Space Center Houston - Johnson Space Center

If you've seen the movie Apollo 13, then you are familiar with this phrase! Houston is the home of NASA's Johnson Space Center and the infamous "mission control." I'm sure that there are other things that it is known for (hey - they even hosted the Super Bowl a few years ago), but that is the thing that I can think of off the top of my head. My husband and I visited NASA's Space Center Houston a couple of years ago. It was a bit pricey (I think we paid about $25) and you can get discounts using a AAA card, a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card, and local grocery stores often have coupons, as well. I think that families with young children (in the 5-11 year old range) would enjoy this experience most because there are a LOT of hands-on activities and exhibits for the kids. They can walk through a "mock" space shuttle among other things. Adults can do this, as well, but I don't think it has the same effect! You can take a "tour" of the facilities. I have taken this tour in the past and it has changed drastically and is very limited at this point. I am thinking that they had to change it quite a bit after the events on 9/11. You do get to see the mock International Space Station where actual astronauts train. You also get to visit the old mission control facilities (on the day we went, the elevators were out and we had to climb the stairs to the top!) and they show you a re-enactment. That was probably the "neatest" part for me. You also get to view a bunch of "retired" space shuttles. I think my husband really enjoyed that part. There are a videos about the history of the space program. There are plenty of gift shops, and of course, everything was overpriced (that's my opinion, at least). The food in the restaurants was also pricey. Overall, it's an educational experience, but it's also a very expensive one, so come prepared to spend and spend! If you'd like to find out more Space Center Houston, you can visit their website here: http://www.spacecenter.org/ more

Space Center Houston is so much fun for kid's and adult's. It is also very educational. When we went my 13 year old daughter got her science project idea from an employee. They even helped her get started on it. They gave her idea's, resource's and some material's. By time we were done my 3 kid's could not stop asking question's and when were we going back. My children along with my husband and I were amazed at the stuff we saw and learned.If you have the time and the money the is a great family outing. more

A trip to the Space Center Houston is an experience for the whole family. There are lots of hands-on exhibits for children, including a replica of a space shuttle that kids can walk through. There are videos about the space program located in different theaters. There is also a tram tour of the entire facility, and you can get off to take a tour of the old Mission Control facilities (and view a re-enactment). You can also see a mock international space station and watch where the astronauts actually train. You get to see old space shuttles that have been "retired" and you can also visit the Rocket Park. There is a gift shop that is a bit pricey, but you can buy pins, astronaut ice cream, and your kids are bound to find a number of other things they want. It is a neat and educational experience. The only downside is that it is pretty expensive. Kids 5 and older would probably enjoy it most. more