Huntsville Area
The residents of Huntsville and Madison County have been enjoying an economic explosion since 1948 when the U.S. Army decided to locate its rocket and missile programs in this small community of 16,400 people.
These programs subsequently branched into several other entities during the next two decades, including the Army’s efforts to develop missile defense and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Since then, Huntsville’s growth has been similar to the “Domino Effect.” The military and space programs gave birth to an entrepreneurial spirit in the areas of science and technology research, while they also attracted established national companies. Once off the ground in Huntsville, entrepreneurs and national corporate executives began diversifying their operations, creating an economic environment that has developed into a prosperous metropolitan area of more than 400,000 residents.
Military families reside throughout the North Alabama and South Tennessee area. Assistance for the new family moving into town is available in the Housing Referral Office at Redstone Arsenal. The office maintains files of rentals and homes for purchase. Using referral assistance, the new family can get settled rapidly.
Shopping
Madison Square Mall
www.madisonsquaremall.com
Madison Square Mall is the Huntsville area’s largest mall. It is also one of the largest malls in Alabama with more than 900,000 square feet of retail space. The mall opened in 1984, and today remains anchored by JCPenney and Sears. Today, it is also home to Dillard’s and Belk as well as several small chain stores. Madison Square Mall underwent major renovations in 1994 and 2006.
Just to the west are a Super Wal-Mart and several car dealerships. A Target shopping center is also down the road, and is anchored by Bed, Bath and Beyond, Michael’s and other shops. This area offers several restaurants including Ol’Heidelberg, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Macaroni Grill and Rosie’s Mexican Cantina.
Parkway Place Mall
www.parkwayplacemall.com
Parkway Place opened on October 16, 2002. This mall is 650,000 square feet, anchored by Dillard’s and Belk. Parkway Place offers shoppers of the Tennessee Valley over 70 stores including Abercrombie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever21, and Williams-Sonoma.
Bridge Street Town Centre
www.bridgestreethuntsville.com
The grand opening of the Bridge Street Town Centre gives Huntsville one of the premiere mixed-use lifestyle centers in the United States in addition to a new retail and shopping experience. Though the grand opening was held in November 2007, new stores and restaurants continue to open. Stores now include The Gap, Victoria’s Secret, DSW, Ulta, Old Navy, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Gymboree and Sports Authority. Eating establishments include a food court, PF Chang’s, Cantina Laredo, The Melting Pot, and Connor’s Steakhouse.
The project will eventually feature over 550,000 square feet of retail, office and hotel space on 100 acres. The project will include 70 upscale shops and restaurants set in a distinctive European atmosphere, the 210-room Westin Huntsville Hotel with 74 luxury residential units occupying the top five floors, a 14-screen Monaco Pictures and a six-story office tower. The property also features a customer service centre, 10-acre lake with gondola boats and water craft rentals, carousel, fountains and plenty of green open spaces.
The Village of Providence
www.villageofprovidence.com
The Village of Providence is setting a new standard of excellence for Huntsville – a real pedestrian-friendly neighborhood – not just a development. The combination of shops, offices, restaurants and a neighborhood school along with traditional-style luxury homes, lofts and townhouses makes this the place where big city life meets small town living.
Enjoy a home where distances are measured in footsteps not drive times. Where your front door is steps from your favorite restaurant; a walk in one of the many green spaces, park, or trails; a stroll to the doctor’s office or the dentist or the neighborhood barbershop, as well as a variety of shopping opportunities. The Village of Providence is designed for anyone seeking the comforts and conveniences of a modern neighborhood with the values and traditions of yesterday.
Valley Bend at Jones Farm
Valley Bend at Jones Farm, a multi-anchored retail development in the heart of southeast Huntsville, is located at the intersection of Carl T. Jones Drive and Four Mile Post Road. This shopping center is anchored by Target Superstore. Additionally, the Valley Bend at Jones Farm tenant roster includes national tenants such as PETSMART, Shoe Carnival, Ross, Barnes & Noble, and Party City. It includes restaurants such as Five Guys Burger and Fries, Red Robin, Longhorn Steakhouse and fast food chains such as Wendy’s and Zaxby’s. In addition, the Rave movie theater is located at Valley Bend.
