25 Things You Must Do in Huntsville Before the End of 2010

Summer is almost over and come mid-august the kids are bored and looking for something different to do. Huntsville has lots of fun activities to offer restless families. Take a look at Go! Magazine's list of "25 Things You Must Do in Huntsville Before the End of 2010."
1. White barbecue
Head over to Gibson's Bar-B-Q on South Memorial Parkway and eat a plate of barbecued chicken drenched in white sauce.

2. Big cave
See the world's largest cave opening at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Grant. The cave is one of Alabama's most beautiful natural wonders.

3. Lost luggage
OK, it's not in Huntsville, but take a drive to Scottsboro and check out the world-famous Unclaimed Baggage Center. You may find that Polaroid camera you lost in 1978.

4. Bravo!
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is one of this city's treasures. For more than 50 years, the orchestra has been wowing audiences. Don't miss it.

5. 4th and long
In Alabama, football is religion. Praise the pigskin at Milton Frank Stadium and see a game between whichever high school teams are playing.

6. Starlight, star bright
Hang out with real rocket scientists and NASA employees at the Von Braun Astronomical Society's Planetarium on Monte Sano.



7. Roaster
Buy a pound of the freshest coffee around at the Kaffeeklatsch downtown. It's roasted on-site with a vintage 1929 Jabez Burns coffee roaster from New Orleans.

8. To infinity and beyond
Duh? It's the Rocket City, and you can't call yourself a true Huntsvillian if you've never been to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. And don't miss the Saturn V rocket in the adjoining Davidson Center for Space Exploration. It's huge.

9. Upchuck
Besides the fights, the between-period Chuck-a-Puck is the best part of Huntsville Havoc hockey games. Now get chucking.

10. Nuke it
Local legend Microwave Dave is Huntsville's most well-known blues aficionado. He and his band, the Nukes, play around town almost every weekend.

11. Local, local, local
Support the Huntsville arts scene by seeing a play presented by Theatre Huntsville or Renaissance Theatre. Buy a piece of art from the Huntsville Art League, Flying Monkey Arts Center or Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment. And don't miss the Panoply arts festival downtown in April.

12. I'm coming home
Celebrate Homecoming Weekend at Huntsville's oldest university, Alabama A&M. Don't miss the parade and that awesome marching band.

13. Deal day
When beers are $2 at Joe Davis Stadium on Thirsty Thursday, it really doesn't matter if the Huntsville Stars win or lose.

14. Sleep tight
Get back to nature and spend a night in one of the cabins at Monte Sano State Park.

15. Home tour
Huntsville and the surrounding areas boast some of the oldest houses in the South. Take a walk through Old Town, Twickenham and Mooresville and soak in the history.

16. Mighty ducks
Sure, they poop everywhere, but the ducks in Big Spring International Park are fun. Enjoy an afternoon feeding them.

17. Up the creek
Grab a canoe and take a relaxing trip down the Flint River. Local company Chickasaw Canoe Rental offers tours from April to October.

18. Tool man
Sure, you can't buy a 6-pound box of nails anymore at Harrison Brothers Hardware on the Madison County Courthouse Square, but its old-timey layout is a must-see.

19. Not a cheeseburger
Get it right or you'll get something you may not want. Order a "hamburger with cheese" at Big Spring Café on Governors Drive. You won't be disappointed.

20. Big Spring Jammin'
WAR, The Avett Brothers, Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rhimes, Akon and many more have played it. Big Spring Jam is Huntsville's most popular outdoor music festival. Have your rocked out yet?

21. Six-pack
Raise a glass to Huntsville's only brewery, Olde Towne Brewing Co. Try the pilsner, amber ale, pale ale and hefeweizen. (Maybe not all at once.)

22. Your move
It's Friday. Request a song on WLRH-FM 89.3's "Morning Blend" hosted by Judy Watters. She may even say your name on the air.

23. Behind the music
Grab a seat at Jim Parker's Songwriters Showcase, held monthly in the Von Braun Center Playhouse. It's a whole lot like the Bluebird Café in Nashville, but you don't have to drive.

24. Fore!
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Hampton Cove is one of the prettiest and most challenging courses in North Alabama. Play a round and try to shoot under 100. Good luck.

25. Take a hike
Get away from the noise of the city without driving too far. The Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain features a replica historic covered bridge, a 1.5-mile walking trail, a chapel, pavilion and picnic area.

---