Things to Do With Children in Huntsville, Alabama

Kids will be fascinated with Huntsville's space exploration attractions.

The city of Huntsville is situated on the northeast corner of Alabama, boasting a population of 182,956 according to the 2011 U.S. Census estimate. You will undoubtedly find plenty to do with children in this city, as Huntsville is home to NASA's Space Flight Center along with many other interesting and exciting attractions.

Museums

The Earlyworks Family of Museums (earlyworks.com) provides a variety of options with three different museums. The Huntsville Historic Depot enlightens visitors about railroad life of the 1860s. The Children's History Museum is a large, hands-on discovery center with exhibits such as the Talking Tree and the Kidstruction Zone. The Alabama Constitution Village marks the location at which delegates formed the state of Alabama in 1819, taking visitors back in time with a replica town center. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center (rocketcenter.com) features an extensive collection of space flight memorabilia and rockets that educate visitors in all things NASA.

Nature and Wildlife

The Huntsville Botanical Garden (hsvbg.org) offers many exciting activities for adults and children. You can take your kids to the children's garden, featuring mazes, a play pond, dinosaur fossil climbing structures, rainbow gardens and fairy tale-themed elements. Kids would also enjoy the butterfly releases held at various times, as well as the Garden Railway. Burritt on the Mountain (burrittonthemountain.com) replicates rural farm life of the 19th century. It has an old mansion for touring, a barnyard with animals and log cabins, nature trails and regular theatrical performances.

Parks

The city of Huntsville (huntsvilleal.gov) provides roughly 60 parks for the community, featuring amenities ideal for activities with children. Bell Mountain Park (no website; Redstone Road; 256-564-8026) is a 30-acre facility with a playground, open fields and picnic pavilions. Brahan Spring Park (no website; 500 Drake Avenue; 256-564-8026) features three playgrounds, several picnic areas and lots of green space on 169 acres. Hays Nature Preserve (no website; Hays Nature Preserve Trail; 256-564-8026) has miles of nature trails for hiking, a wooden-structured playground, horseback riding and fishing.

Family Fun Centers

Southern Adventures (southern-adventures.com) is sure to please the kids with go-karts, miniature golf, bumper cars, batting cages, carnival rides, water park, climbing wall and video arcade and redemption games. Pin Palace Lanes (amf.com/pinpalacelanes) provides 36 lanes of bowling, pizza and soda. Funntasia Family Fun Center (funtasiaputtputt.com) features 36 holes of miniature golf amid waterfalls, mountain features, bridges and streams. It offers ice cream and pizza to complete the experience.

References

• Earlyworks Family of Museums: Home
• U.S. Space and Rocket Center: About
• Huntsville Botanical Garden: Children's Garden
• Burritt on the Mountain: About Us
• City of Huntsville: Department of Parks and Recreation
• Southern Adventures: Home
• Pin Palace Lanes: Packages and Rates
• Funntasia Family Fun Center: Home

Resources

• U.S. Census Bureau: Huntsville, Alabama