Looking at the space shuttle's toilet I could barely believe I'd reached full-blown adulthood without wondering how astronauts go to the loo in space. But it all made such perfect sense. They do their 'business' with their ankles strapped down and they get their 40 winks in an upright sleeping capsule. Ah, the things you learn at the Kennedy Space Center.

Situated on the 'Space Coast' of Florida, the center is so large and enthralling that tickets last for two days. Unfortunately we had only allocated one day and we arrived at 1pm so we had to approach the whole visit like a finely planned shuttle launch.

There were a million sights to see and only four hours in which to see them. They've put a man on the moon but we couldn't even get to a tourist attraction in time...

Frustrated but fascinated, we launched into the center at the speed of light. We started with the Tom Cruise-narrated IMAX film which follows astronauts into space. It was totally amazing to see how they live up there.

I loved a scene where one astronaut celebrates his birthday and cupcakes, chips and M&Ms are flying into awaiting mouths. I left the cinema in awe of astronauts and what they put themselves through.

Another fun highlight was the center's newest attraction: the Shuttle Launch Experience. This simulates what it's like to be part of a real launch and reaches a top 'speed' of 17,500 mph vertically. We had a good giggle at the amount of loose change dropping to the ground, despite numerous warnings (for we were in America after all) that one could lose loose items easily in the ride.

I'm sure the Kennedy Space Center is some people's idea of the ultimate experience but even if you are not a space nut, it is totally fascinating and we had to drag ourselves away, only to stop off at the nearby Astronaut Hall of Fame to further surround ourselves in the history of the United States' never ending obsession with space. It was out of this world!

Next stop: Living the book nerd's dream in Savannah, the home of Scarlett O'Hara and 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'.

Check out more photos from my trip in my Flickr album.

Find out about the United States.

Read more of Kelly's blogs.