Downtown Huntsville
Downtown Huntsville’s historic ambience makes it a pleasurable shopping and dining destination for residents and tourists alike. Harrison Brothers Hardware Store, the state’s oldest operating hardware store, owned and operated by the all-volunteer Historic Huntsville Foundation, is filled with nostalgic hardware items, household gadgets, and local crafts. Railroad Antique Mall, Artistic Images Gallery and numerous small shops grace the area. Ruth’s Chris Steak House situated in the lobby of the Embassy Suites, the exclusive Heritage Club, 801 Franklin, and several other upscale restaurants and nightspots offer great dining and entertainment options.
Memorial Parkway
This north-south artery in Huntsville is the address for a multitude of stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. A recent addition to North Memorial Parkway is the Fountain shopping center, where Home Depot, Costco and Starbuck’s have opened. Rounding out the selections are Sam’s Wholesale Club, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Books-A-Million. South Memorial Parkway is home to Lowe’s, Hobby Lobby, Radisson Hotel and several shopping complexes. In addition, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Hancock Fabrics, Big Lots, Office Furniture Outlet and fast-food restaurants and grocery stores anchor the area’s north and south ends.
University Drive
The stretch running from Memorial Parkway west to the Village of Providence offers numerous shopping and dining choices. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Target Superstore, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Shoe Carnival, Sam’s Club and Dick’s Sporting Goods are among the area’s retail establishments. Favorite restaurants along the way include O’Charley’s, Hooters, Terranova’s Italian Restaurant, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and Rosie’s Mexican Cantina.
Education & Tourism
Huntsville offers numerous educational opportunities through the college level, as well as special education classes through the high school level for those who require it. There are several four-year colleges and universities, as well as a number of technical schools in the area. These facilities offer numerous day and night classes, making it convenient to work toward a degree. Eight of the local and nearby universities and colleges offer classes on Redstone Arsenal.
Besides its many fine educational institutions, the area is also rich in cultural and recreational facilities. In downtown Huntsville, visitors can walk from the Von Braun Center (which features a concert hall, a playhouse, exhibit halls, and arena), to the Twickenham, Old Town, and Five Points historic districts. Visitors may also want to visit Maple Hill Cemetery (one of the oldest in the State), the beautiful Botanical Gardens, or perhaps the Observatory and Planetarium.
The following information was compiled with assistance from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, call (256) 551-2370. You can also visit the Huntsville/Madison County Visitors Center at 500 Church Street, Downtown Huntsville, or the Visitor Information Center at the Huntsville International Airport. Both centers are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and provide brochures and information on many North Alabama attractions. Or visit the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.huntsville.org.
Attractions
Alabama Constitution Village
Location: 109 Gates Ave., downtown Huntsville.
Phone: (256) 564-8100.
Alabama’s birthplace - 1819. Explore Alabama’s rich history & become a part of the 19th century as villagers dressed in period clothing take you through eight reconstructed Federal style buildings. Visit the actual site where 44 delegates gathered to forge the way for Alabama’s Statehood.
Burritt on the Mountain
Location: 3101 Burritt Dr.
Phone: (256) 536-2882.
This unique museum of regional history is housed in the mountaintop home of Dr. William Henry Burritt. The remarkable 14-room mansion built in the shape of an X in the 1930’s is insulated with 2,200 bales of wheat straw. The Historic Park contains restored farm buildings which interpret rural life during 1850 and 1900. Many nature trails wind through heavily wooded forest. The grounds, open year round, offer a breathtaking panoramic view of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley. On a clear day you can see the Tennessee River and the towering NASA rocket test stands. Grounds are open year round.
EarlyWorks Children’s Museum
Location: 404 Madison St., Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 564-8107
EarlyWorks was designed for children - go ahead ... touch, climb, pull, explore! Welcome to the South’s largest hands-on history museum! Hear stories from the Talking Tree, play a tune on the giant-sized instruments at the Alabama bandstand and try your hand at building in the Kidstruction Zone. Explore a 46-foot Keelboat, trade your wares at the General Store and try on 1800’s clothing in the federal house. Pre-schoolers will enjoy exploring Biscuit’s Backyard, a touch-and-learn area designed especially for them, which includes a garden, grocery store, water table and even karaoke!
