Is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama Worth Visiting?
Wondering if the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama is worth visiting?
Indeed, it is! The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a must-visit destination for space enthusiasts, history buffs, and families alike. During our visit, we were pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of activities suitable for both kids and adults. It’s truly impressive how the center caters to a wide range of interests and ages, making it an ideal spot for an educational and entertaining day out.
Here are several reasons why it is worth visiting:
- Historical Significance: It is the official visitor center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and serves as the home of Space Camp. The Center has played a significant role in the development of the United States’ space program.
- Educational Opportunities: It offers educational programs and exhibits aimed at inspiring and educating you about space exploration, science, and technology. Space Camp provides immersive experiences for young aspiring astronauts. I was impressed with the level of interest and the depth of the questions that the kids were asking during our visit. A close friend sent her 2 children to Space Camp and today one of them is an aeronautics engineer!
- Iconic Rockets and Spacecraft: The center has an impressive collection of rockets, spacecraft, and other artifacts from America’s space exploration history. You can see iconic vehicles such as the Saturn V Rocket, the Apollo spacecraft, and the Space Shuttle Pathfinder.
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Where is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is often referred to as the “Rocket City” due to its significant contributions to the American space program.
The closest airport, to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, is Huntsville International Airport (HSV). It is located approximately 15 miles southwest of the Center. From the airport, you can easily reach the center by car via Interstate 565 and other nearby roads.
We drove to Huntsville from Southwest Florida which took about 11 hours. That is an adventure for another time!
Planning Your Visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama
The following are helpful tips for planning your trip to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Hours of Operation:
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Tickets:
You can purchase them at the ticket desk in the main museum or online. General Admission Tickets include shows at the National Geographic Theater, guided tours, and the G-Force Accelerator and Moon Shot rides.
There are additional costs for the following attractions:
– Scuba Experience – Underwater Astronaut Training
– Hypership
– VR Explorer
– Multi-Axis Trainer
– AC Flight Sims
– DIVR+
– MaxFlight
Pricing is available on the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s website.
Parking:
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center provides free parking, including bus and RV parking.
Food & Beverages:
The Mars Grill, in the main museum, is open daily from 10am to 3pm.
Wheelchairs and Strollers:
Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge at the ticket desk in the main museum. Electric scooters are available for rent.
Gift Shop:
There is a large gift shop which you must go through before you get to the Ticket Desk. Lots of merchandise with the NASA logo.
Length of Time for Your Visit:
I would recommend a minimum of 4 hours to see most of what the U.S. Space & Rocket Center has to offer. If you want to do all the rides and the planetarium shows, a full day is needed.
Top 17 Things to See and Do at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama
When you go to the Ticket Desk, get the daily schedule for presentations and tours. This will help you in planning what to do and where to go during your visit. We started in the main museum and made our way to the ,Saturn V Hall.
Along the way, there are specific things that you must see and do during your visit, and they are listed below.
Main Museum
1. Boeing Press Vessel
This vessel is in the DARE to Explore area in the main museum. It is an integral component designed to safeguard astronauts and cargo during the journey to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
2. Spark!lab
Spark!lab is an interactive invention workshop where children, along with their families, can learn about the world of invention. This is a hands-on area where you can explore the history and process of invention. From simple challenges to more complex ones, the lab encourages creativity and problem-solving, helping you unlock your inner inventor.
3. Science on Orbit
This is a replica of NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center that monitors the activity on the International Space Station (ISS). There is a live feed to the station and a guide provides information about the experiments performed in space. The presentation lasts about 20 minutes and, quite frankly, is fascinating. Check with the Ticket Desk for presentation times.
4. Underwater Astronaut Trainer
Following the Science on Orbit presentation, we walked past the tank designated for the Scuba Experience. With windows providing a peek into the tank, we were fortunate to witness some brave souls taking on the challenge.
5. International Space Station (ISS) Modules
Just past the Scuba Experience, we explored mockups of two International Space Station (ISS) modules, showcasing 20 full-scale replica racks that depict crucial aspects of life and work aboard the station.
From the Environmental Control and Life Support System to the food consumed by astronauts and even a sleeping berth, these replicas provide insight into the daily necessities onboard.
6. Intuitive Planetarium
This is a state-of-the-art digital planetarium. It has a cutting-edge digital dome theater offering an immersive experience, featuring astronomy shows, live entertainment, and theater experiences. There are several shows daily. You can purchase tickets from the ticket desk or online.
Space Shuttle Park
Note: As of March 2024, the park is closed due to restoration efforts on the Pathfinder. You can still see the space shuttle and the shuttle training aircraft through the fence.
7. Pathfinder Shuttle Stack
The Pathfinder Shuttle Stack is the sole full shuttle stack on display worldwide. Originally serving as a non-flight test vehicle, the Pathfinder offers a rare opportunity for you to witness the detailed engineering and design of the Space Shuttle program up close. The main engines, external fuel tank, and solid rocket boosters were engineered and built in Huntsville.
8. Shuttle Training Aircraft
This adapted Gulfstream II aircraft played a vital role in training space shuttle pilots for the precise maneuvers required during orbiter landings.
