Huntsville Things to Do

This is the site of a historic home on top of Monte Sano mountain. There are beautiful views from the grounds surrounding the house. There is a walking trail in addition to the mansion to explore. There's also a great historic park on site. It is a unique historic site in Huntsville.

1930's Mansion turned museum. The rich of Huntsville built mansions on the top of Monte Sano to escape the summer heat and also malaria and yellow fever. This mansion is preserved on the highest spot of of the mountain.

An eclectic art district of sorts, packed into a historic 3 story former textile factory. Well worth checking out for the artisitcally inclined, those favoring arts and crafts, or anyone looking to browse for handmade trinkets or homemade treats. (Or perhaps you'd be interested in setting up your own table to showcase your wares.) Their hours are: Wed & Thurs 12 - 6pm, Fri 12 - 8 pm, and Sat 12 - 6pm.

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The Saturn IB Launch Vehicle is on display at the AL Visitor Welcome Center, I-65 southbound from Nashville. Due to it's proximity to the NASA Space Center (Space Camp), this display is representative of Alabama's contributions to the U.S. Space program. It is free to view, and a nice break from a road trip.

The Welcome center also has maps and flyers from various Alabama cities for attractions and lodging throughout the state.

The Huntsville Space and Rocket center is a museum centered around Huntsville's contribution to Space Exploration and Rocketry. In addition to the massive Saturn V Rockets and the Space Shuttle, you will see significant exhibits on the Army's Rocket research at nearby Redstone Arsenal.

When I first visited Huntsville as a child with my father I was amazed. I recently took my son and the Museum is so much larger. The indoor exhibits are great including the sectioned Saturn V Rocket. There is an IMAX and several different Space Camps offered for children of all ages.

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Downtown Huntsville has a nice green zone, called Big Spring Park. A natural spring has bubbled up here since time immemorial, attracting the Indians and settlers. In 1823, Big Spring was used to create one of the first water works in the US. Nearby, Indian Creek Canal was completed in 1831, to link the town to the Tennessee River.

The von Braun Center, a major convention and performing arts arena, stands at one end of the park. Close by is the Huntsville Art Museum.

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Less well-known than the Space and Rocket Center, the Botanical Gardens are just as worthy of a visit. This is a beautiful spot, a quiet place of contemplation, and a place to enjoy nature.

There are thousands of different plants in this 112-acre park. There is also a nice little gift shop, a small cafe, a butterfly house, an outdoor pavilion, and meeting halls. The nature trails are gorgeous. If you enjoyed the National Arboretum, Kew Gardens, or other green places, then check this one out.

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Ever since early childhood, I've been fascinated with space, rockets, airplanes, submarines, and the like. Visiting this place was a kind of wish fulfillment.

The rockets, missiles, and equipment is all here. That includes not only the space rockets, but also US Army anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, a Lockheed SR-71 reconnaissance plane, and a full-size replica of the Space Shuttle. Of course, the first thing you'll see is the giant Saturn V rocket--used in the Apollo lunar missions.

The First Baptist Church on Governor's Drive in Huntsville features a space needle-type bell tower and a spacey mosaic of Christ. Venice has St. Mark's, London has St. Paul's, Paris has Notre Dame, and Huntsville has...First Baptist.

For information about the artwork, visit:
http://www.fbchsv.org/aboutfbc/mosaic.html

The Japanese Bridge and the cherry tree in Big Spring International Park were gifts from Mikio Kimata, a retired general of the Japanese Self Defense Forces, to commemorate the US Bicentennial and to recognize "cooperation in the Japanese Air Defense Missile Programs" by "the city of Huntsville, Madison County, and the US Army."