If you are interested in space, space travel, or even science fiction books or movies, Space Center Houston is an absolute must while visiting Houston. At the visitor center, you can explore the space shuttle replica Independence and the huge shuttle carrier it's perched on. You can also walk through a replica of Skylab, America's first space station. But this is more than just a historical look at space travel. Plans for NASA's upcoming space missions, including the Mission to Mars, are presented in detail. Space Center Houston is also the gateway to the Johnson Space Center, home of Houston's famous mission control and where astronauts train for their upcoming space missions. Tram tours will take you around the whole facility to see the Johnson Space Center, as well as Rocket Park, where old rockets are on display, including those used during NASA's missions in the 1960s and 70s. For true space fanatics, the Level 9 Tour, a 4.5-hour VIP tour, takes you behind the scenes at Johnson Space Center to see areas that are otherwise off limits.

This may be obvious but the Johnson Space Center is the “Houston” that astronauts address in movies, and is only a few minutes from Pasadena. It’s impossible not to be inspired by the attraction’s har

Who hasn’t daydreamed about being an astronaut at least once? Thankfully, Space Center Houston makes it easy to learn about the great beyond. It’s the area’s No. 1 attraction for international visitors and the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the greater Houston area. The center features more than 400 space artifacts and several exhibits related to the past, present, and future of America’s human spaceflight program. It’s also home to the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view, and offers guests the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see NASA's Johnson Space Center. By Kristin Finan, AFAR Local Expert