Some places make it onto your bucket list and just stay there for years because life gets busy. Kennedy Space Center was one of those places for us. It had been on our bucket list for many years, and this past summer, we finally decided it was time to make it happen.

So, for Father’s Day weekend, we packed up the family and headed to Kennedy Space Center. And honestly… we were not prepared for how much we were going to love it.

Rob and I have always loved science and space. I mean, we have watched Apollo 13, Armageddon, and The Martian probably a dozen times. There is just something about space exploration, the science behind it, and those stories of people pushing the limits of what we think is possible that completely fascinates us.

And then there is Interstellar.

That is my all-time favorite movie. I could talk about it forever, but one of my favorite things about that movie is the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer created something absolutely incredible.There is something about the music, the story, the science, the visuals… everything about it just gets me.

So you can imagine how excited I was to finally walk into a place where so much of the history behind those stories actually happened.

I went in expecting to see rockets and cool NASA artifacts, but I didn’t realize just how much history there would be to take in.

We saw rockets, spacecraft, artifacts, exhibits, mission information, astronaut stories and so many pieces of America’s space program. Standing underneath these enormous rockets and looking at the actual technology that helped send people into space was surreal.

I could have spent hours just looking at everything.

And that’s exactly what happened.

We were so fascinated by the missions and the astronauts that we actually didn’t get to do all of the rides and experiences we originally wanted to do.

We kept finding another exhibit we wanted to learn about, another rocket we wanted to look at, or another piece of history that made us stop and take it all in.

Honestly, I’m completely okay with that.

It just means we have an excuse to go back.

We even watched an IMAX space movie, which was such a perfect addition to the day. The IMAX theater shows space films on a giant screen and is included with admission.

Now let’s talk about the weather.

It was HOT.

Thankfully, the sky was overcast the day we went, which helped tremendously, because the humidity was no joke. I had convinced myself that since we would be visiting indoor facilities, I should dress for cooler temperatures.

So naturally, I wore pants. And the girls had sweaters. WHY?! This is Florida. In the summer. I should have known better.

There are plenty of air-conditioned spaces, but there is also a lot of walking between attractions and outdoor areas. If you’re visiting during the summer, dress for the Florida heat, bring water, wear comfortable shoes and don’t underestimate the humidity.

One thing I would definitely recommend is looking at the schedule before you arrive.

The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is a big part of the experience because it takes you behind the gates and includes stops such as the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The official site recommends allowing about three hours for the full bus tour and stops, and the last bus leaves 2.5 hours before the visitor complex closes.

That is something I wish I had understood better going in.

The center can close relatively early depending on the season, so don’t wait until late in the day to start the things you really want to see. The hours vary throughout the year, so definitely check the schedule for the day you’re visiting.

There is SO much to see that time disappears quickly.

Yes, you can bring food! This was another thing I wanted to know before we went. You can bring your own food and drinks. You just need to pack them in a small, soft-sided cooler or lunchbox. But not to worry, there are plenty of places to eat inside, including Orbit Cafe, Space Bowl Bistro, Red Rock Grill, Starbucks and other snack locations.

When we went, the dining area was packed, so just keep that in mind when planning your day. You may want to eat at an off-peak time or bring some snacks with you.

And if you’re anything like me…

Don’t skip the gift shops. One of my favorite parts!

There is a huge selection of NASA merchandise and souvenirs, including shops dedicated to the space shuttle and Apollo missions.

The best way I can describe Kennedy Space Center is that it feels like a small Disney World for people who love space. There are attractions, rides, shows, movies, interactive experiences, shopping, food, characters, history and so much to explore.

And honestly, I can see this place continuing to expand. There is already so much there, but I kept thinking about what else they could add.

And there is one thing I kept wishing they had… A PLANETARIUM!

How cool would that be?!

I would absolutely love to see a planetarium at Kennedy Space Center. Imagine sitting underneath a giant dome surrounded by stars and being taken on a journey through the universe after spending the day learning about human space exploration. Maybe someday.

We will definitely be back

Our first visit was definitely not enough.

We didn’t get to experience everything because we became so absorbed in the history and learning about the missions and astronauts. There were things we skipped simply because we ran out of time.

And that’s okay. It gives us another reason to come back.

If you’re looking for something different to do as a family, I absolutely recommend putting Kennedy Space Center on your list. Especially if your family loves science, history, space, rockets or just learning something new together.

Since you’re already making the trip to Kennedy Space Center, here’s a little side recommendation from us: add Cocoa Beach to your itinerary. We decided to explore Cocoa Beach while we were in the area, and it was the perfect way to add a little beach time to our space adventure.

After spending the day surrounded by rockets, astronauts and space history, there’s something pretty great about heading over to the coast and relaxing by the ocean.

And next time?

We’re hoping to experience a rocket launch.

Although technically, we can see rocket launches from our backyard…

But that’s a story for a different post.

Until then, I’ll be listening to my Interstellar soundtrack and pretending I’m about to launch into space. Kennedy Space Center — officially checked off our bucket list.

And I’m already looking forward to going back.