From strolls in the Old Town Historic District to downtown food tastings to group hikes in nature preserves, Huntsville walking tours are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city. Whether you’re a history buff wanting to learn more about the city’s early roots, a paranormal enthusiast seeking out eerie tales, or simply curious about Huntsville’s hidden gems, there’s an excursion here for every interest.

Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to explore Huntsville’s history, haunts, and hikes on these tours.

 

Seasonal Downtown Tours 

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history of Huntsville? Each spring and fall, free walking tours put on by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau offer the chance to delve into downtown neighborhoods. 

Local experts lead the morning walks around the Five Points Historic District, Maple Hill Cemetery, and the Old Town Historic District. The free tours take place in April and October and no reservations are needed.

Check the schedule for upcoming tours right here!

 

Huntsville Ghost Walks

Looking for something spooky to do in town? Huntsville ghost walks are the perfect way to learn local lore with an eerie spin. 

From historic haunted houses to stories of singing spirits strolling the streets, the ghost tours combine detailed research, personal accounts, and the help of a medium to spin scary tales. Three options are available in Old Town, the Twickenham district, and downtown Huntsville on weekend evenings in September and October. 

Be sure to reserve your spot in advance, as tours often sell out leading up to Halloween!

 

Self-Guided Huntsville Tours

You can put your own city tour together with these digital guides and maps to Huntsville’s historic landmarks. The online tours are perfect for walking or driving excursions and available throughout the year.

There are a few different options available, including an audio tour of downtown Huntsville and Twickenham, a virtual tour of the Maple Hill Cemetery, and a guide to the historical markers of Madison County that includes spots like the site of Alabama's first constitutional convention and the 1818 Public Inn. 

 

Guided History Tours

Huntsville walking tours are even better when you have a knowledgeable guide to point out interesting landmarks and hidden gems. Scenethat Tours are perfect for Huntsville visitors who want to learn more about the city’s history or food scene.

Regularly scheduled excursions include a walking tour of pre-Civil War homes, a driving tour of Civil Rights landmarks, and a food tour of downtown Huntsville. Bigger groups can also book a step-on guide to join your crew and narrate your trip around Huntsville.

 

Civil Rights Tour

The Rocket City Civil Rights Tour is an easy way to plan a self-guided excursion around some of Madison County’s most important historic and cultural landmarks. 

Put together by the Alabama Humanities Foundation and Historic Huntsville Foundation, the free guide includes maps and information about sites like the first public school in Alabama to integrate and the sites where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a pair of speeches in March of 1962.

You’ll need to drive between some of the more spread out sites, but there are several downtown in a walkable zone.

 

Guided Nature Walks

For a different type of Huntsville walking tour, you can spend some time getting in touch with the outdoors on guided hikes. Hosted by the Land Trust of North Alabama, the excursions take place in different local parks like Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve, Hickory Cove Nature Preserve, and the new Green Mountain Trail.

Many of the guided hikes are on Saturdays, but you can find the full schedule of Land Trust events and sign up right here.