What's Free to see at Kennedy Space Center?

[DBarber600]

What can you go to Kennedy Space Center and see for free? We wanted to go to a beach because our kids (2 & 5yo) have never been to a beach before and want to see what it's like, so I thought maybe we could combine that with Kennedy but I don't really want to spend any money there to see anything. Is it worth stopping if we don't do one of the tours? Can you even get on the grounds for free? Is there anything to see for free (or even a minimal cost)? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Baytoven]

What can you go to Kennedy Space Center and see for free?

The parking lot? Like other attractions, you pay to set foot on the property.

However, even the parking lot is a good view of a launch. If you enter the park to see a launch, you don't get that money back if the launch is scrubbed. If you purchase the extra launch tickets ($$$!) you can get a refund if the launch is scrubbed only if you haven't boarded the bus to the launch viewing site. The parking lot is free, and beats paying entrance fees that don't put you that much closer, though you don't get to listen in on mission control and watch the video feeds while waiting.

But KSC is worth the entrance fee, imho.