Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been named the top attraction in the United States by Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. The ranking is based on over 15,000 five-star reviews from visitors.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex surpassed well-known landmarks such as the Empire State Building to secure the number one spot on Tripadvisor’s U.S. list and ranked third globally, following Sagrada Familia and the Eiffel Tower.
“Our guests have always been our top priority,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “We’re thrilled that families and explorers alike are embracing the journey we offer our visitors, from past missions to future frontiers. We are constantly looking for ways to evolve and improve our guest experience, and this summer opened the Gantry at LC-39, located amidst the most iconic launch pads in space exploration.”
The newly opened Gantry at LC-39 can be reached via the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. It provides panoramic views of active launch pads and a nearby wildlife refuge. The site features a full-scale rocket engine that simulates a static-fire test with sound effects, lights, and mist. There are also hands-on exhibits where visitors can design and virtually launch rockets, along with an Earth Information Center that highlights NASA’s planet-monitoring efforts using interactive visuals.
Visitors to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex have daily opportunities to meet astronauts and participate in interactive exhibits that showcase artifacts from early space missions through current crewed flights. The complex includes several popular attractions:
Space Shuttle Atlantis allows guests to see the orbiter displayed at a steep angle and offers simulators as well as an exhibit honoring Challenger and Columbia crews.
Rocket Garden features historic Mercury- and Saturn-era rockets.
KSC Bus Tour takes visitors past Apollo-era launch sites, lets them view a Saturn V rocket up close at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and now stops at Gantry at LC-39.
Astronaut Training Experience gives guests access to mission simulations using specialized equipment.
Daily Astronaut Presentations enable direct interaction between visitors and astronauts.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located about 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida. The facility opens daily at 9 a.m., with closing times depending on season. A two-day ticket averages $45 per day; single-day admission is $77 for adults and $67 for children.
More information about programs, tickets, or planning a visit is available at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