Harmony Park Safari
Location: 431 Clouds Cove Road
Phone: (877) 726-4625
Harmony Park is a federally licensed nature preserve of free-ranging exotic & endangered animals. Remain in your car on a two-mile route to see zebras, zebus, antelope, buffalo, a camel, ostriches, pythons and crocodiles.
Harrison Brothers Hardware
Location: 124 South Side Square, Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 536-3631
Better than a museum, Harrison Brothers is a living 19th-century landmark sitting serenely in the midst of downtown Huntsville. High-tech Huntsville itself seems 100 years away as you enter the store. Established in 1879, Harrison Brothers is the oldest continuously operating hardware store in Alabama and is operated by the volunteers of the Historic Huntsville Foundation. Harrison Brothers is more than a glimpse of old Huntsville. It is a shopper’s delight. On the west side of the store, a stack of antique biscuit jars brimming with old-fashioned candies tempts youngsters of all ages. Cotton throws, colorful tins, marbles by the scoop, cast iron cookware, and oak rocking chairs share space with garden gadgets, bird feeders and whirly-gigs. We stock books, cookbooks, prints, postcards, and other items relating to Huntsville and Madison County’s history. When you are searching for that perfect gift, a souvenir to take home or just plain looking, Harrison Brothers is the place to visit.
Historic Huntsville Depot
Location: 320 Church Street, Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 564-8100
Climb aboard locomotives and Huntsville’s first ladder fire truck, discover graffiti written by actual Civil War soldiers, and listen as Andy Barker, the robotic ticket agent, tells of Alabama’s railway history. There’s even a “kids’ playroom” complete with try-on costumes, train puzzles, and games.
Huntsville Botanical Garden
Location: 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue
Phone: (256) 830-4447
The Huntsville Botanical Garden in Alabama fills 112 acres with year-round gardening delights. No matter what time of year it is, visitors will find plenty to appreciate as they browse through the different gardens at the Botanical Garden. The Daylily Garden showcases more than 675 cultivars of daylilies, while the Fern Glade displays 170 species of ferns along with a waterfall, pond and gazebo. The Nature Trail & Wildflower Garden at the Botanical Garden in Alabama provides footpaths leading through a lowland forest filled with black gum, sweet gum, sycamore and red maple trees. The Botanical Garden is also home to an herb garden, an aquatic garden, a demonstration vegetable garden, a Garden Railway that features a miniature European village and model trains, and a seasonal Butterfly House that hosts butterflies at all stages of life. Each year, the Botanical Garden offers a number of special events, among them the Spring Festival of Flowers, the Scarecrow Trail and a holiday Galaxy of Lights. Educational programs and workshops at the Botanical Garden focus on such topics as the basics of beekeeping, an introduction to birding, or the how-to’s of pruning trees and shrubs. The Botanical Garden is also available for weddings, cocktail parties, meetings and other special occasions. Visit the garden’s website at www.hsvbg.org/visitors.htm.
Huntsville Museum of Art
Location: 300 Church Street, Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 535-4350
Located in downtown Huntsville among the tranquil beauty of Big Spring International Park, the Huntsville Museum of Art is a complete experience. Spend a day with us viewing art, shopping in the museum store. Each year, the nationally accredited museum fills its seven galleries with a variety of traveling exhibitions & the work of nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. The museum’s own 2,522-piece permanent collection also forms the basis for several yearly exhibitions. The museum is also the home of the world’s largest collection of Buccellati silver animals.
North Alabama Railroad Museum
Location: 694 Chase Road
Phone: (256) 851-6276
Reservations recommended for train rides, no admission, no parking fee, self guided tour.
