Feeling the itch for some cosmic exploration? You’re in luck! There’s a whole universe of stellar experiences right at your fingertips, just waiting to ignite your love for space like never before. From age-old space centers brimming with history to zero gravity flights that’ll make your heart race, the cosmos is closer than you think.
Start your Galactic Adventure: Top Space Centers in the U.S.
For those with a penchant for the mysteries of the cosmos, visiting a top-notch U.S. space center is a bucket list item. These cosmic centers have been the beating heart of humanity’s quest to conquer the stars, offering a launch pad for historic space missions and a home base for pioneering research and development.
Your journey through these centers will lead you through the hallways of the space exploration history and bring you face-to-face with thrilling, one-of-a-kind experiences that inch you just a bit closer to that elusive final frontier.
Zero Gravity Flight, Las Vegas, Nevada
If you want to go on a trip after that big casino win, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take the Zero Gravity Flight in Las Vegas. You’ll get to feel what it’s like to float weightlessly in space without ever leaving the comfort of Earth’s atmosphere. These flights replicate the feeling of being an astronaut and provide a unique opportunity for space enthusiasts and scientists to experience weightlessness. Flights begin at $4,950, making this thrilling adventure a worthwhile investment in an unforgettable experience.
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Basking in the Florida sunshine, the Kennedy Space Center has acted as the gateway to the cosmos for countless missions, including Apollo 11—the first to touch lunar soil—and the launches of the space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station.
The visitor complex at the Kennedy Space Center brings the space lover’s dream to life. You’ll witness actual rocket launches, feel the rush of a simulated launch, and even break bread with a genuine astronaut. Get up close and personal with space shuttles and delve into the exciting world of reusable spacecraft at the center’s exhibitions. To complete your space experience, consider stayingy at the nearby DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront—a stone’s throw away from the historic Cape Canaveral launch site.
Space Center Houston, Texas
Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, wears many hats—it’s a groundbreaking science and space exploration learning center, a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, and a cosmic playground boasting more than 400 unique space experiences.
Space Center Houston lets you walk in the shoes of astronauts and space engineers. The Starship Gallery and mission briefing center offer an insightful peek into the world of reusable spacecraft and cutting-edge space technologies. Don’t miss having a Friday or Saturday lunch with an astronaut—an unforgettable encounter.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama
Housing the world’s most extensive collection of rockets and space artifacts, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, opens a portal to the history of space exploration. Its immersive exhibits, educational space programs, and the much-loved Space Camp for all ages are some of the offerings that put it on the map.
While you’re there, check out the “Alien Worlds and Androids” exhibit for a dose of extraterrestrial excitement. Want to delve even deeper into the space experience? Stay at a local hotel or volunteer at the research station for an extended period.
Space Tourism Beyond the Ordinary
The future of space tourism is on the horizon, with private companies such as Virgin Galactic pulling out all the stops to make space travel a reality for the masses. But while we’re waiting for our ticket to the stars, several otherworldly space tourism experiences are already up for grabs.
Experience the thrill of zero gravity flights or walk the red sands of simulated Mars habitats—these experiences will leave you with cosmic dust in your shoes.
Mars Desert Research Station, Utah
The Mars Desert Research Station in Utah takes you on an incredible simulation of life on Mars. Open to the public in the summer months of June, July, and August. You can tour the station or even volunteer for an extended period. You’ll experience the highs and lows of life on another planet, which is truly unique.
Aurora Viewing Expeditions, Southern Hemisphere
The mesmerizing spectacle of auroras, also known as the southern lights, is a sight that leaves everyone spellbound. These otherworldly light shows are best witnessed during the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere, in prime locations like southern New Zealand and South America. An aurora-viewing expedition is a magical addition to any space enthusiast’s bucket list, offering a chance to bask in the beauty and wonder of this celestial marvel.
