Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city proper was 158,216, with a metropolitan statisical area population of 342,376. The current mayor is Loretta Spencer.

Attractions

• U.S. Space & Rocket Centerhttp://www.spacecamp.com/ is also home to Aviation Challenge, Space Camp, and the only Saturn V rocket designated a National Historic Landmark.
• Hampton Covehttp://www.rtjgolf.com/courses/hampton_cove/ is one of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Trails featuring three 18 hole courses - two championship and one par three.
• Monte Sano State Park http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=6 has over 2,000 acres (8 km²) and features hiking and bicycling trails, rustic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, campsites, full RV hook-ups, and a recently reconstructed lodge.http://www.outdooralabama.com/photos/msphotos/
• The Von Braun Astronomical Societyhttp://www.vbas.org/facilities.cfm has two observatories and a planetarium on 10 acres (40,000 m²) in Monte Sano State Park.
• The Huntsville Madison County Public Libraryhttp://hpl.lib.al.us founded in 1818, is Alabama's oldest continually operating library system with 12 locations throughout the county including one bookmobile. The Main Library Archives contains a wealth of historical resources, including displays of photographic collections and artifacts, has Alabama's highest materials circulation rate, and features daily public programs.
• Big Spring Jam http://www.bigspringjam.org/ is an annual three-day music festival held on the last full weekend of September in and around Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville. It features a diversity of music including rock, country, Christian, kid-friendly, and oldies.
• Panoply of the Arts http://www.panoply.org/ is an annual springtime arts festival held at Big Spring International Park.
• Alabama Constitution Villagehttp://www.earlyworks.com features eight reconstructed Federal style buildings, with living-museums displays downtown.
• Burritt Museum and Park http://www.burrittmuseum.com located on Monte Sano Mountain, is a regional history museum featuring a 1930's mansion, nature trails, scenic overlooks and more.
• Clay House Museum http://www.clay-house.com/ is an antebellum home built ca. 1853 and showcases decorative styles up to 1950 and an outstanding collection of Noritake Porcelain.
• Early Works Museum http://www.earlyworks.com is a child friendly interactive museum in downtown Huntsville.
• Harrison Brothers Hardware Store http://www.harrisonbrothershardware.com established in 1879, is the oldest operating hardware store in Alabama. Though now owned and operated by the Historic Huntsville Foundation http://www.historichuntsville.org/, it is still a working store, and part museum featuring skilled craftsmen who voluteer to run the store and answer questions.
• Huntsville Museum of Art http://www.hsvmuseum.org in Big Spring International Park offers permanent displays, traveling exhibitions, and educational programs for children and adults.
• Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden http://www.hsvbg.orgfeatures educational programs, woodland paths, broad grassy meadows and stunning floral collections.
• Huntsville Symphony Orchestra http://www.hso.org is Alabama's oldest, continuously-operating professional symphony orchestra, featuring high quality performances of classical, pops and family concerts, and extensive music education programs serving public schools.
• Land Trust of Huntsville http://www.landtrust-hsv.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the natural heritage of the area, and has preserved more than 2,300 acres (9 km²) of open space, wildflower areas, natural springs, and local caves in Madison County, including 600+ acres (2.4 km²) on Monte Sano Mountain.
• The National Speleological Society http://www.caves.org/ is headquartered in Huntsville on Cave Street.
• Sci-Quest http://sci-quest.org/ is an interactive premiere hands-on museum for early childhood education, aged four through sixth grade.

Other remarkable constructions

• Raycom America Tower Huntsville (guyed TV- and radio mast, 465.1 metres high)

Professional Sports Teams

• Huntsville Stars http://www.huntsvillestars.com/ - AA Baseball for Milwaukee Brewers
• Huntsville Speedway - NASCAR sanctioned stockcar racinghttp://www.huntsvillespeedway.com/
• Tennessee Valley Raptorshttp://www.raptorsuif.com/ - United Indoor Football (UIF)
• Huntsville Havoc - Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL)http://www.huntsvillehavoc.com/