Sci-Quest Science Center
Location: 102-D Wynn Drive
Phone: (256) 837-0606
More than 100 exciting interactive exhibits await the young and young at heart at Sci-Quest, North Alabama’s premiere hands-on science center. Awaken the senses and energize the imagination while learning basic principles of science. All under one roof, you can get carried away in the Tornado Simulator, examine the mysteries of the human body with Grossology, get into the swing of things with the giant Magnetic Pendulum, and much more. In addition to permanent and traveling exhibits, Sci-Quest offers education programs for children, age four through sixth grade. Groups visiting Sci-Quest can have a more in-depth educational experience by participating in a Science Encounter demonstration. And no one will want to miss a 3D presentation in the state-of-the-art Immersive Reality Theater.
Reservations: Recommended for groups of 10 or more children; Students ages 3-18, Children under 2 are free.
State Black Archives Research Center & Museum
Location: Alabama A& M University, James H. Wilson Building
Phone: (256) 372-5846
The Archives/Museum Center is open to visitors Monday through Friday. Special Hours apply during other periods. Group tours and lectures are scheduled throughout the year for public school students, campus groups and the public at large. Individuals may visit any time during the regular operating hours. Appointments should be arranged for group tours.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Location: One Tranquility Base
Phone: (256) 837-3400
From incredible artifacts of our nation’s space program, to hands-on interactive exhibits and space travel simulators, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center experience is unlike any other. Home to Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and X-Camp, The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. Our facilities include Spacedome Theater, Rocket Park, the Education Training Center, which houses NASA’s Educator Resource Center, and more. The Davidson Center for Space Exploration is like no other in the country. In its 476 foot long, 90 foot wide and 63 foot high structure, suspended 10 feet above the floor, is a national historic treasure, the mighty Saturn V, restored to its Apollo era readiness. Visitors to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will experience Huntsville’s role in the making of the moon rocket, the space race, the Apollo missions, learn about the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station and onto the next beginnings with NASA’s Constellation project. Visitors may trace the evolution of humankind’s ventures into space and watch as tomorrow’s potential engineers, scientists and astronauts train in one of the Space Camp or Aviation Challenge Programs.
Veterans Memorial Museum
Location: 2060A Airport Road
Phone: (256) 883-3737
The museum is dedicated to promoting and disseminating the accomplishments of American military men and women. Our emphasis is on participants of World War I and subsequent conflicts, whose survivors and families can use the museum facilities to reminisce on their own experiences and those of parents, grandparents, and other close relatives. The museum displays more than 30 historical military vehicles from World War I to the present, as well as tableaus, artifacts, and other memorabilia.
Weeden House Museum
Location: 300 Gates Avenue
Phone: (256) 536-7718
Built in 1819, the Weeden House Museum is noted for its entrance fanlight & collection of period furnishings. It is home to poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. Call before visiting.
Sports and Recreation
There are many sports and recreational opportunities in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area. For youth and adult sports, check with city and county recreational offices. Huntsville’s Recreation Services can be contacted at (256) 564-8026. City of Madison Recreation can be contacted at (256) 772-9300. The following is a listing of some of the area’s more unique offerings.
Benton W. Wilcoxon Municipal Ice Complex
Location: 3185 Leeman Ferry Road
Phone: (256) 883-3774
This year-round, dual rink offers daily public sessions, birthday parties, and block ice rentals. Figure skating and hockey classes are available through the Huntsville Skating School for skaters ages four and up. Public ice skating is on two National Hockey League regulation rinks.
Blevins Gap Preserve
Location: Hampton Cove
Phone: (256) 534-LAND (5263)
Blevins Gap Preserve is 971.12 acres of scenic vistas, rock overhangs, and pristine forest. View both Hampton Cove and the Huntsville valley along the south end of the William and Marion Certain Trail.
Chickasaw Canoeing
Phone: (256) 682-1561
The best of the Flint River. Just 7 miles east of Huntsville. There are two courses, the upper and the lower. The water is deep enough, and there is a clear path all the way down. The upper course is great for small children. The lower course is a bit more adventurous.
Ditto Landing
Location: 293 Ditto Landing Road
Phone: (256) 882-1057
Wheeler Reservoir has more than 60,000 acres of adventurous playground. There are ample facilities for boats of all sizes. Nestled in the shaded comfort of densely wooded lots, the campground is cool, peaceful and just a moment’s walk from an abundance of fun-filled activities. Visit its website at www.dittolanding.com.
Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center
Location: 4600 Blue Spring Road
Phone: (256) 851-4003
The Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Pool is Huntsville’s newest public facility. This facility offers a wide variety of American Red Cross swimming and educational classes including Lifeguard Training. The pool features two one-meter Durafirm diving boards and is accessible by hydraulic chair lift. The pool water is a comfortable 84-85 degrees. Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Pool is completely enclosed and has a climate control system for the year round comfort of the swimmer.
Dublin Memorial Park
Location: 8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison
Phone: (256) 772-9300
Sixty-acre complex offers basketball, disc golf course, diving well, double court gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, kiddie pool, outdoor pool, playground, soccer, tennis, volleyball, walking track, walking trails and meeting rooms.
Flint River
Location: Winchester Road
Phone: (256) 858-2280
The Flint River runs almost exactly 50 miles, with its headwaters beginning in Tennessee around David Crockett Highway and emptying into the Tennessee River in Madison County northeast of Huntsville. The river’s water may be clear or muddy, depending on recent rainfall amounts.Generally its depth ranges from 2 to 5 feet, and its width averages about 40 feet (ranging from about 15 to 150 feet in places). The banks are muddy, with abundant green foliage, including parrotfeather, pondweed, and riverweed. Hunstville was once known as the “Watercress Capital of the World.” It lost that primary “distinction” in 1958, when a group of German scientists launched Explorer I, America’s first Earth-orbiting satellite, here. Huntsville then became “Rocket City.” As you float this stretch of river, you probably won’t notice watercress, but be assured it is there, just off the banks. The Flint River is a scenic class 1, ideal for float trips. Flint River Canoe Rentals recommends reservations, April through October.
Harmony Park Safari
Location: 431 Clouds Cove Road
Phone: (877) 726-4625 Harmony Park is a federally licensed nature preserve of free-ranging exotic & endangered animals. Remain in your car on a two-mile route to see zebras, zebus, antelope, buffalo, a camel, ostriches, pythons & crocodiles.
Huntsville Dragway
Location: 502 Quarter Mountain Road, Harvest
Phone: (256) 859-0807
Huntsville Dragway boasts rubber-burning action on weekend nights, year around.
Huntsville Speedway
Location: 357 Hegia Burrow Road SE
Phone: (256) 882-9191
The Huntsville Speedway offers stock car racing on weekends.
Indian Creek Greenway
Location: Slaughter Rd
The Indian Creek Greenway walking path begins at Slaughter Road and runs northward for two miles from Old Madison Pike up to Creekwood Park. Another section north of Highway 72 runs one mile. It will eventually total six miles and run to Old Monrovia Road when completed. The beautiful greenway route meanders north along the creek, bordered by farmland and woods.
Insanity A Skate of Mind
Location: 100 Park Drive, Madison
Phone: (256) 319-0000
Insanity is a 30,000 sq. ft. world-class extreme skate park for skateboarding and aggressive inline skating. Drop in on the 12’ half pipe, surfaced in Skatelite Pro, or skate the intense concrete street course that runs the entire length of the park. Skaters can carve lines in the 9’ deep concrete bowl with coping and a 6’ lead in! Street skaters will be stoked over the 3 large fun boxes, grind rails, and over 45 above ground ramps including back-to-back mini vert ramps.Helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads are required. Wrist guards and gloves are recommended. If you don’t have them, you can rent them..
Little Cove Road Greenway
Location: 100 Old Highway
This two-mile walking trail connects Hampton Cove Elementary, the Hampton Cove community, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Flint River Greenway, and the Big Cove Creek Greenway.
Lydia Gold Skatepark
Location: 200 Cleveland Street, Downtown
The park consists of a 7,500-square-foot street section, banks, quarter pipes, boxes, pads, and stairs with rails and hubbas. No scooters or bikes. Park hours are between dawn to one hour after dark, unless otherwise posted. The skateboard park is an unsupervised facility. Skate with safety in mind. Helmets are required, knee and elbow pads are strongly suggested. Skateboards and in-line skates only. Glass containers, food or beverages are not allowed on skating surface. Not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Spectators are welcome but must stay off skating surface. Pets are not allowed in the skate area. Organized events must have written approval from the Director of Recreation. Report any damage and abuse to the Department of Recreation Services at (256) 564-8026.
