See the Stars
You don’t have to get on a rocket ship to feel close to the stars. From Houston, TX, to Cape Canaveral, FL, the United States is full of fascinating places for space enthusiasts.
Whether you’re interested in astronomy or alien lore, the United States boasts many unique locations and attractions for space lovers. This article will take you on an adventure to some of the most iconic space-themed travel destinations, plus a few that are too often overlooked.
1. Space Center Houston – Houston, TX
Houston, TX, is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, also known as Space Center Houston. With one of the most comprehensive collections of space memorabilia in the United States, it’s a must-visit location for anyone interested in spaceflight history.
At the Johnson Space Center, visitors can get a look at real spacecraft and astronaut training mockups, a replica of the Independence, and even a colossal Saturn V rocket.
2. Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral, FL
There’s a reason Florida’s Space Coast got its name, and that reason is Cape Canaveral. Cape Canaveral, FL, boasts the most active rocket launches of any US locale, and it’s also home to the famed Kennedy Space Center.
The Kennedy Space Center is more than just a museum. Visitors to this working NASA facility can check out the Rocket Garden and Space Shuttle Atlantis before touring current launch pads and the Vehicle Assembly Building. Time your visit right, and you might even catch a launch!
3. US Space & Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL
The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, isn’t as famous as the Kennedy Space Center or Space Center Houston, but it deserves a visit nonetheless. After all, Huntsville played an important role in the Apollo program.
The US Space & Rocket Center tells the story of the Apollo mission, but that’s not all. It is also home to a full-scale Saturn V rocket and many interactive exhibits, including some focusing on future missions to Mars.
4. National Air and Space Museum – Washington, D.C.
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is part of the Smithsonian. Here, you’ll discover the Apollo 11 command module, plus lunar rovers, space suits, and other memorabilia. The National Air and Space Museum is completely free and tends to be crowded.
5. Adler Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Next, we move up north to visit the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL. This unique planetarium features immersive shows, interactive exhibits, and a working observatory. Opened in 1930, it was the country’s first planetarium. Now, it’s a pilgrimage site for lovers of astronomy and stargazing.
6. Very Large Array – Socorro, NM
The Very Large Array was brought into the popular imagination by the movie Contact, but it’s not just lovers of alien lore that will find this stop fascinating. Discover the VLA visitor center on a self-guided tour and get an up-close view of the 27 giant antennas as they seek out signs from the sky.
7. Roswell – Roswell, NM
No space-themed road trip would be complete without a stop in Roswell, NM. Known as the alien capital of the United States, it’s home to the International UFO Museum and an annual UFO festival. If you’re interested in alien lore, Roswell is a must-see destination.
8. Lowell Observatory – Flagstaff, AZ
Heading further west to Arizona, you’ll find the Lowell Observatory. Founded in the late 1800s, it’s most famous for discovering Pluto in 1930. The observatory is also an excellent spot to stop and engage in some stargazing since it hosts night sky viewing sessions and educational programs.
9. Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, CA
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA, has more than space exhibits and a fantastic planetarium. Here, you’ll also find public telescopes. Why not learn about astronomy at the observatory’s exhibits and then see them for yourself?
10. Jet Propulsion Laboratory – Pasadena, CA
The final stop on our coast-to-coast tour of space-themed museums and attractions is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. Operated for NASA by Caltech, this laboratory developed the Mars rovers, space telescopes, and many of NASA’s robotic missions.
If you can, try to time your visit to the JPL for one of the lab’s annual open houses. In addition to the tour, you’ll get behind-the-scenes access to areas not usually open to the public.
