Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Boosters, Butterflies & Blooms (Day 3)
Welcome to Day 3: The Huntsville Region
If you’re searching for things to do in Huntsville, Alabama with kids, this day of our adventure is packed with unforgettable options. From rocket ships at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to model trains in a botanical garden and glamping under the stars at Monte Sano State Park, Day 3 is all about wide-eyed wonder. It’s where science, nature, and imagination collide—perfect for curious explorers of all ages.
Is your kiddo reading Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, this chapter brings to life some of the most awe-inspiring scenes in the story—from space shuttle dreams to giggles under the trees.
Itinerary Overview:
Route: Huntsville, Alabama
Total Drive Time: ~30 minutes
Activity Time: ~6–7 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Stop 1: U.S. Space & Rocket Center
What to Expect:
- Walk beneath the massive Saturn V rocket
- Try the G-force simulator or moonwalk trainer
- Tour the Space Shuttle Pathfinder
- Explore the International Space Station model
- Spark!Lab & Kids’ Cosmos area for little ones
- Live music, food trucks & family fun (select Thursdays May–Oct)
Why Visit:
This is one of the top space museums in the world—and it’s right here in Alabama. We wanted to inspire the boys to dream big, ask questions, and see where creativity, math, and teamwork can take you.
Tip: Military discount and other deals available onsite only.
Educational Tie-In:
- Learn Alabama’s role in the Space Race
- Discover how propulsion and gravity work
- Hands-on STEM exploration (plus free educator activities here). This helps with the Planning or Pre-detective work of PBED.
Notebook Prompt:
Would you rather build rockets, fly them, or live in space? Why?
Road Trip Bonus:
Listen to NASA’s Curious Universe podcast on your drive in!
Stop 2: Huntsville Botanical Garden
Distance from Rocket Center: 2.6 miles / 7 minutes
What to Expect:
- Seasonal Butterfly House
- Garden Railway (a hit with train fans)
- Educational exhibits on pollinators and plant science
- Woodland paths perfect for a stroller or scavenger hunt
- Homeschool resources & printable guides here
Educational Tie-In:
- Nature journaling, ecosystems, pollination
- Observation and descriptive writing
- Alabama’s state flower, state bird, and other natural symbols
Notebook Prompt:
Ethan thought the railway looked like something out of Brambly Hedge. What storybook setting does this place remind you of?
Faith Tie-In:
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” — Psalm 104:24
Stop 3: Glamping at Monte Sano State Park
Distance from Botanical Garden: 9.2 miles / 20 minutes
What to Expect:
- Canvas safari tents with beds, lighting, and firepit
- Stargazing and fireflies away from city lights
- Family hikes to mountain overlooks
- Bathrooms and shower facilities nearby
Why We Loved It:
After a day of brain-bending science and natural discovery, this peaceful mountaintop spot offered rest, reflection, and time to reconnect.
Notebook Prompt:
What did you feel when the stars came out? What’s something you want to remember from today?
What We Learned Today:
- Alabama helped launch the first Americans into space
- Nature’s beauty teaches us to slow down and marvel
- Quiet mountain nights can make big dreams feel closer
Read the Story Version
Day 3 of Ethan & Oliver Adventures: Great Alabama Road Trip covers this day—from simulator giggles to nature trails, ending with a campfire dream about becoming an engineer.
Don’t Forget Your Printable Pack
Grab the Day 3 Activity Bundle with themed notebooking pages, vocabulary, and coloring fun. Coming Fall 2025
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of the locations mentioned. All opinions are our own and based on real visits.
