I have visited here twice on field trips with my students. I love this museum! There's so much to learn and if you're into science like me, this is definitely your place. There are self-guided tours, guided tours for groups and hands-on classroom experiences. You can meet an actual NASA scientist, learn about our solar system in the planetarium, and enjoy the various rides that are included with admission. There are other fun things to do but I believe those events/rides cost extra. You can even enjoy lunch under the trees or in the food court area inside. Pro Tip: Plan to visit at least two days to take it all in! It's definitely an out of this world experience! read more

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If you have even the slightest interest in space, this place is a must-see! The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is the largest space museum in the world -- and it shows. From the moment you walk in, you're immersed in the story of humanity's journey beyond Earth. The exhibits walk you through our humble beginnings in rocketry, the intensity of the Space Race against the Soviets, the tragedy of Apollo 1, and the evolution of technology that eventually put humans on the Moon. You'll see command modules, landers, rovers, military applications, the role animals played in early testing, quarantine procedures after splashdown, and in-depth looks at International Space Station and Skylab. And then there's the jaw-dropping moment when you enter the massive building housing the fully displayed Saturn V rocket. It's hard to put into words how enormous and impressive it is stretched out above you. Seeing it in its entirety is worth the visit alone. We easily spent five hours here -- arriving shortly after opening and leaving about an hour before closing -- and still felt like we could have spent more time reading and exploring. There are over 1,500 artifacts on display. Every corner has something fascinating. One of my favorite parts? Actual rocket scientists were onsite at the Saturn V exhibit, ready and excited to answer questions. Talking to people who genuinely worked in the field adds a depth you just can't replicate with signage alone. I also highly recommend catching a show in the planetarium. We saw the presentation on the James Webb Space Telescope, and it was incredible. Pro tip: get there about 20 minutes early and line up. The shows are popular, and early arrival means better seats. Bonus -- you can bring in popcorn, candy, soda, or Icees if you're feeling snacky. Parking is huge and well organized. While they cap attendance each day at several hundred visitors, we had no issue getting tickets. The onsite cafeteria looked large with several food options. I noticed vegetarian choices but didn't confirm vegan availability. If I had one small critique, it would be that I wish there were even more actual flown-in-space artifacts. There are some, but many displays are trainers and simulators. That said, I understand that many space-flown items aren't recoverable, so replicas and trainers make sense. I also appreciated that the museum doesn't stop in the past. It brings the story into the present, covering modern space ventures like Blue Origin and SpaceX. Bottom line: this place is absolutely worth the trip. Plan for at least four hours -- five if you really want to dive in. There is so much to read, see, and experience. Space nerd or not, you'll leave inspired. read more

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I was in Huntsville on a work trip and had a couple hours of free time and decided to check out the U.S. Space and rocket center. It was pretty cool! Lots of families and kids and this is a perfect place for families if you're in town on vacation in Huntsville. read more

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There is a lot to do. We spent almost four hours here on a Monday. Our eleven year old loved it. I went a ton as kid and have not been interested in going back, but it had much more to offer than when I was a girl. read more

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Have you ever been to a unique and special place, and soon after you just realized you wanted to go back? Well, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville, Alabama) is that place for me. The first time I visited this location was over 25 years ago, and I've been here several times since then. If you ever go to Huntsville, I would say that the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is one place you should definitely go and see. I have always been fascinated by rockets, ever since I was a little boy. And now that I have a good understanding of the mathematics, physics, and engineering required to build these amazing vehicles, I am even more fascinated at what the United States has been able to accomplish for our space program. To understand these accomplishments, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is probably the best place to visit. It's also a great place to understand the history of Huntsville, and why they call it "Rocket City." So, if you want to be amazed while looking at all the real full-scale rocket hardware that led to our country's successes, then this is the place to go. It's also a great place to inspire our youth, so if you've got a child with an inquisitive mind, you should definitely bring them here to help them imagine what they can do if they are willing to work hard. If you'd like more details on what you'll be able to see while here, please check out all my pictures and videos, some of which are attached to this review. I'll definitely be back. read more

