Huntsville, Alabama: Space Science, Art, Gardens and Charm

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the largest museum in the world to exhibit space artifacts and an educational space and aviation challenge training camp for kids and adults. And, it is the official visitor information center for the Marshall Space Flight Center. Moreover, the Davidson Center for Space Exploration is the new entrance for the USSRC complex, with an awe-inspiring museum that houses a huge replica of the Saturn V rocket on the second floor. It is practically the length of the museum and hangs directly overhead. Visitors will find traveling exhibits, the Spacedome IMAX Theater and fascinating displays that tell the story of manned space flight. Exhibits include the engineering marvel area that shows a video display of rocket testing on the F1 as they explain the separation of stages, the original Mercury and Gemini capsule trainers, the Apollo 16 capsule and even a quarantine facility to explore where astronauts had to live when they returned to earth.

The USSRC is also the leader in space educational programs in the country. The center's Space Camp and Aviation Challenge programs are vastly popular and take kids through training to be an astronaut. The age-appropriate classes focus on teamwork, communications, leadership and technology. Space Camp kids (grades 4-6) will experience real astronaut training in multi-axis trainers and feel the pull of the moon in their 1/6 gravity chair; Space Academy (grades 10-12) complete engineering designs and dive into an underwater trainer, as well as experience numerous space training in simulators. The Aviation Challenge program will take kids through flight simulators and allow them up close to the cool F-14 Tomcat and F-16 Fighting Falcon and advanced grades prepare for a simulated parachute landing.

The best part of the space and aviation programs at USSRC is that there are programs for both youths and adults. Perhaps you want to go through training at the center at the same time your kid(s) do and share the thrilling and exhilarating training that fighter pilots and astronauts experience. The programs vary from a weekend experience to weeklong and all are classroom certified. In addition, many famous celebrities, national leaders and astronauts visit the center and even send their own children through Space Camp, such as Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and even the grand children of Dr. Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and Jim Lovell (Apollo13).

If you interested in space or aviation, the USSRC will fascinate, challenge and inspire you beyond your imagination.

Dr. Burritt's Mansion

Burritt Mountain, located on Burritt drive in Huntsville, features the late Dr. Burritt's Mansion that sits on 16 acres. The grounds are also incorporated into a historic park, nature trail and barnyard that was the hub of farm activity in the late 1890s. Dr. Burritt built the mansion, now a historical museum, in 1938. Burritt was a well-known homeopathic doctor that practiced in Madison County and his mansion is still a bit of a mystery, although many stories abound regarding his X-shaped house. The unique mansion was constructed of wood and native stone but also has 2,200 bales of wheat straw for insulation and is an amalgamation of several different architectural themes.

Today, the lovely mansion features china and personal items of Dr. and Mrs. Burritt (who died very young), as well as dark-wood furnishings, painted tin ceilings, art and sterling silver. What makes the mansion so interesting is that the good doctor was a bit odd and his mansion and the stories surrounding it give pause for speculation. However, the grounds provide a glorious overlook of Huntsville and the living historical structures on the grounds provide a glimpse of life at the turn of the century.

Burritt On The Mountain hosts many activities and events throughout the year, such as the popular City Light and Stars Concert Series, excellent educational programs and fun winter holiday workshops.

Huntsville for Gardens and Art

If you want to visit an art museum, Huntsville Museum of Art is a spectacular, fine art museum that features the astonishing Betty Grisham Collection of Buccellati Silver Animals, A Silver Menagerie. Renowned artist Gianmaria Buccellati created this amazing collection of silver animals in Italy. The silver animals are utterly exquisite in detail with even the tiniest hairs created of silver strands and an appearance so alive, it is breath taking. Gaze into the limpid eyes of a silver doe or feel the intensity of a panther about to spring. This unique collection is mesmerizing with its life-like detail and is quite a prize for the museum's collected works.

With 14 galleries and rotating and visiting exhibitions, the Huntsville Museum of Art is a wonderful place to indulge your art cravings for paintings, glass collections and sculpture. After your exploration, visit the museum's Pane e Vino Cafe, the food is excellent and the atmosphere worthy of an artist.

For those that seek to buy art, visit Lowe Mill, located on Seminole Dr. The building was originally a 1901 cotton mill until the mid '40s and then was a shoe company followed by numerous businesses and then closed. Jim Hudson bought the property (120,000 square feet) in the early '90s to create a non-profit arts foundation to promote the arts and provide affordable studio spaces for artists to work. Today, there are over 87 studio spaces and over 100 artists who work and sell their art in this historical and multi-storied old former cotton mill. Visitors will find glassblowing studios, a bronze-casting foundry and a bevy of intriguing artwork for sale that ranges from photography, unique jewelry and paintings to unusual musical instruments and textiles. In addition, there is a performance stage in their Crash Boom Bang Theater. Take a few hours and peruse this fun arts complex while in town; you just may find that elusive piece you were looking for.

If you want to visit a quirky but fun offbeat site, head to AM Booth Lumberyard. The venue generally caters to private parties but the public are invited to come and stroll around the re-purposed items and buildings where flying pigs make a statement and a Pullman railcar is soon to be a new restaurant. If you're thirsty or need a quick bite, stop into the restaurant/ bar while you wonder at all of the strange but amusing art throughout the lumberyard. And, while you're there see if you can find Tupelo Mist Cornballs. They can't be beat!

If gardens are your style, visit the Huntsville Botanical Gardens for a scenic splendor of gorgeous water features, special tree houses and floral themed gardens. The gardens sit on 102 acres and are tended by 99 percent volunteers who take great pride in their work. On hot days, the gardens feature an aquatic garden where children love to laugh and play and a children's nature trail as well. One of the irresistible aspects of the gardens is their incredible themed tree houses. Go be a pirate and climb into the upper reaches of the tree house to captain your ship or visit the fairy tree house where toadstools are large enough to sit on and frogs spew water from atop grass huts. Or, perhaps you need a quiet moment and want to stroll along a lily pad pond or meander through the colorful wings of butterflies. The botanical gardens are a must-visit while in Huntsville and are perfect for the entire family.

Shopping in Huntsville

Is it time to seek out the best shopping location? Then make a stop at Bridge Street Town Centre. This lovely shopping centre boasts a series of bridges that stretch over waterways and is where visitors can hire a gondolier to take them on a ride. There is also a three-quarter mile walking and jogging trail as well. With over 70 shops and restaurants, a massive theater complex and the impressive Westin Hotel, Bridge Street is a destination in itself. Best shops to check out are the Chocolate Crocodile and Francesca's Collections of chic women's attire, accessories and gifts.

Great Dining

If you go, the two restaurants we recommend are Grille 29 and Cotton Row. Grill 29 proffers a delicious array of American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. The atmosphere is elegant yet comfortable and is perfect for a leisurely meal. Cotton Row is owned and run by the famous and renowned chef James Boyce. This upscale establishment is a superb experience in dining with luscious selections such as, Main Lobster Dumplings and Grilled Muscovy Duck Breast. Cotton Row is a restaurant of extraordinary culinary achievement and is on the top list of food and wine aficionados across the U.S. Don't miss this fine dining experience while in Huntsville.

Huntsville is a wonderful society of rocket scientists, artists, families, restaurateurs, musicians and entrepreneurs who culminate in a fascinating kaleidoscope of culture that form the character of the city. It is a captivating place to visit, explore and play. For additional information on visiting Huntsville go to Huntsville.org