Explore NASA's official visitor center, showcasing space artifacts and exhibits, including a Saturn V rocket and the Apollo 17 command module.
Also known as: Johnson Space Center
Currency
USD ($)
Best time to visit
November to March
Languages
English
Coordinates
29.583ยฐ, -95.277ยฐ
Key facts
1Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center.
2It houses the largest collection of space artifacts in the world.
3Visitors can see the actual Apollo 17 command module, which traveled to the moon and back.
Timeline
1961: NASA established the Manned Spacecraft Center, later renamed Johnson Space Center.
1965: The first astronauts moved into the center's quarters.
1973: The Space Center Houston public visitors center opened.
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Local dishes
๐ ย Morning2
โ๏ธย Afternoon2
๐ย Evening2
Breakfast Tacos
Corn tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat or beans, topped with salsa and avocado.
Where: Local food trucks, breakfast spots, and Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
When: morning
Price: $3-$5
Pancakes with Texas Maple Syrup
Fluffy pancakes drizzled with rich, dark Texas maple syrup, often served with a side of bacon or sausage.
Where: Local diners, breakfast joints, and pancake houses in Houston.
When: morning
Price: $5-$8
BBQ Brisket Sandwich
Slow-cooked, tender brisket on a soft bun, slathered in BBQ sauce, often served with coleslaw and pickles.
Where: BBQ joints and smokehouses in Houston, such as The Pit Room or Killen's Barbecue.
When: afternoon
Price: $8-$12
Fajitas
Sizzling strips of chicken, beef, or shrimp with peppers and onions, served with warm tortillas and toppings like guacamole and sour cream.
Where: Tex-Mex restaurants and fajita specialists in Houston, like Pappasito's or Ninfa's on Navigation.
When: afternoon
Price: $10-$15
Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits
Creamy grits topped with a rich, spicy shrimp and andouille sausage gravy, often garnished with green onions and cheese.
Where: Seafood restaurants and Southern comfort food spots in Houston, such as The Capital Grille or Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.
When: evening
Price: $15-$20
Chicken Fried Steak
Tenderized steak breaded and fried, served with cream gravy, often accompanied by mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Where: Steakhouses, Southern comfort food spots, and local diners in Houston.
When: evening
Price: $12-$18
Take home
artfrom $5
NASA Mission Patches
Unique embroidered patches commemorating past and future space missions, a symbol of Houston's space exploration heritage.
๐ Space Center Houston Gift Shop
otherfrom $50
Apollo 11 Moon Rock Fragment
A tiny piece of the moon rock brought back by the Apollo 11 mission, available in a glass-encased locket, symbolizing Houston's role in the moon landing.
๐ Space Center Houston Gift Shop
craftfrom $15
Houston Space Center T-Shirt
Comfortable and stylish t-shirts featuring the iconic Space Center Houston logo, a must-have for any space enthusiast.
๐ Space Center Houston Gift Shop
foodfrom $10
Texas Pecan Pie
A classic Southern dessert, Texas pecan pie is a sweet reminder of the Lone Star State's culinary heritage.
๐ Pecan Point in Galveston or local farmers markets