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THINGS TO DO IN HUNTSVILLE

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U.S. Space and Rocket Center

US Space & Rocket Center is Alabama's most visited tourist attraction. The Saturn V stationed at the US Space & Rocket Center draws spectators from around the world. A replica of a space shuttle along with many space, military and interactive science exhibits can be found checkered throughout this museum.

For those who enjoy a thrill ride, how does being shot 140-feet in the air, pulling 4G's in 2.5 seconds sound to you? If so, try the daring Moon Shot ride. For your little ones, there's a miniature version located in the children's area. If you enjoy history or want to learn about the Great Space Race of the 1960's visiting the 8K Digital Planetarium and Digital Dome is a must. The Intuitive Planetarium is world class with comfortably seating 248 people. You'll enjoy the 5 Christie laser projectors, the latest in technology of lasers, which brings watching the stars to a new level. From daytime to evening, the planetarium shows full dome movies and exciting educational events for all ages.

With many new displays and space relics rotated throughout the year, it will inspire you and your family to come back often. For those you would like your children to experience being an astronaut for the week, the center's U.S. Space Camp Program is a must. The camp attracts young inspiring minds from all parts of the world, especially those who desire the experience of space flight training. The training includes mock interstellar challenges, space science, aviation and robotics.

Whether you are looking to participate in the many fun rides or want to see some of the best preserved space relics, this museum is the place to explore and enjoy for a full day's adventure. From robotics to rocket engines to some of America's finest rocket collection, you'll find yourself intrigued and looking for more. Come and see why this is Alabama's favorite tourist attraction.

website: SPACE AND ROCKET MUSEUM

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Huntsville Botanical Garden

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Huntsville Botanical Garden

Huntsville Botanical Garden is also listed as one of Alabama's most visited attractions. Relax and enjoy the 112 acres of exquisite gardens located just a few miles from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Here you'll experience one of the most unforgettable enchanting places; a picture perfect landscape for weddings and special occasions with manicured gardens, winding trails and a Children's Patch for the kids to run around and have fun. The entire family can join in the fun or just relax at the many park benches before heading to the Butterfly House, a miniature butterfly habitat hidden away from the summer sun. Not only will you see countless species of butterflies, but you'll discover other exciting critters too. Relax among the beautiful tropical plants or explore the diverse ecosystem. The annual exhibits display throughout the park are educational and entertaining. For those that love flowers, sections are dedicated to Daylilies, Irises, Roses, Herbs and Poppies, along with secluded Shade Gardens which boast many unique plants.

With so much to see, you still will notice something new each time you stroll through the trails. Make sure to keep an eye out for the large model train setup, located within a tiny village of its own. The Aquatic Garden, a spectacular site with Koi fish and enormous Lily Pads are beyond amazing! Sprinkled along the trails you'll notice the wildflower path, a large gift shop, and a healthy cafe for those who did not pack a lunch. During the Christmas holidays, don't forget about the Galaxy of Lights display - it will definitely get you in the Christmas Spirit!

website: BOTANICAL GARDENS

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Big Spring International Park

Big Spring Park is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Huntsville, sprawling just across the street of the Von Braun Center and the Huntsville Art Museum. It is a place for you to take the entire family to relax and enjoy. Built around its famous name "Big Spring", the head water that the city of Huntsville was built around over 200 years ago. Take a relaxing stroll through the pleasant walkway that follows the large pond. Here you can feed the thousands of beautiful koi fish, ducks and geese! Special events are also held at the park such as: the Panoply Arts Festival, Jazz in the Park events and many other concerts.

website: BIG SPRING PARK

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Cook Museum of Natural Science

Cook is a modern natural history museum about a half hour from Huntsville located in Decatur Alabama. Enjoy the day of exhibits including: geology, zoology, and paleontology along with live animals, this is a place to explore nature.

Discover hands on exhibits to explore for all ages.

Address: 133 4th Ave NE

Decatur, AL 35601

Purchase Tickets here.

Website

Map

Some events to look out for are:

Sea Turtles Science on the Spot:

Live Animal Presentations

Shell Sleuths Scavenger Hunt:

Take & Make Crafts

Bird Exhibit

Learn about owls and other predatory birds while you adventure through Cook Museum of Natural Science. Their bird exhibit located on the second-floor, is where you’ll Learn about their habitats and observe their natural elements of how they live. You will truly enjoy making your way through this state of the art museum, and study science on a whole new level.

Rock and Gem Collection

Keep an out for the many exhibits throughout the Museum. Cook offers a large collection of rare gems, minerals and interesting rocks.

Live Exhibits

There’s a recreated cave to climb through and numerous living creatures hidden throughout the museum along with their ingenious habitats to explore. Live alligators, salamanders, and turtles are favorites among the little children. You’ll also observe many interesting creatures that are found living in their natural habitats.

