U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The Reason Huntsville Is the Rocket City

If you only do one big thing in Huntsville, do this one. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center sits at One Tranquility Base and tells the story of the people in this city who helped build the rockets that took Americans to the Moon. It is the visitor-facing side of that history, and it is a full day, not a quick stop.

The Saturn V Hall

The centerpiece is the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, home to an authentic Saturn V rocket, one of only three in the world. It is suspended above the floor with the stages separated, so you can walk underneath and see the engines up close. Guided tours of the Saturn V Hall run daily, so check the schedule when you arrive.

Rocket Park and Shuttle Park

Outside, the renovated Rocket Park displays the Redstone family of rockets, including the Redstone, Jupiter, Jupiter-C, Juno II, and Mercury-Redstone, along with a Saturn I. Shuttle Park is the outdoor home of shuttle-era hardware. Admission includes the indoor exhibits, Rocket Park, Shuttle Park, the Saturn V Hall tour, and some of the museum's simulators and rides. Others, such as the MaxFlight and HyperShip simulators, cost extra.

Space Camp and Aviation Challenge

The same campus is where Aviation Challenge and Space Camp run their programs for kids and adults. You will see camp groups around the property, especially in summer.

Planning Your Visit

Plan on at least half a day, and a full day if you want to do the simulators and see everything. Parking is on site. You can pair it with the nearby Huntsville Botanical Garden if you want a slower second stop, and downtown is a short drive away for dinner at Cotton Row or a beer at Yellowhammer.