Info needed on Hunstville AL please

[Disneycrazymom]

Does anyone live near the Space and Rocket Center? Or maybe have visited there? I am looking for a hotel for this Friday night on our way to Destin. We would like to visit the Space Center Sat. and then head down to FL. What is the best area to stay in? There seem to be a lot of choices on University Drive.? Is there a hotel that you have stayed at that is nice? Thanks for the help!

 

[alabamaalan]

The Mariott by the Space and Rocket Center is very nice but fairly expensive; however, it is the closest.

University Drive is a main strip and not far from it. There is a mall and several resteraunts on it.

I have stayed at a few of the hotels (lower end to mid range) in that area and not had any problems.

Give yourselves a lot of time at the Space and Rocket Center; it is a wonderful place.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

WOW thank-you that was FAST! The Marriott at 5 Tranquility Base is only $79 for the night. Is that the one you are thinking of? I know we will not have enough time at the center but we plan to return. My son (10) really wants to do Space Camp. It will be a nice break in the drive.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I could not get a non smoking room at the Marriott. I ended up with the Holiday Inn at Research Park. It says it has an indoor pool, which should be nice after the long drive. Have you stayed at this one? Thank- you for the help!

 

[alabamaalan]

I've not been in there personally, but I believe the Research Park area is very nice.

I hope you enjoy your entire trip including the brief visit to Sweet Home Alabama

Your son will truly enjoy the Space and Rocket Center; I'll bet you will too!

 

[marymouse]

You have picked a great place to stay, about five minutes from the Space Center, it is in the parking lot of Madison Square Mall. There are several restaurants close by. IF you like mexican, ask for directions to Rosies, other than that there is a Lonestar, Macaroni Grill, Longhorn, Mcallisters Deli, TGIFriday's and a Ruby Tuesdays.
Have a great time, we live in Huntsville and havn't been to the Space Center in years. I've got a five year old, I'll give her a couple more years.
Have a great time. By the way, Destin is about 7 hours from Huntsville.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Oh, Thank-you both so much. We are looking forward to the beach and the Space Center is a surprise for my son. If I could just add a second week for Disney it would be perfect!

Marymouse, is there a direct way from Huntsville to Destin? Map Quest has us on I-65 until Flomaton/Wallace. Then 113,29,110,98,wMiracle parkway,98,187 finially Beach Dr. Is this as complicated as it sounds? I really need signs saying, " Beach This Way"!

Thanks again!

 

[JulieWent]

We've stayed at the Marriott next to the Space Center. It's a pretty typical Marriott, and we really enjoyed ourselves. A lot of the rooms look out over the center, and we enjoyed waking up to see the Titan (I think? My husband's the space expert! ) rocket looming over us. My DS (age 6 at the time) was ecstatic!

About there being an easier way from Huntsville to Destin: It's pretty convoluted no matter how you go. I think it's a little straighter shot if you get off I-65 just south of Evergreen on Highway 31 that leads to Highway 41 that becomes Highway 87 in Florida. We have family in Navarre (just west of Destin) and take that route. It requires being on back roads for a little more distance, but it's more direct than taking the Flomaton / Wallace exit. (We take that exit when we go to Pensacola which is a good deal west of Destin.)

Hope that helps.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks JulieWent! I will check to see where Evergreen comes in on the map. I wish we could have gotten a room at the Marriott. All they had left was smoking, so we went with the Holiday Inn. Seeing the rockets from the window would be a very close second to seeing Tof T out the window! Is there some kind of event going on in Huntsville this weekend or is it always difficult to get a room? Often we just wait to see what we find on the road, I just called ahead this time since it is Easter weekend. I called 5 or 6 before I could get a double non-smoking! Thanks again.

 

[Deah]

All the ALABAMIANS!!! WOW small world. I go to school on university drive at uah if you have anymore questions. Have fun at the space and rocket center!!

 

[Deah]

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEAH!!! GO TO ROSIES!!!!! IT IS THE BEST MEXICAN RESTuARANT!!! I go there evry birthday and anniversary!! Love it!!! You have to go. They are pretty busy on the weekends and closed on sunday.

 

[marymouse]

I agree about the Evergreen exit. I don't know what number it is or how to get there from the exit. I am always in the back of the van.

We used to go to Montgomery on I65 then take HWY 331. It is not a bad shot either.

Good luck, you'll have a great time.

Mary

 

[nkjzmom]

I had no idea so many people from AL were here on the DIS! How cool! We could have a great DIS meet sometime!

As I was reading this thread to DH he mentioned that someone coming in from St. Louis for work had a very difficult time finding a room....not sure why. Maybe because it's Easter weekend?

You did find a nice hotel....close to restaurants, lots of fast food joints, a Super Wal-mart (to stock up on treats for the rest of the trip!), and just down the road from the Space and Rocket Center.

Will you have access to a computer down there? Let me know how your trip goes and what route you decide to take.....I'm surprising DH with a trip to Destin next weekend and it sure would be nice to have an easy route!

Amy

 

[Pugdog007]

Although I don't really have anything to add to the OP, I wanted to check in as a Central Alabamian and frequent DIS poster.

WARRRRR EAGLE

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thank-you all so much. I hope I won't have computer access, since if it is there DH will not really relax but be checking in at work! If he brings the lap top I'll let you know how we end up going. We will try to hit Rosies for dinner if we get in on time. I am so happy to hear about SuperWalmart, now I won't worry if I forget to pack something. You guys should have a meet at Rosies! We got together here in STL last summer and it was a wonderful time.

Thanks again, You are so lucky to be so close to the ocean! We are staying at the Sandestin Hilton. I expect it to be nice.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We're home, and had a wonderful vacation. The Space Center is really fun, and my DS is really looking forward to going back for Space Camp. We left there and drove down to Destin via exit 69 Flomaton but on the return trip we got back on 65 at Evergreen. I would say that Evergreen is a better route. It was much easier than the 56 miles on 98 going in and I think it took about 45 minutes less.

In Sandestin we stayed at he Hilton which was very nice. We were thankful for the indoor pool as the temps were not as warm as I would have liked. The beach was beautiful and we enjoyed several local eateries.

Any questions, ask away, and thanks again for all your help!