A Saturn 5 rocket appears to be aimming for the moon. The background was taken 10/22/04 at 5:30 pm CST. Taken with a Canon 10D, w/400mm lens set to 400mm. Tv 1/500, Av 8, ISO 400. White balance set to Flurescent. The shot was taken from my front porch in Harvest Al. The Sature 5 was taken 2/17/14 at 2:30 PM CST. at the Space and Rocket center in Huntsville Al. This shot was taken with a canon 7D, with a 28-135 lens set at 28mm. Tv 1/125, Av 6.3, exposure compensation plus 1 and ISO 100. Post process was on the background with PS elements 5, and the rocket with PS element 11 and Perfect photo suite 8.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

US Space & Rocket Center

Top choice in Alabama

If you ever entertained dreams of playing Major Tom to someone's ground control, head here. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum boasts one of the world's largest collections of space artifacts, from rockets to shuttle components. There are simulator rides for kids and adults (try the G Force simulator!), and play areas for toddlers. The array of space-related paraphernalia, from lunar landers to rocket components, is mind-boggling. Of particular interest is a working, walk-through replica of the International Space Station.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Waterfall at Monte Sano State Park in northern Alabama.

    Monte Sano State Park

    8.25 MILES

    Spanish for 'Mountains of Health,' Monte Sano is a forested upland breath of fresh air located just east of Huntsville. There are some 20 miles of hiking…

  • Burritt on the Mountain

    Burritt on the Mountain

    6.54 MILES

    Rising over Huntsville like the proverbial house on the hill (because that's exactly what this is), Burritt is a historical mansion turned museum, events…

  • Water Garden at the Huntsville Alabama Botanical Gardens

    Huntsville Botanical Garden

    1.39 MILES

    Huntsville residents take great pride in these gardens, which sprawl across 112 acres at the edge of town. On site you'll find a birding trail, aquatic…

  • Flags from the veterans memorial fly behind the train depot in Huntsville Alabama.

    Huntsville Depot Museum

    3.99 MILES

    If you're into trains, trolleys and the like, head to this enormous building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which once served as the…

  • This is Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama during the spring time.

    Big Spring Park

    3.97 MILES

    Big Spring is named for the water source Huntsville was built around. Now this park acts as a sort of anchor for Hunstville's downtown museum and arts…