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We came here on a Wednesday, and there weren't a lot of people, so we were able to browse and take our time with each display. Lots of very interesting artifacts, someeven very entertaining. Great for kids, lots of space for them to run around outside, also, Very engaging as they have a STEM show during the day. Not a lot of kids during my visit, and the STEM presenter had a laugh with us since her script was directed towards kids. "Hey kids, don't forget to ask your parents before you use a roll of toilet paper for this science project!" - everyone in the audience was over the age of 30, except for a baby. Lots of parking, easy to get to from the freeway. As you arrive into the parking lot, you'll see the space shuttles. Signage is easy to understand. My favorite part of my visit is meeting actual, real life scientists who have worked on some of the projects on display. They even have trading cards. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - Rocket - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

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The one thing I wanted to experience when in the area, even if it was the outside, was the US Space & Rocket Center. It is definitely a prominent focal point when driving the highway through Huntsville. It caught my eye on our way to my uncle's house that I knew I wanted to stop and take some pictures on the way back. My Dad had joked that I should just pull off to the side of the highway and take pictures. I was not in the mood nor was I going to do that. I took a chance to see if I could drive up to the buildings and snap some pictures. Not sure if this was doable or if there was a fence/gate that prohibit this. Just so you know, no gate/fence and you can totally roll up, jump out of your vehicle and snap as many pictures as you want. The parking lot is vast and if you are here when no one else is, you have your choice of parking spots. You are also not rushed to see the rockets and statues of every type they have on the grounds. I walked around snapping photos and read a few of the plaques on the way. It is amazing to see some of the rockets that have paved the way for space travel while here. Pathfinder is now the second of the retired shuttles I have seen in less than half a year. I hope to be able to see others as time goes on. I knew there was this facility here as my aunt worked for NASA and knew it would be a must stop for me. Granted, I would have liked to have gone through the whole facility, but with being strapped for time, this was the best I could do. Not bad for review # 3,900, here's to review 4,000 coming up! read more

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I was a little apprehensive at first, but my wife wanted to go so I went. And I'm absolutely glad that I did. It was very interesting. It was very informative, yes, there were a lot of replicas, but anybody who expects them to have the real thing there is not thinking very clearly. Some of the displays need to be refurbished and redone, but it's a tall task. I definitely would recommend it. It's worth the drive. read more

Our first time visit to this place. Family of 4 with a toddler and 8 yr old. Both the kids loved the place and the space is huge and multiple things to do and see all around the space. Its almost takes a day to visit the entire place. There is a food court inside to take a break to refuel and visit the rest of the space. There is interior space with multiple exhibits and outdoor space where you visit different exhibits. read more

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More like 3.5 It is a great place. I suppose I was just expecting a lot more based on all that I have heard about how incredible this place is. If you have a science center membership to other locations, you likely will get half price admission which is a nice perk. There is an outdoor area with several things on display (along with a ride) and of course lots of exhibits inside. There is definitely a mix of exhibits that will interest all ages of curiosity. The day we were there, there was some additional hands on activities (building paper airplanes and paper rockets and launching them). What I found disappointing was how many "extras" there were and how hard the push was for them. It was extra to visit the planetarium, extra to ride certain attractions, extra for the gravity thing. A lot of other science centers these types of attractions are included with the admission cost. read more

While visiting the area my husband and I enjoyed a nice afternoon at the museum. We paid the extra cost for a show at the planetarium and I'd say it was worth it. The show was very educational. We also loved exploring all of the indoor and outdoor exhibits. This seemed to be a very family friendly location. I will be looking into the space camp for my future kids as everyone we saw had huge smiles while participating in the camp activities. read more

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Incredible experience for all ages. Without a doubt you should go if you get the chance. A lot to see and learn. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - Davidson Center - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

