North Alabama Attractions and Recreation

          Botanical Gardens

This photo of Huntsville Botanical Garden is courtesy of TripAdvisor

  U. S. Space and Rocket Center

           Huntsville has been nicknamed "Rocket City" for its long history with NASA and the U.S. Space program. In 1950, the U.S. military brought German rocket scientists to Huntsville to work on the beginnings of the space program. In 1960, President Eisenhower formally dedicated the Marshall Space Flight Center and in 1970 the U.S. Space and Rocket center was opened as a museum of the program´s impressive hardware. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center allows visitors to explore the past, present, and future of space.

          The center is filled with hands on activities like a Mars climbing wall and a G force simulator to compliment an impressive array of rockets, shuttles and space capsules.  This museum is well known for showcasing rockets, achievements, and artifacts of the U.S. space program. The facility is also home to United States Space Camp and Aviation Challenge. Sometimes billed as "Earth's largest space museum", astronaut Owen Garriott described the place as, "a great way to learn about space in a town that has embraced the space program from the very beginning.". 

         It houses interactive science exhibits, more than 1,500 permanent rocketry and space exploration artifacts, as well as many rotating rocketry and space-related exhibits. The center is located on Interstate 565 at exit 15, near NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. 

         The U.S. Space Camp  is located on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The camp provides residential and day camp educational programs for children in various age groups and adults. These programs include space oriented camp programs, aircraft themed Aviation Challenge camps, and outdoor oriented X-Camp programs.

Von Braun Civic Center

        The Von Braun Center (VBC), known as the Von Braun Civic Center (VBCC) until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama. The original facility debuted in 1975 and has undergone several significant expansions since opening.  The VBC, in addition to the arena, features multiple exhibit halls, a concert hall, a playhouse and many other facilities, for meetings and exhibits.

North Alabam Outdoor Recreation

        Monte Sano State Park

        Monte Sano State Park is located on the top of Monte Sano Mountain.  It includes picnic areas, walking trails, camping and even an outdoor theater.

       The North Alabama mountain region boasts the state´s most rugged terrain and lowest population density. This mountain Region is a relaxing place of thick leafy forests and small country towns. The area produces much of the state´s agricultural products, is home to a blooming high-tech industry

       For those whose passion is hunting and fishing, check out the website run by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  This website is an extensive resource for hunters, fishers and all who enjoy nature. Visitors can find hunting tips, read hunting news, exchange techniques and learn about the best spots to hunt and fish.

North Alabama Golf

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

        Hampton Cove Golf Course is the northern-most stop on the state´s famed Robert Jones Golf Trail. The course features 54 holes spread over 650 acres of river valley with mountains surrounding the landscape. The three courses play quite differently, and the River Course is the only Robert Trent Jones layout without a single bunker. It is also a nature paradise adjacent to the Flint River and Hayes Nature preserve. The Highlands Course flows through the various neighborhoods in Hampton Cove. For those who have limited time or simply want to fine tune their short game the 18 hole Short Course fits the bill. Hampton Cove also features a 35,000 square-foot clubhouse with a dining room and a golf shop.

           Numerous other courses are available through out North Alabama such as Huntsville Municipal Golf Course, The Ledges and the Sunset Landing Golf Course located at Huntsville International Airport.

North Alabama Spectator Sports

The Huntsville Havoc hockey team continues to draw in fans every season. Practices held before their first game are often open to the public; so all fans can see the team getting ready. The Havoc play in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

For baseball fans the Huntsville Stars are members of Minor League Baseball's Southern League and are the AA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.