Madison County Lake
Location: 2501 County Lake Road, Gurley
Phone: (256) 776-4905
Madison County Lake 15 miles northeast of Huntsville, 105-acre, public fishing lake, offers concessions, picnic facilities, grills, rentals and bait shop. Fishing license and daily permit required. E-mail contact is madisoncolake@cs.com.
McKay Hollow Trail
Location: 5105 Nolen Avenue
Phone: (256) 534-3757
Plenty of people love to tackle the McKay Hollow Trail despite its difficulty. The trail drops steeply down the western ridge of Monte Sano Mountain, with great views of Blue Spring Falls, and heads down through imposing cliffs and boulders. O’Shaughnessy Point comes into view as the trail goes down and then up the hollow. The route also follows Blue Spring Creek along the bottom of the hollow. Trail Surface: Rock-covered trail on the sides of the hollow; dirt path along the creek.
Monte Sano State Park
Location: 5101 Nolan Road
Phone: (256) 534-3757
Monte Sano State Park affords stunning vistas from the top of the mountain just east of Downtown. Stroll mountaintop trails, have a family picnic and visit the Japanese garden and teahouse. The 14 renovated cabins and 89 campsites are great for weekend getaways. The park’s 2,140 acres provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, picnicking and nature sightseeing. Visit its website at www.outdooralabama.com.
Mountain Mist Trail
Location: 5105 Nolen Ave.
Phone: (256) 534-3757
The Mountain Mist Trail gives you a good opportunity to explore the region known as the Highland Rim. The trail travels through the hollow just below the area known as the Overlooks. It’s a pleasant walk through hardwood forest. This loop was created by combining several routes: the North and South Plateau trails, the Stone Cuts Trail, and the Mountain Mist Trail. Trail Surface: Dirt path.
North Alabama Canoe & Kayak
Location: 2664 Highway 72E, NE Huntsville
Phone: (256) 529-0357
We offer a large variety of canoe & kayak rentals, a variety of river tours for groups of any size, shuttle service to all local waterways, guide service to all local waterways & daily information on water conditions.
Old MacDonald’s
Location: Highway 72 E
Phone: (256) 776-4332
Pet and feed domestic and exotic animals and birds; enjoy the picnic area and playground.
Plateau Loop Trail
Location: 5105 Nolen Ave.
Phone: (256) 534-3757
The Plateau Loop Trail is actually a combination of two trails, the North and South Plateau Loop Trails. Together, they form a single loop around the summit of Monte Sano Mountain and offer two contrasting views of this unique state park — its geology and its history. Trail surface: Clay footpaths.
Quarter Midget Association
Location: 2475 E. Schrimsher
Phone: (256) 656-1902
Quarter midget racing is a family oriented sport for children ages 5-16. The cars are scaled down versions of actual midget race cars racing on an oval track approximately 1/20th of a mile. The sport focuses on family participation, safety, driving skills, sportsmanship & competitive fun.
Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail
Location: Madison
Phone: (256) 534-5263
An oasis amidst the subdivisions, the Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail follows a generally rocky path around the east face of the mountain and features unique rock formations such as Balance Rock, a cliff line with excellent views, fossils, Belly-Up and other caves, and a waterfall. Trail surface: Generally rocky, with small boulders and table rocks acting as pavers along the route.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - Hampton Cove
Location: 450 Old Highway 431 South, Hampton Cove
Phone: (256) 551-1818
The Hampton Cove course is the northernmost of the nine stops on Alabama’s famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The 54 holes cover 650 acres in a river valley setting surrounded by mountains. A 35,000-square-foot clubhouse contains a spacious golf shop and dining room. A veranda overlooks the courses. The 18-hole Highland Course and 18-hole River Course, which encompasses 26 ponds, have Bent grass greens. The 18-hole Short Course is on a par 3 layout. From U.S. 231, travel U.S. 431 South for 8 miles to Hampton Cove.
