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.

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.

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.

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.

From incredible artifacts of our nation's space program, to hands-on interactive exhibits and space travel simulators, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center experience is unlike any other. Home to Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and X-Camp; The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. Our facilities include Spacedome Theater, Rocket Park, the Education Training Center, which houses NASA's Educator Resource Center, and more.

View military memorabilia from 1776 to present with emphasis on the 20th century. Reminisce about military experiences. Group tours for veterans and students.

• Harrison Brothers Hardware
  www.harrisonbrothers hardware.com
  
  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.
  
  
• North Alabama Railroad Museum
  www.northalabamarailroadmuseum.com
  
  At the North Alabama Railroad Museum, located in Chase, Alabama, just east of Huntsville, you will find a facility reflecting a love of trains and a desire to preserve railroad history.
  
  
• Weeden House Museum
  www.weedenhousemuseum.com
  
  The Weeden House Museum, located at 300 Gates Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama is home to the artwork of Maria Howard Weeden and currently houses many of her works in the museum collection. The Weeden House was built in 1819 and was the home of several distinguished early Huntsvillians. Dr. William Weeden bought the residence for his family in 1845.