CITY SPOTLIGHT:

Your guide to Huntsville, Alabama

lake in Huntsville

Know Before You Go: About Huntsville

Huntsville's attractions appeal not only to budding astronauts, but to history buffs, outdoor explorers and many other travelers.

Spend enough time in Huntsville—the place responsible for putting the man on the moon—and you might find yourself gazing up into space. Back on earth in this Alabama city is a chance for you to explore the Rocket City itself. Huntsville's attractions appeal not only to budding astronauts, but to history buffs and outdoor explorers, making it the perfect destination for every member of your family.

A Subtropical Climate

Huntsville's subtropical climate means hot, humid summers and mild winters. If you're visiting during the late-May to late-September warm season, expect temperatures to range from the mid-50s to high-80s. In the cold season—late-November to late-February—prepare for lows around 26 degrees and highs in the upper-50s. Winter snowfall is unlikely but not unheard of. Summers are very humid, with a high chance of thunderstorms. Be aware that Huntsville is one of the country’s top 10 cities most prone to tornadoes, according to the Weather Channel.

Up in Space and Back in Time

A trip into space might not be on the agenda, but you can see the machines that sent mankind there at Huntsville's U.S. Space and Rocket Center, among some 1,500 other space artifacts. Gaze at historic space crafts in Rocket Park, including the original Saturn V. Take the kids downtown to the EarlyWorks Family of Museums, comprised of Alabama Constitution Village, the Huntsville Depot and Museum and EarlyWorks Children’s History Museum, all designed to bring history to life for youngsters. They can see a reconstruction of the time and place where Alabama became the 22nd state, imagine the heyday of the railroads at a historic depot, play dress-up in 1900s clothing and captain a 46-foot keelboat. Take yourself on a walking tour of the Old Town Historic District, or enjoy the scenery at Big Spring International Park with its natural spring and waterfall.

Rocket City Industry

Huntsville was historically driven by the cotton and railroad industries, but today, its economy is dominated by aerospace and military technology. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command are located in Huntsville, making it a leader in the space science industries. The city's Cummings Research Park is the fourth largest research park in the world, hosting more than 300 companies working in 40 different fields of technology. Smaller but also significant industries in Huntsville include biotechnology and telecommunications.

Getting Around

Huntsville is less than one day’s drive from a quarter of the U.S. population. The closest major cities are Birmingham, 1.5 hours away, and Nashville, 2 hours away by car. Huntsville is connected by a highway spur to I-65, which leads south to Mobile, Alabama and north to Gary, Indiana. Huntsville International Airport, 15 minutes from downtown, is served by four major airlines and offers non-stop flights to Washington, D.C., Denver, Atlanta and Chicago, among other cities. The Huntsville Shuttle operates throughout the city and provides access to tourist attractions, downtown and shopping areas. A free downtown shuttle is also available on Friday and Saturday evenings.

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Things to Do in Huntsville

Celebrate the Rocket City's influence on space exploration, or enjoy one of nearly 60 parks during your visit.