Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville combines the best of the old South with the dynamism of the information-technology age. Stately pre-Civil War era homes coexist with advanced space-research facilities that employ the brightest minds in the country. It's a combination of tradition and prosperity that gives the city an unparalleled quality of life.

Located in the northern part of the state, this city of 158,216 people has long been at the center of Alabama's development. It was founded in the early 19th century and later became the site where a group of civic leaders met to demand that the United States grant Alabama status as a state. Fueled by the cotton industry, the city's economy boomed throughout the first half of the 19th century. Fortunately, its key leaders remained loyal to the Union as the Civil War broke out, a fact that led Union soldiers to spare its rich stock of grand brick homes.

Huntsville remained a sleepy Southern town until the 1950s. At that point, it became the site of major government research initiatives to develop the first rocket into space. Since then, it has stayed at the forefront of space development. It is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a facility open to the public allowing visitors to simulate space travel. The center also houses the famous Space Camp, where youth from around the world gather to learn about space and flight. The US Army's Redstone Arsenal and the Cummings Research Park round out Huntsville's technology powerhouse. Combining university, aerospace, military, and information-technology research facilities, Huntsville is blessed with some of the most advanced companies and institutions in the country. It's no surprise, then, that its residents earn the highest per capita income in the southeastern United States.

Huntsville is not only prosperous economically; it also thrives socially. The city hosts several music festivals each year, including the Big Spring Jam, a fiesta of country, rhythm and blues, and rock music. For simpler pleasures, try the area's famous Southern cuisine. Catfish, hush puppies, biscuits with gravy, and pecan pie are just a few of the local dishes offered at the city's restaurants. If active living is your thing, Huntsville has plenty to do. Check out the stunning greens of the Hampton Cove Golf Course, part of the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a chain of eight golf facilities spanning nearby cities. The city's many lakes and rivers offer some of the best canoeing around. For youth, Huntsville is home to Insanity, an extreme skate park featuring steep half pipes, slick bowls, and a series of sharp ramps.

For those who prefer to be spectators, Huntsville has plenty of sports teams to cheer for. The two biggest are the Tennessee Valley Vipers, a team in the Indoor Football League, and the Huntsville Channel Cats, a professional hockey team. There's plenty of spirit on hand in this southern town, not just for the local sports heroes but also for the community in general. With so much prosperity and richness, residents have a lot to be proud of.

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