On everyone’s bucket list when visiting Texas is NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the Houston area.
“Houston has received many nicknames over the years, but it officially adopted the Space City moniker in 1967 for being home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC),” says the Houston Chronicle.
It might be easier to walk to the Alamo and back than it would be to take in everything NASA’s Johnson Space Center offers to tourists and locals.
“Today, the museum boasts 250,000 square feet of permanent and traveling exhibits and features more than 400 space artifacts including the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples” says the Chronicle. “And while a visit to Space Center Houston isn’t complete without taking the NASA Tram Tour, there are a host of other exhibits and attractions you don't want to miss.”
Of course, NASA’s Johnson Space Center is seared into the public’s memory from its starring role in the Apollo missions (“Houston, we have a problem!”).
“Johnson Space Center has served as the iconic setting to some of humankind’s greatest achievements. Today, we push forward to the Moon. Tomorrow, we leap to greater heights and new destinations,” says NASA.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center was Founded in 1961
NASA’s Johnson Space Center was founded in 1961 during America’s “Space Race” and today employs some 11,000 people across 1,620 acres southeast of downtown Houston in a $1.5 billion complex in the Clear Lake area.
“For more than half a century, NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston has led our nation and the world on a continuing adventure of human exploration, discovery, and achievement. The center has played a vital role in powering our country into the 21st century through technological innovations and scientific discoveries,” says NASA.
The Johnson Space Center was established in 1961 as the Manned Spacecraft Center, the home and Mission Control Center for the U.S. human space flight program. In 1973, it was renamed in honor of the late President, and Texas native, Lyndon B. Johnson.
Today the Johnson Space Center is known for:
- JSC is the home of mission control and astronaut training.
- In its early days, the center led the Gemini, Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz and Skylab projects.
- JSC was the home of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program from 1981 to 2011, and currently leads International Space Station operations and missions, development of the Orion spacecraft and NASA’s Gateway outpost program, as well as numerous other advanced human exploration projects.
- The center also plays an important role in NASA’s Commercial Crew program.
- As the center has evolved into one of NASA’s largest research and development facilities, the greater Houston area has developed into an aerospace hub with an identity of amazing achievements, hard work, and innovation.
Visiting NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Space Center Houston serves as the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is a premier science and space exploration learning center as well as a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Tourists should keep in mind that Space Center Houston has peak attendance on weekends, holidays and in the summer. NASA recommends guests arrive as early as possible during these times.
Space Center Houston is open most days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but does have extended hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on busier days. Check here for current hours.
Admission prices are:
- Child (age 3 and younger): Free.
- Kid (age 4-11): $24.95 online; $29.95 on-site.
- Adult (age 12+): $29.95 online; $34.95 onsite.
- Senior (age 65+): $27.95 online; $32.95 onsite.
Purchase advance tickets here.
Parking costs $10 per vehicle (address: 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston) plus service fee and can be paid upon arrival by phone by scanning QR codes posted around the parking lot and the entrance to the center.
Download a PDF map of Space Center Houston here.
Space Center Houston includes VR simulators and motion simulators:
- VR simulators: Our virtual reality experience guides you on a spacewalk experience aboard the International Space Station. Experience the view from low-earth orbit.
- Motion simulators: Our simulator rides use a powerful hydraulic and theater system to mimic the feel of space travel!
Simulators cost between $8 and $10 per person, when available and on a first-come, first-served basis. Simulation experiences are not included in general admission.
NASA Tram Tours are a Highlight of the Johnson Space Center
Space Center Houston’s NASA Tram Tours are among our most popular experiences. These tours are your chance to go on-site at NASA Johnson Space Center and get an up-close look at human space exploration.
Says one travel writer: “Tram Tours fill up quickly. Visitors must be physically present at Space Center Houston to get in the “virtual line” for a tram tour. I recommend getting in line as soon as you arrive at the center.”
