Invitations to hang out come from friends, family, co-workers, but rarely do you get an invitation to hang out at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Sure, they are open daily, and anyone can (and is encouraged) to come and visit the museum. But this Saturday, September 7th from 10am-6pm you are invited to The Huntsville Hangout, a free all day, outdoor party for the whole family at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Huntsville Hangout

Since they are such good hosts, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center has planned some awesome activities for their first Hangout. And (in my humble opinion), they chose a terrific time of year to host it. While I do voluntarily live in the South, it does not mean I love humidity, especially during outdoor events.

First, there are some great free demos from the likes of HobbyTown USA, Mountain High Outfitters, North Alabama Canoe and Kayak, Idle Wild. Here’s a look at some the demos:

Hiking Demo
Canoe & Kayak Demo
Mountain Bike Demo
RC Plane Demo

For those who want a bit more hands on activities, check out these:

Zipline
Climbing wall
Centrifuge
Para-zip line into their lake

You may be wondering just how much this fun is going to cost you. Surprisingly, not much. For the activities listed above, you have 2 options: you can pay $10 for one or pay $30 for 4. Personally, that is a no-brainer: I’m picking the $30 for 4 activities. I mean how do you choose between ziplining, and para-ziplining into a lake? You really can’t! And seriously, who could pass up the centrifuge??

All of these activities also have one thing in common: they are all part of Aviation Challenge, a realistic military aviation experience. You can learn more about it on the Space Camp website.

Good Eats

Now you know all this running around is bound to make you hungry and thirsty. Lucky for you, the Space and Rocket Center has called on some of Huntsville’s terrific local food trucks! They will be on hand Saturday to satisfy all your hunger needs, be they sweet, salty or bar-b-que-y.

Here’s a look at the food trucks coming:

And in case you get thirsty, there will also be refreshment from local brewery Straight to Ale, as well as a variety of non-alcholic beverages.

Discount!

After you’ve done all that or you just want a break from the outdoors (before going back outside for more adventure of course) you can visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center for a special discounted admission price of only $11. Just mention that you went to the The Hangout when purchasing your tickets.

Now we Huntsvilleians are spoiled when it comes to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Frankly we take for granted that we can go visit one of Earth’s largest space museums any day.

But don’t take my word for it. Take Dr. Wayne Clough, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He recently called the center a “national treasure.”

And I don’t want to hear the “but I went on a field trip when Iwas 10, so I’ve seen the museum.” With it’s constantly changing exhibits (Mathalive, CSI, and more), there is always something new to discover.

Current U.S. Space and Rocket Center Exhibits

Red Bull Stratos Exhibit

On October 14, 2012, Felix Baumgartner broke the speed of sound reaching an estimated speed of 833.9 mph (1,342.8 km/h) jumping from the stratosphere, which when certified, will make him the first man to break the speed of sound in free-fall while delivering valuable data for future space exploration.

See the equipment used in a traveling exhibit of the actual Red Bull Stratos capsule, Felix Baumgartner’s space suit and other elements from the mission.

Black Holes: Space Warps & Time Twists

Black Holes: Space Warps & Time Twists pulls visitors in to the modern search for real black holes—the most mysterious and powerful objects in the universe. Through a combination of hands-on physical models, computer-based investigations, immersive experiences, and a technology-assisted learning environment, visitors explore black holes and examine the evidence to weigh for themselves whether black holes have moved from the realm of science fiction to reality.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors are assisted by the video guidance of both professional and teenage “Black Hole Explorers.”

About the US Space and Rocket Center

Home to Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. Their facilities include Spacedome Theater, Rocket Park, the Education Training Center, which houses NASA’s Educator Resource Center, and more.