What to see at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, how long to plan, and how to pair it with the rest of your day.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the top attraction in Huntsville, and it is big enough that a little planning helps. Here is what to expect. Check the official site for current hours, tickets, and tour times before you go.
Where It Is
The address is One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, in West Huntsville. Parking is on site.
What to See
The Saturn V Hall. The main event is the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, home to a Saturn V, one of only three in the world. It hangs above the floor with the stages separated and the engines exposed, so you can walk underneath it. There are guided tours of the Saturn V Hall daily.
Rocket Park. Outside, Rocket Park has more than two dozen rockets and missiles that trace the development of the space program, including the Saturn I, the Mercury Atlas, and the Redstone, the first rocket developed in Huntsville.
The main museum hall. Inside, you will find the Space Shuttle Pathfinder, International Space Station exhibits, and Mars exhibits, plus simulators, films, and rides.
Shuttle Park. The outdoor Shuttle Park is where shuttle-era hardware is displayed.
How Long to Plan
Admission includes the indoor exhibits, Rocket Park, Shuttle Park, the Saturn V Hall tour, and the simulators and rides. Plan on at least half a day, and a full day if you want to do everything at a relaxed pace.
Space Camp and Aviation Challenge
The same campus is home to Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, so you will see camp groups on site. Both offer programs for youth and adults, so if you are visiting with a space-obsessed kid it is worth looking at the schedules.
What to Do Nearby
- The Huntsville Botanical Garden is a calm second stop.
- Downtown is a short drive for dinner at Cotton Row.
- For beer and pizza, Campus No. 805 and Stovehouse are both in West Huntsville.
- See our first-timer's weekend itinerary for how to fit it into a trip.
Details about businesses mentioned in this article (hours, offerings, atmosphere, and more) may change or may not be fully accurate. Spot something that needs a correction? Let us know and we'll fix it right away.
