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    NASA - Wallops Flight Facility

    3.9 (23 reviews)
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    N. Danny S.

    I was definitely expecting a lot more than what is actually here, but I did enjoy my time regardless. It's a far drive from NASA Langley where I was coming from. Not sure I would do that drive again for how small Wallops is. I feel like you could look at everything they have here in less than an hour. Everyone was really friendly though and the gift shop had a lot of good stuff at a good price!

    Road sign
    Christopher C.

    Alright, let's separate the sheep from the goats when it comes to the Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. Personally I'm always a bit skeptical when the equation starts with government + free. Usually you're talking about something National Park related and with how their funding has been neutered over the past ?? years far too often you need to curb your enthusiasm before visiting a site. To a degree that same equation is in place here. Now let me preface anything else by saying that if you're here for one of the few launches that are held here every year (the bulk of all launches are in Florida at Cape Canaveral and most of what is launched here are things like the Antares Rocket en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antares_(rocket) not Mars Rover or Space X types of launches) that's a whole different story in terms of crowds and uniqueness. Our visit was on a Saturday in November and the center was fairly deserted. The parking lot is on the small side but for our purposes there were plenty of spaces. The first 1/4 of the displays are about the history of Wallops Island and the NASA's long presence in the area. That part is neat to see how the rockets got larger and more advanced from the humble beginnings in the 1940's of launching small ones right off the beach. Eventually things get slightly into the more modern space program, modern in the sense of the now eight years retired Shuttle program, with some dabblings about the weather and the military. One neat sidebar was the small display about the late President George H.W. Bush who spent time in the area while stationed at Chincoteague Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Neat display of correspondences between him and his parents (he loved to fly low and buzz the fishermen and he hated the area food). Very cool that this place is here and especially that it's free but curb your enthusiasm because you're talking maybe a 30-40 minute sidebar and aside from the rocket displays outside the gift shop might be the nicest thing here. The visitor center is open year round from Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.

    NOAA science on a sphere
    Tracy K.

    Small museum, it was busy because of the rocket launch, the parking was actually closed and we went over to Chincoteague to watch the launch and came back afterwards. They have rockets and historical info on Wallops A few interactive displays. The kids enjoyed it. If a rocket launch is on your to do list make sure you get there super early to get a spot at the Viewing area otherwise you'll have to go elsewhere and they do not let you park along the road.

    Jennifer D.

    What a cool surprise. On our way to Chincoteague we turned the corner and saw this huge NASA facility. A little further down the road across the street we noticed their visitor center advertising free admission. We had already been in the car for a while so figured why not stop. They had lots of exhibits, a small gift shop and even free events. If your staying in Chincoteague make sure to check their event board or online calendar. Definitely worth a visit...you can't beat the price ;)

    J SIRAKAS YourShotPhotographer DC tm
    Warfare J.

    On the way to Assateague Island you passed Wallop island NASA only northern hemisphere space pad . This little hidden around center is very easy to miss and is great for a rest stop mini museum for about 10min to stretch the legs. Their are mock rockets and missile displays outside for photo ops.

    View from the grounds
    Rachael K.

    Cool but slightly underwhelming. A few of the interactive displays weren't working which added to that. It's probably best to go when they have one of their stargazing events, rocket launch or something similar going on. Otherwise, expect to spend around 20-30 mins there. Okay place to stop on the way in/out of Chincoteague for a picnic (there are tables outside) and a little bit of educational outreach. The view of the marshlands from outside the facility is amazing but wear bug spray. We almost got carried away by the mosquitoes and flies.

    Exhibits in NASA visitor center at Wallops Island
    Phillip Y.

    This visitor center is pretty decent. Now, it may look small from the outside but there is plenty to see inside. There is a theatre inside to learn about space trips but what I found really interesting were the exhibit videos. These short segments described research at NASA with neighboring colleges. It was amazing to learn how NASA and NOAA team up with research scientists around the world to study volcanos and other geological discoveries. There is also an exhibit on ICESat which looks at the sea ice to learn about global warming. Also, a big display about balloons to study the atmosphere of planets all around us. There is also a nice observation deck view on the top floor as well as missles, rocket, and plane on display outside. Be sure to check this out on your way to Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge.

    Astronaut sleeping bag that gets hooked to the wall. Even had a Velcro eye mask that attaches directly to your pillow.
    Rhonda C.

    What a great surprise to have honest to goodness NASA 2 miles or so from Chincoteague. The Visitor Center is small but holds a surprising number of space and aeronautic specimens. Take a free lecture at the small theater. Or shop in the gift shop for some astronaut food. Some classes are good for kids as well. Call ahead of time to check on the age levels for each class. Except for the craft,, 'Oceans Alive' is best suited for 9+ Give yourself a couple of hours to make it through at a relaxed pace. Definitely worth the stop!

    Brian P.

