Huntsville: Out of This World

As a guest of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, this is a sponsored post, however all views and opinions are my own, and I only recommend brands and destinations that I feel are inspiring and noteworthy.

Huntsville, Alabama, is one of the fastest growing cities in the South with an innovative food scene, award-winning museums, a thriving art culture, and an impressive legacy in science and technology. 

While it is certainly possible to see some of Huntsville in a single day, I would suggest taking a long weekend to fully experience the best of the Rocket City.

Founded in 1805, Huntsville is best known for its crucial role in the development of space technology and exploration. Besides being a destination for all things out of this world, Huntsville also boasts a rich cultural heritage and a talent for reclaiming discarded spaces to create new and exciting attractions.

The city’s landscape reflects its continuing expansion while retaining a firm hold on its history and Southern charm. Contemporary structures exist next to well-preserved Antebellum homes, and old manufacturing mills begin a new life as multi-purpose locations.

I recently attended a blogging conference with a fabulous group of travel writers and we were hosted by the welcoming crew at the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Here is a list of the highlights of my visit, although there is so much more to see and do.

EAT + DRINK HUNTSVILLE

We breakfasted at our host hotel’s restaurant The Revivalist – a modern eatery whose décor honors its former life as a historic tavern. This venue serves European-inspired dishes with creative twists, and our Southern omelet and French toast with fruit were both absolutely delicious.

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch at Sam and Greg’s Pizzeria. I’ll admit it was hard to walk by the gleaming gelato case to find my seat. The atmosphere in the downtown, two-story venue is bright and warm until you get to the back, where you are greeted by a neon-colored alien!

A space-themed mini golf course illuminated by blacklights is located at the top of the second floor, adding a fun touch of quirkiness to your meal. The pizza is delicious, too – we picked the Guido out of a huge selection of hand-tossed pizza combinations.

Our next delicious meal was enjoyed at Stovehouse – a former stove factory reimagined as a vibrant, multi-use facility. This 13-acre campus offers shopping, restaurants, event venues, coffee and cocktail bars, and a leisure garden.

Our group enjoyed dinner at Parm and Pepper, a next-level sandwich and pizza eatery. We loved our choices of the Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich (not as spicy as it sounds!) and the Gaucho Burger, a mixture of ground chuck and brisket.

Another group enjoyed fresh barbecue from Bark and Barrel BBQ. Their kettle chip nachos are delish!

Breakfast was again enjoyed at the host hotel, this time at the Baker & Abel rooftop restaurant and bar, named for the first primates to successfully complete a space flight.

We feasted at a delicious breakfast buffet with all the food we could handle, and could not have asked for better service.

During our conference, we enjoyed a refreshing glass of locally-blended artisan tea from Piper & Leaf Tea Co. Their Front Porch Special is simply divine.

EXPLORE HUNTSVILLE

Our first evening was spent marveling at man’s ingenuity at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. It was an amazing opportunity to view the wonders of space and the accomplishments of the amazing engineers, scientists, and astronauts who shaped our space program.

It was here that the initial military rocket program began, and Huntsville played a major role in the United States becoming the first country to put a man on the moon.

We began our tour with a show at the planetarium that brings to living color the wonders of our solar system. Our presenter was very knowledgeable and entertaining – we very much enjoyed seeing a view of a world we’ve never known.

We were excited to see a massive Saturn V rocket among the many space flight and Apollo moon mission displays, artifacts, and memorabilia.

But the most fascinating part of the museum are the docents. These are actual rocket scientists, mostly NASA Space Flight and military retirees.

To hear these American heroes share their experiences, passion, and knowledge with us was the highlight of our visit.

We were able to hear one-of-a-kind stories from past research and exploration, as well as see details about the current plans to send men into space once more.

Time traveling from future to past, we spent the next day exploring the history of Huntsville and the sites that made their mark on the city.

The Twickenham Historic District is an impressive neighborhood made up of over 65 Antebellum homes. Charming, tree-lined streets display pre-Civil War homes with a range of architectural styles and features.

Gothic and Greek Revival sit side-by-side with Queen Anne and Federal-style residences, with historic plaques telling the ages of these grand ladies.

One of the most interesting home museums in the neighborhood is the 1819 Weeden House. Home of local artist and writer Maria Howard Weeden, whose acclaimed watercolor paintings captured the people and stories of her time, the Federal-style residence with its winding staircase, period furnishings, and one-of-a-kind artwork is a must-see Huntsville attraction.

We enjoyed a visit to Harrison Brothers Hardware, the oldest operating hardware store in the state of Alabama. Established in 1879, Harrison Brothers was a typical general store, serving as both a social gathering place and a source for necessities.

An opulent cash register and original safe remain in their time-honored places, and the store is now as much a museum as it is a modern-day gift shop, with long counters and tall cases displaying original inventory from 100 years ago, such as canned goods, spices, toys, and early auto parts.

Downtown, Constitution Village marks the spot where Alabama’s state constitution was signed, and recreates the city of Huntsville as it was in the early 1800s.

This living history museum features eight buildings, many on their original foundations, that depict early lifestyles in the South.

Costumed docents are on hand to demonstrate the workings of the various shops and offices. We were fascinated by the simple, but effective, early technology that the cabinetmaker’s shop engineered for artistic woodworking.

High on a hill overlooking the city, Burritt on the Mountain is a unique historic site that is the former home of Dr. Burritt, a somewhat eclectic local doctor of homeopathic medicine.

His unusually-designed, X-shaped 1938 mansion became the city’s first museum.

The grounds also showcase several well-preserved 19th-century log cabins, barns and other farm structures, with docents on hand to give demonstrations of rural life in the 1800s.

An early 1900s four-room schoolhouse exhibits the legacy of the Rosenwald program, an early 20th-century initiative to bring education to rural communities throughout the South.

My grandmother, a much-loved schoolteacher of many years, would approve.

Although it was misting rain the day we visited, and the fog was thick around the hills, the view of Huntsville from the grounds overlooking the city must be breathtaking on a clear day.

STAY HUNTSVILLE

Our host hotel was 106 Jefferson, an upscale boutique hotel from Hilton’s Curio Collection. It stands downtown at the former site of the Huntsville Hotel, the city’s first social destination, until a devastating fire in 1911.

106 Jefferson has a perfect combination of space-age modern amenities and classic Southern hospitality. The city’s pride in their contribution to space exploration is beautifully captured in the design of the hotel’s public areas.

We enjoyed an effortless check-in with their efficient and friendly staff, who answered every question expertly throughout our stay.

The room and its en-suite bath were both spacious and immaculate. The bed was comfortable with that not-too-plush feeling that makes it hard to get out of in the morning, and, believe me, I would have loved to linger.

I do enjoy a comfortable hotel stay, and 106 Jefferson ticks all the right boxes! It is the small details that truly make a hotel memorable, from the motion-sensor night light and larger-than-average towels in the bath to the impeccable housekeeping and the thoughtful gifts left by the management.

It’s convenient downtown location makes it an ideal place to stay while checking out the heart of Huntsville. It is an easy stroll to local restaurants, shops, and coffeehouses, and a short drive to all of the rest of the city’s attractions.

Many thanks to the staff and management of 106 Jefferson! We strongly recommend staying here if you are in the Huntsville area.

From impressive restaurants to historical landmarks to out-of-this-world fun, Huntsville is truly a top-notch travel destination. For more details about all that Huntsville has to offer, click here and plan to have a blast!

There is so much more to see in Huntsville the next time I’m back in the Rocket City.

Have you ever visited Huntsville, Alabama? I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!

*This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no cost to you.

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