posted 06-12-2012 05:09 AM               

One thing that I'd bet very few will mention though, as a collector, make sure you have a good list of the patches and collectables you have now. The gift shop (or more correctly now, gift shopS) are extensive and have a lot of things in them. That being said, I can't tell you how many times I've come back with duplicates. I now keep a full inventory in my email so I can download and check it from anywhere on my phone. Problem solved (for me anyway).

If there was something to see out on the pad (39A/B particularly), I'd mention that you can get a much closer view of them from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. When you go up there (from 504 I think?), take the road out toward the beach. There are several places to stop along that road Bio-Med Road is also very interesting to see while you're there.) However, they are now giving tours of the launch towers and Launch Control, so those are good ideas too.

Whatever you do, take lots of pictures! (And share them if you'd like!)

posted 06-12-2012 05:42 AM               

Take comfortable walking shoes and clothing for the warm climate. Set aside two days for the visitor's center. That will give you enough time to see both Imax movies, do all the tours you want etc. You can book tours in advance.

Set aside a full day for the Astronaut Hall of Fame just up the road. This is another great attraction with, yes, another gift shop! You'll find many souveneirs to your liking at these places.

Regarding pictures get lots with you and your family in the photo. This might sound cheezy but afterward you'll be happy to have these memories.

posted 06-12-2012 02:33 PM               

The FREE Cape Canaveral Air Force Base tour that will give you access to both the museums and the old launch sites. The only downside when I did it was that we did not stop, and get out, at Pad 34. I got the impression that we were running late and on another day you would get some time to yourself there.

Kennedy Space Center with the addition of the Up Close ($20+) tour which gives you access to the VAB. They do run a Then and Now tour ($20+) which roughly mimics the free CCAFB tour but with less time at the museums. Why pay?

The Space Walk of Fame Museum and Foundation in Titusville. Run solely by volunteers it is stuffed with items that will keep you there much longer than the size of the place would indicate. I cannot praise the people enough.

posted 06-12-2012 04:01 PM               

I would plan for two days at the Visitors Center and see if you can pre-book some of the tours as they have been adding some new ones (the VAB tour and the LCC tour for instance). You need to get there early if you want to do some of these as they fill up quick and in the case of the "Up Close" tour, you'll be doing it for about half a day. These tours typically end up at the Saturn V center, so don't worry about getting on a bus to go there (since you will end up there anyway).

A pass to the Visitors Center will also get you into the Hall of Fame. It is worth a stop. As for other attractions, the new museum just outside of the CCAFS gate is worth a stop as well to get a nice glimpse of the story of rockets in Florida from the days when KSC didn't exist. I believe a tour to parts of the CCAFS is being offered from there now as well (not sure what day it takes place though).

Valiant Air Command next to the Astronaut Hall of Fame is a nice little air museum to visit if you like aircraft. The Police Hall of Fame periodically has helicopter tours of the area (Valiant used to allow flights in a T-6 Texan and a Stearman biplane, not sure if they do anymore though). Seeing KSC from the air can be very cool.