We had a wonderful time as first timers. But as we had a 16 yr old girl she was not into it as much as we were. The food was good but kinda like cafeteria food really. We brought our own water and you could have a picnic with packed lunches if you wanted. We also did the extra rides and the extra rides inside but those are an extra cost. We started at 10 and finished by 1:00 to do the planetarium show as well. read more

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The U.S. Space & Rocket Center has some interesting exhibits, but overall, I found it to be a bit of a tourist trap. The admission price is $30 per person, and once inside, you have to pay extra for almost everything-- an additional $12 per adult for the planetarium or for any of the gravity simulations and rides. It can get expensive quickly and from what I saw most definitely not worth the price. While parts of the center are neat and informative, I wasn't overly impressed. A large outdoor shuttle section was under construction during my visit, so we couldn't even access it. For the price, I expected a more complete experience, and I think the admission fee could definitely be reduced to reflect what's actually available. There definitely is a large chunk of activities for small children. Which is great as a family destination and stop but a bit overwhelming for adults walking through. There was a whole section where you step inside the shuffle and then a majority is blocked off for the space camp experience. There was a theater with a short film about space and I was shocked that it was free. But there are a few rides right near the theater (those you have to pay extra for). Some of the outdoor exhibits like the planes, mini submarine, and moon landing simulation were neat to look at but definitely not maintained. We maybe did the entire center in about 1.5 hours since a lot was closed and not available to the public. My honest opinion. Walk around the building check out the gift shop and spend your day elsewhere. read more

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This review is for the gift shop only. I went there to buy a tshirt and astronaut ice cream for a friend. Years ago during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was at this gift shop regularly buying astronaut ice cream for deployed troops. I would send freeze dried ice cream and comic books to deployed troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan (for Enduring Freedom). The gift shop has changed. There are tshirts for sale but not of the quality, quantity or variety available years ago. Sigh. After looking thru many of the same shirts, I found one to purchase. Years ago I would have never bought this type of tshirt. It said it was thick cotton but it wasn't. I did find a small display of astronaut ice cream and picked one up. There are lots of mugs, magnets and small trinkets that children might purchase. The toys are not of the quality and variety available years ago. Overall the gift shop is good enough for its purpose. I reminisce about the good ole days I believe. I expected the goods to be the same or similar and that is unrealistic. read more

What an incredible place this is! We came down with some friends while visiting Chattanooga, and this was one of the more perfect day trips we could've taken. The place is in incredible testament to the space program and showcases the amazing stuff that has gone on on the past 50 years. They have two Saturn rockets that show you how big these spacecraft actually are! There's plenty to read about and a lot of great exhibits to look at, but the biggest highlight came when we were able to have food and beverage, including beer, the IMAX experience. it really made a great day even better! It was a second movie that we shown in another part of the building and unfortunately did not have options to purchase food and beverage. The movie was still worthwhile, but less enjoyable! There are a number of different interactive, small rides that you can pay for, an outdoor area where young kids can go play... This was perfect for, all our young gentlemen who were excited to go outside! They even had the Mars Café where you could buy the type of food drink that you would expect to find at such a facility. Overall, this place is an absolute Homerun at the place you should go if you're anywhere nearby! read more

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Every time I go it seems like I learn something new or see something I have not noticed before. I enjoy visiting this museum when I'm in town and have been a total of 4 or 5 times already. The planetarium is fantastic too. read more

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Me and my friends went to the space and rocket museum together, it was a memorable experience we won't forget. The planetarium was awesome, looking around at the rockets was another plus. When we eventually got hungry we went to the galaxy grill which has possibly the worst food i've ever put into my stomach, I paid $10 for a single small burger which was dry and overloaded with onions, if you wanna be food poisoned then go to the galaxy grill. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - Overpriced dry burger - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

