TEXAS TUESDAY WITH KIDS #1

Children and adult alike have always shown interest in learning about the space or Universe and its myriad possibilities. Being so its unpardonable if you are visiting Houston and do not pay a visit to the Space Center . Located at 1601 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX 77058, USA, the Space Center is the official Visitor Center of  the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA)  institution for space activities. It is owned by the non-profit Manned Spaceflight Educational Foundation with design input from Walt Disney Imagineering. 

A few things to know

1. It is highly recommended to visit the Space Center early as the hours usually start from 10 am and closes  at 5 or 6 usually; the hours are   not too long considering there is a lot to be explored at 183,000-square-feet .
2. It is also advisable to book the tickets online, saves time.
3. One can access the map and guide from the information kiosk.
4. Parking is accessible at about 6 dollars as the usual rate; also available online as well,
5. With the kids , prepare to get excited as there will be loads of opportunities for photographs with mock astronauts, exciting spaceships and space artifacts. So have your camera battery well charged.However photography is not allowed everywhere and you can learn where.
6. Prepare comfortable clothing in accordance with the weather, there will not be indoor only but an outdoor tour as well which might last up to 90 minutes or more.
7. Wear comfy shoes as there is so much to explore.
8. Outside food in large quantities is not allowed ; they have their very own food court called the Zero G. If you prefer not eating meat; there are a few veg options like Cheese pizza and fries,
9.  As per their official website , the selfie stick is not allowed, if you are selfie obsessed you can do without it for the time.

The attractions are mainly the following:

• Star ship Gallery. To know the story of the space exploration as done by NASA since the time of its inception, this is the place to be. You will get to view the evolution of the space craft and also learn about how the astronauts first trained for the life in space. Not to miss out on the exhibits of the rocks from moon itself. It only gets it better when you get to touch it too.

  

• Astronaut Gallery- You can see a collection of astronaut suits and gears

  

• International Space Station Gallery-you can view a lot of displays from the ISS here
• For the kids enjoyment there is a play area called ‘Kids Space Place’ where there are many exhibits and play things. 
• NASA Tram tours-Although strollers are not allowed here and get ready to be stamped on your hands so that you may be allowed to re-enter. Takes you on a 90 minute tour to the behind the scene glimpse of the working space of NASA . It also enables you to visit the Rocket park which has on display the Saturn V rocket which was put on exhibit after it became exposed to weather damages and plants and molds after laying exposed from 1977 to 2004.

  

• Independence Plaza- Something that I missed out on exploring for lack of time; otherwise it houses air crafts
• Having done it all, what is not to be missed is the souvenir shop , I happened to visit the one near the entrance, the kids and adult will have a gala time shopping from various souvenirs to foods originally available to the astronauts. You are never too far from getting your taste of space when you are visiting the Space Center, Houston also the gateway to seeing the  NASA Johnson Space Center which is aplomb with a rich history of space exploration; where heroes are created every once in a while and martyrs are commemorated never to be forgotten for their true grit of courage and dedication
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Gallery

Adios!