Following a number of visits over the years, we decided to write a travel guide to the top things to do in Huntsville Alabama. Although Huntsville is best known for its space-related attractions, we discovered that there is much more to see in this city than rockets and space shuttles (although rockets are awesome!).

Huntsville is a city in northern Alabama that initially grew because of its cotton and railroad industries, but today it is best known for its military technology and aerospace industries. It was here that scientists designed and tested the Saturn V rocket that would send men to the moon for the first time. Today, the city is full of rocket scientists and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center continues to be at the forefront of U.S. rocketry research and construction, earning Huntsville its nickname “Rocket City”.

Huntsville’s top visitor attraction is definitely the excellent U.S. Space and Rocket Center and it is also well-known as being the home of Space Camp. However, there is more than just space-related attractions to see here. Huntsville offers a range of cultural, historical, and culinary attractions, which include an excellent art museum, several quirky dining and entertainment venues, lush botanical gardens, three historical districts, regular arts performances, and a thriving craft beer scene.

After our first visit back in 2018, we’ve returned a few more times to Huntsville. The city has grown to become the most populous city in Alabama and one of the most desirable places to live in the South. We’ve certainly found new things to do and new restaurants to try each time we’ve visited.

There are plenty of things do in Huntsville and you can easily spend a few days here. Whether you have 3 hours or 3 days here, we’ll provide advice on how to get to Huntsville, where to stay, what to eat, and what to do in Huntsville. We share our list of the top things to do in Huntsville as well as some day trip ideas for those who have more time.

Planning your Visit to Huntsville Alabama

Before we dive into the details of our favorite things to do in Huntsville, we wanted to give you some practical information to help you plan your own trip to Huntsville.

Where is Huntsville?

Huntsville is in the far north of Alabama in the United States of America, and sits just north of the Tennessee River. It’s around 100 miles north of Birmingham, Alabama and 100 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

How to get to Huntsville

There are several ways to get to Huntsville Alabama.

By Plane

Huntsville International Airport is the closest airport and it offers multiple flights connections within the United States. Many international flights connect through Atlanta, Georgia which is a large international hub. The airport is a 15 minute drive, taxi or shuttle ride from downtown Huntsville.

By Train

Huntsville doesn’t have a train station, but the cities of Birmingham and Anniston to the south and Nashville to the north do, so you can take an Amtrak to these cities. Then you can either hire a car or take a bus to reach Huntsville. You can see Amtrak schedules and routes here.

By Bus

Greyhound services operate to and from Huntsville from cities around the USA, so bus is definitely an option for getting to Huntsville. You can check the bus schedule for Huntsville here.

By Car

If you are in the USA, driving is definitely a great option for getting to Huntsville. Interstate 65 runs right past the city in a north/ south direction, linking the city to Birmingham in the south and Nashville in the north. Atlanta, Memphis, and Montgomery are also within a 3 to 4 hour drive of Huntsville.

If you are thinking about renting a car, you can check Enterprise rates here.

How to get around Huntsville

There are a number of options for getting around Huntsville. The easiest option is definitely by car, parking is both excellent value and widely available, and this will be the easiest way to get between the downtown sites and those attractions which are further afield.

Public transit options are not great here, but there is a shuttle bus system which runs Monday through Friday from 6am to 7pm, with a number of routes covering much of the city. It also operates on Saturdays as well. Departures are normally every 30 to 60 minutes.

There is a bike sharing program in downtown Huntsville which is operated by Pace.

There are also of course taxi and ride sharing options, including Uber and Lyft.

Best time of year to visit Huntsville?

Huntsville is a good city to visit year round. It really depends what you want to do and see in the city.  For example if you are coming for the Panoply Arts Festival, it normally takes place at the end of April.

It does get quite hot in the summer months, especially June through September. The summer months are also the most popular times to visit, so you will find it to be generally more expensive and there will be more visitors in the city in July and August.

Our suggestion would be to try and visit during the shoulder months if you can: March through May or September through November. You should get the best balance in terms of weather, visitor numbers, and prices.

The holiday period in December is also a great time to visit as there are lots of decorations, holiday events, and performances taking place during this time.

Just note that Alabama does get tornados and while these can happen at any time of the year, the most common times in northern Alabama are during the Spring (March to May, specifically April) and Fall months (November & December). If visiting during these times, just be sure to check the local news and weather for any alerts.

How many days should I stay in Huntsville?

We suggest you spend at least two or three days in Huntsville to see all the highlights. It makes for a great long weekend destination. As you’ll see when you dive into our guide to things to do in Huntsville, there’s a lot to see and do in Huntsville, enough to fill several days!

City passes for Huntsville Alabama?

One great way to save money in many cities around the world is to invest in a city sightseeing pass or discount card. In Huntsville, this is the Huntsville and North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass which you can read about more here.

The city sightseeing pass currently includes free general entry into the following 10 attractions (as of 2023): U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville), Huntsville Botanical Garden (Huntsville), Burritt on the Mountain (Huntsville), EarlyWorks Children’s Museum (Huntsville), Cathedral Caverns tour (Woodville), Cook Museum of Natural Science (Decatur), Ave Maria Grotto (Cullman), Jesse Owens Museum (Danville), Rickwoods Caverns State Park (Warrior), and Tigers For Tomorrow Exotic Animal Preserve (Attalla).

It can be purchased as a 1-day, 2-day, or 5-day pass and there are options for both children (age 2-11) and adult (age 12+) passes. You can learn more and purchase it online here or here. It must be used within 180 days of purchase.

If you are planning to visit at least 2 or 3 attractions on the pass, it will likely save you money. But please be sure to do the math before purchasing!

Another thing to check out is the free passport coupon offers from the Huntsville CVB which currently offers 20% off discounts on several attractions around the city. You can learn more about those here.

Where to Stay in Huntsville Alabama?

Huntsville has a wide range of lodging options to choose from across the city, with a particularly good selection of 3-star hotels. Note that, as far as we know, there are no 5-star hotels or hostels located within Huntsville.

Here are some options to consider:

• Drury Inn and Suites – This 3-star hotel was where we stayed when we first visited Huntsville. The hotel offers a good cooked breakfast, comfortable rooms, business center, indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary evening food and drinks. This is a great good-value stay located right across from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Highly recommend.
• Marriott at Rocket Center – If you want to be as close as possible to Space Camp or the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, this is your best bet. It is next to the Space Camp buildings and just a 2 minute walk to the museum. Typical Marriott with all the standard amenities, 24-hour front desk, free courtesy airport shuttle, on-site bar and restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and free parking. Note that breakfast is not included with most stays (it’s available at extra cost) and while free WiFi is available in the public areas, you pay for it in the room (unless part of Marriott Rewards program). We’ve stayed here and it is a great location.
• Sleep Inn & Suites – This budget-friendly hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, free breakfast, free parking, and coin-operated laundry facilities. We’ve stayed here as well and a good option for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center if you want a more affordable option (about a 7 minute drive away).
• 106 Jefferson – This 4-star boutique hotel is a great option if looking for a nicer hotel located right downtown within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, and museums. It offers mid-century decor, an on-site restaurant, room service, 24-hour desk, and a trendy rooftop bar. Just note it doesn’t offer parking so if driving you’ll need to pay to park at one of the city garages or lots.
• Springhill Suites Downtown – This 3-star hotel offers breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, and free parking. Hotel is close to the Von Braun Center, Huntsville Museum of Art, and downtown area. We’ve stayed at this one as well and can recommend it.
• The Westin Huntsville – This 4-star hotel is a well rated high-end hotel with everything you need for a comfortable stay including an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, on-site bar and restaurant, free parking, and room service. Next to the Research Park and the Bridge Street Towne Center shopping mall.
• Element Huntsville – This hotel 3-star hotel is located right next to the above Westin and is another well-reviewed option in Huntsville, offering easy walking access to the Bridge Street Towne Center, as well as free bike rental, free parking, a seasonal pool, and a pet-friendly policy.
• The Clarion Inn Huntsville – A great value option 3-star option offers an outdoor pool, fridge/microwaves in each room, breakfast, free parking, and fitness center. A 10 minutes drive from downtown Huntsville and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
• Vrbo is a good option if you are seeking a room or apartment in Huntsville, you can check local listings here. 

