Location: Huntsville
Top Things to do in Huntsville
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Things to do in Huntsville, Alabama (AL): The Best Museums
Huntsville is the fourth-largest city in Alabama, located in the northernmost part of the state. A city with a 200-year Southern heritage, visitors will find activities that celebrate Huntsville’s rich history, as well as attractions that highlight the city’s scientific side. At the Alabama Constitution Village, villagers in period clothing take time from their daily chores to guide you through eight reconstructed Federal style buildings. Younger visitors will love the 150 hands-on activities at the Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center and older kids will learn what it takes to be an astronaut at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Looking for outings with a cultural flair? Landmarks such as the Huntsville Botanical Garden and Huntsville Museum of Art are must sees. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Huntsville to its "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2010" list.
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1. Huntsville Art League Gallery and Studios
2. U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 341 reviews
Located in Huntsville Alabama, The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum is one of the premier military museums in the world. The exhibits of memorabilia, artifacts, and military equipment range from the American Revolutionary War to present day. Included in the collection are many rare and important artifacts including the oldest surviving jeep: the Ford Pygmy.
Reviewed By N7085FQjohnm
This museum has so many artifacts from the Revelotionary War era to the modern-day. The volunteers at the museum were very helpful and clearly have a passion to see the history on display in the museum maintained and shared. My family of 5 with 3 kids under 7 thoroughly enjoyed it! The museum would very much benefit from a larger, updated space and some money to upgrade the exhibits. They clearly are doing the best with the money they have. I hope the city or some other group will help this museum, as they have plenty of artifacts to be a world-class museum; they just need some money to take the next steps.
3. The Weeden House Museum and Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Built in 1819 (the same year Alabama became a state) the home is not only a source of fine 19th Century furnishings and Federal style architecture, but is also the home of poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. Howard Weeden was born in the house in 1846. Except for the Civil War years when Federal officers occupied the home, Howard spent her entire life in the home. She is known as being one of the first artists to paint African Americans true to life during the years following the Civil War. Guests enjoy a guided history tour which transports them to a bygone era learning about architecture, Weeden art and life in the Antebellum South. Since the home is furnished with antiques and original art that is accessible to visitors,tours are guided tours and last around an hour and 15 minutes. Tours are offered Wednesday-Saturday beginning at 10:30 AM or by appointment. Information at weedenhousemuseum.com
4. Denise Onwere Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
5. U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,098 reviews
Home to Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and NASA's Official Visitor Information Center for Marshall Space Flight Center; The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world.
Reviewed By RichardF215 - Greenville, United States
While on a road trip my wife and I stopped in here to how we the USA put a man on the moon. The museum it'self offers a lot of great information and many different displays some very exciting and some in need of a good facelift. But most important is realizing what it took to put together this space program and the people that we're able to accomplish the task. This was a challenge that had nothing to do with politics this was a program from people from every walk of life. Some who used their brains and some who used their hands. Some were men and some were women and there was a mix of gays and brown people. We were a Unites States of American that came together with a common cause and mastered the challenge. I saw people here the day we toured the museum that didn't speak English and I didn't speak their language but we were here to honor all the people who made this task a win-win for the whole world. There is a lot to see for all ages, movies, attractions like wall climbing for kids, old newspaper headlines, videos, many presentations, rockets and engines and lots of memorabilia. Parking is easy, food is available, and there is something for everyone. Extremely easy to get to off the interstate.
6. Huntsville Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
From Norman Rockwell to Hudson River School Landscapes and everything in between, the Huntsville Museum of Art is a must-see on your next visit to Huntsville! The Huntsville Museum of Art sits in Big Spring Park, the epicenter of the dynamic and evolving city center that is Downtown Huntsville, Alabama and works as a magnet for cultural activities. Stop by today and see the Museum's permanent collection of art, along with a wide variety of well-known traveling exhibitions. The Museum also has a large interactive children's gallery! Visit the hsvmuseum.org for all of the current and upcoming exhibitions. Founded in 1970 by city ordinance of the Museum Board of the City of Huntsville, the Museum serves Huntsville and Madison County's combined population of 420,000 residents. The mission statement of the Museum is to bring people and art together through acquiring, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the highest quality works of art.
Reviewed By melissaaI5004LN
What a great trip for an intro into Art for my DD daughter who is 16. It was just small enough and covered a lot of major art categories. She especially like the YAM young artists art on display. We enjoyed all the galleries--especially the sterling silver animal carvings!
7. Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is America's largest independent center for the arts. With over 120 working artists, small businesses, restaurants, and live performance venues, this huge historic textile mill is now a rising home for music, art, and culture. Visitors are encouraged to enter our studios and speak with artists to learn about their work processes, inspirations, and to purchase work. Check our event calendar and public hours for visiting times and come see us!
Reviewed By S7816WPtimg - Paris, France
Went there with my wife and some friends for the concert on the weekend. People just hanging out relaxing enjoying music. Some very cool little shops and vendors inside. What a great find!!
8. Huntsville Depot Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
During the Civil War, this depot was a prison for captured Confederates and a hospital for the wounded.
Reviewed By Carrie0693 - Madison, United States
Call before you go so you won't be disappointed. Their hours change and when they are open it doesn't mean the tour is going on. When we arrived at 11am they said well we only give tours 2x/day, 10:30 & 1:30 but since no 1 showed up I'll ask the manager if you can do the tour. Winter is who did our tour and WOW he does an amazing job, you can tell he enjoys what he does. The tour is only in the big yellow building but it is so worth it. I'll go again. There were a few buildings to go through and even a play area for young kids that had trains to crawl through. It's so worth seeing this gem just make sure they are open. KIDS will enjoy the indoor play area, very clean and nice looking. TEENS, my daughter is 15 and enjoyed what all Winter had to say. There's a picnic area outside. Beautiful scenery. I will return but I'll make sure to know when their tour starts.
9. Earlyworks Museum Complex
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 88 reviews
Interactive children's museum focused on teaching about Alabama history.
Reviewed By Rubyejean - Moab, United States
There’s soooo much to do here and see! We purchased the annual pass, and my kids (9 & 10) love to go often! The people are so kind, and there’s so much interactive and educational play. We love EarlyWorks!
10. North Alabama Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By HappyGuest2131
We went on the train ride on a dark rainy Friday night. We pulled into the parking lot at the wrong place and our car got stuck in the mud. I asked in the ticket office what we should do. 3 really nice men that worked on the train quickly volunteered to help us out. They got a chain & pulled our car out. We got to enjoy the train ride w/out the worry of what to do later. The kids will never forget the experience. What great service!!! I am so impressed & grateful! Thanks to the volunteer workers at the museum.....really good people!
