Welcome to the Goddard Visitor Center

Learn more about our upcoming special events, or feel free to pop in during our regular hours of operation.

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Work In Progress at the Goddard Visitor Center

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

The transformation is complete. The first phase of the Goddard Visitor Center enhancement project is finished and the exhibit gallery has fully reopened. The renovation brings new exhibits and displays, modifications to existing exhibits, removal of some old exhibits, and a more open floor plan.

A full-size model of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is one of the new exhibits. The model, used in development, testing and construction of the spacecraft now orbiting the moon, is enhanced by interactive computer displays and a wall-size close up view of our moon.

The first component of a new James Webb Space Telescope exhibit has been installed. The exhibit features full color images of astronomical objects as viewed in the infrared as well as an aluminum model of the segments that make up the primary mirror that will enable JWST to look back through time to when galaxies were young.

Other featured missions include Rossi X-ray Timing Experiment and Swift, two space telescopes that study the cosmos in high energy wavelengths. The Visitor Center children's area has also been expanded for even more exploration.

These new additions kick off the most significant transformation to Goddard’s Visitor Center in a number of years. Make sure to stop in and see the completed improvements. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Buckingham. If you have any questions, please e-mail Bill Buckingham.

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NASA captures your attention like no other organization. It offers unparalleled experiences, a key to knowledge, and a window to the future. The visitor center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., provides inspiration and a captivating educational experience for all ages.

Goddard’s visitor center demonstrates our innovative and exciting work in Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, engineering, communication and technology development. Browse the unique, informative exhibits and learn about climate change, climb inside a Gemini capsule model, encourage a child to dream as he or she pulls on our kid-sized spacesuit, or participate in one of the monthly model rocket launches.

Only 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis, don’t miss this opportunity to explore the universe in your own backyard.

Visits are free of charge. For more information on the Goddard Visitor Center, call 301-286-3978 or visit the links in the navigation on the left side of this page. Feel free also to e-mail Cate Maynard at catherine.maynard@nasa.gov.

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Hours of Operation

NOTE: In case of inclement weather, if the Goddard Space Flight Center is closed the Visitor Center will be closed as well. The Visitor Center is also closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

NOTE: As of summer 2010, rocket model launches have been reinstated.

September - June		July - August
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 3:00 Saturday & Sunday 12:00 - 4:00		Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 5:00 Saturday & Sunday 12:00 - 4:00

Goddard Visitor Center on Facebook

NASA Goddard Gift Shop

The Gift Shop, located next to the Visitor Center, offers post cards, publications, patches, models, space-related educational toys, games, clothing and other NASA souvenirs. For more information, please call 301-286-6476, or please visit the online store at http://www.spaceshoponline.com/.

Subscribe to Goddard Visitor Center Listserv

Through the NASA Goddard General Events Listserv, you can get information about inspiring free events at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center, many designed for families of elementary, middle, and high school students. To join, send an e-mail to goddard-visitor-center-programs@lists.nasa.gov. The information you provide will be used only for its intended purpose. We will protect your information consistent with the principles of the Privacy Act, the e-Government Act of 2002, the Federal Records Act, and, as applicable, the Freedom of Information Act. For NASA’s Privacy Policy, access http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html.

Other Visitor Center Resources

Educators: Click here for information regarding the Educators Resource Center.

NASA Employees: Click here for information regarding conference rooms.

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Guests With Disabilities

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center welcomes visitors and families with disabilities to educational opportunities at the Goddard Visitor Center. Goddard will provide reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpreters, CART reporting services, and designated sighted guides for walking tours, to individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please contact Denna Lambert, Disability Programs Manager, at 301-286-0844 or denna.s.lambert@nasa.gov. Goddard will make every effort to fulfill any accommodation request received. Please provide at least 48 hour notice in advance of your scheduled arrival to NASA Goddard.