13 Incredible Space Museums in the U.S. Every Traveler Should Visit

"Located on Florida's Space Coast, where NASA launches actually happen, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex puts you right in the heart of America's space program. General admission runs around $77 for adults and $67 for children (ages three to 11), with various add-on experiences available, like the Chat With an Astronaut add-on that lets you sit down, eat, and chat with a real astronaut. The complex sits on the grounds of a working spaceport, so if you time your visit during a launch, you can watch rockets lift off from dedicated viewing areas. The retired space shuttle Atlantis steals the show here and is displayed at a 43.21-degree angle with payload bay doors open, so you can walk around. The Behind the Gates bus tour takes you to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where a 363-foot Saturn V rocket hangs horizontally overhead. For an upgraded experience, the Fly With an Astronaut program pairs small groups with a veteran NASA astronaut for behind-the-gates touring and a catered lunch." - Iona Brannon Iona Brannon Iona Brannon is a journalist with a love for food and travel. Her work has appeared in Afar, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider, among other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines