We’ll be frank: as of March 2025, commercial leisure travel to the Moon isn’t available. But the next best thing absolutely is. This weeklong itinerary drops you into America’s two most electric space hubs—Houston and Florida’s Space Coast—so you can walk beneath a Saturn V, stand near historic launch pads, and get as close as possible to astronaut life on Earth.

From Mission Control to the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this plan blends bucket-list space attractions with smart logistics, coffee-to-cocktail food finds, and hands-on experiences (including the Astronaut Training Experience and optional zero‑gravity flights when available). If a rocket launch aligns with your dates, we’ll position you for memorable viewing.

Practicalities: fly into Houston, then hop to Orlando and base in Cocoa Beach. Reserve special tours well in advance (Space Center Houston’s premium Level 9 Tour and Kennedy Space Center’s ATX sessions), carry government ID for NASA properties, and expect Florida’s quick sunbursts in summer. A rental car on the Space Coast is useful, and sun protection is non-negotiable.

Houston

“Houston, we’ve had a problem” made this city immortal, but Space City is more than a line from Apollo 13. It’s the nerve center of human spaceflight training and Mission Control, where astronauts have prepared for every American voyage to the Moon.

Top draws include Space Center Houston (the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center), Rocket Park’s towering Saturn V, and premium behind-the-scenes tours that peek into areas like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and Mission Control. Between stops, Houston’s globally influenced food scene—Tex-Mex, Viet-Cajun, and award-winning Mexican—shines.

• Don’t miss: Space Center Houston, Saturn V at Rocket Park, Astronaut Gallery, and (if available) the Level 9 Tour.
• Extra time: Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, Rice University’s James Turrell Skyspace, and the Museum District.

Where to stay: Browse central neighborhoods (Downtown, Museum District, Montrose, or Medical Center). See listings on VRBO Houston or compare hotels on Hotels.com Houston.

Getting in: Fly to IAH or HOU. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. From the airport, app rides, taxis, or a rental car are straightforward.

Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral (Florida’s Space Coast)

On Florida’s Atlantic edge, launch towers rise over wetlands and surfers share shores with rocket watchers. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the cathedral of American spaceflight—home to the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and bus tours passing iconic Launch Complex 39.

Between pad tours and astronaut training sessions, Cocoa Beach serves up sand-between-your-toes breakfasts, fresh-caught seafood, and breezy tiki decks. Time it right and you could watch a SpaceX or ULA launch ignite the sky—an unforgettable “almost-Moon” moment.

• Don’t miss: KSC Bus Tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, Shuttle Atlantis, Rocket Garden, and (bookable) Astronaut Training Experience (ATX).
• Nature: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and summer bioluminescence kayaking.

Where to stay: Base in Cocoa Beach for quick beach access and an easy 20–30 minute drive to KSC. Compare options on VRBO Cocoa Beach or Hotels.com Cocoa Beach.

Day 1: Arrive in Houston — First Taste of Space City

Morning: Travel to Houston (arrive this afternoon). For flights, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Check in to your hotel or apartment near Downtown/Museum District for easy dining and museum access.

Afternoon: Shake off the flight with a gentle walk at Discovery Green or Buffalo Bayou Park. Coffee at Blacksmith (espresso-forward, great biscuits) or Boomtown Coffee on Main (house-roasted, easygoing vibe).

Evening: Dinner at Xochi (Oaxacan—from moles to wood-fired specialties; reservation advised). Nightcap at Anvil Bar & Refuge, the cocktail pioneer that helped define Houston’s craft scene. If you want a serene close, head to James Turrell’s Skyspace at Rice University for sunset light sequences (check times).

Day 2: Space Center Houston — Apollo to Artemis

Morning: Early start for Space Center Houston (plan 6–7 hours). Book the NASA Tram Tour upon arrival; highlight stops include Historic Mission Control and Rocket Park’s Saturn V. Breakfast en route at Common Bond (pastries) or Luce Coffee Roasters (light breakfast, meticulous roasting).

Afternoon: Explore the Astronaut Gallery, touch a Moon sample, and tour Independence— a high-fidelity Shuttle replica mounted on a 747. Lunch onsite at the food court for speed; save time for the Artemis exhibits charting the path back to the lunar surface.

Evening: Tex-Mex history at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation (housemade tortillas, sizzling fajitas, legendary green sauce). For a post-dinner pour, Julep on Washington Ave offers Gulf South flavors and award-winning cocktails in a bright, elegant room.

