Space Center Houston, NASA’s Johnson Space Center visitor hub, is a must for anyone even mildly interested in space exploration. From the historic Apollo missions to the future plans for humans to visit Mars, it’s a thrilling and comprehensive dive into all-things space. Since we found planning our visit a little confusing, we crafted this guide to help you plan your perfect visit.
Before You Go
- Watch Apollo 13: This film primes you for the Apollo-era exhibits, making the Mission Control exhibit come to life.
- Pack a Lunch: While concessions are offered, they can be pricey and the food court can get crowded. Save money and sanity by bringing a lunch and enjoy a break outside – picnic tables are readily available near the parking lot & entrance.
- Buy tickets and add-ons: Decide ahead of time which tram tours you want to do. The Mission Control, for example, is a $15 add-on that must be booked and timeslot reserved in advance via the Space Center Houston website.
- Plan your length of visit: This complex is vast with a compact museum and must-do tram tours. If you wing it, you may end up missing out on one of the tours. We planned all day and ended up spending about 6 hours including lunch. This is the one thing that I think the website does well. Based on how much time you have, they provide a curated suggested itinerary of what you can expect to be able to see.
Pro Tip: if you have a choice, plan your visit to Houston and to the Space Center on a weekday in the late fall or early winter when it’s not hot and humid. A December visit, for example, means mild weather and field trip group encounters are unlikely.
Costs
- Parking: $10, separate fee. Early arrival snags closer spots, but there’s ample parking for RVs.
- Tickets: $30 for general admission (with discounts for kids/seniors) includes the museum and two of the tram tours. There are several add-on options including the Historic Mission Control Tour ($15), but they must be booked in advance.
MUSEUM Exhibits
Due to the layout of the space center, the museum portion is very easy to do in-between tram tours. You can visit the Apollo mission exhibit and touch the moon rock before taking the Mission Control Tram Tour, for example. Then you can return to the museum and learn how the astronaunts live aboard the International Space Center before going on the Astronaunt Training Facility Tour. It’s really easy to come-and-go, and many of the exhibits are interactive. Don’t miss the display about Mars and NASA’s plan for humans to reach Mars in the next few decades.
Tram Tours: The Heart of the Visit
The museum’s exhibits (space suit collection and moon rocks) are very cool, but the NASA tram tours make the experience. These tours offer exclusive access to Johnson Space Center, which is an active NASA facility. At the time of our visit, three tours were available:
- Rocket Park Tour (Included): See the 363-foot Saturn V rocket. Nate was awestruck! Go early to avoid lines.
- Astronaut Training Facility Tour (Included): Explore modern astronaut training. We skipped it due to time but hear it’s great.
- Historic Mission Control Tour ($ Add-On): Laura’s favorite! Immerse yourself in the preserved 1969 Apollo 11 control room. The active NASA control room is just below. Book early—it sells out.
Pro Tip: Do included tram tours (Rocket Park, Astronaut Training) first thing to skip long lines. Schedule Mission Control in advance. Without tram tours, the museum alone may not justify the $30 price tag.
Our Takeaway
Space Center Houston is a time machine to Apollo’s glory and NASA’s future, and a must-do for anyone. Check our Galveston guide for more Texas adventures, and follow our RV journey for what’s next!
