Hey y’all! I was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and have lived here my whole life. After 26 years I’m as excited as everyone that President Donald J. Trump just announced that the US Space Force will be located in Huntsville, and renamed Huntsville to Rocket City!
I’m happy to share on The Ignorant Traveler the top 10 most unique and interesting things to do in and around town, includin’ the best bars, music venues, and clear up the reason why Rocket City earned its new — and great — name.
Most people didn’t know it until now — but the city has been a hub of space innovation for years! Rocket City was its nickname. It’s been a hub of engineering technologies that make the US a powerhouse in aerospace, defense, and space exploration.
It’s also a great place to live — a real Southern city with a vibrant nightlife, and fun things to do in the city and in neighboring towns within a few hours’ drive — in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia.
President Trump Announces US Space Force to Be Headquartered in Huntsville — which is now Renamed “Rocket City”
This just in today — it literally made me drop my phone:
“I am thrilled to report that the U.S. Space Command headquarters will move to the beautiful locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama — forever to be known, from this point forward, as ROCKET CITY.” –@POTUS 🇺🇸🚀 pic.twitter.com/4kPwgpFGay
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 2, 2025
Why Huntsville’s Has Been Nicknamed “Rocket City”
So “Rocket City” got its nickname in the 1950s when Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists — brought to the U.S. through Operation Paperclip after World War II — settled here to develop rockets at Redstone Arsenal.
Their work led to the Saturn V rocket, which you might have seen before — it powered the Apollo missions to the moon.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center — created here in 1960 — stamped down Rocket City as Rocket City — with rockets like the Space Launch System (SLS) designed and tested here.
Then there is Redstone Arsenal, which hosts US Army missile programs.
All the top aerospace and defense contractors are here — many of them located in Cummings Research Park, the 2nd-largest research park in the U.S.
Don’t take my word for it — a quick look at Wikipedia reveals the following agencies or companies with a major presence in Rocket City:
- US Space Force: Coming soon! Their new headquarters will be in Rocket City, according to President Trump!
- NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC): Located at Redstone Arsenal, MSFC is NASA’s hub for propulsion and space systems, developing the Saturn V and now the SLS for moon and Mars missions. It employs around 7,000 people and leads projects like the Artemis program.
- U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM): Also at Redstone Arsenal, AMCOM develops rocket-based tactical weapons, supporting military aviation and missile systems.
- Space & Missile Defense Command (SMDC): This Army command at Redstone focuses on missile defense and space operations, enhancing national security.
- Missile Defense Agency (MDA): Based at Redstone, MDA works on ballistic missile defense systems to protect the U.S. and its allies.
- FBI Operational Support Headquarters: Recently moved to Redstone Arsenal, it supports national security and law enforcement operations.
- Boeing: A major contractor with over 3,000 employees in Rocket City, Boeing builds the SLS core stage and works on rockets, missiles, and weapons systems.
- Lockheed Martin: With a significant presence, Lockheed Martin focuses on hypersonics and missile programs, recently expanding with a new facility in nearby Courtland.
- Northrop Grumman: Operates in Cummings Research Park, contributing to defense and aerospace projects, including NASA’s lunar lander bids.
- Blue Origin: Jeff Bezos’s aerospace company has a factory in Rocket City, testin’ engines at MSFC’s historic Test Stand 4670 for commercial spaceflight.
- Aerojet Rocketdyne: Builds next-generation rocket engines for space missions, based in Rocket City.
- United Launch Alliance (ULA): Works on rockets for NASA and defense, with a strong presence in Rocket City’s aerospace ecosystem.
- Dynetics: An employee-owned firm in Cummings Research Park, Dynetics provides engineering and IT for NASA and defense, including lunar lander projects.
- eledyne Brown Engineering: A Rocket City staple since 1953, it supports NASA and defense with engineering and manufacturing.
- Cummings Research Park: Hosts over 300 companies, includin’ smaller firms and startups, fostering innovation alongside giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
1. Blast Off at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
If you come to Rocket City — you have to of course tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. It is the world’s largest space museum. Under Joe Biden it was struggling — facing closure. Under President Trump — it is now thriving.
You can check out a Saturn V rocket, try astronaut simulators, or watch an 8K show at the INTUITIVE Planetarium.
