Guest Author - Kimberly Button

Huntsville, Alabama may be known as the home of the U.S. Space Academy and Redstone Arsenal, but there’s a host of other cultural activities in this academic town that boasts the most PhDs per capita than any other U.S. city. Especially wonderful for budget travelers is the amazing array of cultural activities sponsored by the city that are completely free (and not too shabby, either!) The following are just a few of the free and inexpensive attractions and activities in Huntsville, AL.

Harrison Brothers Hardware Store - A 19th century landmark in downtown Huntsville full of interesting finds and a rich history. In the oldest continually operating hardware story in Alabama, visitors enjoy a shopping experience that seems centuries old. Free Admission. Visit www.harrisonbrothershardware.com

Huntsville Museum of Art - Seven galleries host a variety of traveling exhibits that are showcased in conjunction with the museum’s 2,522-piece permanent collection. Free admission on the first Friday of every month. Normal adult admission is $7, but on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. it’s half price at $3.50 per adult. Visit www.hsvmuseum.org

North Alabama Railroad Museum - Located just east of Huntsville, take a tour of the museum that celebrates all things locomotive. Ten mile train rides are an additional cost. Free admission for self-guided tours. Visit www.northalabamarailroadmuseum.com

State of Alabama Veterans Memorial Museum - Celebrating the accomplishments of military men and women, the museum has more than 30 historical military vehicles as well as plenty of artifacts and memorabilia. Adult admission is $5. Visit www.memorialmuseum.org

Historic Three Caves Quarry Tour - Offered by the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama, take a guided tour through the limestone quarry once used to supply the city’s roads. Free tours are available June-August 2006, but check the calendar of events page to see if additional tours have been scheduled throughout the year. Free admission. Visit www.landtrust-hsv.org

Hays Nature Preserve - Located on the North Alabama Birding Trail, several miles of paved trails follow the Flint River. Free admission. Visit http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/sites_along_the_trail/index.aspx?siteid=43

Burritt on the Mountain - Take a tour of a 14 room mansion built in the shape of an X and insulated with bales of wheat straw. The grounds have nature trails and farm buildings which interpret 19th century life. Admission is $5 for adults. Visit www.burrittmuseum.com

Visit www.huntsville.org to learn about the free events taking place in the city, like free concerts and movies at the library, free classic movies and concerts in the park, a Hawaiian festival, historic Huntsville trolley tour, historic walking tours, and much, much more.

Want to save even more money on a Huntsville vacation? Get an Attractions Passport, which will give you a discount of 30% at attractions such as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Flying into Huntsville? Sign up for the Huntsville International Airport’s free Huntsville Hot Ticket email program in which you will be notified weekly of the lowest fares into Huntsville. Visit www.huntsville.org for more information.

By Kimberly Button

Photos courtesy of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau



Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook, the only Walt Disney World® Resort theme park guidebook that features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, word puzzles and hidden Mickey searches tailored to each attraction to alleviate boredom while standing in lines. For more information and to read an excerpt, visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com