Museums and Attractions
This page is a complete list, derived directly from the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County website.
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M U S E U M S |
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Alabama Constitution Village 
Explore Alabama's 200-year-old heritage as villagers in period clothing take time from their daily chores to guide you through eight reconstructed Federalstyle buildings. Hear the whir of the spinning wheel, smell the aroma of freshly baked bread and help turn the great wheel lathe in the cabinetmaker's shop. Purchase freshly baked cookies and browse among unique Alabama crafts in the Confectionery Shop.
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Address: 109 Gates Ave. at Madison Street, just off Courthouse Square in downtown Huntsville. Take Interstate 565, exit 19 and go south on Jefferson Street five blocks.
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March through Thanksgiving Eve. From the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 23 open 5-9 p.m. for Santa's Village.
Prices: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 55 and over, $6 for students ages 4-17, children 3 and under free. Santa's Village is $12 a family.
Phone: (256) 564-8100
www.earlyworks.com
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Burritt on the Mountain - A Living Museum 
Burritt On the Mountain is a museum of regional history housed in the former mountain-top home of Dr. William Henry Burritt. The remarkable 14-room mansion built in the shape of an X in the 1930s is insulated with 2,200 bales of wheat straw. The Historic Park contains restored farm buildings that interpret rural life during the years 1850 through 1900. Nature trails wind through wooded forest. The grounds offer a panoramic view of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley.
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Address: 3101 Burritt Drive. Take U.S. 431 (Governors Drive) south. Turn left onto Monte Sano Boulevard. Follow signs.
Hours: April through October Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; November through March Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Prices: $5 for adults; $4 for seniors, military and students; $3 for children ages 2-12; Madison County residents free on first Thursdays
Phone: (256) 536-2882
www.burrittmuseum.com
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EarlyWorks Children's Museum 
EarlyWorks is a history complex in the heart of downtown Huntsville. Children will like the 16-foot talking tree as it spins traditional folk tales, and touchable displays encourage creative, educational play. Special events are presented year-round for all ages. This area provides meeting and reception space for weddings, teacher workshops and corporate events. Making up the Early- Works history trio in addition to the museum are Alabama Constitution Village and the Historic Huntsville Depot.
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Address: 404 Madison St., at the corner of Williams and Madison streets.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Prices: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors age 55 and over, $8 for children age 4- 17, $4 for children 3 and under.
Phone: (256) 564-8100
www.earlyworks.com
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Harrison Brothers Hardware 
The landmark store, established in 1879, is a combination museum and operating business selling rocking chairs, hardware, garden ornaments, old-fashioned toys, souvenirs and other gifts.
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Address: 124 South Side Square
Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free
Phone: (256) 536-3631
www.harrisonbrothers
hardware.com
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Historic Huntsville Depot Museum 
Built in 1860, the three-story Historic Huntsville Depot brick terminal is one of America's oldest railroad structures. Tour the building to examine Civil War graffiti and period artifacts. The tour begins with a brief multimedia history of Huntsville, and a robotic ticket agent describes working for Southern Railway at the turn of the century. Outside, climb on locomotives and ride the Depot Express around the spacious grounds. The Train & Trolley Shop offers railroad memorabilia for sale.
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Address: 320 Church St., exit 19 (Jefferson Street) from Interstate 565
Hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March through December. Closed January, February, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Prices: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 55 and over, $6 for ages 4-17, children under 4 free.
Phone: (256) 564-8100
www.earlyworks.com
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Humphrey's Rodgers House 
David C. Humphreys built the original three-bay structure at the corner of Clinton and Monroe Streets in 1848. With historic preservation efforts, the house was donated to the Alabama Constitution Village Foundation by Coca-Cola Inc. and carefully moved to its current location fronting Gates Avenue in 1991. Now fully restored, the house displays period rooms and special exhibits on the decorative arts. Notable features of the house are the large pocket doors and 11 foot ceilings. The grand staircase and paneled hallway are faux grained to represent antique oak.
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Address: 109 West Gates Ave.
Hours: For Special exhibitions or by appointment
Phone: (256) 564-8100
www.earlyworks.com
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Huntsville Museum of Art 
Tour the leading visual arts center in North Alabama. The museum has a growing collection of paintings, prints, sculpture and art objects. Five galleries accommodate changing original exhibits and traveling exhibitions. Educational programs include tours, art classes for all ages, art workshops and lectures. A gift shop offers art-related books, cards, posters and other items.
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Address: 300 Church St. South, exit 19 off I-565.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Prices: $7 adults; $6 for students 12- 18, military and seniors; children 6-11 $3, children under 6 and museum members free. Half-price admission Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. First Friday of every month is free.
Phone: (256) 535-4350
www.hsvmuseum.org
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Sci-Quest 
More than 150 exciting interactive science exhibits await the young and the young at heart at Sci-Quest. Sci-Quest's exhibits are designed to engage, educate and entertain. In addition to permanent and traveling exhibits, Sci-Quest offers education programs for children, ages 4 through sixth grade. Groups visiting Sci- Quest can have a more in-depth educational experience by participating in a Science Encounter demonstration. And no one will want to miss a 3-D presentation in the state-of-the-art Immersive Reality Theater.
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Address: 102-D Wynn Drive, exit 15 from I-565 to Old Madison Pike, right on Wynn Drive.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., closed Monday.
Prices: Adults $9, seniors $8.50, children 3-18 $8, children 2 and under free; Immersive Theater Admission $4; discount for members.
