NASA Space Center & Houston City Tour with Saturn V Rocket

NASA's Space Center & Houston's Street Art in One Day

You ride a double-decker bus through Houston's murals, parks, and historic neighborhoods for 80 minutes, then head to Space Center Houston for a guided tram tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center, including the Saturn V Rocket and interactive space exhibits. Transportation and admission are included, and you get a discount card for the Natural Science Museum. Plan for 26+ miles of driving time to the Space Center depending on traffic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Daikin Parkpassing by
2. Market Square Parkpassing by
3. Tranquility Parkpassing by
4. Downtown Aquariumpassing by
5. Sam Houston Parkpassing by
6. Houston Museum of Natural Science5m
7. Space Center Houston4h · entry included

Houston city and NASA Space Center tour

• Start at Cowboy-themed Visitor Center
• See urban park near GRB convention center
• Pass by Houston Astros home stadium
• Visit historic Old Union square
• View Apollo 11 commemorative Tranquility Park
• Pass by Downtown Aquarium
• Pass by Sam Houston Park
• Get 20% off at Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Visit Space Center Houston with tram tour

The experience

So you're standing in front of a full-size space shuttle, and your guide is telling you about the astronauts training right next door, and it hits you that this is the real thing, not a replica. Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, and the tram tour takes you through the actual facilities where people prepare for missions. You'll see the Saturn V Rocket, walk through interactive exhibits with real space artifacts, and if you time it right, spot astronauts at work. The whole Space Center experience is included in your admission ticket, and the guided tram orientation is what makes sense of the place instead of just wandering around.

But before you head out to the Space Center (which sits about 26 miles from downtown, so expect some driving time). You start with an 80-minute Houston city tour on a double-decker bus. The route hits Tranquility Park, built to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing, then swings through Market Square Park, an old commerce square that's now a hub for art and street murals. You'll pass the Astros stadium, Sam Houston Park with its historic buildings from the city's early days, and get a real sense of how Houston layers its past and present. The mural tour is the part that makes this different from a standard city loop. You're actually seeing the street art that's become part of Houston's identity.

The day starts at a Cowboy-themed Visitor Center with Texas heritage artifacts and a coffee shop, so you can grab something before boarding. Transportation to the Space Center is included, which saves you the hassle of figuring out the drive or renting a car. You also get a 20% discount at the Houston Museum of Natural Science if you want to add that on another day: the wristband they give you works there. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available, and the tour is designed for all fitness levels, though the Space Center itself involves some walking between exhibits and tram stops.

What’s included

• Double-decker Houston city and mural tour (80 minutes).
• transportation to Space Center Houston.
• Space Center admission ticket.
• guided tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center facilities.
• access to Saturn V Rocket park and interactive space exhibits.
• tour map if available.
• 20% discount card for Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Houston City Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want Houston's main attractions (the space program and the city's street art and history) without arranging separate transport or buying tickets at each stop. The fixed itinerary handles the driving time to the Space Center, which is far enough out that going solo means either a long drive or a rental car.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's included in the Space Center Houston admission?

Guided tram tour of the NASA facility, access to interactive exhibits, real space artifacts, and the Saturn V Rocket park. The tram orientation is included with your ticket.

How long is the Houston city tour portion?

The double-decker bus tour is 80 minutes and covers murals, parks, historic sites, and neighborhoods across the city.

Is transportation to Space Center Houston included?

Yes, transportation to the Space Center is included. The drive is 26+ miles from downtown and may take longer depending on traffic and road construction.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation between the city tour and Space Center?

No, transportation is included as part of the tour package.

Can I visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science with this tour?

The tour includes a 20% discount card for the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which you can use on a separate visit.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the double-decker bus and Space Center are wheelchair accessible. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if the passenger is accompanied by someone to assist with boarding.

What time does the tour start?

The tour begins at the Cowboy-themed Visitor Center, which has a coffee shop and souvenir area while you wait.