Rocket City MX Park
Location: 10040 County Line Road, Madison
Phone: (256) 461-1396
Rocket City Raceway has a motocross/super cross style track for dirt bike enthusiasts.
Sharon Johnston Park
Location: Winchester Road, New Market
Phone: (256) 379-2868
Sharon Johnston is located just 20 minutes from downtown Huntsville, the 250 acre park that includes: 10 acre fishing lake stocked with catfish, Olympic size swimming pool (Tues.-Sun. 11-6 PM), 33 campsites, barbeque grills, small picnic shelters and large pavilions. All facilities are handicap accessible. Skeet and Pistol Center (Weekends Only) (256) 379-2716.
Southern Adventures
Location: 2150 Leeman Ferry Circle
Phone: (256) 880-6599
Southern Adventures is a family oriented water & Amusement Park offering year round wholesome entertainment for the entire family. Whether you are young or just young at heart, Southern Adventures has activities for you.
Stone Cuts Trail
Location: 5105 Nolen Ave.
Phone: (256) 534-3757
The Stone Cuts are deep erosion clefts in a section of limestone and form the highlight of this hike. The Stone Cuts Trail runs straight through the heart of these large, high-walled cuts. Kids will love climbing around in here. Mountain climbers love the high cliff walls, and small cave-like spaces in the rocks attract spelunkers. Trail Surface: Dirt path studded with rocks and boulders.
The Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama
Location: 907 Franklin Street, Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 534-5263
The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama has preserved over 3,400 acres of open space in Madison County including the 600+ acre Monte Sano Preserve on Monte Sano Mountain and the 500+ acre Wade Mountain Preserve in Northwest Huntsville. Leisurely walks and challenging hikes, wildflower trails and natural springs make the preserve a great place to experience the great Alabama outdoors. Visit the Land Trust’s website at www.landtrust-hsv.org.
Wade Mountain Preserve
Location: Spragins Hollow Road, NW Huntsville
Phone: (256) 534-LAND (5263)
Approximately 11 miles of trails on a combination of Land Trust and private land and TVA easements. The trails are moderately technical single-track that ring the west and south sides of Wade Mountain. When followed in the correct order, the trails can provide nearly two hours, riding on undulating or descending single-track (after one long climb). The trail can be ridden in two segments, one 8-mile figure-8 loop with the option of the more difficult 3-mile Land Trust Devil’s Racetrack trail at the beginning or end of the ride. The Devil’s Racetrack is a unique geological formation that surrounds the crest of Wade Mountain. It is connected to trails that encircle the south and west portions of Wade Mountain.
Professional Sports
Alabama Hammers
Sport: Arena Football
Location: Von Braun Center
Phone: (256) 551-2222
Huntsville’s professional indoor football team. The Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) kicks off its 12-game season March 19 with 16 teams.
Dixie Derby Girls
Sport: Derby Skating
Location: Von Braun Center
The Dixie Derby Girls Roller Derby League, Inc. is dedicated to bringing this long-lost sport to life in Huntsville. The league is dedicated to running a safe, fun, and professional league that gives girls of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels a chance to enjoy roller derby. As members in good standing of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, the league fosters and promotes the growth of flat-track roller derby nationwide.
Huntsville Havoc
Sport: Hockey
Location: Von Braun Center
Phone: (256) 518-6160
Season: OCTOBER - MARCH
Southern Professional Hockey League - SPHL.
Huntsville Stars
Sport: Baseball Huntsville Stars
Location: Joe Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Road
Phone: (256) 882-2562
Season: April-September
The Huntsville Stars is an AA minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium seats 10,200 with 15 air-conditioned skyboxes. Ticket offices and general office are located on the second floor of the stadium. Two giant Tri-Visions in the shape of stars give the outfield a unique look along with a new state of the art scoreboard and video board.
Rocket City Titans
Sport: Football
Location: Milton Frank Stadium
The Rocket City Titans play in the Premier South Football League. We play full contact football, and NCAA rules will be followed. The Premier South Football League is involved in a national semi-professional football organization. The PSFL consists of 17 teams from five states around the southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The league is broken up into four divisions: Emerald Coast, Gulf Coast, Pioneer, and Sunshine.