 

Where to Eat in Huntsville?

There are a lot of dining options in Huntsville from casual bar food to fine dining so you are sure to find options that will suit!

Here are some of our suggestions for drinking and dining options in Huntsville:

• Commerce Kitchen – Opened in 2010 by Chef James Boyce, this popular downtown restaurant features classic American dishes with Southern influences. Reservations recommended.
• Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza – Fantastic pizzeria with loads of wood-fired pizza options, and also serves local craft beer and homemade ice creams. Located in Campus 805 as well as in the nearby town of Madison, AL.
• Blue Plate Cafe – Opened in 2003, this American diner spot serves all the classic American comfort food dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is particularly popular for breakfast, and portions here are huge so come hungry!
• G’s Country Kitchen – This casual down-to-earth eatery offers home-style Southern favorites and soul food such as fried chicken, catfish, pork chops, meatloaf, and burgers. A local favorite hidden away in the Oakwood Shopping Center.
• 1892 East – A restaurant in Huntsville’s Five Points Historic District that focuses on New American cuisine made with local and seasonal ingredients. Serves upscale food in a down-to-earth tavern like setting. Lots of vegetarian dishes. Reservations recommended.
• Sac’s Kitchen – A great no-frills place to get fried chicken and soul food. We’ve had the fried chicken and catfish and can recommend them both. It was take-out only for most of the food when we visited but they do have a sit-down bar and grill area where you can sit but it only serves a bar menu. This place is popular around meal times, and long lines can form and several items are cooked to order, so best to head over during non-peak hours if you can.
• Purveyor – An upscale restaurant focused on modern American food with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Serves lunch and dinner. Bills itself as “casual fine dining”. Reservations highly recommended.
• Bakingtist – A popular downtown local coffee shop and bakery, this one with a science theme. This one is popular for its baked goods and for good reason as they were so good! They offer sandwiches, artisinal breads, muffins, cookies, etc.
• Honest Coffee – Another popular cafe serving delicious locally roasted coffee along with a good selection of cafe-style snacks, baked good, and açaí bowls. Part of a local regional chain based in Franklin, TN.
  Baker & Able – If you are looking for a rooftop bar with a view over downtown, this spot at the top of 106 Commerce (a hotel) is a perfect happy hour or pre-dinner place to go. Specializes in craft cocktails. Also serve small plates and snacks. Named after Miss Baker (buried at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center) and Abel, the first two animals launched into space by the United States who safely returned.
• Dreamland Bar-B-Que – This is a very popular BBQ place that specializes in BBQ plates and sandwiches. It started in Tuscaloosa, Alabama by John “Big Daddy Bishop in 1958. and now has outlets all over the South. A local reader recommendation.
• Viet Huong (930 Old Monrovia Rd NW, Huntsville) – A small Vietnamese restaurant serving spring rolls, pho, vermicelli, noodles, clay pots, and more. A local reader recommendation for pho and good Vietnamese food.
• Rock N Roll Sushi – An American-style sushi and Japanese restaurant with a rock n’ roll music theme. We enjoyed the service, the basic sushi rolls, and the seaweed salad. This is a chain that started in Mobile, AL and now has locations all over the South. Two locations in Huntsville, we’ve been to the one in Campus 805.
• Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q  – Big Bob Gibson’s is the most famous BBQ place in Alabama, but it is located about 25 miles southwest of Huntsville in Decatur, AL. But if you are a Southern BBQ fan, this will likely be worth the detour as it has won lots of prestigious barbecue awards. What began as a backyard BBQ joint started by railway worker Bob Gibson in the 1920’s has become world famous. Be sure to try the unique tangy white sauce.

Where to find more information on Huntsville?

For more information about what to do in Huntsville, check out the Huntsville Visitors and Convention Bureau website, which has loads of information to help you plan your trip.

Once you are in Huntsville, we recommend that you stop by one of the visitor centers for advice, free maps and brochures, coupons, and local event information. There is a visitor center at the airport as well as one in downtown Huntsville (500 Church Street NW, Suite One).

Top 25 Things to do in Huntsville

Huntsville offers something for everyone whether you are interested in art and historical homes, space and technology, or fried chicken and beer. Or some combination of them all!

We have visited Huntsville several times and below are our favorite things to do in Huntsville. We hope this list will be useful in putting together your own custom itinerary for your time in Huntsville!

Here we go with our top things to do in Huntsville, in no particular order:

Visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is an educational center dedicated to space. It is the largest spaceflight museum in the world, and is the best place in the world to learn about the history of rocketry as it sits next door to the NASA facility that designs and tests rockets! This is the most visited attraction in Huntsville and is one of the top attractions in Alabama.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is divided into three main parts: The Davidson Center for Space Exploration, the main exhibit area, and the outdoor Rocket Park and Shuttle Park areas.

The Davidson Center for Space Exploration is the newest main addition to the museum and its main attraction is its display of one of the 3 existing Saturn V rockets. The Saturn V is the tallest, heaviest, and most powerful rocket ever used in an operation. You can walk under this giant rocket as you visit all the many other attractions and informational exhibits here, which include training equipment, astronaut artifacts, the Apollo 16 capsule, and a moon rock from the Apollo 12 mission.

The main atrium exhibit area includes information on the local history of space flight, a collection of space memorabilia, and special temporary exhibits. There is also an International Space Station module mock-up you can walk through to get a sense of sense of what it is like to live and work on the ISS.

Outdoors, you’ll find a large collection of rockets and shuttles, which includes 27 missiles and rockets. The outdoor Saturn V is a full-scale replica (the real one is inside) but all the rest we believe are original. There are also several outdoor rides and simulators, which include the G-Force Simulator, Moon Shot, and a Mars climbing wall.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center also has a gift shop, an on-site cafeteria, and a domed theatre and planetarium that plays daily space-themed films. I would be sure to leave some extra time at the gift shop as it is very popular and often very busy with people wanting NASA and space themed souvenirs.

General Admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center provides access to historic Shuttle Park, Rocket Park and all the indoor exhibit areas including the main museum and the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. Tickets can be booked in advance or purchased on site. There is an extra cost to watch the films or planetarium shows.