Nothing on Mae Jemison (who is from Alabama) which I found odd. Spark center worker was also very rude... all of the other employees for the most part were pleasant! Wouldn't visit again, most exhibits were closed, planetarium was closed at 3, again, No Mae Jemison... and a tinyyyy little blurb on Valentina Tereshkova.. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - The one display in Mae Jemison they had - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

We visited here with family today and had a nice time. Great for kids and adults alike. There was a lot to see. They also offer rides for kids, for a fee per ride. Nice gift shop and a cafe inside too. Free parking outside. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - Capsule - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

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If you have any interest in Space exploration, past, present or future a visit here is a must . To see the US history from the late 50's till now is absolutely amazing. Going from the Mercury launches through moon landings and now the International Space Station, everything is represented. To see a 100% real Saturn 5 middle and walk from one end to the other as it is displayed on its side inside the Museum is incomprehensible. They also have a static display of the Saturn Missile outside and to walk under it and to see the size of each rocket engine, omg! To see the progression of the astronaut suit from Mercury to current Musk Starlink uniforms is unbelievable Lots of interactive displays and rides to experience while you are there read more

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It depends on what your interests are. If you like space or history, go and enjoy! If those aren't your things, skip it!

We had the most amazing day! There was an endless array of fun things to see and do for everyone, no matter their age. My husband and I had been eagerly awaiting the renovations to wrap up and the space shuttle to make its return before we took our niece and nephew to visit. It's been ages since we last stepped foot in the Space and Rocket Center--our last visit was back in middle school! All the facilities were in great shape--super clean and bright. Plus, parking was a breeze, and it was nice to see that everything was accessible for everyone. We decided to head there on a weekday, hoping it would be a bit quieter, and we were in for a delightful surprise--there weren't many crowds at all! This made it super easy for us to explore everything at our own pace. We ended up spending around four or five hours just enjoying and really examining all the exhibits and even went back to a few of our favorites for a second look. We treated ourselves to lunch at the center too (had to tame the hangry kid monsters). As for lunch, yes, the prices were hella high, but with how convenient it was, we thought it was worth it! They had typical snacks/meals that you'd find at a high school football game. We also couldn't resist grabbing some snowcones afterward--perfectly refreshing while we wandered through the outdoor exhibits! While we passed on the rides and virtual reality experiences, they looked like such a blast and were fully operational! Just wish each ride wasn't an additional charge per person. You know, the only thing I wish we could have done was catch a movie in the IMAX theater! I used to think that was the absolute coolest as a kid. Such an immersive experience into whatever world the movie was about. Of course we had to check out the gift shop, too! Sure, the prices bordered on extortion, but we decided to treat the kids and let them pick out a few fun souvenirs to remember the day. That's why we're the cool aunt and uncle, right? We will definitely bring the kids back again in the future. Such a fun experience! read more

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This was a cool place to visit. They have an interaction building which was really cool and fun! They have military vehicles and aircraft's which I thought were super interesting! Even though it's a space center I enjoyed the military stuff more! There is a restaurant on the premise but we did not visit this time. You can spend many hours here just looking at everything and interacting with the things that are set up. All in all a good experience! read more

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Really an interesting place to visit. Very expensive compared to the museum of the United States Air Force, but it's got some really good rocket stuff. Before Covid they used to have much more tours, but like everything else in this world Covid ruined at too. I wish they docents. A lot of it is memorials to a program that existed 60 years ago. It just breaks my heart to see how much we've dropped the ball since then. They have these exhibits for blue origin and some other contractor that look like marketing displays, and I really feel they're giving SpaceX short shrift. It's pretty neat but this is where space Camp is. You can see how those kids can have a great time. Maybe one of my kids can visit space Camp as a kid. read more

Went for the Biergarten and loved it! They have a rocket and science center host a beer garden for Octoberfest of sorts. Brilliant. Lots of folks brought their kids. Perfect combo. The exhibits were really interesting including the original Skylab and Saturn rocket blown up to show the stages. Totally geeked out in there. Made me wish I lived in Huntsville. read more

