EXCURSIONS

Houston Excursions

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

The visitor’s Space Center is attached to the headquarters of America’s manned space programme, Nasa’s ‘Mission Control’ that directs the space shuttle project and guided the pioneering astronauts. The Space Center, Houston’s most popular tourist attraction, is located at Clear Lake, 20 miles (32km) southeast of downtown, off the Gulf freeway I-45. There are numerous wonders to behold at this facility, which both entertains and educates, from a mock-up of a space shuttle to an Imax theatre and hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Tram tours run every half hour taking in the highlights, including Rocket Park where retired spacecraft come to rest, Mission Control and even astronauts in training.

Address: 1601 NASA Parkway; Website: www.spacecenter.org; Telephone: (281) 244 2100; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, weekends 10am to 7pm (extended hours in summer); Admission: $19.95 (adults), $15.95 (children 4-11). Other concessions available.