*as published in North Canton Living Magazine June 2022
Visiting NASA in Houston, Texas is similar to visiting a major amusement park. You plan and budget for tickets; plot travel; research opening and closing times; dress comfortably and prepare to be exhausted. All because NASA is like an amusement park for science geeks. Like myself.
I arrived mid-morning at an already full parking lot in the middle of the summer. It was over 90 degrees and the humidity was as thick as the sky was blue. I purchased the tickets for myself and my son. He is twenty and I am in my, well never mind, but we both were like little kids shivering with excitement.
When I entered the main visitor center I was hit with the sound of children. The entire center area is a large series of interactive displays. I was and still am jealous that I couldn’t run along with them – except it was clearly designed for individuals under four feet tall. My son and his cousin immediately took off to explore and I assume ride the simulated rocket.
I opted for the quieter museum area. Frankly, I could have spent the entire day there. These exhibits housed more traditional museum displays but were still fascinating. I wandered through the long winding rooms exploring Skylab and the Astronaut gallery. I ended up in the auditorium for a blissfully seated movie covering much of the same information. But my feet were grateful for the break.
Fortunately, my brother knew how to sign us up for the tram tours of the NASA grounds using the NASA app. We quietly filed into lines and onto long trams. Within ten minutes, despite my excitement, I was missing the cool auditorium. Through the grounds, we wound as the tour guide pointed out the different buildings and facilities. I was reminded that while I was having an obvious tourist experience, behind each of the walls was an individual working on something amazing.
This was all the more profound when we were allowed to walk the tourist hallway of the International Space Station training center. Below is a large building the length of two football fields where modules created to simulate the space station. It was here the astronauts were trained with simulated sleeping quarters and science stations. As I gazed at the maze below I was again reminded that this is a working facility. There were armed guards in discrete locations and real people working below. The tour guide spoke to us outside the hallway and we were cautioned to walk quietly without talking.
Upon leaving the astronaut training building, we visited Rocket Park. This is the area you see on everyone’s social media. The immense football field’s long rockets shimmered in the heat. The sheer size of these engineering marvels just stops you in your tracks. I admit that I stood there in sheer dumbfoundedness trying to process how they built it let alone sent it miles into space. Astonishing.
At the end of the tour, the shuttles drop us off at Independence Plaza where you can go inside the shuttle replica Independence. I admit that this handicapped woman did not experience this exhibit but took advantage of the nearby air-conditioning. Although I sure enjoyed watching my son and nephew explore this area.
At the end of the day, we sat mentally and physically tired and enjoyed our astronaut ice cream in the cafeteria. Bliss.
Before You Go
Buy your tickets ahead of time. Consider visiting NASA Houston like visiting a major amusement park. You plan ahead. Buy your tickets in advance and avoid waiting lines. www.spacecenter.org
Read everything online you can – know what you can and can’t bring. This is a working facility so they are careful with security.
If you are disabled, please read through all the accessible options and plan for extra time. I used every elevator they had but the group moved quickly and I moved slowly so allow for time and talk to the guides about your needs.
There is a large cafeteria on-premises. Food was amusement park priced and the options were plentiful. This was a perfect area to sit and regroup.
Budget time and money for the gift shop. The quality and variety of souvenirs were surprising and worth it in my opinion. I love my Pluto t-shirt and my son wears his NASA sweatshirt all the time. Give those kids some bragging rights.
Weekends, holidays, and summertime are the busiest time to visit. So plan accordingly. If you decide to go during those busy times, then go early and plan to spend the entire day taking frequent breaks in the cafeteria or theater to rest.
DRINK WATER! Houston is hot and humid and dehydration can quickly occur. So don’t skip on that water bottle and stay hydrated.
Be prepared to take photos. If you are like me and take your pics on your phone, bring a battery backup. Everywhere you turn there is a photo op. Bring an extra battery and/or phone cord so you don’t miss out.
Download the free mobile app before visiting. The app gives you a map, ticket info, tram boarding passes, and audio tours.
What I Learned
I learned that I don’t know enough. Standing over the space station modules was a humbling experience. I gained great empathy and respect for anyone brave and smart enough to experience it.
I learned to respect the Houston heat and humidity. It is no joke for this NE Ohio girl. It will quickly sap your energy and dangerously dehydrate you. I have lots of admiration for the NASA employees cycling from building to building.
Speaking of cycles, that’s how they get around. At any time, you could get a bicycle from the bike pool and head off across the campus. You could be riding the same bike an astronaut rode.