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Pretty standard must-see if you are in the Huntsville area. I came here after being in Cape Canaveral the previous week in Florida. I knew it wouldn't be as awesome or big, but it's still a great place to visit if you are in the area for business travel. The museum is relatively empty during the week. The time I went had limited staffing and even the planetarium was not available for visitors. However, they have pretty cool exhibits for anyone interested in outer space. read more

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Although Huntsville, Alabama isn't on the tourist radar for most, it is home to the US Space & Rocket Center, and Space Camp. They've created quite the welcoming attraction for space enthusiasts, at a fraction of the cost of going to a theme park. Although most flock to Cape Canaveral, Florida or Houston, Texas, the Huntsville location has plenty to do for tourists, and has a visually appealing grounds. For a disclaimer, I didn't have a full day to dedicate to the attraction, so only got to snap a few pictures of the grounds, but was impressed enough such that I'd want to return and recommend to those interested in astronaut training and all things space. read more

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Space Camp! Woo hoo! Everyone in my group talked about how they always wanted to go to Space Camp as a kid, so I was excited to see what all the talk was about! The U.S. Space and Rocket Center did not let me down. I'm not typically a museum goer, but if the subject is particularly interesting it's always worth checking out. The admission fee for an adult was $30, and I think without kids the appropriate amount of time to spend there is 1.5 hours - 2 hours. With many of the exhibits being geared toward children, you could definitely spend more time if you have little friends along with you. However, as an adult, I still had a great time!! Lots of very interesting facts and photos, along with really cool artifacts and models from the U.S. climb to space exploration in the mid-1900s. Our group split up and moved at our own pace and I really enjoyed seeing the huge Saturn V rocket in the bigger building. The gift shop had lots of cute items and I am thankful I went. I wouldn't go back as an adult until I have children, but I think the excitement with them will be worth it when the time comes. read more

We stopped here for the day while on a long road trip. The rocket center was educational and entertaining. We enjoyed the centrifuge ride. The staff and volunteers were helpful and informative. It is a great family activity if you like engineering geek stuff.. read more

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I'm really torn on this review... A lot of the other reviewers have (cough-cough) "commented" on the prices. I'll add my voice to that chorus: It's expensive for what it is, and I wonder where the money goes! There were basically no discounts against the $30 adult admission, and paying the 30 bucks seems like only a down payment as there are another half-dozen or more "experiences" (Movies, Simulators, etc.) within that all cost extra. No joke, a single adult could easily drop nearly $100 on admission and all the "extras." High prices extend to the gift shop. It's overflowing with Made in China tchotchkes at steep prices. I usually grab a couple things for the grandkids, but not this time. And, as others have stated, it's hard to know where the money is going. When I was there the joint was crawling with Space Camp attendees, and that's pretty pricey, per-kid. So there's a steady revenue stream. But the exhibits are either Very Well Maintained (i.e., the Saturn V building) or falling into utter disrepair (everything else). Here's an example: There's an exhibit of military rockets and missiles. Each of them is in a woeful state of neglect. Literally, I saw lichen growing on a few of them (as a convenience to the visitor for finding north, I presume). So they're really neglected. I mean, get a pressure washer, people! Or the exhibit with the Space Shuttle "stack": There are a couple of jets and the SRBs from the shuttle, but -- again -- really in rough shape. On a more positive note: One of the docents I met was amazing and spent more than 15 minutes with me chewing the fat and explaining many things about the Saturn V that I'd never have imagined. That education, probably, was worth the price of admission alone. So... yeah. This was a bucket-list trip for me, and I can check it off the list. I was expecting more, but was a little more than a little bit disappointed in the total experience. There's a restaurant; I didn't try it. The restrooms were clean. Everyone on staff demonstrated that hospitality that The South is known for. Maybe in 10-12 years I'll bring the grandkids to Space Camp. We'll see. read more

