Space Center Houston
Houston, TX 77058-3145
Phone: (281) 244-2100
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Editorial Review for Space Center Houston – by Darcy De Leon
The Scene
This official visitors' center opened in 1992 to accommodate the thousands who flock to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Space Center Houston's 183,000-square-foot building houses a full-size mock-up of a spacecraft crew compartment and a Lunar Excursion Module trainer used by Apollo astronauts. Kids (and adults) can hop on the Lunar Rover, direct the space shuttle and build rockets. Spacesuits dating back to the first lunar trip are exhibited, along with the largest collection of moon rocks and soil samples on display anywhere.
The Experience
The Space Center also houses a 580-seat Imax theater. The most popular attraction, however, is the tram tour of NASA. Stops include the vacuum chamber and the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, where astronauts train for space shuttle missions in a 6.5 million-gallon pool. Three to four traveling exhibits also come to the center each year.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoOnce the most popular stop on the tram tour, Mission Control is now off-limits due to heightened security as a result of 9/11.
User Reviews for Space Center Houston
11/20/2006 Posted by joy0302
When I was growing up we would go on school field trips to NASA, which at the time were free. I had not been in years and I figured that since it was now a charge to go that it would be even better than before because they would have the money to do more with it. Was I wrong!! That place was the biggest waste of money ever! The attractions were worthless and the tram was pointless. Years ago you could go into the area where mission control is and see it. Now that is not on the tram ride and basically you just drive around the backside of the buildings and through the parking lot. If you get lucky you may see a deer, but that is about as exciting as it will get! The cool shuttles which were outside are now inside of a building and difficult to see. Don't waste your time or money!
10/01/2005 Posted by akicerda
The first time I went to Space Center, I was very excited to see all of the "real" NASA stuff. The trolly ride to Mission Control is worth the price by itself the first visit. To justify the high cost of admission, and to get people to return, they have these poorly executed "themes" like "Gross!" etc. Every subsequent time I've been to Space Center, it has been with visiting friends and family. I go because they want to see Mission control. Were it up to me comletely, I would not be a repeat customer
Pros: Mission Control, NASA artifacts, Good Presentations
Cons: Expensive, Bad attractions, Kids running wild