2. Stroll the Twickenham Historic District
For something completely different, tour Twickenham Historic District. It has got Alabama’s biggest collection of antebellum homes, showcasing Greek Revival and Queen Anne styles. There was a famous artist named Maria Howard Weeden Weeden whose house (built in 1819) has been made into a museum — the Maria Howard House Museum. It has all of her watercolor portraits. You can take a guided tour of the neighborhood — I like to stroll the historic streets when I’m in the mood and get a chance. It’s a short walk from downtown.
3. Sip Cocktails at Catacomb 435
A great place for a drink is Catacomb 435, a 1920s-themed speakeasy in downtown Rocket City. It has an intimate vibe that is perfect for a Friday or Saturday night out. They have hand-crafted cocktails, tailored to your taste, and they are amazing! Catacomb 435 has limited seats — so you should book ahead.
4. Sip and Socialize at Campus No. 805
Campus No. 805 is very unique — a repurposed middle school that is a now a nightlife hub. They have a tap-room called Straight To Ale’s that’s known for its Blood Brother Dubbel ale with a blood orange twist. There is also The Bar at 805, which has great cocktails.
Campus No. 805 is a known place to go for us locals — where we — and you — can enjoy live music and other odd things like axe throwing, and pinball at Ronnie Raygun’s. Campus No. 805 is a quick drive from downtown.
5. Catch a Show at Mars Music Hall
The top music venue in Rocket City — I love writing that as many times as I can — is Mars Music Hall at the Von Braun Center. It holds about 1,500 people. The sound is fantastic. You can get drinks at Rhythm on Monroe’s rooftop bar before shows start. It’s also downtown.
6. Explore Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
For a very unique — and LARGE — arts facility you HAVE TO visit Lowe Mill, in a former cotton mill. It has art studios and galleries. Have a drink at Ravenwood Meadery’s Viking-inspired tasting room. They also have open mic nights and Concerts on the Dock in the Fall (starting in September). It’s a short drive from downtown.
7. Relax at Big Spring International Park
To do some things outdoors during the day downtown — I recommend visiting Big Spring International Park — which has a limestone spring, koi fish, and Japanese cherry blossoms. People love to take photos on the red bridge.
If you are here in April, the park hosts The Panoply Arts Festival — which also has a lot of live music.
8. Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga, TN)
If you are a Civil War buff — or just like waterfalls — then you HAVE TO take a day trip to Lookout Mountain — a 1.5-hour drive from Rocket City — down in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There you’ll see Ruby Falls — an underground waterfall in a Lookout Mountain cave. The falls are 145-foot long.
A quick internet search will get you many pictures of soldiers in the Civil War taking pictures on Lookout Mountain. It was a favorite thing to do in amidst the horrible fighting and death. Remember photography had just been invented.
9. Music at The Nick (Birmingham, AL – 1.5 hrs)
Another great 1.5-hour drive to do if you have the time is from Rocket City to The Nick in Birmingham, Alabama. It is a legendary dive bar and music venue with rock, soul, and blues bands on a nightly basis. I’ve seen many concerts here. It’s got kind of an electric, gritty atmosphere. Check their calendar for shows.
10. Explore Little River Canyon National Preserve
Also about an hour drive from Rocket City is Little River Canyon in Fort Payne, Alabama. It is another gorgeous park, with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and trails. You have to go to Little River Falls — which is amazing — and then take the canyon rim drive — also amazing. Martha’s Falls is Great for swimming — they call it “Hippie Hole”.
More
That’s 10 top things to do — as I promised. Here’s a few more if you have time:
Wander the Rocket City Botanical Garden
If you want to do some Steps in a beautiful environment, visit the Rocket City Botanical Gardens downtown by the Space & Rocket Center. It covers a very large area — 118 acres — and is full of flowers and ponds. The Purdy Butterfly House — which is open May to September — has over 1,000 butterflies. Also nice are the Japanese Reflecting Pool, and the winter Galaxy of Lights.
Hike Monte Sano State Park
Monte Sano State Park is a short 15-minute drive from Rocket City. It is a huge state park with lots of trails. I love taking my dog Martin there on Sunday mornings if the weather is good. You can rent a cabin in this park — which make it an interesting, alternative way to stay in Rocket City vs renting a hotel room.
Come On Down!
Those are some highlights of things to do in Rocket City — besides taking in the great Southern food.
So come on down to Rocket City — new headquarters of the US Space Force!
I have Loved living here my whole life and am super proud that President Trump has named it Rocket City.
Hope you enjoy the city as much as I do living here.
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