Alabama: “Rocket City” Huntsville

Big Spring Park

Capitol Building

Alabama: “Rocket City” Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama is also known as“Rocket City”. The moment you enter Huntsville you will notice missiles, spacecraft, and a rocket theme that runs deep throughout the city. After a visit to the US Space and Rocket Center you will understand why!

Established

1811

Population

197,318

Please see a sample itinerary below. All itineraries are fully customizable.

Trip Inclusions

Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.

Highlights & Inclusions:

  • Round trip transportation
  • 3 Nights hotel accommodations at student-friendly hotel
  • Breakfast daily at hotel
  • 2 Lunches
  • 3 Dinners
  • Admission to Alabama Constitution Hall Historic Park & Museum
  • Admission to U.S. Space & Rocket Center
  • Admission to Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Admission to Historic Huntsville Ghost Tour
  • Admission to Bowling Night
  • Admission to Burritt on the Mountain
  • Admission to Huntsville Museum of Art
  • Admission to U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
  • Admission to SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion
  • Walking Tour of Twickenham Historic District
  • Visit to Big Spring International Park
  • Visit to Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
  • Visit to Bridge Street Town Centre
  • A-Z Travel tour guide
  • Private security upon request
  • Free chaperone spaces based upon number of paying passengers
  • All taxes and fees for above listed inclusions
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Day 1

Day 1: Arrival Day, Alabama Constitution Hall Historic Park & Museum, Twickenham Historic District Walking Tour, Welcome Dinner

Morning:

Arrival Day! Your group departs and travels to Huntsville, Alabama arriving around midday. Have lunch en route to your destination.

Afternoon:

Meet your A-Z Travels Tour Guide, check in, and get settled at your hotel. This will be your home base for the duration of the trip, so make yourselves comfortable. Once ready, head out to explore Huntsville’s rich past, beginning at Alabama Constitution Hall Historic Park & Museum. See carefully reconstructed buildings and enjoy authentic artisanal demonstrations from blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, and other tradespeople, offering insights into early 19th-century life. Then, get better acquainted with your surroundings with a walk through the Twickenham Historic District. This area is known for its stunning collection of antebellum homes, some dating back to the early 1800s. A walking tour will provide background of Huntsville’s role in the Civil War and reveal stories behind these grand mansions and the architectural styles that define the South.

Evening:

As the sun sets on your first day, enjoy a unique welcome dinner! You’ll see a blend of old school architecture with new school entertainment at the vibrant Campus No. 805. A former high school transformed into a bustling entertainment space, it’s a restaurant as well as a hub of pop culture and community. Eat, shop, play games, and enjoy the atmosphere of Huntsville. After a full evening of fun, head back to the hotel for a much needed rest.

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Day 2

Day 2: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, The Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville Historic Ghost Walk, Bowling Night

Morning:

Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast at the hotel before your adventure at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. This iconic museum is truly at the heart of Huntsville’s identity. As you walk onto the massive campus, you’ll be greeted by the awe-inspiring Saturn V moon rocket—one of only three in the world—towering over the landscape. Inside, the exhibits are a hands-on exploration of human ingenuity. Have students learn about the Space Race, see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, and get an up-close look at the future of space travel. If your group is adventurous, try your hand at a space travel simulator or experience the stomach-lurching thrill of the Multi-Axis Trainer.

Afternoon:

Enjoy lunch at the Rocket Center before we shift gears for the afternoon. Your next stop will be the Huntsville Botanical Garden. This 112-acre paradise is like a living classroom, with a variety of themed gardens, including the magnificent butterfly house where you can walk among thousands of free-flying butterflies. You’ll learn about different ecosystems and plant species while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. The garden often hosts special exhibits and events, so there’s always something new to see.

Evening:

As the sun sets, your group will partake in the Huntsville Historic Ghost Walk! These tours, led by knowledgeable storytellers, will guide you through the city’s most haunted spots, weaving tales of spirits and with spooky, tragic history. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the city’s lesser-known, more chilling past. Then, eat and unwind with a bowling night! Enjoy a menu of American classics with a side of friendly competition and camaraderie. After a long day, head back to your hotel for a full night’s sleep.

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Day 3

Day 3: Monte Sano Mountain, Burritt on the Mountain, Big Spring International Park, Huntsville Museum of Art, Bridge Street Town Centre

Morning:

Fill up on breakfast at your hotel. Your final day takes you up to Monte Sano Mountain to explore Burritt on the Mountain, a unique living history museum. This “Jewel on the Mountain” is a combination of a beautiful mid-century mansion and a restored 19th-century park with historical cabins. As you walk through the historic park, you’ll encounter costumed interpreters who bring the past to life, demonstrating skills like blacksmithing and weaving. The views from the top are spectacular, offering a breathtaking panorama of the city and the Tennessee Valley below. It’s a perfect spot to appreciate both Huntsville’s history and its natural landscape.

Afternoon:

Descend the mountain and continue on to the heart of downtown Huntsville. Here, you’ll visit the Huntsville Museum of Art and have lunch at the cafe. See a dynamic collection of American art and one of the frequently hosted traveling exhibits. Afterwards, walk next door to Big Spring International Park and discover landmarks, sculptures, and murals intermingled with nature. Finally visit a place that perfectly encapsulates Huntsville’s creative spirit: Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment. Housed in a massive, historic textile mill, this is the largest privately owned arts center in the country. You can wander through four floors of working artists’ studios, where you can watch painters, sculptors, and musicians at work. It’s a place of pure creation, where you can talk to the artists, see their processes, and get a sense of the incredible talent that calls this city home.

Evening:

For your last evening in the city, head to Bridge Street Town Centre, a fun outdoor shopping and dining destination. With its cobblestone streets and lakeside setting, it has a European village charm encompassing a spacious American mall. Students can explore a variety of shops, grab a last-minute souvenir, and enjoy a delicious meal at your choice of restaurant. This final evening provides a relaxed and enjoyable backdrop to celebrate your successful trip in Rocket City. Head back to the hotel for a full night’s rest before your departure in the morning.

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Day 4

Day 4: Departure Day, U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum or SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion

Morning:

Have one last breakfast at your hotel before gathering your belongings and checking-out from the hotel. Before departure, enjoy your choice of admission to either the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum or the SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion, depending on your group’s interests. One houses military artifacts from the Revolutionary war to present day, while the other focuses on the history of information technology featuring telegraphs, phonographs, and more. If scheduling allows, visit both! When ready, begin your safe journey home.

Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to school travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.

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Every student should travel

A-Z Travels is dedicated to help every student on their path to global citizenship by offering a scholarship program.