The real, live United States manned space program may have to rely on Russian rockets to get our men and women to the space station these days, but the excitement and glory of the way we were lives on in northern Alabama, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Its location is no mere coincidence. It’s to nearby Redstone Arsenal that German rocket scientists came after World War II. Their leader was Dr. Werner von Braun. It was these men, in this place, that catapulted America to the Moon.
See von Braun’s story unfold in the superb new exhibit 100 Years of von Braun – His American Journey .
If that’s too staid for the kids don’t despair. There’s plenty to keep the busy, to flat-out wear them out as a matter of fact. They can:
– Feel what it’s like to get launched in a rocket in Space Shot.
– Crawl around inside a mock-up of the space station at the Kids Cosmos Energy Depletion Zone.
– Sit inside an Apollo Cockpit Trainer, give their imagination free rein, and find themselves on the way to the Moon.
– Climb the wall — literally — at Mars Mission, Mars Climbing Wall. Your child has to be at least 50 pounds to try this one.
Make your family’s Mars base just down the road, at the adjoining Huntsville Marriott. The astronauts never had it so good.
At the end of the day retreat to Bridge Street Towne Center to shop, dine or take a gondola ride. Just the two of you on this trip? Head to 801 Franklin, considered by more than a few folks the best place to dine town. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Huntsville is savvy, chic, and sophisticated. You bring a bunch of rocket scientists to town and that sort of ambience just sort of happens.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: mugland)
