To the Moon, Alice, and Beyond

December 5, 2007

To the Moon, Alice, and Beyond

Huntsville, Alabama

By Sheree Bykofsky

What do George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Tom Hanks, and Ron Howard have in common (besides from being two-legged humans on the planet Earth)? You guessed it. Their children all attended space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

At space camp, celebrities and other lucky children- and adults- enjoy weekends or weeks of full-on astronaut life- performing tasks in real space capsules and flying around on advanced equipment designed to mimic the actual roles and experiences of real space explorers. And while throngs are lined up in Houston and Cape Canaveral, the average person in Huntsville may enjoy a leisurely day's visit to the Rocket Center, ogling giant rockets, watching an I-Max movie, learning about space exploration, and shaking around in a fun virtual space ride- usually without lines and crowds. Sit in an orbiter, push the start button and imagine you're Alan Shepherd or John Glenn.

But those who think that the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the start and finish of Huntsville are profoundly mistaken. There are so many enriching experiences open to the Earth explorer in this small and largely undiscovered city. Almost everyone will find something to love at Huntsville's Botanical Garden which thrives because of the untiring and magnanimous work of countless volunteers and a small passionate staff. Each fall the community is given free rein to erect artistic and funny scarecrows throughout the garden. The Scarecrow display will appeal to even the most curmudgeonly garden-goer. And the Scarecrow exhibit is but one of the many festivals and displays featured at this lush and heart-warming Botanical Garden. The lily pond is a special sanctuary and the garden houses the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house.

It's fitting that the Botanical Garden is beloved by the residents of Huntsville. They clearly appreciate their environment. The first thing you'll notice when exiting from the highway and driving into the picture-perfect downtown of this "big small town" is just how clean and green everything is. Begin your visit with a short driving tour, and be sure to pass by the fabulous antebellum mansions in the historic Twickenham district.

Another fun Huntsville attraction is the Harrison Brothers Hardware Store which doubles as a general store and museum. Not to spoil it for you, let me just say that a visit here will surely divest you of any preconceived notion of hardware stores, and almost no one leaves without a smile and a purchase.

And don't be surprised when you visit the pretty and growing Huntsville Museum of Art and notice a plate painted by Picasso or some pieces of the world's largest collection of Bucellati silver which is just a small part of the museum's permanent collection. You can even relax and enjoy lunch or dinner at Café Baba which is located inside the museum and adjacent to the lovely Big Spring International Park.

Huntsville is rich, too, in delicious dining experiences. Spark up a little casual romance at the Jazz Factory restaurant, a sweeping multi-tiered restaurant that began life as a Montgomery Ward department store. Share a banquette under the whirling fans and original tin ceiling and enjoy gourmet San Francisco cuisine prepared by the talented Egyptian French chef Gevara Teebi. Fill your mouths with the fusion of multi-cultural flavors. Savor Duck Risotto with wild mushroom, spinach and parmesan cheese or Thai style Curried Shrimp sautéed with mushrooms, red and green peppers and spicy red curry sauce over garlic fried rice.

801 Franklin is a restaurant named for its address, and that's the only non-exciting thing about this divine establishment. 801 Franklin is probably the finest upscale restaurant in Huntsville with its supremely tasteful and cosmopolitan atmosphere, lovely soft lighting, tables set with candles and fine linens, flowers and crystal. Soft but lively folk music provides an upbeat atmosphere and live musicians perform in the bar area. The changing works of local artists decorate the walls, and the fresh taste of organic foods and local produce will delight your palate. Fresh warm bread, room temperature flavored butter and homemade flatbread is just a hint of things to come. The long wine list features many fine wines available by the glass. Start with the Tomato Stack or Coconut Shrimp and then enjoy Grilled Coffee Rubbed N.Y. Strip steak served with roasted fingerling potatoes, butternut squash, organic green beans and a red eye glaze. Finish with a cheese trio or a sumptuous dessert.

Wake up in your suite at the lavish and comfortable Embassy Suites Hotel next to the convention center, enjoy your breakfast and rush to your tee time at the fabulous Highlands Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Hampton Cove. If you're a really bad golfer, you'll still enjoy the beauty of this forgiving course and you'll be able to laugh right back at the people who say you can't hit the side of a barn, because if your aim is off on the stunning fifth hole, that's exactly what you'll do!

But you'll be hitting yourself if you don't start planning a long weekend vacation in Huntsville very soon.

IF YOU GO:

Embassy Suites Huntsville

800 Monroe St SW
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 539-7373

Huntsville Museum of Art

300 Church St SW
Huntsville, AL 35801

256-535-4350

Harrison Brothers Hardware Store

124 Southside Square

Huntsville, AL 35801

256-536-3631

The Jazz Factory

109 Northside Sq
Huntsville, AL 35801

256-539-1919

Huntsville Botanical Garden

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue

Huntsville, AL 35805

256-830-4447

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

One Tranquility Base