West Huntsville - Huntsville, AL

Huntsville grew out of the American drive to land a man on the moon before anyone else. Out of the push to accomplish this was born the Redstone Arsenal and the Ordnance Guided Missile Center (OGMC) led by Wernher von Braun, father of the American space program. The West Huntsville neighborhood evolved around the need to house the U.S. servicemen and civilian workers who were a part of these programs.

The area also holds the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the place where the American space program was born and continues today with the development of the new Space Launch System. While there, you can tour the Marshall Space Flight Center, the research center for the U.S. government’s space propulsion and civilian rocketry program.

Restaurants in the West Huntsville area include a good mixture of Asian, Mexican and American fare. The junction of Bob Wallace Avenue and Triana Boulevard provides one of the central restaurant locations in West Huntsville.

One of the restaurants you can find in this area is Mexican Express, which serves a variety of authentic Mexican dishes such as the Fiesta Dinner. This meal includes a burrito, enchilada, and the restaurant’s signature rice and beans. You can also try one of its other menu items, such as the Fiesta Tray, with enough food to feed the whole family.

Another area location, China Gourmet, brings Chinese cuisine to its patrons. Popular menu offerings include the many combination meals, such as a Mandarin or sweet and sour chicken platter. Also, try one of the Chef Specialties, including the Orange Beef, comprised of thick slices of beef, seasoned and battered before frying and cooked in a hot and spicy orange-peel sauce and served with broccoli.

If you seek a place to have a few drinks, then journey to The Nook. Featuring over 500 types of beer, the bar also has a selection of food. Some of the items on the menu include the Shellfish Etouffee, which combines crawfish, shrimp, crab and oysters for a one-of-a-kind taste experience. The tavern also features a variety of musical acts throughout the week.

The Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center provides another area music venue centered around the arts. The Center brings a range of musical and performance acts to the West Huntsville area, such as country music, seasonally-themed acts and events featuring a large assortment of other music genres.

A car-dependent city, Huntsville, including West Huntsville, has minimal public transportation options, with only the Huntsville Shuttle bringing limited public transportation to the area.

While Uber does not currently operate in the Huntsville area, you can contact a taxi service and have a cab pick you up. If you find yourself at an area hotel or the Huntsville International Airport, you can also find a taxi there.

With plenty of public parking in the neighborhood of West Huntsville, you can park along area streets 24 hours a day. When visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, parking is free.

When driving to areas within and outside the Huntsville area, you have easy access to highways and interstate, including Memorial Parkway to the east of West Huntsville and Interstate 565, which runs to the north.

One of the most prominent parks, John Hunt Park was named after one of the early founders of the city. This park features a large selection of sport and fitness areas, as well as a play area for the kids. South of the park, you can find the Huntsville Tennis Center and the Huntsville Municipal Golf Course.

Just on the west side of Pinhook Creek from John Hunt Park, you can find Brahan Spring Park, which contains an area for Frisbee golf, a children’s playground and a splash pad. Pets are allowed in area parks as long as you keep them on a leash.

The Huntsville Botanical Gardens offers area residents a nature center, various trails and a variety of activities for kids and adults alike. Some of these events throughout the year include Beaks and Barks, Sips & Sounds...Romantic Wines, and the Spring Luncheon during January, February, March and April. The Huntsville Botanical Gardens also holds an annual Galaxy of Lights display during the holiday season.

With a relatively low cost of living when compared to the surrounding area, West Huntsville offers its residents low rental rates for a one-bedroom residence, averaging $433 per month. Public transportation using the Huntsville Shuttle service remains inexpensive, costing only $1 to reach the Huntsville city center.

Most beers at area bars cost anywhere between $5 and $6, and the price of a gallon of gas sits at 8 percent below the national average.

Many shopping venues exist in the West Huntsville area, especially around Bob Wallace Avenue and Triana Boulevard. You can also find a selection of boutiques on the east side of Memorial Parkway, along Bob Wallace Avenue.

Melding culture with class, expertise in the fashion world and customer service, the Style Bar Boutique sells a variety of designer dresses, tops and other fashion items. For something a little more upscale, visit the Designer's Closet Consignment Boutique. The owners want to give all women access to unique and irresistible fashion apparel and accessories.

Bassett, a high-end furniture store, focuses on helping its customers meet their design goals. The store accomplishes this by creating custom furniture designs and helping customers come up with a budget.

For groceries, visit the local Kroger to fill all of your shopping needs. You can also check out one of the many different stores catering to the Hispanic community in the area, including Guanajuato Mexican Grocery. Another option is Ayers Farm Farmers' Market, which brings fresh fruit and vegetables to area shoppers.