Sea Life

Their 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium contains an incredible bright coral reef display. The Moon Jelly Fish is another intricate creature to observe. Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, they also have a digital sea shell generator!

Membership and Special Discounts

If you’re wanting a fun adventure that’s all about natural science, then Cook Museum of Natural Science is your gateway for family fun. While you’re there, check out their Nature’s Table cafe.

Make sure to check out their membership and special discounts:

Membership Info

1818 Farms

Located just outside Huntsville Alabama in Mooresville, Alabama, this old farm lies down an old country road with breath taking views of the country side. 1818 Farms started as a family project and grew into a place of beauty, surrounded by endless flowers and the cutest Baby Doll Sheep you'll ever see. From pigs to chickens, they have a lot of different animals to love on. Of course you’ll want to snuggle with those cute little Baby Doll sheep. When it’s lambing season make sure to check their website and social media sites; their videos will warm your heart. Their tours to the public are announced in the early spring each year. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list at 1818farms.com to make sure you’re the first to know when their tour dates are announced! They also sell natural skin care products which are famous throughout the U.S. and can be bought on Amazon as well. A virtual tour of 1818 Farms can be seen here .

website: 1818 Farms

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Tate Farms

The fun filled Tate Farms has 6,000 acres of family owned and leased farm land, famous for their unique pumpkin patch during the fall months, where there is 80 acres of pumpkins and special gourds, oh my! That's just the beginning, there's hayrides to the pumpkin fields to pick a fresh pumpkin off the vines, cute little pedal carts, petting animal area, jumping pillows, barnyard playground and an amazing Cafe & Collectibles store.

Monte Sano State Park

Located just above and overlooking downtown Huntsville is Monte Sano State Park. The park has many walking and hiking trails throughout its' 2,140 acres, many of which lead you to spectacular bluff views of the city below. As you make your way towards the top, you'll be greeted by a large playground area, speckled with picnic tables and beautiful grandfather oak and maple trees. If you are looking for adventure or just wanting some fresh air, there are 20 plus miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of incredible biking trails scattered throughout this extraordinary park. From picnic areas, camping, hiking, a planetarium (Von Braun Astronomical Society), to cozy cabin rentals and a large lodge facility for group functions and weddings, this mountain has so much to offer for the entire family. Monte Sano State Park is that place to get away for the day, whether you just want to relax from the city life or adventure throughout the many leisure and moderately challenging nature trails!

website: MONTE SANO STATE PARK

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31 JUN
All Day

Von Braun Center
Admission

HUNTSVILLE, AL
DOWNTOWN

24 JUN
All Day

Point Mallard
Admission

DECATUR, AL
By the River

Von Braun Center

The Von Braun Center, also known as the VBC, is Huntsville's largest comprehensive event space with more than 170,000 monumental square feet of flexible meeting, exhibit and performance areas. Centrally located in the beautiful downtown Huntsville near hotels, shopping and restaurants, while overlooking the stunning beauty of Big Spring International Park! The Von Braun Center is the place for banquets, receptions, sporting events, concerts, shows, ballets, along with other numerous venues.

website: Von Braun Center

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Point Mallard

Located in Decatur, just 30 minutes west of downtown Huntsville. Point Mallard Park offers the great outdoors experience to everyone! Treasured among North Alabama's wooded back drop, the 750+-acre family park allows you stay in touch with nature every day throughout the year. From the famous water park to tennis courts, batting cages, hiking/jogging/biking trail, a driving range, to home of Music Festivals, the Alabama Jubilee Memorial Day Weekend Fest (also known as the Balloon Fest) Valley Antique Car Show, and so much more!

website: Point Mallard

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Harmony Park Safari

Just a fun day for the entire family

Wanting to take a safari tour? Huntsville has that too! Get ready for an up-close encounter with safari animals at Harmony Park Safari, which is home to many amazing exotic and endangered animals that you don't typically find at a petting zoo! It's fun for the family and the animals love it too! Drive through and feed the animals from your car window with food Harmony Park provides. For those who love reptiles, come and see the largest salamander specie, it's really interesting! Make sure you check their website for updates and details on their current and new animals.

website: Harmony Park Safari

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Cathedral Caverns

Opening of Cave
Stalagmites and Stalactites
Pavilion
Wheelchair access
Stalagmites and Stalactites

Cathedral Caverns

Cathedral Caverns is located in Marshall County, just 40 minutes east of Huntsville. This unique place is an adventure for the entire family to enjoy. The remarkable cave is famously known for its bat habitat, hence this is where the original name, "The Bat Cave" was founded before Mr. Gurley's wife changed it to what we know it today as, "Cathedral Caverns," but don't be surprised if you see Batman still roaming around.