Note that if you plan to visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and other attractions around Huntsville, you should take a look at the city attraction pass as it includes general entry here and 9 other area attractions. It will generally save you money if you plan to visit at least 2 to 3 of the included attractions.

If you have more time, there is also the option to book a bus tour of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center where visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at parts of the NASA campus. Note that this isn’t always available.

Marshall Space Flight Center is NASA’s lead center for the development of rocket propulsion systems and technologies. For example, NASA Marshall was responsible for the development of the Apollo launch vehicles that sent the first astronauts to the moon and for some of the modules for the International Space Station. The center continues to be highly involved in the development of space vehicles and scientific research for all of the major space missions.

Tours vary based on operations but normally tours include seeing the Historic Test Stands, including the Redstone Test Stand, where static tests of the Juno I and Mercury Redstone Launch Vehicles were performed from 1953 to 1961. Tours also usually include the Propulsion Research and Development Laboratory and Payload Operations Integration Center.

The Marshall Space Flight Center tours, because of security precautions, are only available to United States citizens with proper photo identification. These cost an additional $20 and last 2 to 2.5 hours. Tours can be booked in advance by phone or at the ticket desk at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. You can find out more about the tours here.

If you love space and NASA, you can easily spend the whole day here! For more information see our visitor guide to the Space and Rocket Center.

Go to Space Camp

For those of you wanting an even more “hands-on” space experience, a visit to Space Camp might be the perfect option. Operated by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (and on the same location), Space Camp is a fully interactive and immersive experience, offering a range of camps that range from one day to one week.

Space Camp offers a set of space-related educational experiences and simulations. In addition to being fun, these also focus on teamwork, critical thinking, and math and science learning. It offers a range of experiences that are similar to the training exercises that actual NASA astronauts do, or have done in the past. So far seven of Space Camp’s graduates have gone on to become actual astronauts!

Space Camp is the main camp offered here, but there are also robotics, cyber, and aviation focused programs. They also sometimes offer other themed experiences as well. On-site lodging is available for campers.

It’s hugely popular for school-age children in the United States, but Space Camp is also open to adults and families, as well as international schools and visitors. It’s a really fun experience, and definitely one to consider if you have the time.

If you are interested in doing Space Camp, this is something that you will need to book well in advance. If this is a must-do in Huntsville, you’ll want to plan your trip around the Space Camp dates. You can see their current and upcoming programs here.

See more about visiting Space Camp in our full Space Camp guide!

Check Out the Other Space Related Sites in Huntsville

Given its “Rocket City” nickname, it is probably not surprising that there are several other space-related sites in or near Huntsville. None of these are must-sees like the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, but may be of interest for those interested in space and rockets.

• The Hermes Guided Missile which was the first American-made guided missile ever put on public display. Located near the junction of Airport Road and Memorial Parkway near the Huntsville Airport.

• Wernher von Braun Planetarium – Planetarium and observatory run by the Von Braun Astronomical Society, which offers public shows on most Saturday nights. Located in Huntsville within the Monte Sano State Park.

• Alan Shepard Jr. bootprints – You’ll find boot prints by pilot and astronaut Alan Shepard, who was the first American in space, along Franklin Street in downtown Huntsville next to the Alabama Constitution Hall. Marker and footprints were placed here to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing in July 1994.

• Boeing Space Station Connecting Node – This Boeing built connecting node was built as a mock-up for the Space Station program and was later given to the Huntsville Botanical Garden. It now sits within the Children’s Garden section of the botanical garden.

• Located about 30 miles north of Huntsville is the Saturn 1B Launch Vehicle that was developed at the U.S. Marshall Space Flight Center. Located at the Alabama Welcome Center in Ardmore off 1-65 at the Tennessee-Alabama border. Note in 2023, the Saturn 1B Launch vehicle is to be dismantled and moved due to safety concerns but the state hopes that a replica will be built to replace it.

Go Back in Time at Burritt on the Mountain

Burritt on the Mountain is an open-air museum that sits on a high plateau near Monte Santo State Park. The grounds are filled with historic 19th century properties that have been brought from all over Alabama and placed here in the interests of preservation and education. These include an 1810 log cabin, a 1884 church, a 1885 cabin, and an 1890s barn.

The museum began after William Henry Burritt donated his 20th century mansion to the city upon his death in 1955 with the hope that the land could be used for a museum. Over the years, it has continued to expand with new buildings, features, and attractions. In addition to being a popular visitor attraction, the venue also hosts a number of events such as conferences, parties, and weddings.

In addition to touring the buildings and mansion, visitors can also interact with the actors and guides in period-costumes in many of the buildings. The staff provide information and often demonstrate different things like weaving, woodworking, or farming chores. There is also a barnyard area with farm animals.

There are also a number of activities, seminars, and workshops that are often taking place at the museum. Some are free to join and others require pre-booking.

For instance, during our visit there was a leather crafting workshop in the replica 4-room Rosenwald school house, and we made leather luggage tags. It was hard work but we got to take home our finished products! These folk school workshops are organized by Burritt on the Mountain, and you can see the upcoming schedule of events here.

There is a fee to visit the museum, and tickets can be purchased on site. General entry is also included as part of the local attraction pass.

Take a Hike

One of the really nice things about Huntsville is how much greenery surrounds and permeates the city. Lovers of the outdoors and hiking won’t need to go very far in order to find a nice trail for either a short or long hike.

In fact, we actually did some house hunting in Huntsville and near almost every house we viewed there was a walking or hiking trail within walking distance of the house.

Much of the land and associated hiking trails are managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama. Check out their website for a list of great green spaces in and around Huntsville.

We took a hike in the Land Trust’s Monte Sano Nature Preserve, which is our favorite we have visited. It is an 1,100 acre land preserve which features over 22 miles of free publicly accessible and well-marked trails.

There are several popular trails here and different routes feature caves, former railway tracks, springs, and wildflowers. It’s really nice to have so much green space within the city, and we enjoyed the 1 hour long hike along the Wildflower Trail that we did here.

We’ve also walked along the Madison County Nature Trail (a.k.a. Green Mountain Nature Trail) which is located on Green Mountain within a 72-acre park in southeast Huntsville. Here you’ll find a a 1.5 mile walking trail around a lake where you’ll pass a chapel, covered bridge, outdoor classroom, and picnic tables. Its a lovely walk on a nice day and we saw lots of birds while on the walk.

The Madison County Nature Trail is fairly popular trail but if you want a more peaceful walk, consider a nearby trail like the Alum Hollow Trail or the more difficult Rangers Trail. These are both located nearby and are part of the 366-acre Green Mountain Nature Preserve trail network.

Hays Nature Preserve is another great green space in Huntsville that offers 10 miles of hiking trails along the Flint River. It also has a kayak launch, a nature playground, fishing, and free organized events.

Play Retro Video Games

If you love old arcade games or pinball machines, Huntsville is a great place to feed that passion as there are several arcades in the city.

