U.S. Space & Rocket Center

How about checking out a space shuttle with its external tank and rocket boosters?

You can do that.

Or want something more thrilling?

Then try the G-Force Accelerator and you'll be speeding at three times the force of gravity. Don't turn your head, in fact, don't move your head at all, they recommend.

How about feeling what lift-off is like? Then try the Space Shot experience, which shoots the visitor 140 foot in the air with 4-Gs of force, all in 3 seconds.

This experience of being launched into the air causes a sense of weightlessness, a kind of "spaced out" feeling as it were, and then you'll be free-falling back to earth (don't worry though, it's all very safe).

This is the largest space museum in the world with its displays, rides and interactive activities and what an impressive collection of space memorabilia it is.

Kids even get their own rolling backpack with guidebooks containing experiments they can complete as they explore the museum.

Space travel history and memorabilia include collections of historical space artifacts and even the remains of creatures that have previously traveled into space.

There's a spider that was the first space traveler from earth. And remember Miss Baker? She was the first monkey to leave the planet.

Now passed on, a grave marker preserves her memory outside the center.

It's all rocket science and everyone loves it! The adventurous can climb inside a space capsule and press all the buttons they like.

How about weighing yourself on the scales that show how much you'd weigh on various planets in our galaxy?

Sometimes you'll be pleased with what the scales say - and, hmmm, sometimes you won't.

Might put you off having anything but a salad for lunch.

After lunch, go check out the moon rocks on display as well as the moon buggy.

Normally designed to be used on the moon, this particular moon buggy is for display purposes only.

Kids are fascinated by the moon suits the astronauts wore; everyone want to know how bathroom requirements were met (well, you'll just have to go to the space center and answer that question for yourself).

Check out the Saturn V rocket, it's larger than a 30-story building.

The imagination goes wild just thinking about the power it took to launch such a vessel.

It's been restored to its Apollo-era readiness and is now a national historic treasure.

From rockets and jets to rides in Rocket Park, you'll have no end of thrills.

When the eagle has landed and you've come back down to earth, go see the white powdered area that has been used by move makers to simulate the surface of the moon.

U.S. Senator, and former astronaut, John Glenn, called this the "Finest rocket collection in the world" and he's right.

You can also see the S-71 Blackbird, the US Air Force spy plane that went from one coast to the other in less than 68 minutes.

Now THAT'S impressive!

No matter what, be sure to check out the view the astronauts get when they're traveling through space on the shuttle.

That can be found at the Spacedome Omnimax theatre which offers a "You are there" experience with all the films they show on the 67-foot curved screen.

And if the kids find the movies impressive, and want to take one small step towards having their own space experience, then let them check out center's Space Camp.

It's legendary and kids come here to "train" to be astronauts.

The training includes sleeping in simulated space modules and conducting experiments during the day.

Such celebrities as Chelsea Clinton and the Olsen twins have been through Space Camp.

They actually use the same equipment that real astronauts come to Huntsville to train on.

You'll be impressed by what you see on the outside as you approach the Space and Rocket Center.

But you'll be even more impressed by what you see on the inside.

It's an experience that's quite simply, out of this world.

Website: www.spacecamp.com/museum