Cathedral Caverns host the world's largest cave opening at 125 feet wide and 25 feet high and consist of 1.3 miles. For those who are disable, it is wheelchair accessible. Year round tours are given with dedicated tour guides, many of which have a good sense of humor and will have you laughing throughout your visit. Don't worry about a bad weather day as the caverns maintain a comfortable 60 degrees' temperature year round. To many, this a relief, especially for those long and hot Alabama summer days!

Like many caverns in the Eastern U.S., each cavern has its unique features, especially fascinating are the large and protruding stalagmites and stalactites which formed over millions of years. The tour guide will point out a few interesting features of the cavern and do a pretty good job describing the history of its discovery. Just outside of the mouth of the cave, the park offers a chance to pan for gems and precious stones. Children and adults will enjoy sifting through the dirt searching for something grand. Finally, besides the Cavern tours and the gem mining, the park offers 493 acres of hiking trails for those who enjoy the outdoors. If you love camping, a beautiful camping site is also nestled within the beautiful landscape.

website: Cathedral Caverns

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U.S. Veteran's Museum

US Veterans Memorial Museum

The US Veterans Memorial Museum has an outstanding collection of past war memorabilia’s and wartime relics. At this fascinating museum you’ll tour and observe the authentic war time military equipment such as army tanks, jeeps and weapons. This is a great place for the entire family to learn about America's history and its heroes.

website: US Veterans Memorial Museum

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The EarlyWorks Children’s Museum

Early Works Children's Museum was designed for children to learn and explore! Hearing stories from the Talking Tree to exploring Biscuit's Backyard, the kids will have fun being kids at this hands-on museum.

website: The EarlyWorks Children's Museum

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Huntsville Train Depot

Also located downtown is the Huntsville Train Depot, an active passenger station that continued to operate till 1968. It has since been converted to a museum and no longer serves as a major transportation hub. The city has done a wonderful job collecting old train cars and locomotives making it to a great place for children to play and learn. For those who just want to spend a day out and about or if you are one of those serious train hobbyist, this is definitely a place to visit!

website: Huntsville Train Depot

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Constitutional Hall

Once you are done with Train Depot, make your way to the Huntsville Constitution Hall Park, also located in Downtown Huntsville. The museum is also a great place for the children to visit which traces Huntsville's history all the way back to 1819. The museum guided tour gives a refreshing and rich history of both Alabama and the city's roots. They also allow you to explore the building and the many of its' historical treasures, so bring a picnic or just sit back and relax from your busy schedule and enjoy the peaceful setting of downtown. Also close by these museum are the various retail outlets and small mom and pop shops.

website: Constitutional Hall

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MidCity District

Mid-city Amphitheater

"All Roads Lead to Huntsville” as the love of entertainment, and the vision of the 8,500 seating; an upcoming Amphitheater will soon be birthed. Set to be one of the most outstanding entertainment and recreational facilities in the state, the completion of 2021 for this Amphitheater is not far off either.

website: MidCity District

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High Point Climbing and Fitness

High Point is located in the MidCity District, just off U.S. 72. It has over 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor climbing surface and also offers a Kid Zone, Bouldering Room, Weight and Aerobic Room, and yoga classes. There are many different climbing walls for every physical ability, age and experience level. High Point is open 7 days a week and offers discount rates for large groups and birthday parties. Their day pass is $18.50 for adults and $16.50 for children under 10. If you do not own climbing gear, they offer a gear package for an additional $6. They also offer a 7-day punch card and memberships for individuals, students, seniors and one for the entire family.

website: High Point

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Dave & Busters

Dave and Buster’s is the ultimate place for those who enjoy video games. These games are not your 80’s or 90’s retro Donkey Kong games, rather they are the state-of-the-art high flying, ninja fighting, brain freezing, head spinning, sci-fi arcade games. With that said, I am not much a video gamer but I do enjoy watching my kids escaping life and having some fun. Like Topgolf, Dave & Busters carry a good assortment of bar style food and drinks. They also have daily happy hour specials and ½ price games on Wednesday. For those who are looking to plan a birthday party, Dave and Busters offers several discounted packages.

website: Dave & Busters

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Topgolf

TopGolf is also located in MidCity District. Just like putt-putt mini golf, you don’t have to be a golf pro to play here. The golfing station is kind of set up like a bowling alley where a group of friends or family members can sit together in one outing. Depending of the time of day, you can pay as little as $25/hr per bay. It does not matter how many people play in your group, but be mindful that more people who play, the less opportunity you have to play in your allotted hour. Topgolf also offers a nice bar/side food such as burgers, fries and sandwiches. They also carry alcohol beverages for those who enjoy a nice cold beer.

