Space Center Houston is where every kid becomes an astronaut, and every adult remembers they once wanted to be one. It doubles as an award-winning science museum and the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where Mission Control supports astronaut missions. In 2026, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards ranked it No. 6 among America’s best science museums—and it is easy to see why: visitors can step inside the Space Shuttle Independence replica, marvel at an authentic Saturn V rocket and even touch a real Moon rock.
Why is Space Center Houston worth a visit?
Space Center Houston has welcomed more than 26.6 million visitors since it opened in 1992. Currently, it’s home to over 400 space exhibits and artifacts ranging from flown spacecraft to real lunar samples. Highlights include the Mercury 9 / Faith 7* flown by Gordon Cooper on the last U.S. Mercury mission and Apollo 17 command module America* — the capsule that carried the final Apollo lunar-mission crew.
Visitors can also explore towering rockets, historic mission-control spaces, interactive exhibits and NASA tram tours, making the museum as engaging for families as it is for lifelong space enthusiasts.
What’s more, Space Center Houston is opening its Main Plaza for something particularly memorable this season: Candlelight, the classical concert series that reimagines pop, rock, film music and more amid a sea of candles.
Surrounded by space-exploration galleries and artifacts celebrating humanity’s achievements beyond Earth, the concerts unfold against an extraordinary space-age backdrop. Expect classical takes on songs by the likes of Guns N’ Roses and The Rolling Stones, alongside iconic scores from some of the biggest films of recent decades.
11 October 2026 18:30
Space Center Houston
11 October 2026 20:45 + more dates
Space Center Houston
Tickets, timings and everything you need to know before visiting Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is generally open from 10am to 5pm or 6pm, though hours can vary by day and season. General admission tickets cost $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for children and include access to the museum’s exhibits, Independence Plaza and NASA Tram Tours.
Start times for Candlelight concerts at Space Center Houston vary depending on each tribute and tickets usually start at $48 per person. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in each zone and late entry isn’t permitted, so it’s best to get to the venue with some time to spare.
📍Address: Space Center Houston, 1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058
