Things to Do in Huntsville (2025)

A former textile mill turned independent arts village with 150+ studios, galleries, classes, and small venues. Regularly highlighted by Southern Living and U.S. News Travel, it’s the best window into Huntsville’s maker culture—open Wednesday through Saturday.

The Smithsonian Affiliate museum that explains why this is Rocket City—Saturn V, Pathfinder, simulators, and a world-class planetarium. A perennial essential in national roundups, it’s open daily and keeps adding timely exhibits and events.

118 acres of imaginative gardens, the Purdy Butterfly House, theater nights and seasonal programs. Southern Living regularly recommends it; the calendar stays packed with concerts, markets, and golden-hour gatherings.

A mountaintop historic park with museum galleries, period homes, nature trails, and the City Lights & Stars concert series. Frequently cited by regional editors, it pairs Huntsville history with sweeping views.

A striking, independently operated outdoor venue drawing major tours and community events. Its 2025 slate underscores how Huntsville’s music scene has scaled—without losing local partnerships and flair.

Alabama’s oldest operating hardware store is now a nonprofit-run shop and micro-museum celebrating local artisans and Huntsville history. Praised by travel editors for its authenticity and storytelling.

A husband-and-wife-run record store at Lowe Mill with 25,000+ titles and DIY shows. Beloved by music writers and locals alike, it’s where Huntsville’s indie sound flips from crate to stage.

Homegrown brewery-venue complex with taproom, Ale’s Kitchen, spirits, arcade, and tours in a reimagined school. Consistently recommended by Southern Living and local critics for food, beer, and scene.

Downtown’s personality-packed tiki bar and kitchen turning out playful, Asian-influenced plates and cocktails. A favorite of local food writers and visiting editors for its creativity and late-night energy.

Join monthly, free guided hikes across local preserves with naturalists and historians. A go-to recommendation in regional trip guides for learning the landscape with the people who protect it.

Single-hand, small-batch whiskey with on-site tastings and private tours inside Lowe Mill. Noted by Southern Living among the destination’s artisan stops, it’s a sip of Huntsville craftsmanship.

A small downtown brewery and coffee spot on the Craft Beer Trail, hosting local musicians and pouring ever-changing small-batch beers. Editors often cite it for neighborhood charm and walkability.