website: Topgolf

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Huntsville Breweries

Huntsville is home to many microbreweries. The Craft Beer Trail is well known to help you navigate through the city to find your beverage. To get your card for the Craft Beer Trail, make sure to stop by the Huntsville Visitor’s Center or one of the places listed on the trail. Here is a list of our well known breweries: Straight to Ale Brewing, Yellowhammer Brewing, Salty Nut Brewery, Green Bus Brewing, Mad Malts Brewing, Rocket Republic Brewing Company, InnerSpace Brewing Company, Below the Radar Brewhouse, Old Black Bear Brewing Company, Fractal Brewing Project.

website: Huntsville Breweries

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Huntsville Museum of Art

Art never goes out of style! The Huntsville Museum of Art sits in Big Spring Park, the center piece of this vibrant and growing city. The museum has gone through a large expansion the past few years with many new items being added to the museum’s collection. It is a wonderful place to visit if you are a student of the arts or just interested in seeing some of the Nation’s finest “on loan” art displays and exhibits. Come out and visit the museum for the day or pick up an annual pass so you can enjoy the rotating art and exhibits that are seen throughout the year.

website: Huntsville Museum of Art

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Trash Pandas

Take me out to the ball game! The Rocket City Trash Pandas, a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League are in Madison, Alabama where fun times are. The Pandas – “Double-A Southern League” affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels will start their first season in 2021! Baseball fans can enjoy block parties, drive-in events and more at the Toyota Field during certain times of the year.

website: Trash Pandas

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Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment

In 1901, Lowe Mill opened its doors as a textile operation creating the beginning of something far more inspiring than ever imagined. Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Center is America’s largest privately owned art center. With over 100 artist selling and displaying their works of art within their studios, the amount of talent is everywhere here, so too are a good selection of restaurants, from pizzas to vegan cuisines. Boutiques of all kinds are stationed here and of course coffee, but if you’re a tea drinker you’ll be pleased to know Piper Leaf and Tea Company is also here! So, not only do you find yourself shopping and learning, but you’ll also appreciate the unique vibe of Lowe Mill.

website: Lowe Mill

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North Alabama Railroad Museum

Want to go on a train ride in Huntsville? This hidden gem will take you on an adventure chugging away through many small towns within. This museum is located in North Alabama and is home to countless preserved railroad history. Whether you want to ride a train or just walk around and learn about the local railroad system, here you’ll find a fun place that’s unique and exciting for the whole family. The popular thing to do at the North Alabama Railroad Museum is to ride the vintage train, which is a must. The ride is nice and slow, to give you a relaxing setting and time to enjoy the scenery. This American train graveyard museum is for everyone who admires the authenticity of our antique part of American History. Make sure to visit during the holidays too; Santa may visit and don’t be surprised if the conductor brings some hot chocolate to the passengers on board.

website: North Alabama Railroad Museum

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Burritt on the Mountain

Burritt on the Mountain is a historic mansion overlooking the spectacular views of Huntsville, Alabama. With the 167-acres of rich history that will take you back to the early times, this “Jewel on the Mountain” is a must. Spending the day or evening with the entire family at Burritt is something that everyone will enjoy. If you enjoy exploring, hiking and sightseeing, then this place is one of those unique places. Guided tours are offered along with self-guided if you wish. Also, you’ll learn about the founding Dr. William Henry Burritt himself and the unique history behind the 1938 mansion.

website: Burritt on the Mountain

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Axe Throwing

Axe throwing has become a trendy and unique sport among young adults and the older generation. Both Civil Axe Throwing and Bad Axe receives high marks here. At Civil Axe you must be 14 years or older. They are open 7 days a week for either individual or group rates. Hourly special cost $20. They are located on 2620 Clinton Ave W Suite B Room 210. Bad Axe offers walk-in, schedule appointments, private lessons and league groups. They are located on 105 Washington St SE #100.

website: Civil Axe

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website: Bad Axe

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Escape Rooms

Huntsville has two escape rooms, Huntsville Escape Rooms and Escapology. Your basic goal is to escape the room by finding clues and solving puzzles, and you have to do this in a short period of time. Huntsville Escape Room tickets are $25 per person with each room accommodating up to 7 people. Escapology has three different levels of difficulties but even the easy level can be challenging

website: Huntsville Escape Rooms

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website: Escapology

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The Weeden House Museum

The Weeden House Museum is located in the historic district of Huntsville. The house was built in 1819 and later bought by Dr. William Weeden. It is now owned by the City of Huntsville and leased by Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association. It can be rented for $100 per hour and has been a favorite for photography, social events and wedding ceremonies. The Historic Preservation now offers tours for about $5 per person.

website: The Weeden House Museum

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