Huntsville, AL Road Trips

Huntsville was founded in 1805 by a Virginia man named John Hunt. For the first 140 years of its history, the city was a sleepy cotton town. In 1950, the US Army transferred Dr. Werner von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists to Redstone Arsenal. Within a decade, the city became a center for rocket design and construction. In 1960, NASA opened the Marshall Space Flight Center, which has played a significant role in the Mercury-Redstone (named after Redstone Arsenal), Gemini, and Apollo manned space programs. Huntsville is home to almost 200,000 residents (2018). The Huntsville metro area, with 463,000 residents, is the third largest in Alabama, after Birmingham and Mobile, though the city proper became the largest in Alabama as of the 2020 Census. Madison, Athens, Decatur, and a number of smaller cities are generally considered part of the Huntsville metro area. Summers are hot and humid, but the thermometer rarely goes above 100 °F (38 °C). It is mostly the humidity that makes for exceptionally high heat indices though. Average heat indices in the summer is around 93 °F (34 °C) during the day and 73 °F (23 °C) at night. It's not unheard to have a heat index of 107 °F (42 °C) during the day and 76 °F (24 °C) at night on particularly sweltering days. Strong thunderstorms do come out of nowhere in the afternoons. Autumn is quite comfortable in Huntsville. First frost normally happens around Halloween. In winter, snow is a possibility, but never a guarantee. Most snow in Huntsville is on the light side (less than 2 inches).

While not widely known as a tourist destination, Huntsville does have a number of attractions of interest. 1 U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum, One Tranquility Base (I-565 Exit 15), ☏ +1 256 837-3400, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-5PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Years Eve and Day. Alabama's number one for-fee tourist attraction, this museum is especially of interest to space-amazed kids and kids at heart. In 2008 the aging museum was revitalized with the opening of the $23 million Davidson Center, which features a Saturn V rocket that was never launched and also includes numerous exhibits on program that led up to the moon visits. Outside of the museum are replicas and test units for numerous other space vehicles, including life-size replicas of the space shuttle and a vertical Saturn V. The US Space Camp is also based here and has hosted over 500,000 visitors since its inception in 1982. $30 for adults, $20 for children, kids under 6 free. Additional charges for IMAX or traveling exhibitions. 2 Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street, toll-free: +1-800-786-9095. Open daily until 5PM (except Thursday). The Museum of Art is in Big Spring Park. It features seven exhibit halls which host many regional and national art exhibits every year and the museum's own 2,500 piece collection. There is a large gift shop and a coffee shop with a patio that overlooks the park. $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, military, and students, $3 for children 6-11, and free for members and children under 6. EarlyWorks Museum Complex.

Wilcoxon Municipal Ice Complex, 3185 Leeman Ferry Road, ☏ +1 256 883-3774. Year-round public ice skating rink. Open most afternoons to the public, but check website for hours. Located behind Joe Davis Stadium. $6.50 per person. Canoeing on the Flint River. Several canoeing expeditions are available. The Flint River is in East Madison County, about 7 miles from downtown. Robert Trent Jones-Hampton Cove Golf Course, 450 Old Highway 431, ☏ +1 256 551-1818. Owens Crossroads. This 54-hole golf course is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which has nine world-renowned golf courses across Alabama. In Hampton Cove off US 431. Space Camp/Aviation Challenge. Space Camp is a week-long astronaut training program for kids and teenagers. Shorter programs are available. Located at the US Space and Rocket Center. The fun and stress relieving activity of throwing axes at a wooden target is an activity in Huntsville. Civil Axe Throwing, Campus 805, Room 210 (2620 Clinton Ave, Suite B), ☏ +1 256 655 - 2257, [email protected]. A perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, organize a team building event or simply have a great time with family & friends! Professional instructors to teach and facilitate your experience are present. (updated Mar 2019) RockAxe City Throwing Club, 105 Washington St. SE Suite 100, ☏ +1 256 428 1515. Each target lane will hold 1-4 guests and can be booked in advance or as a walk-in on an hourly basis. (updated Mar 2019) Theatre Huntsville, ☏ +1 256 536-0807.

