7 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Huntsville

Looking for cool and unusual things to do in Alabama? You are in the right spot. Make your way to Huntsville, which earned its nickname the “Rocket City” due to its close association with space missions of the US, one of the expeditiously growing towns in Alabama. This city is filling up to the brims with a variety of cool things to do. With its great stir for science and art, award-winning museums, awe-inspiring restaurants, and diverse culture, it never ceases to enchant visitors. Let’s get on the fun-filled exploration of cool and unusual things to do in Huntsville AL! 

Maple Hill Park:

Nestled in the heart of Huntsville, Alabama, you'll find a seemingly ordinary playground known as "Dead Children's Playground". Now, as morbid as that name might sound, it's got quite a history. This playground is wedged right next to Maple Hill Cemetery, which is the oldest and largest cemetery in Alabama, mind you! Rumor has it, that this playground is a hotspot for specter kiddos during the witching hour. While most stories are echoes of the locals, some even have reported swings moving on their own and soft, ghostly giggling heard in the dead of night. So, if you're ever in Alabama and fancy a little paranormal exploring, Dead Children's Playground might just be your cup of tea. Just remember - a night visit isn't for the faint of heart!

U.S. Space and Rocket Center:

If you don’t know the feeling when a rocket launches, no worries. Find it by yourself by making your way straight to the U.S. Space And Rocket Center. Check out the colossal collections of space and rocket memorabilia from all around the world, and fancy the immersive and thrilling theaters, live entertainment, and astronomical shows experiences in the one-of-a-kind INTUITIVE® Planetarium. Moreover, this museum hosts weekend and weeklong world-class camp programs that entertain all ages, including Aviation Challenge®, Space Camp Robotics, Space Camp®, and U.S. Cyber Camp. Bless your eyes with a Saturn V Rocket that can easily be spotted from the parking area.  

Huntsville Botanical Garden:

If a flower-furnished backyard is your admirable escape home, you must adore this Huntsville Botanical Garden. Huntsville Botanical Garden is your accessible go-to place as it is located 10 minutes away in the city center’s southwest part. Make sure to have a glimpse at their self-proclaimed best attraction, the largest open-air house of Butterfly Garden in the nation. Garden Railway, Aquatic Garden, hiking trails like Bush Azalea Trail, Native Plants Teaching Garden, and the colossal officially recognized trillium collection, the Mathews Nature Trail make this botanical garden a place offering fun things to do in Huntsville AL.

Huntsville Ghost Walk:

What piques the interest of most visitors is the Huntsville Ghost Walk. This walk offers a tour of Old Town Historic District, Haunted Downtown, and Twickenham Historic District that lasts for approximately two hours. The interesting part about every tour is that tour guides will tell a bunch of new stories. Enjoy wonderful storytelling and peek into the historical creepy and ghostly past of Huntsville. Old Town Historic District contains stories of Fraternity House for Ghosts, Twickenham Historic District includes stories about Father of Huntsville, and Haunted Downtown where guides will talk about the terrifying stories of Confederate soldiers, the Halsey Grocery Store, and Marble Palace. 

Weeden House Museum And Garden:

If history arouses your interest the most, then step back in time by making your way straight to Weeden House Museum And Garden, located within the district of Twickenham historic district. This museum is famous for its amazing features of architecture where artists and poets remain engaged for long hours. As you wander the museum, you will come across the life of the renowned watercolorist and poet, Ms. Weeden. Her portraits of freed slaves and her poems emphasizing their stories set the root of this museum. 

Madison County Nature Trail:

If you can’t get enough of Huntsville Alabama things to do, add a stroll along the Madison Country Nature Trail to your itinerary list. This park sprawls on 72 acres of secluded forest that offers visitors a great escape from the bustling city streets. Moreover, there’s a walking path of 1.5 miles that serves as an accessible option for everyone. This impressive trail surrounds the peaks of the Green Mountains flaunting their beauty as they metamorphose into the vibrant and vivid colors of autumn. 

In a nutshell, Huntsville, which goes by the name of Rocket City, is the most populous town in the state, lined with cultural attractions. Outdoor events, concerts, food truck rallies, movies, parks, hiking and biking trails, and water and board sports combine to provide visitors with ample fun things to do in Huntsville Al. You will never skimp on anything while in Huntsville!