Huntsville, Alabama Attractions

Because BRAC is will be bringing in at least 5,000 new jobs into Huntsville in the next couple of years, there will be a lot of new people in town wondering just what there is to do. There are many activities to entertain both singles and families, many of which can be found in no other place. Huntsville, Alabama attractions vary from the obligatory science and space oriented places to wild and wonderful unspoiled state parks.

Huntsville is home to Space Camp, which gives week-long intensive astronaut training to children, allowing them to design and conduct their own scientific experiments. They have the opportunity to train on equipment that the real astronauts use in their training, including zero-g machines and water training to simulate weightlessness. In addition to Space Camp, the U.S. Space and RocketCenter is the largest tourist attraction in the state, housing the largest collection of space travel memorabilia in the world. There are also rides in addition to the displays. An IMAX theater located at the Center shows both specialized space movies and regular theater films that have been adapted for the IMAX screen.

ConstitutionHallVillage is located near downtown, and is open for tours most days. It features a simulations of what life was like in the 1800's, with tours of a few of the old houses that are set up with authentic 19^th century furnishings. Costumed tour guides lead people through the Village and demonstrate period-era crafts such as spinning thread.

The Huntsville Museum of Art, one of the best Huntsville, Alabama attractions, is located in Big SpringPark, houses more than 2,500 permanent display items, and brings in traveling exhibits as well. It also offers art classes for both children and adults, as well as regular lectures.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra offers regular music series featuring classic music performed by a professional orchestra. The orchestra has been running continuously since the coming of the German rocket scientists in the 1950s, and is now the oldest professional orchestra in the state.

Big SpringPark is a beautiful park in the middle of an urban setting. Situated in the midst of downtown, it is home to a lake full of fish that love to be fed, picturesque bridges, and even a waterfall. MonteSanoState Park is a larger park located on Monte Sano mountain. It encompasses over 2,000 acres of wilderness and campsites. There are bare campsites available for tents, as well as cabins that can be rented. Hiking trails take you into the mostly-unspoiled woods for a day of hiking and picnicking.

HuntsvilleBotanical Garden is a nice spot for enjoying nature. It houses many types of plants both in the wild and in greenhouses, and has a butterfly house that kids love to visit. Herb and vegetable gardens offer a hands on look at where our food comes from. Other attractions include SciQuest, a science museum for children, and the Earlyworks history museum for children. Both have actvities for a broad age range.