Phone: (256) 837-0606
www.sci-quest.org
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U.S. Space & Rocket Center 
This space attraction features interactive exhibits and simulators surrounding Apollo, Mercury, Gemini and space shuttle exploration, as well as artifacts. Rockets developed in Huntsville range from the U.S. Army boosters that put America’s first satellite and astronauts in orbit to NASA’s Saturn V moon rocket and the space shuttle. See the U.S. Space Camp Mission Center Complex wher youngsters of all ages (and adults) conduct simulated missions. Feel the power of 4 Gs of force aboard the Space Shot ride and the G-Force to experience three times the force of gravity.
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Address: 1 Tranquility Base, near intersection of Bob Wallace Avenue/Sparkman Drive and Interstate 565, exit 15 from I-565
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Prices: $18.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 3-12 for museum, park and Imax Theater. $14 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-12 for the museum and park only. For the Imax Theater, $8 adults, $7 children ages 3-12.
Phone: (256) 837-3400, (256) 721-7114, (800) 637-7223
www.spacecamp.com/museum
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- Clay House Museum
Address: 16 Main St., Madison
Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.; closes at 4 p.m. November through February
Prices: adults $5, seniors and students $3, children $2
Phone: (256) 325-1018
www.clay-house.com
Highlights include an hour-long guided tour through time from 1850- 1950 showing decorative styling featuring Noritake porcelain, as well as periodic exhibits and teas.
- North Alabama Railroad Museum
Address: Chase Depot, 694 Chase Road; from I-565 take exit 19B, from Pratt Avenue turn north onto Meridian Street, travel 3 miles, turn east on Chase Road.
Hours: Museum open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for viewing, study and photographing. Museum staff present Wednesday and Saturday. Train operations April through November.
Prices: Guided tours on train days for adults $4, children 6-11 $2; train excursions adults $12, children under 12 $8; self-guided walking tour of depot and grounds, free.
Phone: (256) 851-6276
www.suncompsvc.com/narm
The North Alabama Railroad Museum makes it possible to relive the glory days of the iron horse. The site is at the crossroads of what once was the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad. The museum's depot and excursion diesel locomotive have been authentically restored. The renovated 1937 depot contains railroad memorabilia and a reference library. Enjoy an audiovisual presentation in a railcar and see the interior of a restored Railway Post Office car, a day coach and a Pullman sleeping car.
- State Black Archives Research Center and Museum
Address: Alabama A&M University, James H. Wilson Building Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., other hours by appointment Price: Donations
Phone: (256) 372-5846
www.aamu.edu/archivemuseumcenter/welcome.html
View exhibits, documents and artifacts on black history and culture and gain a greater awareness of the achievements, contributions and the role blacks play in the world. The museum strives to educate individuals on racial and cultural diversity.
- Veterans Memorial Museum
Address: John Hunt Park, 2060-A Airport Road
Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rest of year Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., other hours by appointment
Prices: $5 adults, $4 seniors and $3 for students under 18
Phone: (256) 883-3737
Web site: www.memorialmuseum.org
View military memorabilia from 1776 to present with emphasis on the 20th century. Reminisce about military experiences. Group tours for veterans and students.
- Weeden House Museum
Address: 300 Gates Ave.
Hours: Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 12 and under.
Phone: (256) 536-7718
The Weeden House, built in 1819, is Alabama's oldest building open to the public. It is the birthplace of 19th century poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. This residence is the only home in the Twickenham Historic District open as a museum and is a superb example of Federal architecture with elaborate interior and exterior detailing, including a leaded-glass fanlight highlighting the front door.
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A T T R A C T I O N S |
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Huntsville Botanical Garden 
The Garden offers year-round festivals including the Spring Festival of Flowers in April, a summer exhibit with kids in mind, Scarecrow Trail in the fall and the nationally recognized holiday light show, Galaxy of Lights. The beautiful 112-acre garden has floral collections, inviting woodland paths and broad grassy meadows. Annuals and perennials are ablaze with color from early spring through late fall. A brick pavilion is the focal point of the aquatic garden. The Tessman Butterfly House is a showplace for color on the wing June through September. A G-scale garden train winds through a bonsai forest. The fern glade and demonstration vegetable garden have interpretive labels. Shuttles with driver are available at no charge for those needing assistance.
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Address: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave., between the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Jordan Lane, take exit 15 off I-565.
Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 1-8 p.m.; other days Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Prices: $10 for adults;
$8 for adults 55 and over and military personnel;
$5 for children 3-18;
Children under 3 are free.
Phone: (256) 830-4447
www.hsvbg.org
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- Twickenham Historic District & Guided Walking Tour
Alabama's largest antebellum district, located east of courthouse square, contains outstanding examples of Federal, Italianate and classical architecture. Alabama's oldest house, dating from 1814, and 1819 Weeden House, oldest open to public, are within Twickenham.
- Harmony Park Safari
Address: 431 Cloud's Cove Road
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to sunset March 1 through Nov. 30
Price: $6
Phone: (877) 726-4625
Drive-through observation of freeranging exotic animals.
- Old MacDonald s Petting Zoo
Address: 25 miles east of Huntsville on U.S. 72 East at mile marker 122 Hours: March through August weekdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m.; closed on Wednesday except April and May; September to November Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.; closed December, January, February and Mother's Day
Prices: $5, hayrides $1, animal feed $2 per cup
Phone: (256) 776-4332
www.oldmacdonaldspettingzoo.com
Pet and feed domestic and exotic animals and birds; enjoy the picnic area and playground.
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