Welcome to Huntsville, New Yorkers! Whether you’re visiting on a business trip, living out your Space Camp dreams, or looking for a taste of the South on a long weekend getaway, we’re so happy to have you in Rocket City.
With new direct flights to Huntsville out of Laguardia, it’s easier than ever to plan a quick escape from NYC to HSV. We want to help you maximize your time and plan the ultimate weekend in Huntsville, so we put together this little guide to the best sights, eats, experiences, and more!
Day 1
Morning: Breakfast and Big Spring Park
Start your weekend in Huntsville with breakfast and a downtown tour. The Moon Bakeshop is a downtown favorite for coffee and pastries, or head to Canadian Bakin to check out northern Alabama’s take on bagels. Both are stops on the Huntsville Craft Coffee Trail.
Big Spring Park is the perfect spot to sit or stroll with your coffee while watching the ducks and to take a classic Huntsville pic on the red bridge. The park hosts all sorts of community events, from art festivals to food truck rallies and movie nights. From here, you can pop into the neighboring Huntsville Museum of Art to check out the collection.
Early Afternoon: Downtown Huntsville Sightseeing
The downtown Huntsville center is super walkable, so take some time to stroll around the square at the top of Big Spring Park and surrounding blocks, popping into historic staples like Harrison Brothers Hardware, Alabama Constitution Hall Park, and Weeden House Museum and Garden. Nearby, the Twickenham neighborhood has beautiful old houses.
Mural lovers can follow Huntsville’s Secret Art Trail to snap photos at the spacy “Galactic Portal” mural and Clinton Row Color Walk. For a casual lunch downtown, pop into Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, Sam & Greg’s Pizzeria, or the Standard Social Market.
Late Afternoon: Shopping and Classes at Lowe Mill
Head to Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment in the afternoon to shop local from small businesses. The former textile mill is home to 200 artists and makers in working studios. You can grab an afternoon pick-me-up at the one-of-a-kind Dragon’s Forge Cafe, shop for records, art, and handicrafts, or sign up for a class in pottery, blacksmithing, or dance.
Evening: Dinner and Drinks Downtown
Head back downtown for a taste of Huntsville nightlife. For dinner, Mazzara’s Vinoteca serves Italian in a historic mansion, Domaine South is known for their wine selection and cheese boards, and La Esquina Cocina for tapas and tacos.
For drinks, try Stella’s Elixir Lounge or Baker and Able for rooftop views, Catacomb 435 for speakeasy vibes, or The Dirty Olive for cocktails on tap.
Day 2
Morning: the Space and Rocket Center
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is a must on your first trip from NYC to Huntsville. The center is home to Space Camp for kids and adults (advance registration required), but on a day visit, you can see the huge Saturn V rocket up close, watch a show at the Intuitive Planetarium, ride the G-Force Accelerator, and explore one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the world.
Lunch: Bridge Street Town Center
Pop over to nearby Bridge Street Town Center for creative tacos and cocktails at Agave and Rye and a quick stroll through the open-air shopping center. The retail scene here is mostly chain stores, but you’ll find a couple of locally owned boutiques with a taste of Southern fashionista flair.
Afternoon: Huntsville Botanical Garden and Downtown Madison
Nearby, the Huntsville Botanical Garden is perfect for an afternoon stroll to see stunning foliage and flowers. The garden has a cool new Thomas Dambo sculpture and maze called the Mother Earth Troll Garden that you don’t want to miss.
If you wrap up early, pop over to Downtown Madison’s Main Street for a taste of small-town Southern charm. It’s compact, but you’ll find a local cafe, bookstore, a couple of boutiques, and the Old Black Bear Brewing Company.
Evening: Dinner and Music in MidCity
The MidCity district is a fun spot to grab dinner and drinks, plus you may catch a concert or special event going on at the Orion Amphitheater. The Camp venue in MidCity is a must for drinks and live music in an outdoor space with cozy hang-out spots.
Day 3
Morning: Southern Brunch
We love a brunch in Huntsville! For a southern flair, try Good Company Cafe for build-your-own grits, Superhero Chefs for creative waffle concoctions, or Biscuit Belly for loaded biscuits.
Afternoon: Hikes and Mountain Views
You may not know this, but the Huntsville area has mountains, waterfalls, and caves. If you’re looking for a hike, head up to Monte Sano State Park for beautiful views along ridge trails.
Or, for an easy way to enjoy the scenery, visit Burritt on the Mountain, a 1930s mansion and historic park on Round Top Mountain with some of the best views overlooking downtown Huntsville. The venue also hosts special events like a Wednesday sunset cocktail hour at the overlook and Friday summer concerts under the stars.
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve is another beautiful mountainside spot for hiking and sunset views. It’s a property of the Land Trust of North Alabama and free to visit.
Evening: Stovehouse and Campus 805
You can’t leave town without checking out a couple of the coolest local venues for drinks and entertainment. Stovehouse was developed around an old stove factory and has shops along Gas Light Alley, more than a dozen eateries, a courtyard and lawn for hanging out, and entertainment stages.
Nearby Campus 805 is a refurbished school building with restaurants, bars, games, and music venues between the lockers. Check out Straight to Ale for a brewery and speakeasy or Pints and Pixels for an arcade bar.
