The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex landed near the top of the 2025 Traveler’s Choice Awards with “Doing the Best is the Best Things.” In fact, it was the highest rank of American charm.
The Brevard County-based visitor complex only tracks the world’s largest unfinished Catholic church, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, and was listed as third place worldwide.
The runner-ups on the US attraction list were the Empire State Building, Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, Central Park in New York, and two more Florida entries.
It’s a smart company.
“We are thrilled that both families and explorers are embracing the journey they offer to visitors from past missions to future frontiers,” said Terin Protetze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, in a news release.
According to the TripAdvisor website, the best is awarded to places that have earned a ton of reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a period of 12 months. Of the 8 million listings, less than 1% have achieved the “Best of Best” label.
Perhaps even more sniffing for citizens of the world’s theme park capital is the status of Magic Kingdom, considered the most visited theme park in the world. Ranked 16th on the Amusement Park and Water Park global list.
Walt Disney World’s original park finishes behind attractions in the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Germany, France and Malaysia, with two in Singapore, three in England and three in Brazil and Drurywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The global list is headed by Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World Yas Island.
The only other central Florida attraction on that list was Disney’s Hollywood Studios, number 21.
Ripley’s Crazy Golf Tees Off at Icon Park
The US-only list features Universal’s Island of Adventures in fifth place, followed by Kissimmee’s fun spot American attractions in sixth place. Other Florida finishers were Universal Studios (No. 8) and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (No. 12).
LEGOLAND Florida is listed as number 8 of its “family-friendly” travel activities in the United States (18 on the global list).
A TripAdvisor article from the Kennedy Space Center praised the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition, Rocket Garden, IMAX Theatre and the possibility of meeting astronauts. Visitor Complex recently added a gantry to its LC-39. This includes a test fire simulator, interactive rocket build exercises, an Earth Information Center and launch pad scenery to the standard bus tour.
Kennedy Space Center will open a gantry at the LC-39 attraction
Travelers’ Choice Awards has a few more lists, including categories of water sports, day cruises, food & drinks, nature & outdoors, cultural and historical, bucket list experiences. To view these, visit tripadvisor.com.
Attractions News, Nugget
•Sunday is the last day you will experience Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Attraction. They say it will be renovated until sometime in 2026, Disney says. Planned improvements include an updated ride vehicle with handheld blasters, a new robotic character named Buddy, and better clarity between the laser and the target. Ride debuted in 1998. More information: disneyparksblog.com.
•Orange County Regional History Center’s monthly Lunch & Learning features “Orlando of Orlando’s Collected Stories.” It is on display at noon on Friday to mark the city’s first 150th anniversary. On Saturday, the museum’s History Alive promotion will include activities featuring the History Center spotlight highlights, including creating exhibitions, preparing archives, and labeling artifacts. Details: thehistorycenter.org.
•Sea Life Orlando Aquarium Marks Shark Week ~ Sunday. Activities include education stations on shark species found in International Drive Attraction. More information: visitsealife.com/orlando,
•Universal Orlando celebrates Pass Holder Appreciation Day from August 15th to September 30th. Express Pass and food and drink discounts. Long hours at the UOAP lounge. Limited menu products across Universal Properties. (The 2-day Pass Holder Night event is already fully booked.). Details: universalorlando.com.
•Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has opened for visitors the Wild Oasis section, a children’s area inspired by the rainforest. The theme park will also host Bier Fest and Brews & BBQ events from Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August 31st. More information: buschgardens.com/tampa.
•Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens are free to enter for children during August. This agreement is free for one visitor under the age of 12 and is free for each adult. Offers are available only at the gate. Details: CentralFloridazoo.org.
•Dezerland Park, located at the northern tip of International Drive, has added Princess Pamper Spa, offering makeovers, fashion shows and spa treatments for kids, along with ages 3-13, as well as the best old photos of Orlando with vintage costumes (cowboys, flappers, etc.). More information: DezerlandParkorlando.com.
•Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition has revamped the Titanic Kids Adventure Tour, The Cat, The Bear & The Boat. Scavenger Hunt delves into ship design, innovation and artifacts. Designed for ages 5-11, requires adult supervision. The tour will take place Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am Details: Titanicorlando.com.
•A attraction with headsets and full-body motion capture for immersive gaming, Sandbox VR is open in Pointe Orlando. Details: sandboxvr.com/orlando.
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Original issue: July 28, 2025 10:49am EDT
