Huntsville Alabama is the largest city in the northern part of the state, and it's an excellent destination for anyone who has an interest in either science or history. When it comes to science, the Space and Rocket Center is at the top of the list concerning the science-related Huntsville attractions. As for history, the Constitution Hall Village is arguably the top draw, though that could be disputed. Both a great place to live and work, Huntsville Alabama is considered by many to be one of the South's best kept secrets. Not that the city goes unnoticed, but if you've never been here, you might be surprised at the overall quality of life. Plenty of educational and cultural delights await you on a Huntsville vacation, and there's plenty in the way of recreation to enjoy here as well.

Huntsville Alabama was the first town in Alabama to be incorporated, and that was way back in 1811. In the early days, the railroad and cotton industries helped Huntsville to grow quickly, but these industries have fallen away with time. These days, science and technology are at the forefront of things. In 1960, the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which is part of the reason why the city's nickname is "The Rocket City." The Marshall Space Flight Center was where NASA originally set up operations. Together with the Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, the Marshall Space Flight Center is one of the most important fixtures when it comes to America's aerospace industry. For those who want to learn more about the aerospace industry when enjoying a Huntsville vacation, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the place to go. Few Huntsville attractions have managed to gain the notoriety that the Space and Rocket Center has, and there's plenty to take in here. In the Rocket Park section of the center, for example, visitors can gaze at historic rockets. These rockets stand tall and upright, almost as if they're ready for another mission. You'll also find a museum here, not to mention the United States Space Camp.

You can definitely learn a lot about space travel when you travel to Huntsville, but if that's not exactly your cup of tea, worry not. There are plenty of other great Huntsville attractions that you can add to your agenda. If history is something that interests you, the Alabama Constitution Village is an ideal place to hang out in Huntsville Alabama. This museum complex features four buildings that are representative of the city's early days. In this village, the early founders of Huntsville drew up the Alabama Constitution, which was drafted with the aim of attaining statehood. Tours are available at the Alabama Constitution Village, and they are a great way to learn all about the place. Another excellent place to gain some perspective on the history of Huntsville is the 1819 Weeden House Museum, which became a museum in 1981. The house is a fine example of the Federal style of architecture, for all you architecture buffs out there, and it was here where Maria Howard Weeden was born. A famous poet and artist, Maria Howard Weeden was the youngest of the Weeden family. She is perhaps best known for her watercolor portraits, which depict ex-slaves mostly. There are a bunch of other historically notable homes that you can visit during your Huntsville vacation, and come the Christmas season, tours of these homes are offered.

Alabama Map

In addition to learning about science and history, those who plan a Huntsville vacation can also enjoy some outdoor recreation and some shopping, among other things. Huntsville Alabama can be found resting on the Tennessee River, not too far from Tennessee itself. Here, mesas and hills make for a pretty surrounding, and one of the best places to take in all the natural beauty is the Monte Sano State Park, which is actually located within Huntsville's city limits. You'd hardly notice that you're still within the city limits, however, as this more than 2,000-acre park seems as if it's worlds away. Hiking and horseback riding are just some of the things that you can do at the Monte Sano State Park, and if you are interested in renting a cabin in Alabama, it's a great place to do so. Sure, there are some good hotels in Huntsville, but if you like to be close to nature, the cabins here are utterly ideal. If you like Huntsville attractions like the Monte Sano State Park, you are also likely to enjoy spending time at Big Spring Park, which is home to an array of outdoor events, such as concerts and holiday celebrations. Should you visit the park in the Spring, you might just catch the blossoming Cherry trees, which is truly something to behold.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, shopping is also something that you can enjoy on your Huntsville vacation. The city has recently transformed itself into quite the retail center, and in addition to a variety of strip malls and other shops, you can also drop in on the upscale Bridge Street Town Centre, which boasts a movie theater, tons of shops, and a fine array of restaurants. Huntsville Alabama has more to offer than you might have originally thought, which is really quite true of most of the state. It's a great place to discover, and chances are that you'll find yourself wanting to return some day in the near future.