Known as the “Rocket City” for its ongoing involvement in space exploration, Huntsville is a historic city in northeastern Alabama. Visit grand Federal-style architecture and fascinating museums and learn about Huntsville’s important role in space. Explore lush Alabama wetlands and see wildflowers and scenic vistas in the Tennessee River Valley.
Huntsville’s 200-year history shines at the city’s engaging museums and historical districts. Be transported to 1819 at Alabama Constitution Village, an open-air museum with reconstructed buildings and guides dressed in period style. Visit the Twickenham Historic District where the city was first settled. Learn about Huntsville’s Revolutionary War role and see the city’s preserved railroad depot.
In 1958, Huntsville was put on the map as a technology hub after America’s first satellite was launched nearby. Visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum to see a Saturn V rocket used for a moon launch and learn about groundbreaking work on the International Space Station.
Stroll through Big Spring International Park, one of Huntsville’s finest green spaces. The park is home to the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Von Braun Center performing arts venue and a series of festivals. Visit in April for the dynamic Panoply Arts Festival or in September for the Big Spring Jam music festival. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is Alabama’s longest continuously operating professional orchestra. Nearby Muscle Shoals features delicious food and a famous music scene.
Learn about the Alabama wetlands ecosystem at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, an informative park featuring an awe-inspiring plant collection. Wander along forested paths, dappled by warm Alabama sunshine, and relax in the garden’s wide, grassy meadows.
Huntsville is located in northeastern Alabama, a 102-mile (164-kilometer) drive north from Birmingham. Reach Huntsville by plane to Huntsville International Airport, 14 miles (22 kilometers) west of downtown. No passenger trains reach the city but bus services are available. Summers in Huntsville are hot and humid. Visit in spring or fall to enjoy the city’s comfortable temperatures and exciting festivals.
