University/Research Park - Huntsville, AL

University/Research Park grew out of the needs of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a comprehensive research institution. The largest facility of its kind in one location, the park today has grown to cover nearly 4,000 acres.

The closest museum, Sci-Quest, provides a hands-on adventure to visitors in its state-of-the-art facility built with assistance from sponsors such as NSF and NASA. Exhibits include a virtual vortex as well as explanations of alternative energy sources and robotics.

The nearby Huntsville Museum of Art rotates exhibitions through 13 galleries throughout the year. The museum also provides art classes as well as special programs, lectures and musical presentations. A number of annual events help to support the museum, particularly the charity gala which spotlights a specific artist each year.

You can find dozens of restaurants, bars and nightclubs in downtown Huntsville as well within the neighborhood along University Drive (U.S. Route 72). Located in the heart of the research park, Shaggy's Burgers and Tacos serves up tasty burgers and chili dogs as well Tex-Mex treats such as tacos and quesadillas. Round out your meal with a root beer float and some mixed fries — half regular fries and half sweet potato fries.

Drop by Mango's Caribbean Restaurant for island favorites such as ackee or jerk chicken with fried plantains and refreshing mango lemonade. Whether you prefer hot and spicy or sweet and tangy, Chef Lauren Herbert has something to please every palate. Mango's also provides vegetarian menu selections and catering.

One of the oldest and most well-recognized restaurants in Huntsville, the family-owned and operated Ol' Heidelberg has been bringing the authentic flavors of southwest Germany to Alabama for over four decades. Whether you crave wiener schnitzel, King Ludwig chicken or a black forest ham and Swiss cheese sandwich, Ol' Heidelberg's generous portions satisfy even the biggest appetite.

As in any college town, the area nightlife can get a bit wild and crazy. Bumpers Billiards of Huntsville provides a friendly atmosphere for shooting a few games of pool with your buddies. With 16 7-foot tables and eight 9-foot Diamond Pro-Am tables, you can almost always start racking for a game without waiting. Bumpers also has a full bar-food service. Call ahead or check its website before dropping in because Bumpers sometimes hosts tournaments.

Sammy T's Music Hall provides a wide variety of eclectic entertainment. It may feature live bands one month and Chippendales dancers the next. Shows at this exciting and popular venue often sell out, so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

A very bicycle-friendly community, University/Research Park provides dedicated bike lanes on many streets and others have a broad right-of-way. The greater Huntsville area has excellent public transportation, including a shuttle bus system and trolleys. Riders normally pay $1.00 with free transfers and half-priced fares for seniors, students and children. You can catch a cab in the Huntsville area with relative ease, but Uber has not yet begun to operate in the area.

Surrounded by highways, this neighborhood offers easy access to everywhere you need to go. State roads 255 and 72 run through the community, and you can reach I-565 in a matter of minutes. Parking throughout Research Park costs nothing in most places, but forays into the city require paid parking. City garages have overnight, weekly and monthly rates for those who need to park for extended periods of time.

Whether you want to walk, jog, rollerblade or ride your bike, the residential sections of town provide a safe space to do so. Broad streets lined with sidewalks as well as numerous bike lanes make the area a great place to exercise without going far from home.

The name of Monte Sano State Park means “mountain of health” in Spanish. In the late 1800s, visitors came from all across the United States for the park’s fresh air, magnificent views and especially the health-giving properties of its mineral springs. Monte Sano’s does charge daily usage fees, but also offers a very reasonably-priced annual parks pass.

Besides a well-appointed lodge, the 2,140-acre park has cabins and campsites as well as a camp store. Monte Sano’s 20 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of bike paths encourage outdoor exercise and discovery while several playgrounds provide a safe environment for children to enjoy themselves. Huntsville's first dog park, Dog Spot, also lies within Monte Sano. Completely free to visitors, it has separate fenced areas for small and large dogs.

The annual Monte Sano Art Festival has been going strong for over a decade. Featuring the region's finest artists along with terrific music and tempting food, the festival takes place in and around the Monte Sano State Park Lodge.

The cost of living in the University/Research Park area borders on the high side for the region, but at just over $620 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, rental costs still sit within the average range for the city. Gas prices here hover at about 10 percent below the national average. For $1.00 you can ride the shuttle bus into Huntsville, and a draft beer at the local pub can be had for as little as $2 to $3.

While the majority of shopping opportunities can be found in downtown Huntsville, a number of interesting stores line routes 72 and 255. The Valet Boutique specializes in brand-name streetwear and hosts events ranging from independent record-release parties and major artist album signings to art exhibits and other cultural experiences.

Covered in gorgeous, brightly-colored hand-painted murals, the Crossroads Boutique carries everything from name brands to those hard-to-find gift items in a stimulating and fun environment. A broad and ever-changing selection of shoes, clothing, jewelry and more awaits you here. Their online store even allows pre-orders of items from a given shipment, so check before coming in, as some things never even make it to the showroom floor.

Nearby Sam’s Club provides its members with deep discounts on grocery items. Earth Fare sells healthy all-organic food items, from fresh fruits and vegetables to grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish. The Madison County farmers market runs from June through November and the Ayers Farmer's Market stays open year-round, selling preserved items and crafts rather than fresh produce in the off-season.