This was our second trip to Kennedy Space Center in the last 7 years. Last time we did not take a tour that they offered to the old launch sites so we wanted to make sure that we did it this time. A lot has changed there in 7 years and there was a lot to see. I had corresponded via email with the Visitor Center Complex to inquire about the tour to the old launch pads. They said that it was being offered but neglected to tell me the name of the tour or the fact that reservations were needed.

On the day we arrived we got there early the gates open at 9:00 but they start selling tickets about 8:45. By the way the parking lot is open early since there is no charge for parking. They were offering a Maximum pass which sounded like it might include the one we were wanting but when we asked we found out that we were looking for the "Then and Now" tour. The Maximum tour cost was $20.00 but for $41.00 per person we were able to get everything the Maximum offered plus the Then and Now tour. We grabbed at this chance and then were told we would have to go to the information desk to get a reservation. The person there wanted to know if we had a reservation already and we indicated that we had not know about it before hand, as it was there were a lot of openings, and we were able to get on the 10:00 tour. Surprising enough it was the 4th of July and they were not that busy.

The tour itself --- starts out with you being on a bus with a tour guide and a driver/guide. they give you each a folder which contains photographs and a tour book. Already we were starting to see some savings because the tour book alone was $6.95. Our tour guide was Nick Thomas who was excellent (a unpaid ad for him) as he gave so much information that you would of never have heard about. We were able to stop and get off the bus at Cape Canaveral Air Station Museum, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Launch Complex 34 (where the Apollo missions were launched) and the Mercury Memorial. Along the way they took us by various key points such as the early launch pads and hangers. They told us of many interesting events and facts about each. By the way you can all the pictures you want nothing is restricted.

For us one of the most impressive things was that we were able  to actually walk on the launch pad for the Apollo missions. While it has not been maintain as an operating pad you still can get a feel for what it was like.

The tour last about 2 1/2 hours and ended by going up close to Launch Complex 39b which is one of two launch pads used for the Space Shuttle. Unfortunately none were on the pad right then. But we were right at the base of the slope up to it. Last time we were there we did see the shuttle on the launch pad but we were a mile from it. Still was impressive and looked big even at that distance. We ended our Then and Now Tour at the Launch Complex 39 gantry observation platform and rejoined the regular tour where we were able to take picture from the platform: take a bus to the Saturn V building and see a Saturn V rocket and the moon rover. This was humbling to be close to this rocket and realize how small you are compared to it.

From this we went to see mission control (for the Apollo launches) and then to see where they are working on the International Space Station. Finally we wound up back at the main area where there is two Imax shows: the Mercury Space Capsule Liberty 7 and the Shuttle and external tank with two solid rocket boosters. We were able to go on the Shuttle to see what it is like. All in all a very good way to spend a day even though it was hot. There are many things that we will always remember about taking this tour. We would highly recommend it to anyone going there. In fact we talked with several people on our trip about the tour.

We would be glad to answer any questions you have about the Kennedy Space Center Tour we took.