Here are your main options:

• Rocket City Arcade which offers over 70 vintage arcade and pinball games with all the classic favorites. They charge an admission fee but then you can play the games free all-day.
• Pints & Pixels – A casual pub-style arcade that also has 50 vintage arcade and pinball machines, including all the classics like Pac-Man, Tetris, and Mario Kart. Serves beer, wine, handcrafted soda, cocktails, and milkshakes. Located within the Campus 805 complex.
• Ronnie Raygun’s – This is another spot within the large Campus 805 dining and entertainment venue and it offers beer, pool tables, and lots of pinball machines. Good option for those already planning to explore Campus 805 and who love pinball.
• Stars & Strikes – This modern entertainment center offers bowling, an arcade, bumper cars, laser tag, escape rooms, and more. So a great place to get your arcade fix if you also want a place offering a variety of other activities.
• Starlight Arcade – This little arcade is located within the Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment center and offers a number of pinball machines as well as fighter, Nintendo, and other classic arcade games from the 70’s to the 90’s. What is unique is that they also repair the games on-site and you can often watch them doing this.

We personally stopped for our arcade fix at Pints & Pixels in Huntsville, which is a great place to go if you want a drink and a place to play arcade games. They also have a great craft beer list and a soda fountain. The arcade is family-friendly.

Note, that Pints and Pixels used to be located downtown but are now located within the Campus 805 complex. They also no longer serve food in the new location.

Laurence and I had a really fun time playing games like Mrs. Pac-Man, Q-Bert, Frogger, Mario Kart, Tetris, Street Fighter, and Mario Bros. Many of these were favorites of mine back when I owned an Atari and Super Nintendo!

Visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden

Those who enjoy gardens, may want to make a stop at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Open year round, this 112 acre garden is one of Alabama’s top visitor attractions. It has trails throughout its different zones, which include a fern glade, a daylily garden,14 themed herb gardens, a nature trail, and a children’s garden.

It’s also home to a large open-air seasonal butterfly house that is normally open from April to September. Birdlovers may want to follow the Lewis Birding Trail which takes visitors along the diverse areas of the garden where birds are often seen. Over 40 bird species are regular spotted in the garden each year and it is considered an important birding spot.

The garden also hosts multiple themed events throughout the year. When we visited it was near to Halloween, so there were multiple pumpkin sculptures throughout the park.

One of its most popular annual events is the Galaxy of Lights event. This is held through November & December each year, and features beautiful light installations throughout the garden, which can be seen either on a driving tour or walking tour. Tickets for this need to be booked in advance, which you can do here.

There is also a guest center, gift shop, vending machines, and a cafe located here. Shuttles are often available for those with limited mobility, and a limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed. There are paths throughout much of the garden. Those with reduced mobility are advised to call ahead.

There is an admission fee to visit the garden, and special tickets are needed for certain special events such as the Galaxy of Lights. General admission is included as part of the local city pass.

Drink the Local Craft Beer

Like in many American cities, craft beer is popular and there are a number of craft breweries in Huntsville. However, the craft brewery revolution was late in taking off in Huntsville. This was partially due to local legal regulations (most of which have been repealed) and partially due to local tastes.

But in 2004, Olde Towne Brewing Company started the first brewery in Huntsville in over 70 years! It closed in 2010, but since its closure several new breweries have opened. The oldest is Straight to Ale, which opened in 2010 and kept the craft beer scene alive. Today craft beer is thriving in Huntsville.

There are several breweries in Huntsville and Madison, and likely more to come. There is a local Craft Beer Trail, that connects many of the local craft breweries and beer shops in Huntsville, and you can follow that if you want to really check out the local beer scene!

We had a chance to taste beer from a few of the local breweries including Straight to Ale, Yellowhammer Brewing, and Old Black Bear. All are definitely worth trying. Laurence really enjoyed trying the IPAs at all the breweries and Jess’s favorite was the Yellowhammer flagship beer, the Belgian White.

Note that if you are more into craft coffee or cocktails than beer, then Huntsville also has downtown trails for those as well. You can learn more here.

Visit the Huntsville Museum of Art

With a primary focus on 19th and 20th century American art, the Huntsville Museum of Art is a must-see location for lovers of art and culture. It is located right next to Big Spring Park.

They have over 3,000 objects in their permanent collection, and also host regular rotating temporary exhibitions. The primary collection mainly focuses on 19th and 20th century American art but also features artwork from Europe, Asia, and Africa. The collection includes paintings as well as artwork made of wood, glass, metal, clay and fiber. It has a particularly large number of glass and silver objects.

When we visited the first time there was a collection of aquatints, lithographs, and etchings of the flora and fauna of the New World on display from the museum’s collection, which included some from famous American naturalist John James Audubon.

The main temporary exhibition was an interesting exhibition of contemporary art by artist Denise Stewart-Sanabria which featured “animated food” like fruits and donuts on backgrounds which represented human behavior. The museum staff were also preparing for a new exhibition of over 60 objects designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany including stained-glass windows, floral vases, lamps, and accessories.

This being Huntsville, there is also a space and science vibe to some of the pieces that the museum has acquired over the years. The prime example is Moonwalk by Andy Warhol, which depicts Neil Armstrong’s photograph of Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin walking on the moon for the first time in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. The museum also has a collection of watercolors by Renato Moncini. Moncini worked as an illustrator for NASA in the Apollo program, and his watercolors depict scenes of both the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Huntsville itself.

The second time we visited the main exhibition was focused on body armor, from the Greeks to the current age of comic superheros. There were also temporary exhibits featuring art by Ginny Ruffner, which were traditional sculpture combined with augmented reality, and a photography exhibition by Lebanese artist Rania Matar. The permanent art on display included a room of European paintings (Ponchin collection) and a couple of rooms displaying some of the museum’s glass and silver pieces.

Most of the art we saw the first time had changed and the interactive galleries for families were also different. This makes it great for locals as you can return and see new art every few months.

The museum also has a gift shop and restaurant. If you are hungry after taking in all the art, you might want to stop in for pizza or pasta at the casual Italian restaurant Pane e Vino. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Has a large patio for outdoor dining in nice weather.

There is an admission fee to visit the museum. Free cell phone audio tours are available, and private and group guided tours can be arranged in advance.

Take a Walk in Big Spring Park

Big Spring International Park is the most popular park in downtown Huntsville. Its history is older than the town itself as the Big Spring, a huge underground spring, is next to where Huntsville founder John Hunt first settled back in 1805. The town would slowly grow outward from here.

Big Spring is a huge water source and canals were even built here. In fact, the Big Spring would serve as the city’s main water supply source until the 1960’s. Over time the park has expanded to encompass more area.

Today, the park is a popular place for walkers, joggers, and families. It contains a lagoon and sections of the canal which are home to ducks, geese, and koi. The park also features gifts that were given to the city from foreign nationals, including a light beacon and fog bell from Norway and a red bridge and cherry trees from Japan.

The Big Spring Park is also the site for a number of events throughout the year, including the Panoply Arts Festival, which is one of the largest arts events in the Southeast. Concerts, plays, and holiday events are also held here. A seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink is set up next to the park during the winter months.

The Big Spring Park is located adjacent to the Huntsville Museum of Art, so makes a great place to take a stroll before or after a visit to the museum.

