Kennedy Space Center & Airboat Ride Day Trip from Orlando

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Free cancellationExcellent qualityLikely to sell out

1/14

Duration10h

GroupUp to 56

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Space shuttles up close and wild Florida airboat adventure in one day

You’ll come face-to-face with Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center, try out a shuttle launch simulator, then roar across Florida’s wild swamps on an airboat ride with a local guide. Expect real stories from locals and quiet moments by the river—this day trip from Orlando leaves you feeling both awed and oddly grounded.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Kennedy Space Center and Swamp Ride

Depart Orlando for Kennedy Space Center
Explore Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit
Experience Shuttle Launch simulator ride
Take narrated NASA bus tour to Saturn V Center
See launch control room and Saturn V rocket
Touch a piece of moon rock
Enjoy additional visitor center exhibits
Travel to airboat ride location
Take 30-minute airboat ride on St. Johns River
Observe wildlife and swamp scenery
Relax at Fish Camp bar and store

The Experience

I didn’t expect to be so weirdly moved by the sight of Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center. It just hangs there, huge and battered, with its doors open like it’s still floating above us. Our guide, Mike, started telling us stories about the astronauts — he actually met one last year, which I thought was just a tour line but he showed us a selfie later. The place smells faintly metallic, like old machinery and popcorn from the IMAX lobby. I tried the Shuttle Launch simulator because my nephew dared me (I screamed louder than any kid in there). Afterward, we wandered through the rocket garden — it was hot, but there’s this strange hush between the rockets that makes you feel small in a good way.

After lunch (pizza for me, not great but who cares), we hopped back on the bus for the next part: an airboat ride out on the St. Johns River. The switch from space to swamp is kind of hilarious — one minute you’re looking at moon rocks, next you’re slapping on bug spray and squinting at alligator shapes in the reeds. The airboat is loud as anything; you have to shout over it if you want to talk. Our captain, Denise, pointed out birds I’d never even heard of — herons with these crazy blue feathers. She slowed down when she spotted a gator sunning itself near some cows (yes, cows), and everyone sort of fell quiet except for someone’s phone dinging.

We ended up at this little fish camp bar that looks like it hasn’t changed since 1975 — plastic chairs, faded signs, cold sodas in glass bottles. There was a couple playing cards by the window and a dog sleeping under their table. I sat outside for a bit watching the river slide by and realized how weirdly peaceful it felt after all that noise and speed earlier. Honestly, I still think about that moment sometimes when things get too busy back home.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select Orlando locations, entry to Kennedy Space Center with access to all main exhibits (including Atlantis), a narrated NASA bus tour out to see Saturn V up close—and then later in the afternoon—a 30-minute airboat ride along St. Johns River before returning back to Orlando with your guide leading throughout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line of Orlando