Nearly 60 years after the world watched astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong become the first humans to walk on the moon, a piece of Apollo-era history has landed in South Florida.
Get your front-row seat to mankind’s greatest leap in “The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks,” a 360-degree immersive cinematic experience at South Florida PBS Studios in Boynton Beach
The exhibition, which includes films narrated by Tom Hanks, reflects on the achievements of NASA’s Apollo missions through digitally restored footage, while also looking ahead to the Artemis Program’s plans to return humans to the moon.
“We are always looking for new ways to bring education, storytelling and discovery to South Florida,” said Dolores Fernandez Alonso, president and CEO of South Florida PBS. “[It] felt like the perfect experience because there is so much excitement around space exploration right now.”
“The Moonwalkers,” which was executive produced and co-written by Hanks and writer-director Christopher Riley, was first launched in 2023 by Lightroom, the London-based creative studio known for large-scale productions such as “Vogue: Inventing the Runway,” “Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs” and “David Bowie: You’re Not Alone.”
“As a kid, I was deeply affected by the Apollo missions and the dedication and commitment of the human beings who made each journey,” Hanks, star of the 1995 movie “Apollo 13,” said in a statement. “Through the extraordinary and unique production capabilities of Lightroom, audiences can experience these incredible moments from an entirely new perspective.”
With intimate storytelling, spatial audio and an original score, it was the right high-quality experience to share with the community, according to Fernandez Alonso.
See a replica of the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle, as well as 3D artifacts and archival materials as part of “The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.” (Robert Valladares/Courtesy)
What fascinates us about the lunar landing that we still talk about it decades later?
“I think the moon has always represented possibility,” she said. “We can look up and see it, but for most of human history, actually traveling there seemed impossible. The Apollo missions changed that.
“There is something incredibly powerful about seeing what people were able to accomplish through science, imagination and determination. And now, with a new generation preparing to return to the moon, that sense of possibility is coming alive again.”
Let’s blast off!
The audience’s journey to the moon is broken into three parts.
First, there’s an immersive dome where guests watch a short pre-show video about the making of “The Moonwalkers,” in which Hanks and the creative team explain how the experience was built from restored NASA archives.
“The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks” at South Florida PBS Studios in Boynton Beach invites the public to an immersive experience that’s out of this world. (Robert Valladares/Courtesy)
“From there, guests have the opportunity to explore and interact with a variety of elements before entering the main show,” she said. “This includes an astronaut hologram who can answer questions about space travel and life in orbit, a replica of the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle, 3D artifacts, archival materials and hands-on activities for both adults and children.”
Next up: the main event, which includes 55 minutes of 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling projections, authentic NASA
archival footage, Hanks’ narration and an original score performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Guests witness the Saturn V launch, the moon landing and the first steps on the lunar surface as the story of humanity’s journey to the moon comes to life, from the historic Apollo missions to the future of lunar exploration,” Fernandez Alonso said.
The sheer size of the presentation made an impact on her.
“We have all seen photographs and footage from the moon landings, but experiencing those images at this scale is
completely different,” she said. “Pairing that imagery with Tom Hanks’ storytelling and the music makes it
incredibly moving.”
“The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks” features authentic NASA archival footage. (Robert Valladares/Courtesy)
Back on Earth
You don’t have to be a space enthusiast to enjoy “The Moonwalkers,” Fernandez Alonso said.
“We want visitors, especially young people, to leave feeling curious about science, space and what might be possible in their own lifetimes,” she said. “Whether you remember watching the Apollo missions, grew up hearing those stories, or are discovering them for the first time, there is something here that can connect with you.”
Will children who walk through the experience become the next astronauts, engineers, scientists or architects who will help design the first communities on the moon?
“We cannot know what moment will inspire them, but we can create experiences that make them look up, wonder and imagine what might be possible,” Fernandez Alonso said.
An immersive success
Since 2024, South Florida PBS has offered high-tech and historical immersive experiences featuring topics including Da Vinci, Egyptian Pharaohs, Napoleon and Ancient Rome — and these quickly became a hit with audiences.
“I think people are looking for experiences where they can do more than simply observe,” Fernandez Alonso said. “These exhibitions allow you to step into a story, explore at your own pace and experience history, art and science in a very accessible way.”
She called it a natural extension of what public media does.
“We have always used powerful storytelling to educate, inspire curiosity and connect people with new ideas,” she said. “These experiences allow us to take that mission beyond the television screen and bring it to life for our community.”
“The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks” is at the Cornelia T. Bailey Cultural Arts Center in South Florida PBS Studios, 3401 S. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, through March 30, 2027. Tickets are $45 for adults, $22 for children younger than 12, and $38 for seniors, students, military and first responders. Visit southfloridapbs.org/moonwalkers.