Rocket Park
Rocket Park has earned high praise, being hailed as “the finest rocket collection in the world” by Mercury astronaut John Glenn. Within the park, there are 27 missiles and rockets highlighting the pivotal role of Army rocketry in propelling America’s space program forward and laying the foundation for the establishment of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
Note: As of March 2024, this area is open but is being refurbished. Completion is expected by summer 2024.
9. Saturn I
The Saturn I Block II rocket is an impressive artifact from the developmental stages of the Saturn program.
10. Boeing CH-470 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter, renowned for its versatility, has served as a crucial transport and medevac platform for the U.S. Army for more than four decades.
11. G-Force Accelerator and Moon Shot Simulator
These rides are included in your General Admission Ticket. The G-Force Accelerator is a high-speed centrifuge designed to spin at approximately 45 mph. It will subject you to an exhilarating experience of approximately 3 Gs of force on your body. Full transparency, I did not take the ride and would have been sick for the rest of the day.
The Moon Shot Simulator was not open during our visit. From what I read, if you want to know how it feels during a rocket liftoff, then this is the ride for you. Shoot up 140 feet in 2.5 seconds with 4 G’s of force – not a ride for me!
Saturn V Hall
The Saturn V Hall proudly features an authentic Saturn V rocket, offering you a firsthand encounter with one of the most iconic symbols of space exploration. Within this hall, you can explore the history and groundbreaking contributions of NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center to past, present, and future space exploration endeavors.
Guided tours are available daily at 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm, and last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The tours meet at the entrance to the hall on the second floor.
12. National Geographic Theater
Two films run throughout the day and last about 20 minutes each. During our visit, we saw The Last Man on the Moon Apollo 17 and The Martian Giant Screen Experience. This is included in the General Admission Ticket.
13. Apollo Saturn V Moon Rocket
This is the highlight of the Center. It is a National Historic Landmark and is massive (363 feet tall). It stretches the whole length of Saturn V Hall.
The Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 to the moon in 1969 as well as 5 other Apollo missions. It was last used in 1973 to launch the Skylab Space Station.
There are Rocket Scientists (yes, they are real) from NASA on-site ready to answer any of your questions.
14. Skylab Training Module
The Skylab Training Module served as a crucial tool in preparing astronauts for America’s groundbreaking venture into space station exploration. Skylab was launched in 1973.
15. Apollo 16 Command Module
Apollo 16 was the tenth crewed mission in NASA’s Apollo program and the fifth to land on the Moon. This is the actual module. It was launched on April 16, 1972, and carried astronauts John W. Young, Thomas K. Mattingly II, and Charles M. Duke Jr.
The Command Module served as the primary living quarters and control center for the astronauts during their mission to the Moon. Our tour guide said that the space inside the module is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle – tight living space for 3 astronauts!
16. Apollo 12 Lunar Rock Sample
During their mission, Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan L. Bean conducted two moonwalks, collecting rock and soil samples from the lunar surface. You can see the rock (basalt) but cannot touch it.
There is so much to look at and read. The explanations were way over my head!
Near the Main Entrance
Before you enter the Main Entrance, look to the right and you will see an aircraft that is worth a visit.
17. A-12 Oxcart
The A-12 Oxcart is a historic reconnaissance aircraft developed by the Lockheed’s Skunk Works division for the CIA in the 1960’s. It was designed for covert surveillance missions, with unmatched speed and altitude capabilities, flying at speeds exceeding Mach 3 and altitudes over 90,000 feet.
Additional Experiences at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
There are several experiences that are available for an additional fee.
– Hypership
– VR Explorer
– Multi-Axis Trainer
– AC Flight Sims
– DIVR+
– MaxFlight
Where to Stay When Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
There are several hotels in the area. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is less than 1.5 miles from the Center. The property was easy to access from the highway and was comfortable with a restaurant and bar.
The Huntsville Marriott is the only hotel on the grounds of the US Space & Rocket Center.
Below are more options close to the Center:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites
- Extended Stay America
- Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville at the Space & Rocket Center
Where to Eat When Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
There are plenty of restaurants (local establishments and chains) within 3 miles of the Center. We had dinner at the Salt Factory Pub. It has an American menu with a bar and TV screens for sports viewing.
Final Thoughts: Is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama Worth Visiting?
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a great place to learn about the history of space exploration. It helps you understand how important past missions have been, even though rocket launches might not always get a lot of attention nowadays.
When you visit the Center, you’ll go on an educational journey. You’ll learn about how space travel progressed over the years. From early rocket experiments to the latest technology used in space missions, you’ll get a good idea of humanity’s adventures in space.
The Space Camp program, at the Center, is special because it helps shape the future of space exploration. It lets young people get hands-on experience and learn in a fun way. Space Camp inspires future engineers, scientists, and astronauts by helping them explore their passion for space and develop important skills.
In short, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama isn’t just a museum. It’s a place where you can get excited about space, learn a lot, and dream big about exploring the stars. It’s a great destination for everyone, no matter their age.
If you would like assistance in planning your trip to Alabama, we would be happy to help! Please refer to our Travel Planning services for further information or send us an email.
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