Plan Your Alabama Science and Discovery Vacation
November 2022
Did you know that you can experience some of the country’s most significant science and discoveries in the state of Alabama? Not only can you visit many museums throughout the state, but you can also step back in time to get to the root of many profound discoveries that have had a major impact on the way we live. Alabama offers a number of opportunities for you and your family to participate in hands-on experiments, observations and exploration through interactive exhibits. Below are some of our favorite ways to explore space and beyond.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Huntsville
Whether you want to escape to another world or learn about NASA, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has activities for the whole family to participate in. While there, you can see the National Historic Landmark, the Saturn V Moon Rocket (one of only three in the world), a show at the Intuitive Planetarium (The Southeast’s only 8K Digital Planetarium and Digital Dome), and participate in interactive activities while you learn about the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs.
Cook Museum of Natural Science
Decatur
This 62,000-square-foot science museum offers an interactive immersion into North American Biomes, from deserts to oceans and arctic tundra to hardwood forests. Each exhibit is a part of a narrative explaining how the natural world works. Key features of the museum include educational programs, live animals and aquariums, mounted wildlife from across North America, collections of rocks and minerals, fossils, shells and coral and native plant landscaping. The museum also contains a café with an outdoor patio, three classrooms, a theater and a museum store.
Moundville Archaeological Park
Moundville
The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park is one of the nation’s premier Native American heritage sites. It is located 13 miles south of the city of Tuscaloosa on the Black Warrior River and contains panoramic views, a museum and a campground. The museum paints a historical picture of what life was like in the 14th century, and many artifacts are on display for visitors to see how advanced society was during that time.
Anniston Museum of Natural History
Anniston
Established in 1930, this museum houses seven permanent exhibit halls that explore natural history subjects. One exhibit hall features the "Dynamic Earth '' and focuses on the processes that helped form the planet and the dinosaurs that once roamed Alabama. You will find on display fossils, minerals, dinosaur replicas, information about the power of weather, a real chunk of meteorite, and a lifelike re-creation of an Alabama cave. The "Alabama Sand to Cedars" exhibit provides a tour of the state from the mountainous forests of North Alabama to the Southern seacoast, showing many of this state’s native animals. The "Attack and Defense" exhibit showcases the relationship between predator and prey and how different animals react to potential danger, either by chemical, behavioral or physical means. The museum has implemented winter and holiday hours, so it’s best to check their website to plan your visit.
McWane Science Center
Birmingham
The energy and excitement of discovery spring to life through an extensive lineup of interactive exhibits from an amazing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental showcases, imaginative early childhood playgroups, an awe-inspiring aquarium, and an extensive lineup of science demonstrations performed daily by talented educators. Adventures intensify in the IMAX® Dome Theater, where wide-eyed visitors experience the sights and sounds of breathtaking films on a five-story screen surrounded by three tons of high-intensity speakers. McWane Science Center has welcomed millions of visitors since opening its doors in 1998. The Center’s goal is to inspire life-long learning and discovery.
Southern Environmental Center
Birmingham
Learn about medicinal plants, edible landscapes and sustainable terrain practices at this two-story interactive museum and environmental showcase. Visitors also have the opportunity to make EcoArt by transforming computer wires, bottle tops, etc. into eco-jewelry. There, also, is The Alabama GeoDome, a 46-seat 4K theater, that showcases Alabama's natural wonders. The Meyer Planetarium at Birmingham Southern College has been revamped and is a tool for introducing visitors to ecological concepts.