    Small presentation of what NASA does at wallops island. Short video plays. The day we went they launched model rockets. We were there a few days prior to a scheduled launch. Hoping the weather holds out before we leave Chincoteague so we can see it. Big plus to the visitor center is that it is free. Would be perfect for a rainy day that your not going to the beach as most of it is inside.

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    Nice to do on a rainy day. Educational with exhibits on space.nice for the kids to learn about the lift offs. Good use of an hour and free.

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    A hidden gem! The staff. Love their job and love to share their knowledge. Check out their website to see a listing of programs.

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    Review Highlights - NASA - Wallops Flight Facility

    This small stop on the road to Chincoteague is easy to pass by, but, way worth the time to explore.

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    Assateague Island Visitor Center - Visitor Center

    Assateague Island Visitor Center

    4.9(20 reviews)
    27.0 mi
    $$

    We visited Assateague Island in October 2024. We first came here in April 2024. One of the most…read moreeducational and visual visitor centers I ever visited. The center has bathrooms, museum, theater,and a gift shop. The exhibits & their information are fascinating. Assateague Island is famous for its wildlife preserve, beautiful seashore, nature, and wild horses. We collected a lot of information about where to go and what to see on the island. Children can embark on a scavenger hunt on the island and receive a wood badge after completion. A movie named Misty was filmed there and on my to see movie list. We spent two days exploring the island and the hiking trails. Tourist season is in mid April till the end of September and can be busy. If you prefer less crowds, off season is better yet some of the places around the island are closed. We had a lot of questions and the rangers in the visitor center answered all of them. We got maps of the trails on the island and learned about the park's rare bird, the plover. We bought a book to identify each of the horses on the island with the names of each horse and colored photos of all the horses. We were able to identify all the horses we photographed there. We were instructed to stay a bus length away from the horse and not to feed them. The movie about the wild horses in the visitor center was cute and funny especially how they shot vaccine & birth control injections into the horses with a gun from a distance. The wild horses are everywhere and great to photograph. I loved how pristine the beaches were. To camp on the island is $40 a night. Vehicle permits are required to drive on the beach of the island. Admission to the park on the island will require that you pay $25 for your vehicle. Active duty military get free passes to the island.

    This is the visitor center for the National Seashore on the MD side of Assateague Island. It's run…read moreby the National Park Service. It's separate from the Assateague Island State Park run by the State of Maryland. This is a small visitor center with bathrooms, several exhibits including a short movie, a gift shop, and loads of helpful NPS staff. For those who participate, they have a NPS Passport stamp station located in the shop area. There is a small viewing area a short walk up a boardwalk overlooking the bay between the mainland and the island. There are seasonal bike rentals located next to the main building also. Staff was full of information about what was open etc (I visited in winter), information on the wild horses, along with the usual NPS pamphlet for the park. Visitor center is free, the National Seashore does charge a fee (at the entrance to the island, not at the visitor center). Worth a visit for info, souvenirs, and to fill up your water bottles.

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    Assateague Island Visitor Center - #assateaguenps #assateagueisland #assateagueislandvisitorcenter #assateagueislandnationalseashore #marylandbeach #preservefootprints

    #assateaguenps #assateagueisland #assateagueislandvisitorcenter #assateagueislandnationalseashore #marylandbeach #preservefootprints

    Assateague Island Visitor Center - #assateaguenps #assateagueisland #assateagueislandvisitorcenter #assateagueislandnationalseashore #marylandbeach #preservefootprints

    #assateaguenps #assateagueisland #assateagueislandvisitorcenter #assateagueislandnationalseashore #marylandbeach #preservefootprints

    Assateague Island Visitor Center

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    Colonial National Historical Park Visitor Center - Ship partial replica

    Colonial National Historical Park Visitor Center

    4.7(6 reviews)
    75.3 mi

    A good place to start on the tour of the battlefield sites that defined America…read more The Yorktown Visitor's Center is the perfect starting point for exploring several of the most pivotal sites in American history. The drive from the main road to the center is scenic, offering glimpses of Virginia's historic landscape before arriving at the center. Getting to the actual center seemed a little confusing as there are arrows describing the car tours to visit various sights when leaving the center. The center is not very large. The exhibits inside are well-organized and interactive, showcasing artifacts from the Battle of Yorktown, maps, uniforms, and weaponry from the era. There is a short film that provides an good overview of the battle and its significance in the history of our American independence. The center also features a gift shop with books, souvenirs, and historical memorabilia. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and offered suggestions regarding various tours that you could take when driving around the area. There are several well-marked signs leading visitors from the center to the surrounding area sites. The driving tours take visitors through key historic sites connected to the Siege of Yorktown (1781) and the broader Colonial National Historical Park. Overall, the Yorktown Visitor's Center is an great stop, providing an introduction to this historic battlefield and its role in shaping the nation.

