Hello everyone! Visiting Huntsville and looking for the best things to do? You’re in luck! In this post I am sharing my top recommendations for fun things to do in Huntsville, Alabama.
Huntsville is a small city in Northern Alabama, right on the border with Tennessee. It’s about 2 hours from Nashville, and it makes a wonderful day trip or weekend getaway!
In addition to being known as the Rocket City, for its contributions to the creation of rockets that went to the moon, it’s also a very historic city, with tons of gorgeous homes and community buildings.
Keep reading for my recommendations for fun things to do in Huntsville, Alabama!
Note: Downtown Huntsville is super walkable – so you can easily park your car and explore for the afternoon!
Fun things to do in Huntsville, Alabama!
Brunch/Lunch or Coffee at Honest Coffee Roasters
Start off your trip to Huntsville by visiting Honest Coffee Roasters! This is a great stop from some caffeine and food to fuel a day of exploring.
Located right in the downtown area on Clinton Ave, Honest Coffee Roasters has a great menu and is in a wonderful location to start your Huntsville adventure. I definitely recommend their açaà bowls; they’re especially refreshing on a hot day.
There is lots of street parking in the area, so leave your car and get ready to explore!
Check out the Clinton Row Colorwalk
Right across the street from Honest Coffee Roasters you’ll find the Clinton Row Colorwalk.
Located in a little alleyway you’ll find unique and colorful murals painted by Huntsville’s artists! It only takes a couple minutes to check out the artwork in the alley – so this is a quick stop.
Visit Harrison Brothers Hardware Store
Harrison Brothers opened in Huntsville in 1897, and is the oldest hardware store in the whole state of Alabama!
Now, more than 100 years later, the store continues operating as a museum and gift shop! Inside the store you can see many of the original items that were for sale in the early 1900s, as well as the original cash register.
You can also find tons of wonderful gifts for many occasions – they have everything ranging from books, to home items, to art and more!
Explore Twickenham
Just a few steps away from downtown Huntsville you’ll find the historic district of Twickenham! This is a fantastic place to walk around, and to see beautiful, historic buildings and homes.
Twickenham is Alabama’s largest antebellum district, and it is also home to the Alabama’s oldest house that is open to the public, the Weeden House Museum (built in 1819.) If you have time, you can take a tour of the Weeden House Museum – but if not, simply taking a walk through the neighborhood is a great way to spend a little portion of the afternoon.
Weeden House 
Relax in Big Spring Park
After a couple hours of exploring downtown, end your time in the area by heading over to Big Spring Park to relax.
The park has lots of green space and also nice water spaces (including a fun water trail!) This is also a great place for kids to run around and play!
Visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
You can’t visit Huntsville without checking out the Space & Rocket Center, located about 10 minutes from the downtown area.
Huntsville is known as the Rocket City – and if you’re interested in space this is definitely the place for you. If you’re short on time you can simply stop and check out the rockets outside of the museum – but if you have time in your schedule, you can also take a tour of the museum and check out the exhibits.
This is a cool place for people of all ages and it’s definitely unique to Huntsville!
More fun things to do in Huntsville!
If you’re visiting Huntsville for longer than an afternoon or day trip, there are plenty of other fun activities to help fill your time!
Below you’ll find more fun things to do in Huntsville, Alabama that will help you fill up an entire weekend trip!
Take a Walk in the Botanical Gardens
When I visited Huntsville I really wanted to check out the Botanical Gardens, but, unfortunately, it was a rainy day.
The gardens are open year round, and they look like a lovely place to go for a nice walk and to check out pretty flowers and plants.
Explore Burritt on the Mountain
Burritt on the Mountain is another great place to visit in Huntsville for people of all ages!
Burritt on the Mountain is a museum and park that overlooks the city of Huntsville. At the museum and the grounds you can tour the former home of Dr. Burritt, and learn about his interesting life and legacy. If you enjoy history, this is a great place to stop.
In addition to the museum, there are also hiking trails and farm animals! This is great family destination.
Shop at Bridge Street Town Center
If you’re hoping to do some shopping in Huntsville check out the Bridge Street Town Center. There are tons of great stores, restaurants and a movie theater!
There are also pop-up shops, like Noella’s Flower Truck, that will set up at Bridge Street Town Center.
Throughout the year, Bridge Street Town Center also hosts fun events! You can sign up for cookie decorating, attend a block party and even attend workout classes.
Spend the Weekend!
I spent an afternoon in Huntsville, and although I was able to see a lot of the city, I definitely could have used more time!
Personally, I think a weekend in Huntsville would be the perfect amount of time to really explore all that the city has to offer. It makes a great weekend trip from the Nashville area, and is a great stop on a Southern road trip.
There are numerous hotels in the Huntsville area, and below are a few of my top recommendations!
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed my guide for fun things to do in Huntsville, Alabama! Huntsville is an adorable little city with so many fun things to do and see.
If you enjoyed this post, I appreciate you sharing it with others and on social media!
Lastly, I visited Huntsville as part of my 50 State Challenge! Click here to follow along on my progress!
♡Kate
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Huntsville, Alabama is such a cool place to visit.I would love to visit the Botanical gardens, the museum and the oldest hardware store!
I used to live in Alabama and to be honest, it wasn’t my favorite place. BUT, of all the not-so-favorite parts of Alabama I explored, Huntsville was an exception. Cool city with some interesting character. Y’all captured some highlights, fo sho! (I owe my “y’all” to the sovreign state of Alabama.)
I have been planning my own trip to Nashville and the surrounding areas so this is perfect timing! I love hidden gems like the Colorwalk and the Hardware Store – can’t wait to check out Huntsville now.
Oh there honestly looks like so much cute stuff! I really never consider Alabama, but how cute. 🙂
Love this post and pictures! Makes me want to visit for sure now 🙂
Huntsville looks so pretty 🙂 You’re making me want to visit! I’m going to mark these places on my map haha!
I live your blog so much! Your content just makes me want to hip on a plane. And now I want to go shopping in Huntsville
Wow thank you!! That really means so, so much to us! We really appreciate you reading the blog! 🙂