|
High-tech Huntsville, which sprawls at the foot of a North Alabama mountain, is equally at home in the 19th century or the 21st. Tourist attractions reflect the heritage of Alabama’s first English-speaking city, the strife of the American Civil War, and the accomplishments of America’s rocket scientists.
Huntsville’s population truly reflects international cultures. Of the 160,000 city residents, more than 10 percent are natives of other countries. More than 100 languages and dialects are spoken here. In addition to the German rocket scientists who arrived in 1950, Huntsville is home to the first U.S. plant built by Korea’s largest corporation, several Japanese-owned companies operate manufacturing plants here, and scores of foreign national flags ring the roof of the headquarters of an international computer manufacturing firm headquartered here.
Huntsville’s visitor attractions offer a wealth of activities for the native and international visitor alike. Visitors who want to be “astronauts for a day” can sample astronaut training activities at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The hands-on showcase of space technology is the state’s largest tourist attraction and is home to the internationally known U.S. Space Camp that has franchise operations in Japan, Belgium and Canada.
A variety of city museums downtown and an outstanding symphony orchestra offer rich cultural opportunities involving the arts.
The legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail—encompassing 21 courses in eight cities in Alabama—begins here at the 54-hole Hampton Cove Golf Course. Hampton Cove features two championship courses surrounded by mountains and lakes. Alabama now ranks fifth in the nation for public golf courses per resident.
|