After spending five days in Huntsville, Alabama, I wanted to share my experience.
This blog post will be useful if you’re planning your trip and want to know the best places to visit in Huntsville.
You can forgo some and devote more time to others based on your priorities.
1. Explore the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
If you’re a space enthusiast like me, you should include the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in your itinerary.
I mean, where else can you get a selfie with an astronaut? Or try on a real space suit? (It was a tight fit, but I made it work!)
Some of the things you can do here include:
- Explore over 1,500 artifacts related to the history of space exploration and the U.S. space program
- Tour the Saturn V Hall of Fame, showcasing the Saturn V rocket used for the Apollo missions
- Outdoor Rocket Park with over 20 rockets, including the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
- Visit the Space Camp, which provides educational programs
- IMAX Dome Theater with 3D and 2D movies about space exploration
- Explore the Aviation Challenge flight simulator and the Space Shot simulator ride
- Climb aboard a reproduction of the Mercury-Redstone rocket
And if you think the museum is out of this world, the gift shop is even better!
Browse through the wide selection of space-themed souvenirs and memorabilia.
2. Explore Huntsville Botanical Garden
This 112 acres oasis is filled with over 6,500 species of trees, plants, shrubs, and a hell of a lot of wildlife.
It is divided into themed gardens, including the Japanese Garden, the Fern Glade, Children’s Garden, and the Butterfly Garden.
Aside from these amazing gardens, there are also plenty of activities to enjoy.
For instance:
- You can explore the garden’s state-of-the-art education center
- Take classes on gardening and nature photography and learn some new tips to try back home
The gardens also feature several trails to explore. The trails wind through the gardens and feature a variety of natural features, such as bridges, streams, and ponds.
They also take you to the Nature Center, which offers interactive exhibits and programs about the area’s plants and wildlife.
To top off the experience, there are some unique jewelry and gifts in the gift shop – perfect for souvenirs!
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3. Take a Tour of Harmony Park Safari
Based on my experience, you need to give this hidden gem a chance. You will be SO thrilled that you did!
The roads here are rough, so you need to rent one of their SUVs to save your car from getting any potential damage.
Also, don’t forget to purchase a bucket full of food for the animals. You will use every bit of it!
During the safari road tour, you will get up close and personal with over 200 animals including zebras, giraffes, camels, and even tigers.
If you are lucky enough some will even approach your automobile in the hopes of getting some food. These are wild creatures, yet you will see they are used to people in their area, which is reassuring.
For a more hands-on experience, then the petting zoo is perfect for you.
Here, you’ll get to interact with a variety of animals such as sheep, goats, llamas, turtles, and donkeys. You can even take pictures with some of the park’s friendly animals.
And as someone who isn’t around animals very often other than my cat, must say, it was a fun experience!
More information about the zoo:
- The park is open seven days
- The entrance fee for adults is $9 and free for kids below two years
- The food bucket is $5
- Renting an SUV is $15
4. Visit the Burritt on the Mountain Museum and Park
You can`t visit Huntsville and fail to catch a glimpse of Burritt on the Mountain – a definite highlight. This was by far one of the best attractions we saw while visiting Huntsville.
This historic site features a 19th-century mansion, a blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a variety of attractions, all perched atop Monte Sano Mountain.
The grounds span over 50 acres of rolling hills, meadows, and forest, providing various outdoor activities for every visitor.
Given the range of activities and sights to experience, you need more than a day to cover it all.
So expect your tour guide to squeeze as much into your time as possible. While this may cause the visit to feel rushed, it is worth it in the end.
The things we managed to fit in were:
- Explore the Mansion and learn about its fascinating history
- Check out the on-site museum, which features a variety of local artifacts, such as tools and weapons
- Take a ride on the 100-year-old C.P. Huntington miniature train
- Visit the Nature Center to learn about flora and fauna of the park.
- Take in the stunning views of Huntsville from the Lookout Mountain observation deck
- Participate in educational and recreational programs, such as art classes
- Visit the farm animals
- Take a scenic hike around the Mountain
5. Visit the Huntsville Museum of Art
The Huntsville Museum of Art is another must-visit attraction.
Here you will get the opportunity to explore different galleries and exhibitions, from the works of nationally and regionally acclaimed artists to the 2,522-piece permanent collection.
You will be impressed by the vast array of artworks on display.
The Museum offers a wide variety of art from different periods including:
- The classic American masterpieces of Thomas Cole and Winslow Homer
- The modern works of Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol
In addition to the permanent collections on display, the Museum also hosts several rotating exhibitions each year.
During your visit, expect to be star-struck by the vibrant works of the African-American painter Jacob Lawrence.
What`s even better during your entire visit you will get to wear a free pair of 3D glasses to have an amazing viewing experience.
How often does one get to do that? It is definitely a highlight of the visit!
The Museum Store holds just as much of a surprise. A treasure trove of books, prints, jewelry, and more, you can find something special for each member of your family.
The tour won’t be complete without a visit to Pane e Vino Pizzeria which is also part of the museum. With its exquisite view overlooking the park lagoon, the restaurant is a perfect setting for an al fresco lunch.
6. Old Town Beer Exchange
Visiting any location in the world and confining yourself to one activity is a mistake. Yeah, coming to Huntsville is amazing, but what about visiting a craft beer taproom?
There is nothing better than sipping on an ice-cold glass of beer or wine to help you unwind.
You can discover and sample some of the world’s greatest Southern craft beer in downtown Huntsville.
Take some time to sample a variety of brews from their 32 taps of the best local and a few carefully selected national and international favorites including Pumpkin Spice Latte, IPA, and Snake Handler.
On the other hand, the full bar features classic drinks as well as house creations.
The flavors are all so unique and delicious. You can tell that the beers have been carefully brewed and carefully selected. You can even get a few different bottles to take home with you.
The food here is just as impressive as the drinks. The menu features classic pub fares such as wings, burgers, and fries, as well as some more unique dishes like mac and cheese and nachos.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely LOVED my time exploring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The knowledgeable staff make it easy to understand the science behind the rockets.
The facility also has an impressive selection of artifacts that give an inside look at the history of space exploration. I can guarantee you will love it too.
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