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Meteor Crater Visitor Center - Arizona Roadtrip

The Grand Canyon visit was short but educational and inspirational.  We left the Grand Canyon and headed East towards New Mexico. On our way to our destination, we came across the Meteor Crater Visitor Center off Interstate 40, Exit 233. We were informed of the destination by the posted signs and billboards on the side of the road.  One of the signs read, "Meteor Crater National Landmark 6 miles", curiosity got the best of us. 
It was only 6 miles to the National Landmark!  This totally grabbed our curiosity so we ended up driving up the road to meet up with the curiosity. None of us had ever heard of this place before our visit. Besides how often do we get the chance to see a meteor crater? 
We had to climb a small driveway up to the visitor center. The crater is in the middle of the AZ desert with little around but some cattle on nearby ranches.  As you can see there is nothing else nearby for miles other than sky and ground. 
Walking out of the visitor center and museum, there are sets of stairs that take you to platforms where you can get closer to the Meteor Crater.  Lining the crater rim and the platforms are telescopes that help one look to the bottom of the crater.  This is what we saw:

There we saw it, a Meteor Crater which is  one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep.  It is believed to be approximately 50,000 years old or so.  This is considered one of the best preserved meteor crater on Earth.  The entire Earth!  
NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey provided extensive science training at the Meteor Crater for the Apollo Astronauts from 1964 through 1972 as per their website.  As you walk through the visitor’s center there is information about the science behind the meteor crash.
The place brings out your excitement about our sky and the what is really out there in the Universe. We wondered about what it must have been all those years ago when NASA trained Apollo Astronauts on this location. Then we realized that we got the chance to walk the same ground as the Apollo Astronauts. The experience left us with wanting to know more about science.  
We highly recommend the Meteor Crater Visitors Center for all who love science, beautiful mother Earth or just love an adventure. We had a great time exploring science at the Meteor Crater in Arizona.

If you want to visit, please go to their website to find out their hours of operation.

Disclaimer: This is a personal blog. All opinions and thoughts are all my own. We did not receive any monetary compensation. This post is intended for entertainment and to inspire you.

Comments

Unknown said…
This brings back memories for me. My sister and I did a road trip YEARS AGO! and we also saw the sign and stopped. Amazing how big it is!
Unknown said…
How fun! I need to take the family there!
This looks like a fun place to visit!
Alli said…
Looks great! Definitely need to check it out!
Unknown said…
Awww! Awesome road trip! I love the Grand Canyon. I can't wait to take my daughter there... how long is the ride from SoCal?
Linsey Knerl said…
Awesome trip ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea said…
I yearn for a reason to take my entire crew on a road trip again!
I can't wait until we take our first big road trip!! I'm sure my boys will have a blast!
Field Trip mom said…
We want to go back next yr. Thanks for your comment.
Field Trip mom said…
We want to go back next yr. Thanks for your comment.
Field Trip mom said…
Great hands on learning experience. Thank you Dinah
Field Trip mom said…
if only the ground could talk. Thanks Jill
Tim said…
The ride to the Grand Canyon from Irvine is about 5 1/2 hours dependent on what time and day you leave as well as food and potty breaks needed for the kids! Sounds long but goes by quickly if you use Eye Spy or Hangman games!
Field Trip mom said…
It's a must see. Thanks for the comments.
Field Trip mom said…
Road trips are so adventurous.
Field Trip mom said…
Road trips really make a family have fun.Thank you.

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