From the Eastern Shore to Hampton Roads, coastal Virginia has played a big role in Americas space program

Its awe-inspiring to think that in 1607 three ships carried the first English settlers to Jamestown, Virginia. Now, fourcenturies and 10 years later, the international space station, along with other missions, is being supplied from Virginias Eastern Shore.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, with exhibits on aeronautics, thefacilitys history and current missions, is the place to begin. Allow time to view a movie on space exploration or earth/climate themes.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility is truly an attraction thats perfect for all ages, appealing to adults who have grown up with U.S. space exploration and to student/youth groups looking for fun, educational programs with curriculum enhancement. Multiple STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) paths are available with hands-on activities, special presentations and movies. Rocketry, solar system, and earth and climate science are just a sampling of subjects.

A behind-the-scenes tour provides adults and students a close-up look at the Wallops Flight Facilitys diverse programs. Half-day and full-day tours are available Tuesday and Thursdays with a minimum of four weeks notice. Lunch is available at the employee cafeteria with notice, and a picnic area is available. Save time for the gift shop, which has NASA-themed items. If youre fortunate, youll plan your visit on a day a rocket launch is scheduled.

While youre on the Eastern Shore, nearby Chincoteague Island provides a serene addition to any itinerary. The gateway to Assateague Island and the Virginia Chincoteague wild ponies is best explored by boat. Custom experiences for large groups can be accommodated.(chincoteaguechamber.com)

Theres still more space to explore in Virginia. Its slightly more than a two-hour drive from the Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Hampton, Virginia, the birthplace of Americas space program. Established in 1917, NASA LangleyResearch Center was the agencys original field center. The center gained considerable notoriety in December 2016 with the release of the movie Hidden Figures. The film shares the true story of three brilliant African-American NASA women who served as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn.

The Virginia Air & Space Center serves as the official NASA Langley visitor center, offering interactive exhibits spanning more than 100 years of flight. Thirty historic air-craft, space flight artifacts and a hands-on space gallery join IMAX films to tell the history of flight. The Cosmic Cafe and a gift shop are on site.

Through the Virginia Air & Space Center, NASA Langley is dedicated to fostering the growth of the nations youth. STEM is at the core of the NASA mission, and there are numerous resources available to teachers. (nasa.gov/langley/education/classroom)

If youre still in need of a flight fix, the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach is well worth a stop. There youll find the largest collection of World War I and II military aircraft in the world. Each plane has been fully restored to its prior military condition. The museum is a perfect addition to any Virginia itinerary. (militaryaviationmuseum.org)

Nearby Williamsburg, Jamestown/York-town, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach provide a wealth of group-friendly attractions, accommodations and dining.

From Virginias place in the settlement of English-speaking America to her leadership in space exploration, it has been a marvelous journey.

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NASA Visitor Centers Tell the Story of Space Exploration

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From the Eastern Shore to Hampton Roads, coastal Virginia has played a big role in Americas space program

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Leisure Group Travel

Contributor: David Bodle

Dave brings his experience as a receptive tour operator and former publisher to regular contributions in all Premier Travel Media platforms, including a marketing column in Leisure Group Travel magazine.

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