Visit Artists at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

If you enjoy art, crafts, and unique handmade items, we recommend you head to Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment. This is a massive former cotton mill that has been redeveloped into what is now the largest privately owned arts facility in the USA.

There are over 100 working artists studios in the building across its 171,000 square foot space, as well as restaurants, performance venues, a bookstore, photography studios, and several fine art galleries. This is a fantastic place to come and meet local artists, who cover pretty much every medium and type of art you might think of from paintings to printworks to pottery to bronze sculptures.

We particularly enjoyed meeting artist David Nuttall of Artimaps, who creates entirely realistic but also entirely fictional maps of locations he imagines in his head. Imagining maps is something he has been doing since he was six years old, and it’s incredible to see the level of detail that goes into each of his maps. We liked his work so much that we purchased one of his maps to take back home!

Of course, you can find more than just art at Lowe Mill, you’ll find stores selling vintage clothing, records, jewelry, art supplies, books, gourmet food, chocolate truffles, and more. There was even a place, Cattyshack Lounge, where you can adopt cats! You can also sign up for a number of classes and workshops, which range from make-up tutorials to painting to digital art to baking gingerbread cookies.

When we were last there we saw two women learning to make their own candles. Another couple was screen printing their own T-shirts. There were workshops being advertised for jewelry, potter, leather, and more.

There are also a number of food business and restaurants, including a tea shop and distillery. We’ve had lunch here twice, first when we first visited at a place called Happy Tummy which has sadly since closed and at Poftà Bunà (Romanian inspired casual dishes). But there are still several places to get food which include pizza, vegetarian, a BBQ place, ice pops, and a coffee shop.

We also had tea at Piper & Leaf which is a local family-run company that blends its own tea. They sell prepared tea (hot or cold) as well as bags of their black and green teas. We really enjoyed their black tea blends. They have since expanded to a few other locations.

One thing to note is that this is a huge place and is confusing to navigate so it is a good idea to check the posted studio maps and have a general plan if there are any places you definitely want to visit. The studio and business hours can also be a bit random (they are run by individual artists and they are open to their schedule!) so it can be hit and miss sometimes if a specific studio is open.

I would recommend visiting on a Saturday afternoon if you want to ensure that most places are open and there are at least a few places serving food and drinks. If you want a quieter experience, I’d visit during the week.

Visit the Veterans Museum and Memorial

Huntsville is home to two separate veterans’ related sites, the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum and the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial.

The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum is located over by the airport and is a museum dedicated to the accomplishments of American military servicemembers. The focus is primarily on World War 1 until now. The museum includes lots of displays, information, weapons, and military vehicles, including the oldest surviving Jeep, the Ford Pygmy.

Most of the museum is indoors but there are some vehicles and equipment outside in the back as well that is part of the museum. We found it very informative and a lot was packed into the space. Volunteers are around and you are encouraged to ask questions during your visit. There is a small admission fee to visit the museum (free to active servicemembers with ID).

In the downtown area you will also find the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial. This is a free public memorial dedicated to the American armed services throughout history. It includes a large statue and fountain surrounded by a wall which has a timeline of wars and granite memorial markers listing each conflict and those who died from Madison County.

There is also an eternal flame down the middle and if you walk in behind, you can follow a walkway pass a number of other monuments, memorials, statues, and information panels. You can learn more about each of the components of the memorial here.

The memorial itself was only completed in 2011 and several things have been added since its dedication. We were surprised at how much was here and have no doubt more will likely be added in time. The memorial is free to visit.

The pathway behind the main memorial will actually take you next to the Historic Railway Depot. So if you are also planning to visit it on your trip, it is a good idea to combine the two.

Go Axe Throwing

When you think of a fun activity for a group of friends to do in the evening, I’m guessing the chances are that axe throwing is going to be at the top of your mind. Especially if you are a lumberjack!

Urban axe throwing is a rapidly growing activity, where participants throw small axes at wooden targets. Sort of like darts with axes, or a gun range with axes. Huntsville is home to a number of venues that will let you hurl an axe at a wooden target. These include Bad Axe Throwing and Civil Axe Throwing.

We visited the Civil Axe Throwing venue in Campus 805, where we learnt all about the art of axe throwing. It turned out to be more difficult than you might imagine, and our group missed the target more than they hit it. To be honest, this is not my cup of tea, but Laurence had a lot of fun and was very proud of the couple of times he hit the target!

Axe throwing can be popular, especially on Friday nights and weekends, so we recommend booking in advance. Works the same way as reserving a bowling lane and sessions are usally 30 minutes or 60 minutes in length. You’ll need to sign a waiver to participate and must be at least 18 years of age.

Visit Local Churches and See Cosmic Christ

Huntsville has a lot of churches and one of the more notable historic churches to check out is the Episcopal Church of the Nativity located on Eustis Avenue in downtown Huntsville. It was built between 1856 and 1859 and was designed by British architect Frank Wills.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity was built in the Gothic Revival style and is considered one of the best examples of Gothic Revival structures of this type in the southeastern United States. The Church received National Historic Landmark status in 1990.

For something more unusual and contemporary, the Cosmic Christ is a large mosaic that adorns the facade of the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church located on Governors Drive. The mosaic is a local landmark and is hard to miss being 47 feet high and 157 long and constructed of over 1.4 million glass tiles.

The mosaic was created by artist Gordon Smith and it is designed to express the Biblical theme “Creation and Redemption”. Although formally known as “Cosmic Christ”, many locals affectionately refer to it as “Eggbeater Jesus” because of the resemblance of the lower part of the Jesus figure to an eggbeater. It does indeed resemble an eggbeater or whisk.

The Cosmic Christ mosaic took 7 years to complete (1966-1973), but sadly was not properly designed or installed and many of the glass tiles have come off the wall. A massive restoration process is in the works, started in 2017, that will replace the existing tiles while keeping the same overall design. Over 6 million Italian hand-blown pieces of glass will be used to replace the existing mosaic over the next 5 years. The final mosaic will have more color and definition when completed!

Although the mosaic is probably the best-known part of the church for visitors, the church itself is the oldest missionary Baptist church in Alabama. Its history of worship dates back to 1809 and the first meeting house was established in 1813. It is still an active church with regular worship services, and you can find out more here.

The current building dates to the 1960’s (although it had a huge renovation in 2012) and you can see it has many space-related elements that would have appealed to the “Space Race” generation, including the stained-glass windows, mosaic, and 229-foot rocket-like carillon bell tower.

If you have a chance to go inside the church, you’ll find beautiful stained-glass windows in both the sanctuary and baptistery. These windows look beautiful in morning sunlight. They represent the creation of the universe and have a very space-related look to them with planets, galaxies, and stars.

Note that if you are interested in churches in Northern Alabama, there is a full trail the local tourism boards have put together of 32 historic religious buildings across 16 counties called the Hallelujah Trail. In Huntsville, this includes the Episcopal Church of the Nativity and the Temple B’nai Sholom.

Taste the Local Cuisine

While there is no particular food that is specific to Huntsville, the city serves up all of the Alabama and Southern favorites. Alabama’s cuisine is very Southern and there is an emphasis on fried food. Portions tend to be large and are often big enough to share.

