Large‑scale model of NASA's Apollo Saturn V rocket with detachable stages and lunar module; educational display set for space fans.

I revisited the Saturn V (21309) this month and it still delivers one of the best LEGO build experiences around. The 1:110 scale rocket stands just over a meter tall, and each stage separates exactly like the real vehicle—complete with the lunar module and command module tucked inside. The Technic core keeps the tower strong while SNOT techniques round out the iconic black-and-white livery, so you get both structural integrity and display accuracy. I display mine on the included stands horizontally, but it also looks phenomenal towering vertically in a corner. Build time was about eight relaxed hours; the repetitive booster segments are meditative and the payload section remains a highlight. It’s pricey on the secondary market, yet if you’re a space nerd, the build quality and display presence make it worth tracking down.

LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V 1:110 Scale Model 21309 Set

LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V

LEGO Ideas set 21327 recreates a 1950s-style typewriter with functional keys, moving carriage, and a printable letter from the LEGO Group.

I finally built the LEGO Ideas Typewriter this fall and it easily earns a spot among my favorite display sets. The Technic core under the retro shell is a marvel—each key triggers a hammer and advances the carriage just enough to feel satisfying without jamming. The ribbon spools, sliding platen, and paper return lever all work, so dropping in the included letter from The LEGO Group feels authentic. It’s a lengthy build (about 12 hours across a weekend) with repetitive key assemblies, but the payoff when you test the mechanism is worth it. I added my own printed stationery and tucked an Easter egg message under the carriage; visitors can’t resist tapping out a few characters. The price is steep and the finished model is more for display than play, yet as an AFOL showpiece it’s outstanding.

LEGO Ideas Typewriter 21327 with Functional Keys Set

LEGO Ideas Typewriter

Detailed build of the Space Shuttle Discovery with the Hubble Space Telescope; display model celebrating space exploration.

The LEGO Icons Space Shuttle Discovery (10283) remains a favorite display piece in my collection. The orbiter build captures the black-and-white tile pattern beautifully, and the payload bay doors, Canadarm, and deployable Hubble telescope make it feel like a mini diorama of STS-31. The build runs about 10 hours with a nice mix of Technic structure and SNOT paneling, and the finished shuttle is surprisingly sturdy—you can lift it by the sides without flex. I keep the Hubble on its standalone display stand most days, but docking it in the bay with the articulated arm never gets old. The included info plaques tie the whole presentation together. It’s a big footprint and commands a premium on Amazon now that the set is retired, yet as a companion to the Saturn V it’s fantastic.

LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery with Hubble Telescope

LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery + Hubble

Buildable retro NES console with CRT TV and interactive features; nostalgic display set for gaming fans.

The LEGO NES still hits every nostalgia note for me. The console build nails the NES proportions—hinged cartridge door, functioning controller ports, and a removable Game Pak you actually insert. The companion CRT is the real magic: crank the side handle and Mario scrolls across a brick-built World 1-1 while a hidden cam wags him up and down. I paired mine with the electronic LEGO Mario figure so the TV plays the classic overworld tune and sound effects when tapped on the RFID tiles. It’s a hefty, detailed build (around 12 hours for both console and TV) with clever SNOT techniques throughout. The set has been retired, so Amazon prices are steep, but as a centerpiece for any retro gaming corner it’s phenomenal.

Buildable retro NES console with working CRT TV that scrolls Mario levels. Includes interactive features and LEGO Mario connectivity for nostalgic gaming fans.

LEGO Nintendo NES Console Building Set with CRT TV

LEGO Nintendo NES

Ultimate Collector Series 75192 Millennium Falcon with 7,541 pieces of accurate greebles, interiors, and swappable crew details.

I rebuilt the UCS Millennium Falcon (75192) this fall and it still feels like the crown jewel of LEGO Star Wars. The 33-inch hull is packed with asymmetrical greebles, the Technic frame keeps it surprisingly sturdy, and the removable panels reveal the dejarik lounge, engineering station, and smuggling compartments. Swapping radar dishes and minifigs lets me display either the original trilogy crew or the sequels. Build time clocked in around 20 hours across a few weekends—it’s repetitive greebling, but the final result looks like a prop straight off the set. The aftermarket price has climbed, yet if you have the space (and a sturdy coffee table), it’s an unbeatable centerpiece.

LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon 75192 7541 Pieces

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon

LEGO Ideas set 21311 Voltron lets you build five posable lions that combine into an 18-inch Defender of the Universe display model.

I reassembled LEGO Ideas Voltron (21311) for a nostalgia binge this summer and it still holds up as one of the cleverest combiner builds. Each lion is sturdy enough to swoosh on its own, with rubberized paws and ratcheting joints that click satisfyingly into place. The combination sequence is manual but intuitive—the torsos lock together solidly, the arms snap on via Technic axles, and the iconic blazing sword and shield finish the pose. Standing nearly 18 inches tall, combined Voltron has enough articulation to strike hero poses without wobbling, especially if you leave the display stand under the torso. The set’s been retired for a while, so the price has climbed, yet if you grew up on Defender of the Universe, nothing beats seeing the lions lined up before forming the towering mech.

LEGO Ideas Voltron 21311 Defender of the Universe Set

LEGO Voltron

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