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
- Stop 1: U.S. Space & Rocket Center — Huntsville, AL
- Stop 2: Huntsville Botanical Garden — Huntsville, AL
- Stop 3: Monte Sano State Park (Glamping) — Huntsville, AL
Route: Huntsville → Monte Sano State Park
Total Drive Time: ~30 min
Activity Time: ~7–8 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Stop 1: U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Website: U.S. Space & Rocket Center
What to Expect
One of the top space museums in the world—and it’s right here in Alabama. Known as the “Earth’s largest space museum,” the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is home to the Saturn V rocket, Apollo 16 capsule, astronaut suits, and hands-on simulators. Kids can try the G-Force Accelerator, the Moon Shot ride, and explore the International Space Station model. Other highlights include:
- Walk beneath the massive Saturn V rocket
- Tour the Space Shuttle Pathfinder
- Visit the Spark!Lab & Kids’ Cosmos areas for younger explorers
- Live music, food trucks, and family fun (select Thursdays, May–Oct)
Parent Tip: Military discount and other deals are available onsite only.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- History of U.S. space exploration
- Rocket engineering and NASA’s moon missions
- Alabama’s role in the Space Race
- Propulsion, gravity, and physics concepts
- Careers in aerospace and engineering
- Hands-on STEM activities — free educator resources here for PBED “Plan” or “Pre-detective” work
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could design a rocket, what would it look like and where would it go?
Faith Connection: Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Road Trip Bonus: Listen to NASA’s Curious Universe podcast on your drive in.
Want to sneak in some hands-on STEM fun? This Magna Tile Space Set blends building skills with space exploration, letting your young engineer design and launch their own missions. Grab the Magna Tile Space Set here and let the mission continue at home!
Stop 2: Huntsville Botanical Garden
Distance from Rocket Center: 2.6 miles / 7 minutes
Website: Huntsville Botanical Garden
What to Expect
A 118-acre garden full of blooms, butterflies, ponds, and nature trails. Explore the Wicks Family Garden, Purdy Butterfly House (largest in the U.S.), Garden Railway, and Herb Garden. Keep an eye out for Alabama’s state butterfly (Eastern Tiger Swallowtail) and state flower (camellia).
Highlights include:
- Seasonal Butterfly House
- Garden Railway for train lovers
- Educational exhibits on pollinators and plant science
- Woodland paths for stroller-friendly walks or scavenger hunts
- Homeschool guides and printable resources
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Alabama state symbols and native plants
- Pollination and the role of butterflies and bees
- Seasonal plant cycles and conservation
- Nature journaling and descriptive writing skills
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could design your own garden, what plants, animals, and features would it have? Would you want flowers to smell nice, look beautiful, or both?
Faith Connection: God’s creativity is revealed in the variety of plants, flowers, and animals He made—each with a purpose.
Stop 3: Monte Sano State Park (Glamping)
Distance from Botanical Garden: 9.2 miles / 20 minutes
Website: Monte Sano State Park
What to Expect
Stay in canvas “glamping” tents on a mountaintop, complete with real beds, cozy lighting, and a peaceful forest backdrop. Enjoy stargazing, s’mores (or Galaxy Cones!), and cool mountain air.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Alabama mountain ecosystems
- Night sky observation and astronomy basics
- The history and benefits of state parks
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: What would you name a constellation if you discovered it?
Faith Connection: God meets us everywhere—in the vastness of space and the quiet stillness of a mountain night.
What We Learned
- Alabama helped launch the first Americans into space
- Rockets carry not just technology, but human dreams
- Alabama’s gardens showcase both beauty and biodiversity
- State symbols connect us to our home
- Time outdoors helps us see God’s handiwork in new ways
State Symbols Spotted Today:
- State Butterfly: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
- State Flower: Camellia
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.
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route—and customize it for your own family—using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite trip-planning tool for finding kid-friendly stops, tracking drive times, and keeping everything in one place.
View our full trip on Roadtrippers: Ethan & Oliver Adventures: Great Alabama Road Trip Map
Up Next: Day 4 — Printing Presses, Pulleys & Peace
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As an Amazon Associate and Roadtrippers affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Unless otherwise noted, all destinations, attractions, and resources mentioned here are places we’ve personally chosen to visit and recommend. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these locations beyond the affiliate programs we participate in. We simply use and enjoy their tools and share them as a resource for fellow travelers.