Some common foods you may want to try in Huntsville (and elsewhere in Alabama) include fried catfish, BBQ pork, smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce, fried chicken, Conecuh sausage, pimento cheese, cornbread, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, banana pudding, and pecan pie.

Of course you’ll also find all types of cuisines in Huntsville, not just Southern, including Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, German, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, etc.

Huntsville offers up a variety of eateries from fast casual to fine dining. See our list of recommend restaurants (most are places which we ate while in Huntsville) in our earlier Where to Eat in Huntsville section.

See Historic Homes in Huntsville’s Historic Districts

Huntsville has 3 historic districts (so far): Twickenham, Old Town, and Five Points. These are all adjacent to each other and great areas to explore for those who enjoy historic homes and have an interest in architecture. Building styles are varied in these areas, and you’ll find Federal, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate, Victorian, Bungalow, Cape Code, and Ranch style homes.

Although most of the homes are closed to the public and can only be seen from the sidewalks, the Weeden House in the Twickenham District is open to the public. The Weeden house was built in 1819 in the Federal style and is one of the most notable historic homes in Huntsville. Check out the Weeden House Museum for the latest information about opening hours.

However, there are more than just homes. You’ll also find historic churches like the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, shops like Harrison Brothers Hardware, and other sites such as the Helion Lodge #1 (oldest operating lodge of Freemasons in Alabama). You’ll find historical signs and markers all over the city, especially in these areas.

The three historic districts are all adjacent to one another so it’s easy to put together your own self-guided walking tour using this excellent detailed audio guide and map. You can also join one of the free guided history walking tours that are offered each month through the convention bureau. There are also seasonal trolley tours, and you can purchase tickets for these from the EarlyWorks Museum.

In addition to regular history walking tours in the months of September and October, there are also guided evening ghost walking tours of these historical areas as well as haunted trolley rides for those who prefer a touch of the supernatural. Check out Huntsville Ghost Walks for times, info, and costs.

Twickenham Historic District

Twickenham was the first area of Huntsville that was designated as a historic district. Twickenham was the original name of Huntsville (named after a town in England) and was given the name by LeRoy Pope, the “Father of Huntsville”. It was later renamed after the Revolutionary War hero and first settler John Hunt.

Twickenham contains many of the largest and most upscale homes in the city. Most of the homes date from the 19th century, particularly from the antebellum period, and include a number of the dominant architectural styles from this period including Federal, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Bungalow.

Some of the prominent historic homes and buildings:

• LeRoy Pope House, (403 Echols Avenue SE) – known as the Poplar Grove estate, the hilltop mansion and plantation was built by “Father of Huntsville” LeRoy Pope. This was the first mansion built in Huntsville in 1814, and it was greatly extended over the years. In May 1814, Pope hosted a large public dinner on the lawn for General Andrew Jackson and soldiers returning from the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
• The Weeden House (300 Gates Avenue SE) – built in 1819 in the Federal style, one of the most notable residents was the artist and poet Maria Howard Weeden. Open to the public as a house museum.
• Albert Erskine House (527 Franklin Street SE) – built in 1818 (or perhaps earlier) in Federal style, porch and south half of house were added on later. The blue glass in the windows is interesting.
• Moore-Rhett House (603 Adams Street SE) – two-storey Neoclassical Revival-style house. First built in 1826 for newspaper editor John Boardman but later rebuilt in 1850s by John Boardman. Later owned by Sam Moore who was known for his prize-winning Jersey milk cow Lily Flagg.
• Thomas Bibb House (300 Williams Avenue SE) – built in 1836, this was originally a Federal home that was later converted into Greek Revival. Owned by Alabama’s second governor Thomas Bibb.
• Fletcher-Lowe House (210 Williams Avenue SE) – built around 1903, one of the “newer” homes, built in the Chateauesque Revival style.
• Helion Lodge #1 (409 Lincoln Street) – Site of the first masonic lodge in Alabama. The group received the charter in 1811 and the first building was erected in 1820. Early members include John Hunt and LeRoy Pope.
• McClung House (416 McClung Avenue SE) -built around 1838 with an Italianate style 2-storey verandah (likely added in 1850s), this is the former home of Colonel James White McClung. House contains two carved mantels that belong to John Jacob Astor who died in the tragic sinking of the Titanic.

If you love historic homes, and only have time to see a few, I’d recommend strolling through this district.

Old Town Historic District

The Old Town was designated as a historic district in 1974. The Old Town contains buildings that mostly follow right after the period of the homes built within the Twickenham Historic District, with most of them dating from the late 19th century to 1930.

The main architectural styles of the homes here are Victorian, Federal, Bungalow, American Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Prairie School. You’ll also find the Providence Classical School (formerly the East Clinton School) in this area, which is one of the few remaining examples of Art Deco architecture in Huntsville.

Five Points Historic District

Five Points was designated a historic district in 1999. Five Points has mainly been a middle class and working-class neighborhood and so unlike the other two historic districts, has less grand homes.

This area was likely Huntsville’s first suburb and you can see many homes built between the 1920’s to the 1960’s. Prominent architectural styles include Victorian, Craftsman style, Cape Code, and Ranch style.

Stop at Harrison Brothers Hardware

Sitting on the edge of the Twickenham Historic District in downtown Huntsville is Harrison Brothers Hardware. It first opened in 1879 (it has been located on the Square since 1897) and is one of the oldest businesses in Alabama.

It was first opened by brothers James and Daniel Harrison and was a family business passed down until 1983. The Harrison family thought it would close, but the Historic Huntsville Foundation ended up purchasing the store and keeping it open.

It sells homeware, toys, crafts, art, local food items, gifts, and seasonal goods. Most of their goods are locally made in Alabama or made in the USA, and it’s a great place to buy a treat or a souvenir.It is a great place to stop and shop.

When you visit, you can also see Harrison the store’s faithful orange animatronic cat who has been guarding the store since 1985. You’ll also see the 1907 cash register (still used), old desk, old advertisements, and much more.

Just note that it is popular place to stop and shop and is crammed full of both memorability and items. So be sure to allow yourself some time to come here and shop.

Enjoy The Lumberyard

If you enjoy unique, eclectic, and rambling venues, you have got to check out AM Booth’s Lumberyard in downtown Huntsville. It is a dining and entertainment venue that features live music, bars, dining areas, and large outdoor spaces.

This sprawling venue is set in a former Lumberyard (hence the name) near the railway, and features a variety of spaces to choose from for relaxing in, as well as live music across multiple stages and indoor and outdoor dining options. There are multiple bars in the venue.

When we visited, they had only recently opened the Blue Bayou dining experience. Set in a lovingly restored 1924 Pullman train carriage, this offers excellent value family-style dining and a very unique experience. Each of the booths hold 6 persons and the 3-course meal is served family style. We loved the Southern homestyle food and opportunity to meet and chat with some of Huntsville’s local people. If interested, be sure to book this in advance.

When you visit AM Booth’s Lumberyard, you’ll want to take the opportunity to play the world’s largest working jukebox before you leave. This 22 foot tall Wurlitzer jukebox was built into the wall outside the Lumberyard and Doug Smith’s Sound Cell recording studio, at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Meridian Street.

