Big Spring Park Photo from Huntsville.org There's really nothing in the world quite like the feeling of coming home. For me this year that's especially true, for more reasons than you might realize. Less than a two-hour drive down I-65 from Nashville (my home again for the last 9 months) is my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. Known by most people as "Rocket City USA" for its U.S. Space & Rocket Center and huge role in the space program, Huntsville became Alabama's first incorporated town in 1811, though the recognized "founding" year of the city is 1805 - the year of John Hunt's arrival. In the 1950s, Huntsville was known as the "watercress capital of the world", but thanks to Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of rocket scientists Huntsville has been forever transformed into a place recognized for its place in the space program and also for its incredibly smart people. But for me, it's a lot more than that. Born a
August marks the seventh year that eateries throughout Madison County, Alabama have participated in Huntsville Restaurant Week , a 10-day celebration of the fast-growing Alabama city's local cuisine. Located a mere hop, skip, and a jump (see also: just less than 2 hours) south down I-65 from Music City, Huntsville, Alabama is a small town escape from the weekend hassles (read: Bachelorette parties) that Nashville now brings.
Over 55 restaurants participate in the annual event, (this year it takes place from August 10-19, 2018 ) offering special menu items at fixed prices for lunch and/or dinner. Each restaurant hopes to showcase their own unique specialties and local flavor, attracting locals and out-of-towners to dine around Rocket City, USA. Alabama's Restaurant Week and Huntsville's Restaurant Week overlap, so you could technically make a whole thing of this and dine your way across the entire state. Go north to south and end up on the beach, relaxing (#sweet