Huntsville, AL: It's not just Space Camp!

You'll want to hit the Space and Rocket Center, the Huntsville Art Museum, Monte Sano State Park, and downtown.

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I currently live in a large metropolitan area which has several four star restaurants and is known for its fabulous food, but I can honestly say Cafe Berlin is some of the best German food I've ever eaten.

Huntsville has a large German population. Many came here with Wernher von Braun in the 1950's and 1960's to breathe life in America's burgeoning Space Industry. So it shouldn't be surprising that such a phenomenal restaurant calls Huntsville home.

I recommend the chicken schnitzel and the hot German potato salad. The pork is also fabulous. You must save room for the incredible desserts, which will be the first thing you see when you walk through the door (is that great marketing, or what?).

Huntsville prides itself on being the jewel of Alabama, and there's no better place to experience that than at the Huntsville Art Museum.
My favorite aspect of the museum is its emphasis on Southern art. Its goal is to highlight the unique culture and varying beauty of the South. From an exhibit highlighting the small farming community of Cuba, Alabama, to a more avante garde exhibit about life in Southern cities, it's a wonderful collection. The museum has a good size permanent collection of oil and watercolor paintings, as well as sculptures, but I feel its best feature are these travelling exhibits. The museum is free to all.

While you're at the museum, don't forget to take a walk around Brahan Spring Lake and explore the quaint downtown area. Talk with the natives. They're a wonderful example of Southern hospitality.

The Huntsville Land Trust has purchased huge parcels of land on Monte Sano Mountain, which is to the east of town, and preserved it for use by outdoor enthusiasts. There are hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. From strolling to strenuous, there's something for everyone here.

Dozens of years ago, Monte Sano mountain was home to a massive underground rock quarry. While the rock hasn't been mined for years, the quarry still exists. Carved into the side of a mountain, it contains miles of underground trails and caverns and provides a rare glimpse into what I like to call the 'Life of a Mountain.' Surrounded by almost total darkness, you can get a real feel for what the miners endured. This tour is great for kids and adults alike. You will see fossils, markings left by underground rivers, and maybe even a few animals. The Huntsville Land Trust offers periodic tours. Simply check the Huntsville Times for notices, or call the Huntsville Land Trust. The best thing about this tour is that it is free for everyone!

I'll take you through three bars, each with a different feel but all with the same fabulous Southern hospitality.

'The Corner' on Bailey Cove Rd. is, literally, in the corner of a shopping center. It has live music almost every night. Most of the acts are local and are acoustic based. You'll hear great folk, rock, and pop sounds. It has a nice bar, with reasonably priced cocktails and beer.

'Finnegan's Pub' is on S. Mem'l Parkway and is host to (no joke here) one of the world's smallest St. Patrick's Day parades. It's a typical Irish pub, even down to the brogues of the owners. Darts are the sport of choice, and you can usually find a seat on one of the several couches/loveseats (except on weekends). Guiness is the house special. The bartenders even know how to draw a shamrock in the head of the beer.

'The Jazz Factory' in the Downtown area not only has good food, it also has live jazz downstairs and live rock bands in the cavernous upstairs. It's a great dance spot on weekends and a good place to see and be seen.