Huntsville, Alabama - Space Capital of the Univers

This is where I live and living here I don't think as a tourist would. But there is one thing that no one visiting Huntsville should ever miss and that is a visit to the Space and Rocket Center. I visited the museum regularly when my dad, who was one of the first employees, worked there, but it had been a long time since I had been there when I visited with a friend last year. I think I spent a good deal of my time walking around with my mouth open - oohing and aahing - at the various exhibits. Plan to spend a whole day when you visit.

Quick Tips:

My suggestion to anyone planning a visit to Huntsville is to plan on staying more than one day. While the highlight of the trip would be the tour of the Space and Rocket Center, there are several attractions in and near the downtown area that are well worth seeing, including Constitution Village.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around the city is by car, although the city does have a trolley that makes what is called "the tourist loop." This loop is primarily through the downtown area and includes an audio commentary of the route.

Don't let the fact this restaurant is located behind a gas station/convenience store scare you away from eating there.

Although primarily a take out, there are a few tables inside the restaurant. No matter where you eat, Lawler's has some of the best barbecue in town, especially their ribs, which are cooked dry and just fall off the bone. A 1/2 slab rib plate with two sides and two pieces of Texas toast is $9.99 and is more than enough to satisfy the normal appetite. If you are really hungry the full slab rib plate is $16.99.

My wife's favorite meal is a super-stuffed baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives, and your choice of pork, beef, ham or turkey for $4.99. She always gets the pork barbecue, which she says is delicious. I wouldn't know because she will never offer to share with me, telling me if I want to try it to get my own.

For those who are really hungry, Lawler's has a four meat combo stuffed potato for $6.49.

Another of my favorite menu items is the super bbq salad which is a bed of lettuce greens, cucumber, tomato wedges and cheese, topped with your choice of pork, beef, ham or turkey for just $4.95. I have tried all four toppings and my favorite is the ham.

Lawler's also has plates and sandwiches. They also have family specials with all the fixings for barbecue sandwiches for those planning a picnic.

A taste of New Orleans has come to the Rocket City.

Al Copeland, the founder of Popeye's Fried Chicken, has now begun to expand his upscale restaurant, Copeland's, around the south. Copeland's opened last year to great reviews and continues to be a very popular restaurant, with lines often forming around eating hours.

But it is the Jazz Brunch that brought us to Copeland's recently. Having eaten at the Jazz Brunch at the Copeland's in Birmingham, we wanted to see if this one could measure up to the great meal we had there.

Run entirely by volunteers, the North Alabama Railroad Museum is a fun place for all ages. In addition to historic artifacts and exhibits, the museum also offers train rides on its historic Mercury and Chase Railroad. The train rides, which cover ten miles of former NC & St.L track, are only given on certain days of the year - primarily on Saturdays. If you are interested in riding the train it might be a good idea to call ahead for schedules and for reservations. The museum number is 256-851-6276. Located just ten minutes from downtown Huntsville, at historic Chase, the site of a former nursery farm, the museum is housed in a former train station.

Monte Sano State Park is 2,140 acres of wilderness located within the city limits of Huntsville.

While there are subdivisions almost totally surrounding the park now, once inside the boundaries of the park one feels the rest of the world is miles away. For those who love the out of doors then Monte Sano State Park is just for you. There are trails for hiking and trails for horseback riding. There are pavilions for cooking out and swingsets for the youngsters to play on while waiting for their hamburgers to be cooked. There are also cabins available for rent and camping is allowed in certain areas.

Also atop Monte Sano Mountain is the Burritt Museum and Park. Dr. William Henry Burritt built his home here and visitors can not tour this unusual home that uses straw for insulation. There are also spectacular views of the city from this location. In addition, to Burritt's home, there are also five 19th century farmsteads for visitors to tour. There is also a nature trail.

Alabama Constitution Village is a reconstruction of where Alabama's first constitution was drawn up back in the early 1800's.
Several buildings have been reconstructed and guided tours are offered for tourists to learn how life was in Alabama in the early years.
The guides dress in period costumes.

I have memories as a child of wandering around Harrison Brothers Hardware Store as my dad looked for what ever item he needed. If it had anything to do with hardware, then there was no doubt it could be found at Harrison Brothers. My fondest memory is watching my dad's sale being rung up on a huge hand cranked cash register. Visitors to the store today, which now serves as a museum, can still watch their sales being rung up on that same old cash register.

Located just 10 miles south of downtown Huntsville, Ditto Landing not only has facilities for boats but also for campers, picnicers, fishermen, ball players, tennis players or those who just want to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.

Owned and operated by the Huntsville - Madison County Marina & Port Authority, the boating facilities include dry storage for boats up to 23 feet and wet slips for boats up to 54 feet. There is also a public boat ramp with plenty of free parking and hydro hoist boat lift that can lift up to 36,000 pounds. There is also a camping area, complete with hardstands with electrical and water hook-ups. There are also tent campsites. There is a bath house and laundry facilities for those wanting to stay awhile.

For those wanting to just spend the day, there is a free picnic area and plenty of grassy lawns throughout the area. A pavilion, complete with two large barbecue pits, sits on a hill overlooking the Tennessee River and has a seating capacity of 350 people. There are also plenty of places to fish throughout the complex, including a "senior citizens fishing pier."

Take a ski boat and spend some time with family and friends on this beautiful west Texas Lake. Although located near Jasper, Texas, the lake is actually a little secluded. If you are looking for nightlife, this is not your destination. However, if you are the outdoorsy type and love the water, I recommend it highly.

Fishing is a major sport here but the lake is large enough to share most kinds of water sports. There are many boat ramps, some free of charge.

There are only a few little stores surrounding the lake so take all that you need with you.