The #1 planetarium in the country is in Huntsville—add it to your summer bucket list now

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U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, AL — The INTUITIVE® Planetarium has showings every day of the week to see this summer. (USSRC)

Summer will pass by at the speed of light—make the most of it by venturing through space without leaving Huntsville! Spoiler, you can add the Milky Way, black holes, Neptune and galaxies far, far away to your summer travel plans (no astronaut training needed 😉).

Not only is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center the largest space museum in the world, it’s also home to the nation’s #1 Planetarium.

Keep reading to see why the INTUITIVE® Planetarium belongs on your summer bucket list and what shows not to miss👇

Check the nation’s #1 planetarium off your bucket list at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, AL
INTUITIVE PLANETARIUM — The *INTUITIVE®* Planetarium was named #1 in the U.S. by USA TODAY. (USSRC)

A core memory of mine is journeying through space fully encapsulated by the INTUITIVE® Planetarium’s 67-ft 8k digital dome — the only planetarium of its kind in the Southeast.

I like to call it Huntsville’s version of the Las Vegas Sphere. Picture yourself in a crowd of 276 in movie theater-style seating looking out at an expansive rounded display of the universe (and yes, there is popcorn).

What’s on the screen? Breathtaking scientific visualizations of all things space from Mars to the Milky Way, with a live presenter taking you through the experience.

“Since opening seven years ago, our INTUITIVE® Planetarium has taken more than 750,000 people across the universe, providing an unforgettable experience billions of light years in the making.”
_{USSRC Interim CEO & CFO Brenda Perez}

Museum details👇

Where: U.S. Space & Rocket Center One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805
- Fun fact: USSRC is a Smithsonian Affiliate + the Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Hours: Everyday 9AM-5PM
Museum admission: $20/child (ages 5-12), $30/adult, FREE for members + children ages 0-4

🌌 Liftoff occurs daily with shows like the NEW “Black Holes: Cosmic Abyss”

Don’t miss this iconic Huntsville experience. (U.S. Space & Rocket Center)

With a rotation of shows playing seven days a week, there are plenty of options for visiting the Planetarium.

🔭 What: Series of expert-designed themed visual journeys through space
- 🌌 NEW Black Holes: Cosmic Abyss: Discover how black holes are born, how they behave + the ingenious ways scientists detect these invisible giants.
- 🌌 James Webb Space Telescope Show: Uncover the latest images of all corners of the universe thanks to the world’s most powerful telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. Witness the evolution of galaxies, the life cycle of stars + more.
- 🌌 Our Place in Space Show: Zoom out and view the Milky Way in this newly refreshed fan-favorite show with images captured by Juno and BepiColombo. See everything from canyons on Mars to diamond rain on Neptune.
🗓️ When: Monday-Sunday
👀 Pro Tip: Arrive 20 minutes early to get snacks + a good seat (rec = 2/3 way up, slightly off center)
🎟️ Tickets: $10/child, $12/adult, $9/member

🥂 For date night: Cocktails & Cosmos

I attended my first Cocktails & Cosmos to watch the Artemis II landing and can’t wait to go back. (USSRC)

🔭 What: This hour-long evening show is Huntsville’s version of the movie theater. Enjoy popcorn + space-themed cocktails during a show uniquely designed each week by expert staff.
- 🌙 Themes include moon missions, where we live in space, constellations and even aliens!
🗓️ When: Every Friday | Doors at 6:15PM, show at 7PM
👀 Pro Tip: This makes a great date night or family outing (be sure to arrive early for the best seats!)
🎟️ Tickets: $14/child, $19/adult

🎆 For the family: NEW “Spectra: A Laser Experience”

A new laser show is debuting this summer in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium. (USSRC)

🔭 What: Sing + dance along to this immersive musical adventure combining songs from your favorite artists with state-of-the-art laser technology.
🗓️ When: Tuesdays at 6:30PM + 8PM; Fridays at 9PM starting in late June
👀 Pro Tip: Bundle 2 evening shows for $4 off
🎟️ Tickets: $12/child, $15/adult, $10/member