Like most cities, Huntsville does have its fair share of fast-food restaurants, but there are many local eateries as well that serve every budget and taste. Because of Huntsville's diverse population, there are ethnic restaurants that specialize in Greek, Indian, Thai, and many other ethnicities. Good Company Cafe, 7500 S. Memorial Parkway #123 (one block south of Martin Rd overpass), ☏ +1 256 881-0044. Tu-Su 7AM-3PM. In Main Street Shopping Village with fresh salads, sandwiches and soups. Budget. Bandito Burrito, 3017 Governors Dr Sw, ☏ +1 256 534-0866. Vegetarian-friendly Tex-mex dive. Quick service, freshly made. Gibson's BBQ, 3319 Memorial Pkwy SW, ☏ +1 256 881-4851. Famous for its BBQ. Po-Boy Factory, 815 Andrew Jackson Way, ☏ +1 256 539-3616. Rolo's, 975-E Airport Rd., ☏ +1 256-883-7656. Barbecue and seafood. Tenders, 800 Holmes Avenue, ☏ +1 256 533-7599. The original location of a local chain known for its chicken fingers. Nothing but Noodles, 6125 University Drive, ☏ +1 256 922-1650. Mostly noodles. In the Burlington Coat Factory shopping center. Sitar Indian Cuisine, 420 Jordan Lane, ☏ +1 256 536-3360. The best Indian food in town, and reasonably priced. The lunch buffet (all days but Saturday) at this family-owned chain changes items often, remaining fresh and very popular. Thai Garden, 800 Wellman Avenue (near Five Points), ☏ +1 256 534-0122. Excellent, moderately priced Thai food in a comfortable atmosphere resulting largely from its family-run, family-friendly ambience. The longest-running Thai restaurant in the area.

The micro brewery scene in Huntsville is new but growing fast. Green Bus Brewing, 206 Eustis Avenue, ☏ +1 256 990-2477. Located in a 150-year-old building just off the historic square. This nano brewery specializes in small batches which creates a diverse and ever-changing tap list. (updated Mar 2019) InnerSpace Brewing Company, 2414 Clinton Ave. This family-owned and family-friendly nanobrewery featuring space-themed decor and games for the kids is located in the Butler Green Arts & Entertainment district.. (updated Mar 2019) Mad Malts Brewing, 109 Maple Avenue, ☏ +1 256 503-2233. A small and relaxed brewery. Live music and comedy shows most Friday and Saturday nights. (updated Mar 2019) Old Black Bear Brewing Company, 212 Main Street Madison, ☏ +1 256 850-4639, [email protected]. Working alongside local companies such as Leavendary at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Old Black Bear embraces innovative strides in how beer is processed. Also has a great food menu. (updated Mar 2019) Rocket Republic Brewing, ☏ +1 256 361-4677, [email protected]. A brewery started by rocket scientists. (updated Mar 2019) Salty Nut Brewery, 2406 Clinton Avenue West, ☏ +1 256 425-5204, [email protected]. (updated Mar 2019) Straight to Ale, 2610 Clinton Avenue, ☏ +1 256 801-9650, [email protected]. Look for the Speakeasy. Free brewery tours are given on Saturdays at 2PM. No reservations required. Also contains Ale's Kitchen restaurant and Ronnie Raygun's, an arcade. This is Huntsville's biggest brewery.

