Explore Alabama's 200-year-old heritage as villagers in period clothing take time from their daily chores to guide you through eight reconstructed Federalstyle buildings. Hear the whir of the spinning wheel, smell the aroma of freshly baked bread and help turn the great wheel lathe in the cabinetmaker's shop. Purchase freshly baked cookies and browse among unique Alabama crafts in the Confectionery Shop.

Burritt on the Mountain
- A Living Museum 

Burritt On the Mountain is a museum of regional history housed in the former mountain-top home of Dr. William Henry Burritt. The remarkable 14-room mansion built in the shape of an X in the 1930s is insulated with 2,200 bales of wheat straw. The Historic Park contains restored farm buildings that interpret rural life during the years 1850 through 1900. Nature trails wind through wooded forest. The grounds offer a panoramic view of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley.

EarlyWorks is a history complex in the heart of downtown Huntsville. Children will like the 16-foot talking tree as it spins traditional folk tales, and touchable displays encourage creative, educational play. Special events are presented year-round for all ages. This area provides meeting and reception space for weddings, teacher workshops and corporate events. Making up the Early- Works history trio in addition to the museum are Alabama Constitution Village and the Historic Huntsville Depot.

The landmark store, established in 1879, is a combination museum and operating business selling rocking chairs, hardware, garden ornaments, old-fashioned toys, souvenirs and other gifts.

Built in 1860, the three-story Historic Huntsville Depot brick terminal is one of America's oldest railroad structures. Tour the building to examine Civil War graffiti and period artifacts. The tour begins with a brief multimedia history of Huntsville, and a robotic ticket agent describes working for Southern Railway at the turn of the century. Outside, climb on locomotives and ride the Depot Express around the spacious grounds. The Train & Trolley Shop offers railroad memorabilia for sale.

David C. Humphreys built the original three-bay structure at the corner of Clinton and Monroe Streets in 1848. With historic preservation efforts, the house was donated to the Alabama Constitution Village Foundation by Coca-Cola Inc. and carefully moved to its current location fronting Gates Avenue in 1991. Now fully restored, the house displays period rooms and special exhibits on the decorative arts. Notable features of the house are the large pocket doors and 11 foot ceilings. The grand staircase and paneled hallway are faux grained to represent antique oak.

Huntsville Museum of Art 

Tour the leading visual arts center in North Alabama. The museum has a growing collection of paintings, prints, sculpture and art objects. Five galleries accommodate changing original exhibits and traveling exhibitions. Educational programs include tours, art classes for all ages, art workshops and lectures. A gift shop offers art-related books, cards, posters and other items.

More than 150 exciting interactive science exhibits await the young and the young at heart at Sci-Quest. Sci-Quest's exhibits are designed to engage, educate and entertain. In addition to permanent and traveling exhibits, Sci-Quest offers education programs for children, ages 4 through sixth grade. Groups visiting Sci- Quest can have a more in-depth educational experience by participating in a Science Encounter demonstration. And no one will want to miss a 3-D presentation in the state-of-the-art Immersive Reality Theater.

This space attraction features interactive exhibits and simulators surrounding Apollo, Mercury, Gemini and space shuttle exploration, as well as artifacts. Rockets developed in Huntsville range from the U.S. Army boosters that put America’s first satellite and astronauts in orbit to NASA’s Saturn V moon rocket and the space shuttle. See the U.S. Space Camp Mission Center Complex wher youngsters of all ages (and adults) conduct simulated missions. Feel the power of 4 Gs of force aboard the Space Shot ride and the G-Force to experience three times the force of gravity.

• Clay House Museum
  Address: 16 Main St., Madison
  Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.; closes at 4 p.m. November through February
  Prices: adults $5, seniors and students $3, children $2
  Phone: (256) 325-1018
  www.clay-house.com
  Highlights include an hour-long guided tour through time from 1850- 1950 showing decorative styling featuring Noritake porcelain, as well as periodic exhibits and teas.
  
  
• North Alabama Railroad Museum
  Address: Chase Depot, 694 Chase Road; from I-565 take exit 19B, from Pratt Avenue turn north onto Meridian Street, travel 3 miles, turn east on Chase Road.
  Hours: Museum open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for viewing, study and photographing. Museum staff present Wednesday and Saturday. Train operations April through November.
  Prices: Guided tours on train days for adults $4, children 6-11 $2; train excursions adults $12, children under 12 $8; self-guided walking tour of depot and grounds, free.
  Phone: (256) 851-6276
  www.suncompsvc.com/narm
  The North Alabama Railroad Museum makes it possible to relive the glory days of the iron horse. The site is at the crossroads of what once was the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad. The museum's depot and excursion diesel locomotive have been authentically restored. The renovated 1937 depot contains railroad memorabilia and a reference library. Enjoy an audiovisual presentation in a railcar and see the interior of a restored Railway Post Office car, a day coach and a Pullman sleeping car.
  