Day 3: Train Like an Astronaut (VIP Tour/Zero‑G Option) + Houston Eats

Morning: If available, reserve Space Center Houston’s premium Level 9 Tour (limited capacity; behind-the-scenes access can include areas like the Neutral Buoyancy Lab and Mission Control). Alternatively, time your trip for a Zero‑G parabolic flight date in Houston (select weekends; approx. $6,900–$7,500 per person as of 2025; half-day commitment).

Afternoon: Swing by the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington for aviation context, then decompress with a stroll at Buffalo Bayou Park. Lunch at Truth BBQ (Central Texas-style brisket and classic sides) or Viet-Cajun at Crawfish & Noodles during season (James Beard–recognized; go spicy if you like heat).

Evening: Head to Nancy’s Hustle in EaDo (butter-drenched Nancy Cakes, house-made pastas, thoughtful natural wines). If you’re up for a second stop, Reserve a seat at Refuge, the intimate tasting-counter annex of Anvil, for technique-driven small-format cocktails.

Day 4: Fly to Florida’s Space Coast — Beach Reset

Morning: Fly Houston to Orlando (IAH/HOU → MCO). Typical flight time is ~2h 20m; one-way fares often run ~$80–$220 depending on dates. Compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Pick up a car and drive ~1 hour to Cocoa Beach; check in via VRBO Cocoa Beach or Hotels.com Cocoa Beach.

Afternoon: Ease into the beach life. Grab a smoothie bowl or flat white at Café Surfinista, then walk the Cocoa Beach Pier. If you need gear, Ron Jon Surf Shop runs 24 hours—handy for sunscreen, rash guards, or souvenirs.

Evening: Dinner at Florida’s Fresh Grill (locally loved for daily fish specials and attentive service). For a breezy nightcap with views of cruise ships, try Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar at Port Canaveral; coconut shrimp pairs nicely with the salt air.

Day 5: Kennedy Space Center — Shuttle Atlantis, Saturn V, and ATX

Morning: Be at KSC at opening. Take the included Bus Tour first to the Apollo/Saturn V Center; spend real time under the fully restored Saturn V and the F-1 engines that powered the Moon landings. Breakfast beforehand at Simply Delicious Café & Bakery (giant cinnamon rolls, hearty quiche) in Cocoa Beach.

Afternoon: Back at the main complex, meet Space Shuttle Atlantis—suspended dramatically with payload bay doors open. Ride the Shuttle Launch Experience, then, if available, slot into the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) for mission simulations and teamwork drills. Lunch at Orbit Café or Moon Rock Café near Saturn V (quick and convenient).

Evening: Sunset at Jetty Park (day pass or entry fee may apply); watch dolphins and, if lucky, a booster return to port after a launch. Dinner at The Tiny Turtle (Puerto Rican–leaning comfort: mofongo, plantain bowls) or 4th Street Fillin Station (gastropub plates in a retro service-station setting).

Day 6: Wild Space Coast — Refuge, Bioluminescence, and Beach Time

Morning: Coffee at Juice N Java (local hub, solid espresso and breakfast burritos). Drive Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: look for spoonbills, gators, and ospreys with launch towers on the horizon—a surreal juxtaposition.

Afternoon: Lunch at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville (order rock shrimp—think sweet, lobster-adjacent bite). Afterward, walk the Max Brewer Bridge for sweeping river and pad views. Beach siesta back in Cocoa Beach; rent a board or book a surf lesson if the waves cooperate.

Evening: Summer months often bring bioluminescence in nearby lagoons; guided kayak tours leave from Titusville or Merritt Island after dark (book ahead; wear quick-dry clothes). Non-summer alternative: stargaze at Playalinda Beach on clear nights. Post-paddle bites at Preacher Bar (gastropub comfort and a deep beer list) or casual tunes at Sandbar Sports Grill.

Day 7: Launch Window or Farewell Brunch — Depart

Morning: If a launch is scheduled, plan your spot early (Jetty Park, Cocoa Beach Pier, or the riverfront in Titusville are popular; traffic can be heavy). If not, enjoy a last beach walk and coffee at Café Surfinista.

Afternoon: Brunch and goodbyes—Coconuts on the Beach for ocean views or a quick bite at Simply Delicious before you drive back to MCO. Aim for an afternoon flight; compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. One last look east—your “Moon mission” starts here on Earth.

In seven days, you’ve traced the human journey to the Moon from Mission Control to the launch pads, while eating and exploring like a local. Until passenger lunar flights open, this is the most inspiring, practical way to feed your Moon dreams.