Huntsville Vacations, Huntsville Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Huntsville, AL, who has earned the nickname “Rocket City”, was incorporated in 1811 as Twickenham, but was renamed shortly thereafter to honor one of the founding citizens, John Hunt. Resting on the banks of the Tennessee River, the city was an important rail shipping point, and could boast of being one of the leading cotton and munitions producing areas in the South. With, its rail and river access the city was a strategic point in the Civil War.

Today the city itself has about 170,000 people, and it’s extended area about double that. The population, either directly or indirectly relies heavily on the Aerospace Industry for employment. Huntsville is home to the Marshall Space Flight Center, the Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park and U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The city with its roots so deep into both space flight and especially ballistic missile technology earned a “Red Star” designation from the Soviet Union, during the Cold War. This meant that in the event of a nuclear war between the two super powers, Huntsville would be high on the target list for the Soviet missiles.

Summers in Huntsville are hot and humid. Winters are mild with high temps rarely below 40

Huntsville has many parks, golf courses, several historic areas, and several professional sports (minor league) teams to serve as diversions. The town is serviced by all major fast food and casual dining chain, and hotels. There are plenty of local restaurants as well.