Location: Huntsville
Top Things to do in Huntsville
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Huntsville, Alabama (AL)
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.
Restaurants in Huntsville
1. Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 159 reviews
MAKE IT YOUR FIRST STOP! While in the Huntsville/Madison area visit one of area Visitor Centers for information, discount attraction, sports, arts & entertainment coupons.
Reviewed By N4868DSbrians
We e mailed and called Tourism Alabama but they never sent us anything. Then the state visitor center at the Tenessee/Alabama border was baricaded/closed!! We just about gave up on Alabama. Make sure you go to the Huntsville Visitor Information Center on Church Street. If you are lucky you will be met by Yvonne or Brenda. These ladies are a fountain of information about not just the Huntville area but also other parts of Alabama.we consider ourselves fortunate to have made their aquantance.
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. Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
The Huntsville Veterans Memorial, dedicated on Veterans Day, 11.11.11, honors and pays tribute to all veterans for their "Courage", "Sacrifice", and "Duty". The Memorial has become a hallowed place that inspires visitors to reflect, remember and honor veterans. It provides an educational venue to teach visitors about our military past, the cost of war, and sacrifices made to ensure our freedom.
Reviewed By PhilipA1043 - Huntsville, United States
This is a very peaceful, serene, and clean memorial dedicated to all branches of the US Armed Services. The main memorial consists of individual monuments to the great wars from WW1 through the Gulf Wars, with historic timelines throughout, while the pathways behind consist of bricks and benches dedicated to individual soldiers, platoons, and groups who served. The American flag can be seen for miles as you enter Huntsville, and the accompanying flags are always stately flown alongside just a tad lower. What a great place to spend a lunch hour, or a great stop along the way to downtown Huntsville's other tourist attractions!
4. 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.
5. Huntsville Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 871 reviews
The 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and contains a diverse ecosystem of meadows, upland and bottomland forest, and wetlands, as well as a variety of specialty gardens and native plant collections. The Mathews Nature Trail contains the largest accredited trillium collection in the U.S. and the Anderson Education Center is home to the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. The Native Plants Teaching Garden is a public space that highlights the way local plants, soil, pollinators, and birds create distinct communities and how they interact to form a diverse, sustainable, and attractive landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the North American Plant Collections Consortium, and the American Horticultural Society, as well as an ArbNet-accredited arboretum.
Reviewed By 532serenityj - Sterlington, United States
This place was amazing had something for everyone. hammocks, rock areas (painted rocks) playgrounds for various ages, lovely gift shop, amazing art work thru out the gardens and various places.
6. Bridge Street Town Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By HINAWASEEM - Islamabad, Pakistan
This is a lovely place to shop and dine. You can find all the classy shops here like Belk, Barnes and Noble, DSW, Clark’s and Chico’s. There are many upscale restaurants here like Conners, P.F.Changs and Bravo. There are several budget shops and eateries located here too like Bath and Bodyworks, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Pieology Pizzeria and Great American Cookies. A beautiful bridge over a man made stream gives the Centre it’s name. There is a kids train and a lovely Carousel for children here.
7. Madison County Nature Trail-Green Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Madison County Nature Trail The Madison County Nature Trail was constructed beginning in 1974 with completion in 1975. The construction was financed jointly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Madison County Commission. It has been noted that the Chairman, James Record, had a special love for nature and the environment and was instrumental in the building of the Nature Trail. The Nature Trail is a Park for all seasons containing 72 acres which rests above the surrounding communities atop Green Mountain in southeast Huntsville. The Park is open free to the public each day from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes prior to sunset, closing only on Christmas Day and New Years Day, or during inclement weather. Sky Lake which consists of 17 acres of mountain water is encompassed by a 1 ½ mile trail. Other facilities include an open air pavilion, a-frame chapel, outdoor classroom, covered bridge, picnic area and accessible restrooms. Use of the Pavilion and Chapel are provided by reservation with all other areas of the Park used on a first come first served basis. Fishing is provided for children less than 16 years of age or seniors over 60. A fishing fee is charged and fishing is allowed Monday through Friday only. Since the construction of the Nature Trail, renovations consisting of trail improvements and restroom improvements were completed in 1998. Funding was provided by a National Recreational Trails Grant provided through the Alabama Department of Economic and community Affairs. In 2012 a grant was also obtained providing for a new waterfall pump and accessories. There have also been several projects improving the facilities, many of which have been accomplished through volunteers such as Boy Scouts earning various merits up to and including Eagle Scout. The Nature Trail is funded by the Madison County Commission. It is operated by a Park Manager (Bobby Cobb), Park Maintenance Worker, and two Part Time Park Attendants. During open hours there is always one employee present for safety and security reasons. The Nature Trail is recognized as a Treasure Forest by the Alabama Forestry Commission. It is also considered a Wildlife Sanctuary. The entire Park although owned and operated by the Madison County Commission lies within the city limits of the City of Huntsville. Bobby Cobb / Park Manager
Reviewed By tom16star - Madison, United States
I am guessing the trails are about 1 1/2 miles Well maintained trails and nice picnic areas. Beautiful lake with wooden covered bridge
8. Burritt on the Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By JHmom17
The Pioneer Village was wonderful! The view is amazing. It's so peaceful and serene. There are folks in period dress in the cabins performing jobs such as cooking or blacksmithing who take time to show you what they are doing and explain the process. They know about the cabins themselves as well. Friendly and patient with questions. Plus the staff in the Gift Shop are obliging and go out of their way to make things pretty for gift giving. The actual Burritt Mansion was a little disappointing. A lot of the furnishings have been removed except for a parlor you cannot enter and the Dining Room. Most of the dishes are on display though. You certainly can't beat the price though.
9. Monaco Pictures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
Reviewed By PaulZ00 - Gurley, United States
By far the best movie theater in Huntsville, Alabama, with great prices, great selection of movies, great food court, and, of course, the unbeatable reclining comfy chairs in the movie room.
10. Land Trust of North Alabama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, and horseback riding on 40+ miles of trails offered by Alabama’s first land trust: the Land Trust of North Alabama. Three Nature Preserves - each larger than Central Park and all within Huntsville city limits – are open dawn to dusk. Focusing on land preservation and conservation, fresh water resource protection, environmental education, and guided hike series outreach. Don’t miss the Moon Dance and Concerts at Three Caves!