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A must do stop if you are in Huntsville. Great for anyone who likes history, space, military rocket advancements, space pop culture or just really cool exhibits! I came with a group of adults but this would also be a great day for families or on your own. Playground for kids, few rides that educate about space, a planetarium that extra money.. ticket prices were very reasonable museum group read more

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So I would say it's probably a great place in the summer. We went in the winter and because it was cold, nothing outside was available. I would also say that it was geared a bit more toward kids as well There is some cool exhibits and I really liked the Saturn 5 building with the huge rocket read more

Family and I took a trip to Huntsville, AL specifically for this space center ! Really, really cool. Our children throughly enjoyed their time "in space" walking through these exhibits. Definitely do the combo package and see a planetarium show. We spent 4 hours here and felt like that still wasn't enough time to get through everything. Lots of information and also a few areas for younger children who need some time running around to play. Would definitely recommend this center. read more

Had a great day being constantly blown away by the exhibits. I especially loved the Atlas rocket part. Well done, NASA (and a big atta boy for that whole landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to earth thing, as well)! read more

The electronics didn't work, the displays outside were unreadable and weathered. Otherwise, some of the displays are interesting, but not enough displays of real space equipment. A lot of it was facsimiles. read more

In a world of amusement parks, history museums, and science centers, the Space & Rocket Center seems to occupy a less clearly defined space, catering largely to the 9 year-old who prefers model rockets to Mickey Mouse. But we really did enjoy our adults-only visit. There are a staggering number of displays that would offer nothing for that same 9 year-old, but are ideal for adults. And of course, moon rocks are for nerds of all ages. For me, the highlight was the extensive attention to the moonshot years (those Saturn rockets!) and especially the ties to the Huntsville operation. The Huntsville story alone is a fascinating one, and it's great that the Center highlights those early years. But they do put a lot of energy into entertaining the kids. We enjoyed a centrifuge ride, but they offer plenty of opportunity to send your kids spinning or bouncing, and I imagine the virtual reality stuff is the next big advance over IMAX. If I had a complaint it would be that there could be a little more energy devoted to contemporary space research. It's a pretty dynamic field in this era, some of which is clearly happening in Huntsville. But on the whole I thought the whole thing was delightful. Definitely happier losing my dollars here than at Disneyland. read more

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We were in town for a hockey tournament and we're staying at the Drury Inn that's close by. We decided on Saturday morning to go and check out the Rocket Center and Museum. The place was packed! The lines were pretty king, but moved very quickly. The staff here were well in tune on how to handle the crowds. We were never in a line very long and they were very pleasant to deal with as well. There is also so much to do while you're here. We were there over two hours and did. And seen a lot of stuff, but probably not everything that's there. It's was pretty chilly and damp out so we didn't really even look to see what was outside, except as we went to and from the building and car. Kids all had a blast, even our hard to please child had a blast here. Highly recommend you stop in if you're in the Huntsville area, you won't be disappointed. read more

US Space & Rocket Center - Outside - Museums Near Me - Huntsville, Alabama

This is not my first visit to he rocket center and I a,ways find something interesting g each time I visit! We brought my family this visit and the grandchildren all enjoyed something. I grew up during the 60's so lots of exhibits here bring back memories of my childhood. Especially the helicopter that transported troops during Viet Nam. The snack shop was great for including options for children and veggie options too. We really enjoyed our visit. Certainly worth every penny! read more

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A bit expensive, but a full day of interesting exhibits. There are four main areas: the main entry that has a kids area (my five year old could hang out with the stem toys all day). The outside area has tons of rockets and military weapons. Make sure to go left towards the space camp area to see additional outdoor exhibits. Don't miss the newer museum--go outside and walk to the other large building to see many more rockets and space exhibits. Lots of bathrooms and two movie theaters. We did one of the interactive space shows about planets and got the chance to "sit" on the moon and mars. Very cool. read more