U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville

The Space Program fascinated me as a child. Exploration of the unknown was the most worthy of causes back then. So much additional technology was developed along the way to achieving scientific MILESTONES in space. Much of our culture now is about pulling back, about settling--playing it safe. We've lost something along the way. Going back to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, one can witness first hand what we as a nation are truly capable of! Amazing every time!

The main exhibit hall containing the Saturn V rocket is extremely impressive and offers a detailed history of how the technology was developed back in the 1960's. The outdoor rocket/missile park was also fun to walk around, to see retired military equipment and a mock-up of the lunar module. Don't forget the grave of Miss Baker, the first animal to go to space and make it back alive. I didn't give 5 stars because the rest of the center feels like a theme park (maybe fun if you have kids) but felt less educational and more flashy than the Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral FL) or Cosmosphere (Hutchinson KS). I'm glad I went but I'm not sure if I'd go again.

They had a free family day where we met some friends and had our kids meet up and have a wonderful day. There were so many people there, but we were able to do everything the kids wanted to do. It was fun, informative, and kept the kids' attention (which is hard to do these days). It's such a clean place, from the bathrooms to the displays, and everything in between. The kids had a blast (pun intended)

This was a great experience. My kids had a great time. We rode all the rides. There was not long waits. However, I do suggest buying the membership. It is not much more than the daily prices and gives you several discounts, as well as a subscription to the Smithsonian magazine. The membership also allows you to skip the long line to get in for the day. We also watched A Beautiful Planet in the IMax dome. Once in a life time experience and a must see. I do not suggest taking children under 8 years old. They are not as interested in the museum and can not ride many of the rides. They also provide a space camp which I recommend looking into while you're visiting. I would eat outside the park. We ate at the Mars Grill and the food was worse than eating in a school cafeteria and way over priced even with the membership discount.

Growing up in Huntsville, it can be easy to lose site of how historical and awesome the US space program is. We Space & Rocket Center never fails to impress, with Museum artifacts and displays dating from the 1950s to present. It truly is amazing to see some of mankind's most dazzling and gigantic engineering projects on display in full size. A wonderful opportunity to provide inspiring and mind-boggling education for the whole family.