NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island

This was one of my favorite places to visit ever and we weren't even able to get to everything there is. The presentations we were able to watch were both informative and entertaining. Will definitely be going back very soon. EDIT: We ended up getting annual passes. There are so many great things to do at Kennedy. One of our favorites is the Apollo/Saturn V Center where you can experience the Apollo 8 launch in the firing room with the exact instruments they used that day and then view a Saturn V rocket. The Atlantis shuttle is also viewable in the Atlantis exhibit where you get to watch the events that lead up to Atlantis being created and launched. There's the rocket garden where you can sit inside capsules and view some life-size rockets. There's Planet Play, a 3 level indoor play area for kids to play as various Mars rovers, go down slides, climb up various apparatuses, and travel between planets. There's also Heroes and Legends where you learn about various astronauts and what it takes to become an astronaut. If you need a break, there's The Space Shop to go shopping in or you can dine at Orbit Cafe or some of the other various snack and drink locations throughout. Definitely an amazing experience but also a great place to teach kids about space and being an astronaut.

If you're looking for fun content for kids through high-school, you be very pleased. If you are more of an enthusiast, there's still plenty to see but understand that it's not quite like the Smithsonian museums in DC- a lot of it is geared for maximum outreach to people who don't know about it, which is perfectly fine! The Saturn V and Atlantis exhibits are very awesome to simply be in the presence of. There is a lot of "pomp and circumstance" surrounding it all, but there's still plenty to do, see, and read. However, if you're more of an enthusiast looking for something content-rich, I would specifically recommend the "Heroes & Legends" exhibit. There are two introduction films that you are brought through (they are well-done and entertaining, but you can just enter through the first-floor doors if you don't care to watch), and after that, the exhibit itself is stellar. Lots of memorabilia across in several booths, and each booth has multiple interview recordings with various figures telling stories about their experiences. Seriously one of the best parts if you're an enthusiast looking for more info and experiences. Just listen carefully, because the recordings don't have subtitles and can be hard to hear (especially if there is a bigger crowd).