Rocket City United
Sport: Soccer
Location: 10446 County Line Road, Madison
Phone: (256) 895-8325
Season: May-July
Rocket City United is affiliated with The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) which is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league. It is the successor of the Men’s Premier Soccer League, a regional league originally based out of the Western United States, which has now expanded nationwide to encompass teams from 19 states.
Tennessee Valley Tigers
Sport: Football
Location: Milton Frank Stadium
Season: April - June
The Tennessee Valley Tigers is a women’s American Football team located in Huntsville, Alabama. The team consists of former Alabama Renegades players, as well as a number of new players. Women’s football has existed in the Huntsville, Alabama since the fall of 2000 when the Alabama Renegades came into existence. The Tigers are affiliated with Independent Women’s Football League and play under the same rules as the NFL. It is full-tackle football.
Arts and Culture
Flying Monkey Arts Center
Location: 2211 Seminole Drive
Phone: (256) 489-7000
Flying Monkey Arts Center is a not for profit community arts collective that encourages, supports and promotes events, workshops and studios featuring but not limited to music, film, theater, dance, puppetry, visual and performance art with a focus on experimental works for mature audiences.
Huntsville Art League
Location: 3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2
Phone: (256) 534-3860
The Huntsville Art League (HAL) s a cooperative, non-profit organization, operated through the volunteer efforts of its members and friends. HAL’s purpose is to cultivate Visual art and artists in the Tennessee Valley.
Huntsville Ballet Company
Location: 800 Regal Drive
Phone: (256) 539-0961
Huntsville Ballet Company, currently in its 39th season, holds a long and rich history in Huntsville as the performing leg of Community Ballet Association, Inc. It is a Non-profit member of Arts Council, Inc. The Nutcracker is performed each year at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall will the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Huntsville Ballet Company, along with the assistance of the Alabama State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, has brought several prestigious dance companies into Huntsville for stellar performances. Past touring companies have included The Russian National Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Ballet Concerto de Puerto Rico, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Stars of the New York City Ballet, among others.
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association
Location: 700 Monroe Street, Downtown Huntsville
Phone: (256) 539-4818
Long considered the region’s premiere performing arts group, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra has set the standard in North Alabama for artistic quality, community support and service through education. For over five decades, the HSO’s acclaimed concerts and award-winning education programs have inspired performers, audiences, children, benefactors and the entire community. The HSO is the oldest, continuously operating professional orchestra in the state of Alabama.
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
Location: 2211 Seminole Drive
Phone: (256) 533-0399
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, located in historic Lowe Mill, supports a diverse creative community dedicated to the free expression of the arts in Huntsville. Our vision is to be a true arts destination and to grow Huntsville’s appreciation and interaction with the arts.
Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center
Location: 3326 Triana Boulevard
Phone: (256) 534-6455
Merrimack Hall was founded in 2006 by Debra and Alan Jenkins as a gift to the community of Huntsville. Located in the historic Merrimack Mill Village neighborhood, the building boasts a rich history of the textile and cotton industries, and is a vital part of the neighborhood’s revitalization. Merrimack Hall is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that, since 2007, has donated more than $200,000 back to the community in the form of scholarships, outreach and tickets to the underserved. Past productions include: Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, Dionne Warwick, Lisa Loeb, Ball in the House, Wade Robson, Dixie’s Tupperware Party, Altar Boyz and many more!
Renaissance Theatre
Location: 1214 Meridian Street
Phone: (256) 536-3434
The quaint, 85-seat theater is located in the historic Lincoln Mill Village Commissary Building, and was built in 1927 to accommodate the needs of the Lincoln Mill workers.
Theatre Huntsville
Location: 700 Monroe Street
Phone: (256) 536-0807
Theatre Huntsville is a voluntary association, organized under the laws of the State of Alabama as a corporation not for profit. The purpose of Theatre Huntsville is to foster, encourage, strengthen and perpetuate Member and civic interest in the legitimate theater and the dramatic arts, primarily through the production of theatrical performances.