  
• State Black Archives Research Center and Museum
  Address: Alabama A&M University, James H. Wilson Building Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., other hours by appointment Price: Donations
  Phone: (256) 372-5846
  www.aamu.edu/archivemuseumcenter/welcome.html
  View exhibits, documents and artifacts on black history and culture and gain a greater awareness of the achievements, contributions and the role blacks play in the world. The museum strives to educate individuals on racial and cultural diversity.
  
  
• Veterans Memorial Museum
  Address: John Hunt Park, 2060-A Airport Road
  Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rest of year Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., other hours by appointment
  Prices: $5 adults, $4 seniors and $3 for students under 18
  Phone: (256) 883-3737
  Web site: www.memorialmuseum.org
  View military memorabilia from 1776 to present with emphasis on the 20th century. Reminisce about military experiences. Group tours for veterans and students.
  
  
• Weeden House Museum
  Address: 300 Gates Ave.
  Hours: Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Prices: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 12 and under.
  Phone: (256) 536-7718
  The Weeden House, built in 1819, is Alabama's oldest building open to the public. It is the birthplace of 19th century poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. This residence is the only home in the Twickenham Historic District open as a museum and is a superb example of Federal architecture with elaborate interior and exterior detailing, including a leaded-glass fanlight highlighting the front door.
  
  

The Garden offers year-round festivals including the Spring Festival of Flowers in April, a summer exhibit with kids in mind, Scarecrow Trail in the fall and the nationally recognized holiday light show, Galaxy of Lights. The beautiful 112-acre garden has floral collections, inviting woodland paths and broad grassy meadows. Annuals and perennials are ablaze with color from early spring through late fall. A brick pavilion is the focal point of the aquatic garden. The Tessman Butterfly House is a showplace for color on the wing June through September. A G-scale garden train winds through a bonsai forest. The fern glade and demonstration vegetable garden have interpretive labels. Shuttles with driver are available at no charge for those needing assistance.

• Twickenham Historic District & Guided Walking Tour
  Alabama's largest antebellum district, located east of courthouse square, contains outstanding examples of Federal, Italianate and classical architecture. Alabama's oldest house, dating from 1814, and 1819 Weeden House, oldest open to public, are within Twickenham.
  
  
• Harmony Park Safari
  Address: 431 Cloud's Cove Road
  Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to sunset March 1 through Nov. 30
  Price: $6
  Phone: (877) 726-4625
  Drive-through observation of freeranging exotic animals.
  
  
• Old MacDonald s Petting Zoo
  Address: 25 miles east of Huntsville on U.S. 72 East at mile marker 122 Hours: March through August weekdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m.; closed on Wednesday except April and May; September to November Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.; closed December, January, February and Mother's Day
  Prices: $5, hayrides $1, animal feed $2 per cup
  Phone: (256) 776-4332
  www.oldmacdonaldspettingzoo.com
  Pet and feed domestic and exotic animals and birds; enjoy the picnic area and playground.

• Moorseville

  Town of Mooresville
  Mooresville, Limestone County
  Picturesque 1818 village is oldest incorporated town in Alabama. Post office features original call boxes built prior to Civil War. Also community brick church (c. 1838) and stagecoach inn (c. 1820).
  
  
• Ivy Green - Birthplace of Helen Keller
  Tuscumbia, Colbert County
  Built in 1820 by Helen Keller's grandfather. Infant Helen Keller developed high fever that took her sight and hearing. Each summer, The Miracle Worker, depicting how she overcame her handicaps, is re-enacted here.
  
  
• Alabama Music Hall of Fame
  Tuscumbia, Colbert County
  Dedicated to honoring Alabama's music achievers. Memorabilia from careers of Alabamians such as Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris, the group ALABAMA, The Commodores, Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy, Hank Williams and more.
  
  
• Bell Mont Mansion
  Tuscumbia, Colbert County
  Alabama's finest expression of Jefferson Palladian architecture. Brick, U-shaped structure, built 1828–1832, was one of state's 1st great plantation houses. Design strongly suggests influence of Thomas Jefferson. Alabama Historical Commission Property.
  
  
• Alabama's Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  Florence, Lauderdale County
  One of best examples of Wright's Usonian style (1939-40). Only structure in Alabama designed by Wright. Constructed of cypress, glass and brick. Acquired by City of Florence (1999) and fully restored.
  
  
• W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library
  Florence, Lauderdale County
  William Christopher Handy gave the world "St. Louis Blues," "Memphis Blues" and "Beale St. Blues." Wealth of personal memorabilia, including trumpet, handwritten music and piano on which he composed "St. Louis Blues."
  
  
• LaGrange College Site Park & Antebellum Cemetery
  Leighton, Colbert County
  Site of Alabama's first college, destroyed during the Civil War. Antebellum cemetery. Period structures that have been relocated to the park include log cabin museum, country store, B&B, outbuildings.
  
  
• The Shrine at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery
  Hanceville, Cullman County
  The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery rests among the rolling hills of Alabama. Open to groups and individuals who are seeking spiritual renewal.
  
  
• Ave Maria Grotto
  Cullman, Cullman County
  125 miniatures of places from all over the world. Located on grounds of Alabama's only Benedictine abbey. Miniatures built by Brother Joseph Zoettl, O.S.B. (1878 - 1961).