Endeavour Is Ready for Liftoff: Your Family Guide to LA's New Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center!
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, the California Science Center's new home for Space Shuttle Endeavour, opens to the public on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10 am in Exposition Park. Endeavour now stands upright in full launch position, and advance reservations are open for families who want to be among the first to see it.
For years, LA kids walked alongside Endeavour as it rested flat on its belly. Now the orbiter towers about 20 stories high, attached to its giant orange tank and twin rocket boosters, and it's the only place in the world to see a complete, authentic space shuttle system displayed this way. Below, we cover what kids can do inside, how reservations work, where to park and our best tips for a smooth first visit.
Space Shuttle Endeavour in launch position inside the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery. Photo: California Science Center.
Key Takeaways
Opens: Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10 am.
Where: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
Admission: General admission is free. Reservations for the Air and Space Center carry a $4 per-person service fee, waived for California Science Center members.
Reservations: Open now online or by phone at 213-744-2019, with up to 19 people per entry time.
Hours: Daily, 10 am to 5 pm.
IMAX: A lineup of space-themed IMAX movies starts November 13, ticketed separately.
Parking: Exposition Park parking is $20 per day, or $24 for special events and after 5 pm.
What Makes the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center So Special?
The star of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is Space Shuttle Endeavour, standing upright just the way it looked on the launch pad. It's attached to two real solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank. The full stack rises about 185 feet inside a gallery that's nearly 200 feet tall.
Endeavour flew 25 NASA missions between 1992 and 2011, and plenty of LA families still remember watching it inch through city streets on its way to Exposition Park in 2012. It was lifted into its vertical position in early 2024 and has been off view while the new building rose around it.
Families can view Endeavour from several levels of the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery. Photo: California Science Center.
Your visit begins with a short introductory film about the shuttle, the people who worked on it and Endeavour's last launch, and then the orbiter is revealed. It's a moment your kids won't forget.
The 200,000-square-foot building nearly doubles the Science Center's exhibit space. Inside, you'll find more than 100 aerospace artifacts and 100 new hands-on exhibits spread across three multi-level galleries: the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
We suggest setting aside at least a couple of hours for the new wing alone, especially if your kids love to climb, slide and press every button they see.
Hands-On Fun for Kids in the Shuttle Gallery
The Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery isn't just about looking up. Kids can ride, slide and take the controls, too.
Ride the Gantry-Style Elevator
A gantry-style elevator carries guests 140 feet up along the shuttle stack, a nod to the elevator ride astronauts took before launch. It's a thrilling way to see Endeavour's nose, tank and boosters up close.
Zoom Down the Shuttle Descent Slide
The Shuttle Descent Slide is a 115-foot-long tube slide that drops 45 feet, representing the shuttle's trip home to Earth. Along the way, riders see glowing orange light that stands in for the plasma around a shuttle during re-entry and hear a double boom, like the nose and tail breaking the sound barrier.
Parent Tip: Height and age guidelines for the slide hadn't been posted at the time of writing, so check the California Science Center website before promising little ones a ride.
Sit in a Replica Flight Deck
Kids can climb into a replica flight deck and work the joysticks, switches, lights, buttons and pedals like those the shuttle's commander and pilot used. Future astronauts, get ready for your close-up.
Learn the Stories Behind Every Mission
Exhibits in the gallery cover all 135 space shuttle missions and the heat-resistant thermal protection system that kept the orbiter safe on re-entry. The gallery also honors the crews and rescue personnel who lost their lives during the Shuttle Program, so older kids who love history and facts will find plenty to read and talk about.
Two More Galleries: Flight and Rockets
Beyond the shuttle, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery explores how things fly through the atmosphere. One of its first artifacts is a Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4, a fighter jet famous for taking off and landing straight up and down.
The Kent Kresa Space Gallery is all about rockets and space exploration. Look for a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle that measures about 60 feet, a Space Shuttle Main Engine, and a solid rocket booster segment that's being turned into a walk-through exhibit about how rockets work from the inside out.
How to Reserve Your Visit to See Space Shuttle Endeavour
General admission to the California Science Center is free, and that includes the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Because demand is expected to be huge, timed reservations for the new center are strongly encouraged, and entry may be limited for visitors who arrive without one.
How to Book: Reserve online on the California Science Center reservations page or call 213-744-2019.
Cost: A $4 reservation service fee per person. The fee is waived for California Science Center members.
Group Size: Up to 19 individual reservations per entry time. Groups of 20 or more need a group reservation by phone.
Members: All memberships are family memberships covering up to two adults and four children ages 17 and under. Find levels and benefits on the Science Center membership page.
The Science Center's other permanent galleries remain free and don't need a reservation. IMAX movies and special exhibitions are ticketed separately.
