With this month’s anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s becoming the first human to walk on the moon, what are your chances of being a tourist there?
Not likely in the immediate future but if you are young enough, you might see it — particularly if you are a multi-millionaire. Or you might sign up for more down to earth hotel packages.
A Virginia-based company, Space Adventures, is currently the only company offering space tourism opportunities and has reportedly charged its customers $20-40 million for the experience.
Sources say they have enlisted several wealthy adventure travelers.
One company vying to enter the space is Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, which plans to provide suborbital and eventually orbital space flights for $200,000 a seat.
Another company, Blue Origin, established by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos in 2006, is developing New Shepard, which is a vertical-take off, vertical-landing vehicle designed to take a small number of astronauts on a suborbital journey into space.
For a far lesser price tag, you can stay right here on earth and get some space experience.
Perhaps not surprisingly, various hotels are celebrating the lunar landing with “Over the Moon” enticements, including:
 The Blackstone in Chicago has speakers lined up to discuss the historic Apollo 11 million. Packages start at $219 for weekend stays through the end of September.
 The Oxford Hotel in Denver has themed in-room amenities including Blue Moon beer and Moon Munch snacks. Rates start at $160 through the end of September. Blackout dates apply.
 The Nines in Portland is offering “Moonshine Punch” cocktails at its Urban Farmer Restaurant. Rates start at $159.
Report by David Wilkening
