Neighborhoods of Downtown

Diversity and connectivity are key words when considering the neighborhoods of Downtown Huntsville. The arts and entertainment offerings of the Von Braun Center-City Centre area overlook the urban center of Twickenham Square which, in turn, flows right into the green hills and gorgeous homes of the Twickenham Historic District. Twickenham shares the rustic charm of Old Town Historic District, which is a street removed from the busy and ever-evolving Five Points Historic District.

No matter what kind of feeling you want from time spent in the heart of a Southern city, Huntsville has it all.

VBC-City Centre

In the middle of Downtown Huntsville, the iconic Von Braun Center (VBC) connects directly to the luxurious Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa and overlooks the picturesque Big Spring International Park. Take a moment to wander through this urban park and pause to reflect at Thrasher Fountain (there just might be a hidden Lucky Duck nearby).

On the other side of Big Spring International Park, visitors can find North Alabama’s leading visual arts center, the Huntsville Museum of Art. On the west side of the VBC, the SpringHill Suites give travelers a direct line to Memorial Parkway, one of the major highways running through Huntsville. Of course, the VBC also functions as a cornerstone of the city’s Arts & Entertainment Districts, which stretches across Downtown Huntsville, a must-see for anyone finding themselves in town on breezy spring and summer evenings.

This neighborhood's name comes from the area in which it resides - near the VBC and subsequently $100 million mixed-use development currently under construction.

Twickenham Square

The loft living and urban bustle of the new Twickenham Square, North of Huntsville Hospital is not just a short stroll away from the ever-active VBC-City Centre, but literally shares real estate with food, lodging and other essentials. These amenities are nestled into 22,000 square feet of retail space:

• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• Cajun Steamer
• The Pants Store
• Homewood Suites by Hilton
• Mei Wei Asian Bistro
• Publix Super Market
• Taco Mama
• 9Round Fitness

Twickenham Historic

Downtown Huntsville’s historic districts are all on the National Register of Historic Places, and each has a unique flavor. Twickenham is Alabama’s largest concentration of Antebellum homes and features the 1819 Weeden House Museum, which is the oldest house in the state open to the public. Other parts of Twickenham show off architecture in the Federal, Italianate and Classical styles.

Old Town

A combination of Victorian, Colonial and Bungalow-style architecture populates the Old Town Historic District, which also features the former East Clinton School (now Providence Classical School), one of Huntsville’s best examples of art deco architecture. After a driving or walking tour of this area, grab a meal at the nearby A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard, which dates back to 1895.

Five Points

Five Points Historic District has become a hot spot in recent years, as new developments share streets with both creatively renovated and well-preserved homes in Victorian, Bungalow, Cape Cod, and Ranch styles. While you’re in Five Points, enjoy some of Huntsville’s popular local eateries:

• 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern for organic and locally grown fine dining
• Thai Garden for “mom and pop”-style Asian cuisine
• Po Boy Factory for the closest you’ll get to Mardi Gras without leaving North Alabama
• Old Towne Coffee Shoppe
• Big Ed's Pizzeria - a Huntsville landmark since 1961

Friendly porches and elaborate front yards welcome passersby in Downtown Huntsville’s historic sections, while modern amenities beckon just a few blocks away in the modern condos of the city’s center. No matter what kind of spaces you like exploring, Downtown Huntsville offers a little bit of everything.