Why Grownup Area Camp is the final word {couples} getaway

Growing up, space intrigued me. I wasn’t exactly building model rockets in my backyard, but the idea of floating among the stars always seemed like a nifty alternative to physics class. While my dreams didn’t take me to NASA, they occasionally drifted to the cosmos. So, when the opportunity to attend Adult Space Camp emerged, it felt like a cosmic nod to those quieter daydreams, albeit with a grown-up twist.

Heading to Adult Space Camp meant a weekend getaway with my husband without our lively 5-year-old son (because while they offer Family Space Camp, there’s something about the phrase “no kids allowed” that sounds like heaven when you’ve just survived another round of birthday parties).

What better way to spend Mother’s Day than by skipping the brunch crowds for a weekend of zero-gravity fun in Huntsville, Alabama?

So there we were, planning to trade sippy cups and soccer games for spacesuits and simulators and to see if pondering the mysteries of the universe would launch us into an adventure far from the orbit of our daily routines.

Could strapping into a flight simulator or maneuvering through a mock space mission rekindle the thrill of discovery and bring us closer as a couple? We were on a mission to discover if this out-of-this-world getaway might be the ultimate way for couples to reignite their cosmic spark.

What is Adult Space Camp?

Adult Space Camp, hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, also known as Rocket City, brings every latent childhood dream of space exploration to vivid life. Officially called Adult Space Academy, this “camp” experience isn’t just a walk through a museum; it’s an immersive plunge into the life of an astronaut, complete with all the educational thrills of actual astronaut training.

Upon arrival, participants are whisked into a weekend of rigorous but fun activities that closely mirror the actual astronaut training process. You’ll experience everything from receiving mission briefings to engaging in hands-on activities like building and launching model rockets. The camp is equipped with high-fidelity simulators, including the Multi-Axis Trainer, which mimics the disorientation in a tumbling spacecraft, and the 1/6th Gravity Chair, offering a taste of what walking on the moon feels like.

What sets this camp apart is not just the chance to live out a day in the life of an astronaut but also the opportunity to interact with actual space artifacts, some of which aren’t typically available to the public, like a pair of moon boots. You get to see, touch and learn about pieces of space history that have seen the cosmos up close, adding an authentic layer of awe to the experience.

The educational component is robust. It dives into the details of spacecraft engineering, orbital mechanics and the science behind human spaceflight. The trainers, who have backgrounds in aerospace and science, provide in-depth explanations and demonstrations of how astronauts prepare for and execute their missions in space.

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The three-day camp, which starts at $899 per person, includes two nights of dorm-style accommodations — styled after real astronaut quarters to enhance the authenticity of the experience — and all meals from dinner Friday through breakfast Sunday morning. Preferring a touch more comfort, we chose to stay off-site, which allowed us to enjoy the camp during the day while retreating to a more luxurious setting by night. While die-hard space enthusiasts will appreciate staying on-site, this flexibility in accommodation choice makes the camp appealing to those looking for a unique, educational adventure without sacrificing comfort. Unfortunately, there is no discount on Space Camp’s cost if you stay off-site.

Bonding over boosters

Embarking on Adult Space Camp with your significant other is not just another couples getaway; it’s a full-throttle plunge into a universe where building rockets and navigating mission crises bring out new dimensions in your relationship. At least, it did in ours.

Here, amid simulators and space artifacts, we discovered each other’s strengths, quirks and hidden talents in ways that everyday life doesn’t often reveal.

The rocket-building sessions at Space Camp turned into an unexpected arena of friendly competition and admiration between my husband and me. While he’s the hands-on builder type, a veritable Boy Scout prodigy who can fashion anything from fire pits to furniture, my rocket soared the highest — a delightful upending of the typical results of our usual DIY endeavors. We stood side by side, launching our creations and sharing high-fives and laughter as my surprisingly aerodynamic rocket outperformed his expertly crafted but slightly less flightworthy model.

Then came the infamous heat shield experiment, an exercise in humility and hilarity. Tasked with creating a barrier against intense heat, our creation was less a shield and more an invitation to disaster. It failed so spectacularly that our instructor couldn’t resist capturing the moment for what might make a hilarious, and hopefully educational, blooper reel. Watching our project combust could have been a letdown, but instead, it turned into a moment of shared amusement and learning.

Then there was the experience in Mission Control, which is like the ultimate relationship trust exercise. Here, communication is key. You might crunch numbers and make critical decisions with only seconds to spare while the other communicates to the shuttle. This scenario replicates the high-pressure environment that actual astronauts face, demanding a level of synergy and understanding that can bring couples closer together.

Watching my husband, with laser focus, attempt to navigate our simulated shuttle while I managed the communication and data from Mission Control was both hilarious and heartwarming. After all, it’s not every day you get to say, “Honey, the shuttle door’s open,” while replicating a shuttle reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

On another day, when a simulation threw a critical oxygen depletion error at us, my husband brought humor to the high-stress scenario. He orchestrated a dramatic scene where he and his teammates pretended to pass out, bringing a moment of levity to the simulation that had everyone in stitches. It was a testament to his ability to keep spirits high, even when the artificial oxygen levels were supposedly low.

These experiences at Space Camp reminded me of another profound moment in our relationship. Years ago, I accompanied him to the Tour de France, his lifelong dream. Although cycling isn’t my passion, seeing him pedal to the summit of Col de Port, where he watched a stage finish, made me so happy. It’s similar to how he must have felt watching me embrace the astronaut role at Space Camp, a dream realized right before his eyes.

Space Camp isn’t just about the rockets and the simulations; it’s about seeing each other in new lights, pushing boundaries together and learning in tandem. Navigating the simulated challenges of space brought us closer, deepened our bond and added a few more stellar memories to our shared journey. Whether handling unexpected mishaps in Mission Control or cheering for surprisingly successful rocket launches, every moment spent at Space Camp reinforced that the best adventures are those experienced together.

Huntsville is a charming getaway with a galactic twist

Now, you might not think of Huntsville as the most romantic destination in the world. But, after a day of spinning in simulators and navigating mock space missions, the town provided just the down-to-earth backdrop we needed to enjoy our weekend away.

We stayed at 106 Jefferson Huntsville, Curio Collection by Hilton (rates from $163 or 51,000 Hilton Honors points per night), which is a stone’s throw (at least in Earth’s gravity) from the Space Center and incorporates midcentury-modern design from the golden era of space exploration with quirky space-themed art (shoutout to Baker and Able, the spacefaring monkeys!). Of course, it helped that there were plush touches like a king-size bed dressed in comfortable Irish linens to sink into at the end of the day.

The hotel’s rooftop bar, named Baker & Able, became our nightly decompression chamber. We toasted to the stars with cocktails like the Singularity ($20), which features Old Forester, rosemary and pink peppercorn syrup, bourbon cherry, orange bitters, and angostura bitters. And there’s the Orion’s Buck ($15) with Rittenhouse Rye, lemon, Peach Real puree syrup and ginger beer.

Beyond the hotel, we hit The Kaffeeklatsch, a vibrant spot popular with locals featuring a functioning coffee roaster dating back to 1929. We tucked into fresh tuna tacos at Sea Salt, a modern seafood restaurant known for its inventive oceanic fare, like Maine lobster pancakes.

For a sweet finish, we hit Pizzelle’s Confections, a nationally acclaimed candy shop that serves bonbons crafted from fair-trade chocolate.