Welcome! We’re excited to host the 2026 Thermal & Fluids Analysis Workshop in Rocket City. Below you’ll find detailed information about meals, social events , and exclusive NASA tours planned for the week.
Please note, three of the four evening social events (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) are NOT within walking distance of the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Huntsville. We recommend taking an Uber/Lyft or driving to the events if you choose to participate!
️️Lunch Options (Monday–Thursday, August 31- September 4)
Lunch will be on your own.
A restaurant, CO/OP Community Table and Bar (https://www.eatatcoop.com/) is located at the hotel but will not be able to accommodate all attendees during the lunch break. Other food options are within walking distance including:
- Condado Tacos (0.2 mi / 4 min walk)
- Chick-Fil-A (0.6 mi / 14 min walk)
- Starbucks (0.7 mi / 15 min walk
- MELT Huntsville (0.6 mi / 15 min walk)
- Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint (0.6 mi / 15 min walk)
- Taco Mama (0.5 mi / 11 min walk)
Monday, August 4 – Welcome Mixer 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Join us from 6:00–8:00 PM at Straight to Ale at Campus No. 805.
This casual event is a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and meet new participants in a relaxed, social setting.
Straight to Ale, one of Huntsville’s most popular craft breweries, offers a wide selection of locally brewed beers, food, and a lively indoor/outdoor atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to kick off the conference.
It is located within Campus No. 805, which is a unique entertainment district housed in a former middle school. Here, you can explore a variety of options including craft beer, cocktails, casual dining, arcade games, and more all within one walkable location. Be sure to keep an eye out for the hidden speakeasy tucked behind a set of school lockers as you explore campus throughout the evening!
The Campus No. 805 directory can be found here: Campus Directory – Campus No. 805
Tuesday, August 5 – Banquet Dinner 6:00PM – 9:00PM
The banquet dinner is scheduled from 6:00–9:00 PM at the , 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805.
All meals will include salad, dinner roll, vegetable, starch, dessert, coffee, iced tea, and water. Further menu details coming soon.
Each ticket will costs approximately $50 + small PayPal transaction fee. Final cost will be posted here and sent out before the required purchase date.
A cash bar will be available. Dietary restrictions may be accommodated—please indicate them when registering and we will do our best. The event will feature brief remarks from organizers and a keynote speaker. Pre-purchase will be required. More information in how to pay and due date for payment will be coming soon.
You can also go and visit the Space and Rocket Center Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Folks with a NASA badge have free entry, you will need to present your badge at the ticket counter. For more information you can visit the website.
Wednesday, August 6 – Networking event at the Trash Panda Game 6:00PM – 9:00PM
We will be hosting a social/networking event at the Trash Panda minor league baseball game located at 500 Trash Panda Wy. With the purchase of a ticket, you will get food and non alcoholic drinks. The buffet includes Pit Cooked Chicken with House Made Smokey BBQ Sauce and Alabama White Sauce, All Beef Hot Dogs, Smoked Conecuh Sausage, Seasonal Fruit Salad, Redskin Pasta Salad, Chips, Bottled Pepsi products, Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the stadium. Credit card purchases only, they do not accept cash.
Each ticket costs approximately $40 + small PayPal transaction fee. Pre-purchase is required. More information in how to pay and due date for payment will be coming soon. If you drive to the stadium you will have to pay for parking on your own. You can find pre purchase a parking pass here for $6.75 or pay $10 on game day.
If you chose not to attend the baseball game or are still looking for something to do afterwards, here are some of our favorite options downtown near the Embassy Suites:
- • Live Music and Drinks at Purveyor (6pm-9pm)
• $1 Wings and Beer (5pm-9pm) + Live Music at Jefferson Street Pub (open late)
• Stella’s Elixr Lounge for cocktails and rooftop bar
In the event of inclement weather and the game is cancelled tickets are not refundable. They can be exchanged for another game that same week. You can reed up on the ticket policy here.
Thursday, August 7 – Social Event at Huntsville Museum of Art and Restaurant 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Enjoy art, wine, and culture on Thursday! Tickets to explore the art museum are $5 after 5 and can be purchased at the Art Museum or at the link below. For guests 21+, wine from the Church Street Wine Shoppe is available for purchase for $7 at the event.
Link to event details here: https://hsvmuseum.org/5-after-5pm/
If you would like to eat before or after the Museum of Art event, we recommend Rhythm on Monroe or Pane E Vino, both great options downtown, near the museum!
After enjoying art at the museum, head on over to the Southside Cocktail Club, within walking distance of the museum! While we do not have a reservation, we think this is a great spot to continue the night. Southside is central to downtown and has delicious food options, offering proximity to other downtown bars and restaurants if desired!
Southside Cocktail Club address: 105 Washington St SE Suite 100, Huntsville, AL 35801
NASA MSFC Tours (Tentative Dates Thursday–Friday, September 3-4)
Explore some of NASA’s premier facilities during our exclusive tours at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Transportation will be provided from Embassy Suites. Spots are limited, and registration is required. If you are successful in securing a spot, you will be contacted via email in the coming weeks to confirm your participation and begin the process of obtaining a NASA MSFC visitor pass if needed. Failure to reply to the NASA tour confirmation email may result in the loss of your spot, which will be offered to the next person on the waitlist, based on the order of registration. The final tour schedule is being finalized and details will be announced as they become available:
Note that due to facility limitations, it is possible not all tours will be offered to every tour group.
We look forward to hosting you for a productive and engaging workshop week!