Huntsville is the fourth largest city in the state of Alabama. John Hunt settled it in 1805 and it was first named, Twickenham. The town was renamed after its first settler in 1811 and it has since grown across the surrounding hills. Huntsville is on a 2010 list for America's 'Dozen Distinctive Destinations' and there are many reasons for that designation. For those interested in hotels Huntsville has plenty of relaxing accommodations to offer.
If it is your first time in the area, you simply must visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Not many cities can place a display as big as the Saturn V rocket outside of their museums. The space center has all of the information you ever wanted to know about space travel and then some. For those with more time and a high level of interest, the center even offers a weeklong space camp that allows further exploration and adventure.
The Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful attractions in the area. Though the garden is beautiful all year long, there are many special features throughout certain months. May and October are the best months to view the plants and flowers in the garden, but December brings the Galaxy of Lights display. This display has won many awards in the Southwest and it is a well-known tourist attraction.
When you visit a city like Huntsville, you will want to see the history of the valley that encompasses the area. The Burritt on the Mountain Living Museum offers the best views in the area plus a look at past eras. The museum holds several original log cabins and plenty of animals to help demonstrate how people lived in the 1800s in this area of the country.
The Alabama Constitution was signed in 1819 within the city of Huntsville. Because this was a monumental event, a whole village was formed to depict what life in the area was like at that precise time. The Alabama Constitution Village has a children's museum, a depot and many different homes that help visitors understand life in past decades within the city.
The Weeden House Museum is dedicated to the works done by Maria Howard Weeden. This artist was known for her painting of black people. Many of her drawings were used to create costumes for slaves, like in the movie, "Gone With the Wind". Her home was created in a Federal-Style and it is one of the oldest in the city. Visitors can tour the home, view her work and travel back in time all in one location.
Hanceville is a town a little over a mile away and it holds the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This attraction is so beautiful that it is worth the trip. The magnificent shrine is made of marble, gold and cedar in honor of Jesus and it includes breathtaking views all around it.
Another nearby town, Cullman, holds intriguing work of a Benedictine monk. The pieces are accurate, architectural miniatures of shrines from all over the world. Each piece is set on a beautiful Alabama hillside and visitors can spend a whole day viewing the various buildings. The Ave Maria Grotto took many years to put together and you should not rush through the attraction.
Alabama holds the Cathedral Caverns State Park. This park has six world records because of its wondrous caves. You can take tours of various caves and enjoy the interesting atmosphere within the damp and cool caverns. There are many different cave tours including basic, mild tours and more adventurous tours that involve headlamps. Since you are enjoying a day trip away from Huntsville, stop in to Mimi's Café for a meal while you are away. This unique restaurant offers a wide menu with plenty of family dining options. A meal at Mimi's adds to the experience even further.
When you visit northern Alabama, you will want to consider hotels Huntsville has to offer. Many of the hotels in this city have outdoor pools, fitness centers and guest rooms that have separate work areas. Guests can often enjoy hot breakfasts at the hotels Huntsville has prepared for visitors and it is easy to unwind at any of the accommodations available in the city.
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