When you stand on the street in front of the jukebox, an infrared sensor will recognize you are there. Your presence will trigger a song to play at random (there are a number of North Alabama songs), and it will burst into life.

NOTE: Sadly, AM Booth’s Lumberyard closed and it is currently under new ownership and being renamed and renovated. It is expected to open in 2024 as Meridian Arts Club. We hope that this unique dining and entertainment venue reopens soon!

Spend an Evening at Campus 805

Campus 805 is another one of Huntsville’s eclectic dining and entertainment spaces. The main building is a former school building that served as a school from 1951 to 2009, first as S.R. Butler High School and later as Roy L. Stone Middle School. The middle school closed in 2009 and the giant space has since been turned into Campus 805.

Campus 805 is large and consists of 2 main buildings. The venue includes restaurants, breweries, shops, a speakeasy, an arcade, axe throwing, art classes, a golf simulator, and more!

We had pizza at Earth and Stone Pizza which is popular eatery owned by a local husband-and-wife team. A great place for pizza as well as ice cream and local Yellowhammer craft beer.

We did axe throwing at Civil Axe Throwing and had beer from Straight to Ale. We also wandered around to take a peek at the speakeasy, see a ballroom dancing class, visit Ronnie Raygun’s pinball arcade, and see a group of people painting and drinking wine in a Spirited Art class.

On a return visit several years later we also stopped by Pints and Pixels and had sushi at Rock N Roll Sushi. This continues to be one of the best places to go to spend a lively evening out in Huntsville.

Before you visit check out the events and business directory to see what is there and what is happening.

Learn Some History at the Alabama Constitution Hall Park

If you have an interest in history, then you may want to visit the Earlyworks Museum Complex, which consists of three separate sites in downtown Huntsville: the Alabama Constitution Hall Park, the Earlyworks Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot and Museum.

Huntsville was selected as the site of the first state Constitutional Convention, and here 44 delegates met in a vacant cabinet shop to decide on the new state’s constitution. Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819, and the delegates would meet in Huntsville from July 5, 1819 to August 2, 1819.

Fun Fact: The current Alabama state constitution, adopted in 1901, is the longest operative constitution in the world at 310,296 words!

Huntsville served as the temporary state capital from 1819 to 1820, before it moved to Cahaba, and eventually to where it is today in Montgomery.

Today, the site is the Constitution Hall Park, also known as the Alabama Constitution Village. It is a historical open-air museum that brings to life the early nineteenth century as it would have been around 1819. The buildings, which are mostly historical replicas, include a print shop, law office, confectionary shop, post office, cabinetmaker’s shop, and residence.

You can take a tour of the historical buildings that takes about 90 minutes and allows you a guided visit of the all the main buildings on the site, including the Constitution Hall, blacksmith shop, Boardman house and print shop, and Neal home. We’ve done this tour and found it really interesting.

Sometimes actors in period costumes enact 19th century daily life and customs through demonstrations and hands-on educational programs. These include demonstrations of a printing press, blacksmithing, woodworking, sewing, and baking.

The historical park and picnic area are free to visitors, but you need to join a paid 90-minute guided tour to see the interior of the historical buildings. The tours are geared to adults and children aged 12 and up. Note that tours are only given on certain days of the week so be sure to check the available tour dates and times.

The historical park green space and picnic area is free to visit. The gift shop and Piper & Leaf tea cafe are located in the same building as where you buy tickets or book tours.

Visit the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum with your Kids

The EarlyWorks Children’s Museum is a great place for young children and families. It features a number of interactive areas, games, play areas, and even has a talking tree that provides history stories to children.

It is designed for families with kids age 2 to 12 with some areas more designed for younger kids and some areas for older kids. For example there are touch areas with younger kids in mind and a Tinker Lab for older kids.

There is also a replica General Store and an area that allows kids to dress up in 1800’s period clothing.

The museum is open year-round. There is an admission fee to visit. Note that the museum is only open to adult visitors who are accompanying children.

The museum is located very close to the Constitution Hall Park described above (part of the EarlyWorks museums). So you could walk over there before or after your visit to see the exterior of the buildings and there are also picnic tables there if you bring your own food.

If you are traveling to Huntsville with kids, the local area pass may save you money as it includes lots of great family-friendly attractions, including the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Botanical Garden, Burritt on the Mountain, Cook Museum of Nature Science (in Decatur), Cathedral Caverns, and more!

Learn about Trains at the Historic Huntsville Depot and Museum

The Huntsville Depot and Museum is a local railway museum that is located at the Huntsville railroad depot, which is the oldest surviving depot in Alabama and one of the oldest in the country. It was built in 1860 and served as the eastern headquarters for the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.  It was captured and used by the Union Army as a temporary prison during the Civil War. The depot was in active use until 1968. 

The train depot offers a number of exhibits about train travel and local transport as well as some outdoor exhibits. The museum has a small collection of vehicles including a fire engine, antique cars, a steam engine, and a train caboose.

Tour guides are often available to take visitors on a guided tour. Gift shop offers train and Civil War related memorabilia.

Note: As of our last visit in December 2023, the museum and the interiors of the buildings were still closed to the public due to a shortage in volunteers. You can still walk around the little park and see the outside of the depot and outdoor train exhibits.

For those interested in trains, we’d also recommend considering making a stop at the North Alabama Railroad Museum, located about 6 miles north of Huntsville in Chase, AL. This museums includes a restored train depot, library, over 30 major pieces of rolling stock, and working trains. Admission is free although there is a charge for train rides and donations are appreciated.

Appreciate the Street Art & Other Public Art

If your prefer your art outdoors rather than indoors, Huntsville still has you covered. The city is filled with public art, and new public art works regular pop up in the downtown area. Some pieces are permanent and others are temporary.

One of the largest public art projects in Huntsville has been the SPACES Sculpture Trail which runs through the city and features over 35 sculptures by over 20 artists from across the United States. The city sometimes organizes guided local walks of the trail, but you can easily see the sculptures on your own.

There is also now the Secret Art Trail that you can follow. It is within downtown Huntsville in the Quigley Arts & Entertainment District. You can have a beer or other adult beverage when walking in this area if you buy it from a local permitted bar or restaurant and you’ll be given a special purple cup.

If you enjoy street art, there are some fantastic street art murals around the city. Some are designed to encourage you to get involved in the piece, perhaps by holding an errant bunch of balloons or being eaten by a giant carp. A couple of good spots to find street art in Huntsville are the Clinton Row Color Walk and the murals around Big Spring Park.

Of course, you’ll likely spot art all over Huntsville if you keep your eyes peeled. Some other examples include the famous Cosmic Christ mosaic on the side of the First Baptist Church, the painted mural on the side of the Liquor Express building, the murals on the exterior of the Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment buildings, murals at Campus 805, and the mosaic mural inside the Madison County Courthouse.

Go Shopping in Huntsville

Huntsville is a great place to do a bit of retail therapy, whether you are looking for a quirky locally made piece of art, a souvenir, or just a new pair of shoes.

• Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment – Here you find the work of over 100 independent artists, from jewelry to paintings to leather goods, plus places to eat, learn, and play. If you are looking for something unique, this is our recommended place to go! See prior entry for more.
• Bridge Street Town Centre – Here you’ll find about 50 retail stores where you can shop for clothes, shoes, home decor, skincare and cosmetics, fitness items, gifts, books, phones, and more. Also has a cinema, salons, and several restaurants. You can find a list of the current stores here.
• Harrison Brothers – This historic downtown shop carries a bit of everything with lots of locally made items that are make perfect souvenirs or gifts. See prior entry for more.
• Museum Gift Shops – The local museum gift shops are great places to look for unique and local products and souvenirs. Some of our favorites are the ones at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Museum of Art, and Cook Museum of Natural Science (in nearby Decatur).
• Local Famers Markets – There are farmers markets held throughout the city, most are seasonal. They carry both fresh local produce as well as locally made goods. You can find more about them here.

Of course, this is just some of the many places you might want to shop in Huntsville. There are many shopping centers in and near the city as well as a number of great independent downtown shops.

Enjoy the Local Nightlife

Although Huntsville is not necessarily known for its happening nightlife, there is still a lot to do in the Rocket City in the evening. These range from going to a bar for live music to seeing a film at the local cinema to going to the ballet.

Huntsville is home to its own symphony orchestra, a professional ballet company, and theatre companies. Check out what is happening during your visit at the Von Braun Center. This large space is often used to host theatre, ballet, symphonies, festivals, and concerts.

If you’d rather drink a beer than watch the ballet, consider checking out some of the local craft breweries and bars, see the local craft beer trail. Many bars offer live music in the evenings, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

You might also want to head over to Campus 805 as this venue offers bars, axe throwing, restaurants, a pinball arcade, ballroom dancing, and much more!  Or grab some wine and pick up a paintbrush at a Spirited Art class.

Looking for something else? Take the family out for bowling and/or arcade games, there are several options in Huntsville. Or catch a film at one of Huntsville’s cinemas. Or see a planetarium show at the Wernher von Braun Planetarium—the planetarium and observatory offers public shows on most Saturday nights.

Don’t forget to check for special events and seasonal offerings as well. For example, during the months of November and December, consider heading to the Galaxy of Lights event at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. The Panoply Arts Festival takes place in April, which offers all day events. In October, there are ghost walks and haunted trolley rides of the downtown areas and historical districts. During December there is Santa’s Village and lots of other holiday events.

Day Trips from Huntsville Alabama

If you have more time in the city and have covered all the attractions in Huntsville, you may be looking for some day trip ideas.

All of the following are located within a 2 hour drive of Huntsville. Some can also be reached by bus, for instance both Chattanooga and Birmingham can be reached by Greyhound bus from Huntsville.

If you are planning to visit a few attractions in and near Huntsville, you might save money from this north Alabama attractions pass which allows you entry into 10 different attractions and museums in Huntsville and the surrounding area including Cathedral Caverns, Ave Maria, and Cook Museum of Natural Science.

There are many places you could visit, but here are several ideas to get you started (listed in order of distance from Huntsville):

• Cook Museum of Natural Science – This museum’s origins date back to the 1960’s but the current museum was just opened at a brand new site in 2019 and it is a fully modern and interactive natural sciences museum. Great for families with kids of any age, although we enjoyed it as well as adults. We just recommend avoiding the mornings on school days as these are very popular with school groups and it can get very busy! Located in Decatur, about 25 minutes from Huntsville. If in Decatur, you might also want to stop for BBQ at Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q.

• Cathedral Caverns State Park – Operating as a tourist attraction since the 1950’s, this massive cavern features what is believed to be the world’s largest entrance to a commercial cave as well as one of the largest known stalagmites in the world. It offers guided tours and has about 2 miles of accessible concrete paths. Located in Woodville, AL, about 30 miles from Huntsville.

• Unclaimed Baggage Center – A giant unique shopping attraction that offers clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes, travel gear, and other goods found in unclaimed baggage! The center also offers visitors the chance to open a piece of unclaimed baggage themselves each afternoon. Opened in 1970, this is now one of Alabama’s top tourist attractions. Located about 40 miles from Huntsville in Scottsboro, Alabama.

• Jack Daniels Distillery – This famous whiskey distillery offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of American’s best-selling and most famous whisky and its creator, how the whisky is made, and of course taste it. A variety of tours are offered that last from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Located in Lynchburg, Tennessee, about 50 miles from Huntsville.

• Ave Maria Grotto – You probably didn’t come to Alabama to visit a Benedictine monastery and look at folk art made by a German monk named Brother Joseph Zoettl. But if you are looking for something different (and particularly if you are Catholic) then the Ave Maria Grotto at St. Bernard Abbey might make a great stop. As a visitor (just get your ticket and brochure at the gift shop), you can follow a one-way path to see over 100 works made of stone, concrete, and found objects representing his life, famous churches, famous global, attractions, and more. We really enjoyed our visit here and you can also visit the chapel and church. Large gift shop and book store here. Located about 50 miles south of Huntsville.

• Bankhead National Forest – One of Alabama’s 4 national forests, it is a popular place for hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, canoeing, hunting, bird watching, boating, and horseback riding. The 181,230 acre forest contains lots of trails, waterfalls, and even petroglyphs. Located about 60 miles from Huntsville.

• Noccalula Falls Park – A large public park with paved trails, a Pioneer Village, petting zoo, miniature train, picnic areas, a playground, mini-golf (seasonal), and a covered bridge. The park’s main scenic attraction is Noccalula Falls, a beautiful 90 foot waterfall. There is also a campground that offers camping, recreational activities, and a swimming pool. Perfect place for families, as well as those looking for paved walking/running trails. Located near Gadsden, AL, about 72 miles from Huntsville.

• Chattanooga – A city of about 200,000 people, the city offers museums, family attractions, scenic outdoor spots, a scenic riverfront area, and more. Some popular attractions include Ruby Falls, Rocky City Gardens, LookOut Mountain Incline Railway, Tennessee Aquarium, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. Check out the official tourism website for more info. Chattanooga is in southeastern Tennessee and is about 100 miles from Huntsville.

• Birmingham – A city of over 200,000 people in north central Alabama that was founded following the Civil War. Some popular attractions include the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Alabama Splash Adventure, Red Mountain Park, and the McWane Science Center. Check out the city’s official tourism website for more info. Birmingham is located about 100 miles from Huntsville.

If you are planning to travel throughout the southeastern United States, you might want to check out this South road trip itinerary for ideas further afield.

So that’s our travel guide and list of the top things to do in Huntsville Alabama!

Have you visited Huntsville Alabama? If so, what were your favorite things to do in Huntsville? As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts, and are happy to answer any questions you may have about visiting Huntsville or anywhere else in Alabama. We love hearing from you and you can ask any questions in the Comments section below.

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**Disclosure: We were invited to Huntsville by the Visit Huntsville CVB as travel writers, and they covered our accommodation, meals, attraction entrances, and transportation on that first visit. However, as always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We’ve visited Huntsville twice since that initial visit on our own and paid for all expenses. For more information on how we work, you can read our Code of Ethics.**