NASA says there are three tram tours and three ways to board.
“We currently offer three tram tours to NASA Johnson Space Center facilities. These are the most popular experiences at Space Center Houston – plan ahead to ensure you access the tours of your choice,” says NASA.
Tram Tours include:
- Historic Mission Control Tour: Visit the iconic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control and discover the Historic Mission Control from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. This tram tour is offered at an additional cost and is not included in general admission to Space Center Houston. This tour can only be purchased as an add-on experience to your general admission tickets.
- Astronaut Training Facility Tour: Walk an elevated path through the Astronaut Training Facility where NASA astronauts train for current missions and where scientists and engineers are developing the next generation of space exploration vehicles. This tram tour is offered at no charge to general admission guests and is subject to availability.
- George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park Tour: Take a self-guided tour of George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park, where one of only three of the remaining actual Saturn V rockets is displayed, along with other rockets that propelled space exploration. Don’t miss our new Apollo 13 bronze statue. This tram tour is offered at no charge to general admission guests and is subject to availability.
Choose Your Mission: Different Itineraries of Must-See Items
It can be overwhelming to plan out your visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
As one travel writer said, “A visitor cannot possibly see everything in a single day, and it is hard not to get overwhelmed with the vast amount of information in the place.”
Fortunately, NASA has created 2-hour, 4-hour, and 7+ hours itineraries of must-see items:
- Lightspeed (2 Hours)
- Starship Gallery: Starship Gallery at Space Center Houston is home to multiple flown spacecraft and national treasures. Get an up-close look at some of the most amazing artifacts that trace the progression of human space exploration – the Apollo 17 Command Module, a full-size Skylab Training module, a Moon rock you can touch, and more!
- Independence Plaza: Visitors can enter the shuttle replica Independence, mounted on top of the historic and original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft, and then explore the giant plane. Multiple exhibits grant a rare glimpse into the historic shuttle era and describe its impact on current and future exploration.
- Live Show: New Perspectives: Enhance your space exploration adventure with an exciting film or live presentation. Hear NASA mission updates in our Mission Briefing Center, learn how astronauts live aboard the International Space Station in our Living in Space presentation, relive NASA’s historic journey in Destiny Theater, and watch a space documentary on one of the largest screens in Texas.
- Gift Shop
- Half-Day (4 Hours)
- NASA Tram Tour: Rocket Park stop only.
- Starship Gallery
- Independence Plaza
- Mission Mars: Experience a virtual Martian sunset, climb into a simulated Orion capsule and feel the texture of rock cliffs inspired by the red planet in the interactive exhibit, Mission Mars.
- Live Show: New Perspectives
- Gift Shop
- Full-Day (7+ Hours)
- NASA Tram Tour: All Stops.
- Starship Gallery
- Independence Plaza
- Lunch at The Food Lab: Amenities at The Food Lab welcome members and guests including a fully redesigned coffee bar, marketplace, and concepts such as Outer Crust, Velocity Grill, Galaxy Greens, and Deep Space Deli, alongside a rotating concept, Community Kitchen.
- Mission Mars
- Artemis Exhibit: Discover the Artemis Program through interactive displays and hands-on activities. Touch the layers of a moonwalking spacesuit, feel the difference between an Artemis and Apollo lunar landing site, design your very own mission patch, and more.
- Space Center Theater Film: In Destiny Theater, you’ll see the exciting, historic film “Human Destiny” which chronicles the events leading up to the formation of NASA and spans into our successful missions to the Moon and beyond. Using six and a half million feet of NASA archival footage, this is a mission you’ll want to embark on. The first showing of the film begins 15 minutes after the center opens, and the film plays continuously until the center closes each day.
- International Space Station Gallery: The International Space Station Gallery at Space Center Houston provides a dynamic look inside the space station – from interactive live shows to a Robonaut and even actual flown space station artifacts.
- Live Show: New Perspectives
- Gift Shop
