Space Center Houston
NASA's Houston visitor center - tram tours across the Johnson campus, a walk-through shuttle, moon rocks and Apollo capsules.
The visitor center for NASA Johnson Space Center and the closest most kids will get to standing inside the real thing. Tram tours run out across the working campus, and understanding how they are sold matters more than anything else here. General admission includes the standard routes - the Astronaut Training Facility, where hardware for current missions is genuinely being worked on, Rocket Park with its Saturn V, and the NASA campus tour - but they run subject to availability on first-come boarding passes you collect from Guest Services on arrival, not online. The Historic Mission Control tour is a separate ticket on top of admission, so if that is the thing your family came for, book it deliberately. Independence Plaza lets you walk through a shuttle replica mounted on a genuine 747 carrier aircraft, and indoors there are moon rocks you can touch and Apollo-era capsules.
Pricing
Paid admission includes the standard tram tours, subject to availability; the Historic Mission Control tour is a separate add-on on top of admission (verify)
Common Questions
- How much does Space Center Houston cost?
- Space Center Houston charges admission. Paid admission includes the standard tram tours, subject to availability; the Historic Mission Control tour is a separate add-on on top of admission (verify)
- What ages is Space Center Houston good for?
- Space Center Houston is best for kids ages 3 to 18+.
- Is Space Center Houston stroller friendly?
- Yes, Space Center Houston is stroller friendly.
- Can I bring my dog to Space Center Houston?
- No, dogs are not allowed at Space Center Houston.
- How hard is Space Center Houston?
- The difficulty level is easy. Plan for about 5 hours.
- Is Space Center Houston free?
- No, there is a cost to visit Space Center Houston. Paid admission includes the standard tram tours, subject to availability; the Historic Mission Control tour is a separate add-on on top of admission (verify)
- What should I bring to Space Center Houston?
- Comfortable shoes, sun protection for the tram queue, snacks
- How long does Space Center Houston take?
- Most families spend about 5 hours at Space Center Houston.
- When is the best time to visit Space Center Houston?
- Arrive at opening and go straight to Guest Services for a tram boarding pass - they are first-come and run out.
- Is there parking at Space Center Houston?
- Large paid on-site lot off NASA Parkway