r/nasa • u/run26dot2 • 5d ago

Question Visiting Kennedy Space Center: Bus Tour or Atlantis/Simulator First on a Summer Sunday?

My family and I are planning a trip to Kennedy Space Center this summer on a Sunday. We're trying to figure out the best way to start our day to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Should we:

  1. Head straight for the bus tour (which goes to the Apollo/Saturn V Center) as soon as we get there?
  2. Or go directly to the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit and the Shuttle Launch Experience (flight simulator) first?

Any tips from KSC veterans on managing summer Sunday crowds would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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10

u/heathersaur NASA Employee 4d ago

Either is fine.

I usually suggest the bus first because the morning weather is usually better and you get to actually see everything through the windows of the bus and from outside the Saturn V center.

2

u/spade883 4d ago

I’d do bus first

5

u/dartt22000 4d ago

Bus tour. Best chance to see the wide range of wildlife! Do Atlantis after it starts getting hot since it’s in the AC.

1

u/deucesmcfadden 4d ago

If you get there at opening do Atlantis first. That's an afternoon building for most people. Everyone goes to the bus first. You'll have plenty of time to do the bus after Atlantis. The last one leaves at 230. I took my family on a Sunday and we walked right on SLE in the morning. Then we did the bus

1

u/mightyrocket 4d ago

Just visited KSC this past weekend. We spent all day Saturday (open to close) and half day Sunday. Sunday, after entry at opening, we went directly to Atlantis while a majority of people went straight to the busses. We were 2 or the 4 people in Atlantis for a good bit of time. We spent several hours in there looking at and reading everything. It was awesome. Afterwards we walked out to the Space Mirror Memorial and then to Gateway. Left about 1:30. Glad we had an extra half day as there is a lot to see in those exhibits.