Motel 6 (formerly La Quinta), 3141 University Drive (on University Drive near Jordan Lane), ☏ +1 256 533-0756. Outdoor pool. $71 (Dec 2022). Red Roof PLUS+ Huntsville - Madison, 8781 Madison Blvd, Madison (on University Drive near Jordan Lane), ☏ +1 256 772-8470. Small pool, breakfast. $71 (Dec 2022). Comfort Suites, 6224 Torok Circle (next to the Best Western), ☏ +1 256 562-2400. Fairfield Inn, 1385 Enterprise Way (just off University Drive between Burlington Coat Factory and Target), ☏ +1 256 971-0921. Convenient to West Huntsville and Research Park. Holiday Inn Research Park, 5903 University Drive, ☏ +1 256 830-0600. Next to Madison Square. Restaurants and shopping nearby. Convenient to Research Park. 1 Embassy Suites Huntsville, 800 Monroe Street, ☏ +1 256 539-7373. This 10-story hotel opened in October 2006. Great views of the city, downtown, and the skyline. Connected by a "skybridge" to the Von Braun Center. A Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is inside the hotel. (updated Oct 2016) 2 The Westin Huntsville, 6800 Governors West NW (in the Bridge Street Town Center), ☏ +1 256 428-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Candlewood Suites Huntsville - Research Park, 201 Exchange Place, ☏ +1 256 830-8222. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Convenient to Space Center and Research Park. Rates start at $60 per night. Residence Inn, 6305 Residence Inn Road, ☏ +1 256 895-0444. Behind the Target shopping center off University Drive. Convenient to Research Park, restaurants, and shopping. Rooms start at $70 nightly.

1 Huntsville International Airport (HSV IATA) (off Interstate 565, 15 miles west of town). Passenger flights from such cities as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, New York City, and Washington, D.C.. (updated Apr 2020) Huntsville is served by the following carriers: American Eagle, with service from Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Washington, D.C.-Reagon Delta Air Lines, with service from Atlanta. Delta Connection, with service from Detroit and seasonal service from Atlanta. Frontier Airlines, with service from Orlando and seasonal service from Denver. Silver Airways, with service from Orlando. United Express, with service from Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, and Washington D.C.-Dulles There is no passenger train service to Huntsville. Huntsville is accessible from nearby Interstate 65, approximately 20 miles west of downtown. An interstate spur, Interstate 565, runs from I-65 eastward for 21 miles, to and through downtown Huntsville. I-565: Spur route to I-65, providing access to Birmingham, AL, Nashville, TN, and Decatur, AL. US 72: providing access to Chattanooga, TN (via Interstate 24), Memphis, TN, and Athens, AL. US 431: providing access to Guntersville, AL and Anniston, AL. US 231: providing access to Fayetteville, TN and Arab, AL. see also Intercity buses in the USA Greyhound, (depot) 500 Church St NW (Church and Cleveland St, northwest of downtown), ☏ +1 256 534-1681, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222.

Huntsville is very car-oriented. Public transportation is not popular in Huntsville, but does exist. The city offers 13 bus routes, including a Tourist Trolley, which loops past most of the city's attractions and shopping areas. Turnovers between buses can be between fifteen minutes in downtown and one hour in outlying areas. There are also two free weekend evening routes that serve Downtown, Five Points, and the Medical District. Fares One way: $1 Seniors, students, children under 6, one way: $.50 Tourist Loop: $2 (all day pass) Downtown Weekend Trolley: Free Hours M-Th: 6AM–6PM F: 6AM–2AM (Downtown Trolley only after 6PM) Sa: 7PM–2AM (Downtown Trolley only) Su: No service Downtown Huntsville is served by the Pace bike share program. For fairly cheap rates, there are bicycles in several locations in the city. However, outside of the center of downtown (near Big Spring Park) and greenways, Huntsville is not very bike-friendly.

Though crime levels are above average for a city in its population bracket, most of the crime is restricted to inner city neighborhoods that would be of no interest to visitors. In general, the most dangerous region of the city is the northern neighborhoods (particularly the northwest). In addition to crime, if hiking on Monte Sano or engaging in some other outdoor activity, be aware that during the summer, temperatures can hit triple digits and one can dehydrate quickly. Be sure to consume an adequate amount of fluids during the warm temperatures.