For a break from the fantasy of Orlando's theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center will delight everyone as it showcases America's exploration of space. One hour's ride by car, the Space Center's Visitors Complex offers everything from hands on exhibits to IMAX theaters. In one of the newer exhibits, "Exploration in the New Millennium", visitors are taken on a journey from the Vikings' discovery of the New World to the Mars Viking Lander launched in the 1970s. Here you can also touch an actual piece of and submit your name to fly in space on a future mission. Face-to-face question and answer sessions with astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle missions are now offered daily, and you can tour a full-scale mock-up of components of the International Space Station. The 363-foot, 6.2 million pound Saturn V rocket in the Apollo/Saturn V Center will astound you with its sheer size, and all of the exhibits in the Center and on the bus tour are worth the visit.

The air-conditioned bus tour is a great way to start your visit to the Space Center. The tour leaves continuously throughout the day starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending four hours before closing. On the tour you'll visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the LC 39 Observation Gantry and the International Space Station Center. You should definitely take the 40 minutes to see at least one of the IMAX theater films, all of which are breathtaking. For lunch try the Lunch Pad or Orbit Restaurant, both of which serve sandwiches, salads and pasta. Numerous concession stands are located within the Space Center for lighter fare and refreshments. If you stay until the dinner hour, Mila's Roadhouse near the Visitors Complex offers a full service restaurant reminiscent of those frequented by the early astronauts.

Directions: From Orlando, take I-4 east to Exit 28, SR-528. Take SR-528 east 36-6/10 miles to the SR-407 exit on the left towards NASA Kennedy Space Center. Travel 5-9/10 miles to SR-405. Turn right on SR-405 and follow the signs to the Visitors Complex.