Parent Tip: Opening weekend and Thanksgiving week will likely book up first. If your schedule allows, choose a weekday entry time, and reserve as soon as you know your date.
Planning a School Field Trip?
Teachers, this one's for you. School group reservations for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center are open now for preK–12 classes, and it's a field trip students will be talking about for years.
Reservations: Advance timed reservations are required for every school group visiting the Air and Space Center.
Cost: A $40 non-refundable deposit is due 30 days before your visit date to hold your spot, plus a $4 per-person advance reservation fee.
How to Book: Call 213-744-2019, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm, or Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Add-Ons: Groups can add an IMAX movie or a hands-on Big Lab program, with discounted Big Lab pricing for visit dates on or before November 12, 2026. Find details on the Science Center's field trips and groups page.
Space Movies Take Over the IMAX Theater
To celebrate the opening, the California Science Center's IMAX Theater is rolling out a lineup of space-themed movies starting November 13. Pairing a film with your Endeavour visit turns the day into a full-on space adventure, especially for kids who can't get enough of rockets and astronauts.
The Dream Is Alive: It feels like grabbing a window seat on a space shuttle flight, with sweeping views of Earth from orbit. It's the perfect follow-up to standing under Endeavour.
Journey to Space 3D: Kids find out what it takes to explore beyond Earth and where human spaceflight is headed next, including the plan to send astronauts to Mars.
Hubble 3D: Soar through faraway galaxies and tag along with spacewalking astronauts as they take on one of NASA's toughest repair missions.
A Beautiful Planet 3D: Filmed by astronauts living aboard the International Space Station, this one shows off our home planet from above and leaves families with a hopeful look at the future.
IMAX movies are ticketed separately from the free galleries and the Air and Space Center reservation. Check showtimes and prices on the California Science Center tickets page.
Parent Tip: Book your movie for after your shuttle visit. Kids who just stood beneath Endeavour will love seeing life in orbit on the giant screen, and the sit-down break gives tired little legs a rest.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Parking and Getting There
Address: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037, in Exposition Park just west of the 110 Freeway.
Hours: Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm.
Parking: Exposition Park's structures and lots charge $20 per day, or $24 for special events and after 5 pm. In-and-out access isn't allowed. Details are on the Exposition Park parking page.
Metro: Ride the Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC Station, a short walk from the museum.
Food: Please check the California Science Center website for current dining options.
Make a day of it in Exposition Park. The Natural History Museum and the Exposition Park Rose Garden are right next door, and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a short stroll away.
Our Tips for Visiting With Kids
Little Ones: Even toddlers who don't care about rockets will stare up at a 20-story spacecraft. Keep the visit short and sweet, and save energy for the free galleries in the rest of the Science Center.
School-Age Kids: Watch a video of a space shuttle launch together before you go. Seeing Endeavour in the same position in person will mean so much more.
Teens: Space and engineering fans can dig into the mission exhibits and the rocket hardware in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
Timing: Arrive a little before your entry time to allow for parking and the walk through Exposition Park.
📬 The Best of LA in Your Inbox
Get our free weekly guide to the best LA family events, free activities, and hidden gems delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just fun!
Takeaway
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens November 13, 2026, and it gives LA families something they can't see anywhere else: a real space shuttle standing ready for launch. General admission is free, and a timed reservation is the best way to guarantee your spot.
Book early, plan for parking or the Metro, and give your kids plenty of time to ride, slide and look up. We'll keep this guide updated as the Science Center shares more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center open?
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10 am. It's part of the California Science Center in Exposition Park, which is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Advance reservations opened to the public on October 21, 2026.
How much does it cost to see Space Shuttle Endeavour?
General admission to the California Science Center is free, including the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Reservations to see Endeavour are strongly encouraged and carry a $4 per-person service fee, which is waived for California Science Center members. Parking in Exposition Park is $20 per day.
Do I need a reservation to see Space Shuttle Endeavour?
Reservations are strongly encouraged because demand is expected to be high, and entry may be limited for visitors without one. You can book online on the California Science Center website or by calling 213-744-2019. Each booking covers up to 19 people per entry time, and larger groups call to reserve.
What can kids do at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center?
Kids can ride a gantry-style elevator 140 feet up the shuttle stack, zoom down the 115-foot Shuttle Descent Slide, sit in a replica flight deck and explore 100 hands-on exhibits. Three galleries cover the space shuttle, aviation and rockets, including a Harrier jet and a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.
Where do you park for the California Science Center?
Park in the Exposition Park structures and lots near the California Science Center at 700 Exposition Park Drive. Daily parking is $20, and special event and after-5 pm parking is $24, with no in-and-out access. You can also take the Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC Station.
❤️ You May Also Like
Comments