    Colonial NHP is spread out over Jamestown, Yorktown and a road connecting them. We went to the…read morevisitor center in Yorktown and thought it was great. It did a great job of explaining what led up to the British surrender and how it happened. I especially liked the part of a ship that was built into the visitors center. Walking through it really was like walking through an 18th century ship - very cool. The visitors center did a great job of explaining the surrounding area and helping us decide where to go. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend checking it out when visiting Yorktown.

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    Colonial National Historical Park Visitor Center - Victory Monument

    Victory Monument

    Colonial National Historical Park Visitor Center
    Colonial National Historical Park Visitor Center - Outside the closed visitor center on October 12, 2025

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    Outside the closed visitor center on October 12, 2025

    National Wildlife Visitor Center - 01.20.25 when the ponds freeze over, the colors create a beautiful contrast to the browning forest and gliding waterfowl

    National Wildlife Visitor Center

    4.1(15 reviews)
    104.5 mi

    Fish and Wildlife Refuge [Laurel MD]…read more Unfortunately, because of the Federal Holiday (MLK) at the time of our visit the Visitor Center was closed but we briefly connected with nature and just explored a little bit of the area which offered 13,000 of wetlands, meadow, and forest. Visitor Center hours are from Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00a to 4:00p. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset except on Tuesdays (closes at 4:00p). We followed the hiking trail on the South Tract. We followed the trail... the lake on the right side. I was too scared to walk on the frozen lake but we saw a couple walking on it while taking selfie photos. The scenery is beautiful in winter time with the snow. We don't see snow like this in California. There were interpretive signs on the trails. During winter season we should see a wide variety of waterfowl; American Tree, Swamp, and Savannah Sparrows; and Rusty Blackbirds on the lake shores... we were on the lookout but I guess we weren't looking hard enough as we did not spot any. So what is this place? It's not a National Park but is one of the largest science and environmental education center in the Department of Interior created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research. Review #3673

    We ended up checking out the National Wildlife Visitor Center while staying with family in Crofton…read more It lead to a lovely afternoon. The center itself is like a little museum. It has informational exhibits that range from learning about different wildlife to man's relationship with nature. The trails themselves are really nice, and diverse. You'll have an opportunity to walk through the woods, the water, and open fields. They're well manicured and labeled, so there's no getting lost. You'll also have an opportunity to see some beautiful wildlife. There were lots of beautiful birds flying around, and if you look down, you're guaranteed to see some tiny frogs. There's probably more, but that's all we saw. I definitely think this park is worth checking out if you live in the area, or are visiting. It was a lovely afternoon.

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    National Wildlife Visitor Center - 01.20.25 winter outdoors

    01.20.25 winter outdoors

    National Wildlife Visitor Center - 01.20.25

    01.20.25

    National Wildlife Visitor Center - 01.20.25 Winter is an excellent time to visit the refuge

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    01.20.25 Winter is an excellent time to visit the refuge

    Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center - Visitor center displays of life on the bay.

    Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center

    4.3(3 reviews)
    83.5 mi

    Chesapeake Heritage & Visitor Center…read more Located on Kent Island in Queen Anne's County, not far after crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, this visitor center is a beautiful and welcoming stop for anyone exploring Maryland's Eastern Shore. The center offers a wonderful blend of local history, scenic waterfront views, and educational exhibits highlighting the importance of the Chesapeake Bay and the marine life that surrounds the region. The nearby harbor is especially enjoyable to walk around, with its variety of boats ranging from small fishing vessels to larger pleasure craft. Inside, the displays are thoughtfully arranged and easy to explore. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, offering colorful pamphlets, recommendations, and plenty of information about attractions and activities throughout the area. Even though my grandchildren were not with me during this visit, the staff still provided great suggestions for family-friendly things to do for visitors of all ages. One unique feature is the steep winding staircase located outside the visitor center, which leads to a 360-degree overlook. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the beach area, working harbor, surrounding restaurants, condominiums, and local businesses. Overall, this is an excellent place for a short stop to learn more about the history and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region while enjoying some beautiful scenery along the way.

    In this age of quarantine, the options for getting outdoors seem limited. For our Easter afternoon…read moredrive, we drove across the Bay Bridge to Kent Island. The Chesapeake Heritage & Visitors Center is closed, but their outdoor trails are still accessible. It was an overcast day and only a few people were out, so maintaining the social distancing was easy. There is a boardwalk that crosses the marshes, and then another trail along the outer part, along a small sandy beach. There are a few benches and picnic tables. It made for a nice, quiet outing.

    Photos
    Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center - Museum type displays and samples of life on the bay.

    Museum type displays and samples of life on the bay.

    Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center - Descriptive displays of life in Queen Anne county.

    Descriptive displays of life in Queen Anne county.

    Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center - Inner lobby area and information desk.

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    Inner lobby area and information desk.

    NASA - Wallops Flight Facility - visitorcenters - Updated May 2026

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