U.S. Space and Rocket Center: A NASA Experience

Last updated: March 18, 2024

Huntsville, Alabama is known as “Rocket City” for good reason: it’s where rockets were developed that put men on the moon. It’s also home to the largest space museum in the world: the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. If you visit Huntsville, this should be on you must see list. I was fortunate that my immediate family traveled in and we were all there to visit together. Despite it being a bit chilly, this was a good one time experience and recommended to all who visit Rocket City!

The Space & Rocket Center saw 540,153 visitors in 2010 and 553,137 in 2011, and over 584,000 in 2013, the latter earning the museum recognition as the top paid-tourist attraction in Alabama. In 2017, more than 786,820 people visited the center, ranking it first among state attractions that charge admission will witness life size rockets and loads of U.S. History as it relates to space.

The Planetarium at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center offers an 8K Digital Planetarium and Digital Dome Experience – the only one of its kind in the Southeast. The theater has 248 comfortable seats and provides a highly enjoyable guest experience including a space-themed lobby and a variety of offerings for food and beverage. It was similar to going to the movies… you could get drinks, snacks and of course, popcorn.

The movie screen is dome shaped and goes completely over your head. You can look to the left, right, and straight about you and never see the end of the screen. You are surrounded by the sky, stars and anything projected onto the screen. This was my first time in a Planetarium and it was a really cool experience! I would do this again.

I recommend visiting when it’s warmer as there is quite a bit to see outdoors. I got so chilly that I ditched the outdoor experience before I got a chance to explore it all.

Standing proudly in front of the Blue Origin display

Overall, this a a great half day experience that everyone that lives in or is visiting the Huntsville area should take advantage of seeing. It also offers a unique date experience if you want to spend some time with your significant other. In this case, we were celebrating my brothers birthday, so it’s a cool thing to do for just about any occasion!

If you haven’t already, I truly hope you get to experience it one day!