If you’re looking for an otherworldly experience, Meteor Crater, outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, has a pretty good track record.
“Along with other sites in the area, Meteor Crater was very involved in the training of the Apollo astronauts before and after the moon landings,” says Lanah Butterfield, the attraction’s vice president. “We are part of the Flagstaff Lunar Legacy, which continues throughout 2019 with special events helping celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.”
Even if you’re not considering lunar travel for your students, Meteor Crater is an interesting place to visit. “It is the first proven—and best-preserved—impact site on Earth,” Butterfield says. “You’re able to see and touch the largest fragment found on-site, and you can get up close and personal with the crater by hiking along the rim with a guide.”
The rim trail tour takes about an hour, and groups should plan to spend at least 90 minutes in the Interactive Discovery Center, which displays information about the formation of Meteor Crater as well as details about meteorites, asteroids and impact-cratering mechanics.
Also in the center is the Astronaut Wall of Fame; a display on the Shoemaker-Levy 9, a comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994; and a big-screen theater showing “IMPACT: The Mystery of Meteor Crater” in surround sound.
Meteor Crater is open every day except Christmas, with extended hours—7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A Subway sandwich shop is located on-site, and groups can order in advance.
For more information, contact Nicol Candalaria or visit meteorcrater.com.
Top photo by Meteor Crater