assembly building is one of the largest buildings in the world. (Before they fixed it, it used to accumulate enough moisture that it would actually rain inside.) The Jet Propulsion Lab focuses more on space probes, but have a top notch tour and visitor center. If you're in the area and want a thrilling experience, check out the Air & Space Museum on the National Mall, it has better exhibits. If you really want to impress the kids, take them to the Air & Space site in Chantilly, Virginia (by Dulles Airport). They have the first shuttle, the Enterprise, on display along with a host of other space stuff. (Plus an unbelievable number of other aircraft.) I'd be remiss if I didn't point out though that Goddard does have a top notch gift shop. Just today I spent $70 there. Basically anything NASA or space-related is there. (Kennedy Space Center's gift shop is 5 times the size, but still). Astronaut Ice Cream is also $3, as opposed to the Smithsonian's $5. Lastly, Goddard is a closed work environment, but once a year they have an open house and let the public bask in all the science their hearts desire. (Around May, methinks). If you see the Visitor's Center and want more, definitely check that out. read more

It's hard to critique this valuable organization. I tip my hat to all of the hard working people that are involved in all aspects of space exploration. The Goodard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, unfortunately, was not an entertaining family experience. Their website makes the attractions seem more interesting than they really are. For example, the "rocket graden" is just a small handful of displays in a not-very-scenic grassy area, described by inadequate informational signs. A theatre has a 3-D globe on which information is projected in a continuous loop. The information is dry and there is no thrill like one might get at a planetarium. The interactive displays would mostly interest a very precocious middle school student who loved reading and hearing everything space related. It doesn't take long to go through the displays, several of which were under repair and others of which were static and uninviting. A large school group was running around the place, but I saw few of them interested in the actual information. They were more interested in playing with toys from a toy chest and randomly pushing buttons on a display before running off somewhere else. This would probably not be most people's idea of a "destination". If you're in the area, you might drop by. If you have just visited the website and are intrigued, and you need to travel 45 minutes or an hour to get there, I would consider that it might not be what you think.. Their hearts are in the right place. However, I think other museums and science centers do a better job of creating interest in the subject and involving the audience. read more

Small facility but great displays. Parking and entry is free, however call well in advance to see if there are any tours available inside the gates. First Sunday of the month is model rocket Sunday - bring your own model rocket, and the Goddard Rocket Club will show you what to do....it was a lot of fun, and a great little gift shop for NASA t-shirts, astronaut ice cream, souvenirs and extra model rockets with prices much lower than DC musuems. read more

I walked into the visitor center with high expectations. I mean, I was shooting for the stars on this one. Unfortunately, there's not a lotta boost in this ol' rocket. The museum is pretty rundown and dated. There's some cool stuff for kids, and even a little play area, but that's about it. The highlight is the "sphere," which is a 360 degree movie projected on a globe suspended from the ceiling. The staff is super-nice and extremely helpful. Oddly enough, as others have mentioned, the gift store is stocked full of goodies and may even surpass the museum in terms of interest. So take stock in that. If you are local, definitely go and bring the fam. Otherwise I would not really go out of my way, or if so, don't plan on spending a lot of time there. read more

Fun spot, definitely great for children. I'll admit it, I had fun too. It could stand a revamp though, I don't think it's changed since I went there in elementary school, but then again Nasa has consistently had its budget cut, so I wouldn't imagine they would spend much time on the museum and gift shop. read more

I'm interested in space exploration but this museum didn't grab me. There's not much to see and many of the exhibits that are there have seen better days. At least the gift shop had some cool stuff for sale! read more