Keeping the family entertained can be tricky after the initial excitement of summer break wears off, but Huntsville is central to a variety of interesting, educational, and explorative hot spots that can keep your calendar full all summer long.
Chatanooga
Just an hour and a half away from Huntsville and known for its wonders of nature, historic sites, and artistic atmosphere, Chatanooga could easily go from day trip to mini vacation depending on your family's interests. A "Scenic City" staple is Lookout Mountain. Take the Incline Railway to the top to experience Rock City and Ruby Falls all in one day. Rock City boasts stunning views of the scenic landscape with a swing-a-long bridge offering a sense of excitement and adventure as you navigate pathways in the foothills of the Appalacians. Enjoy lunch at Big Rock Grill before heading over to Ruby Falls where you'll take a glass-front elevator 260 feet down into the cave that holds the tallest waterfall in the United States available for public viewing. if you care to extend your trip, head down into the city for a leisurely stroll along the river walk or a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, and end the night with dinner at Feed Co. Table and Tavern.
Decatur
For a one-stop-shop featuring all things science, head over to Decatur to the Cook's Museum of Natural Science. Kids of all ages will have a blast in this immersive museum experience with a plethora of interactive activities to suit their interests. The museum houses a variety of live reptiles in their terranium exhibit, and includes a 15,000 gallon saltwater aquarium where you'll get an up-close look at sea turtles, jellyfish, and the colorful fish species of the sea. From the depths of the ocean, to the reaches of space and every unique biome in between, the Cook Museum is sure to delight the senses and expand your family's knowledge in limitless ways.
Birmingham
As a hub for civil rights and the industrial revolution, "The Magic City" is home to sobering historical sites that will leave you feeling grateful for how far Alabama has come. Start your day with a tour of the Civil Rights Institute to catch a first-hand glimpse of what segregation looked like in the 1950's and see a replica of the famous Freedom Riders busses that were key to driving us to equality. Here you'll also get to see the actual jail cell door that Dr. Martin Luther King sat behind as he wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Don't skip out on visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church where tragedy lead to the initializing of Civil Rights legislation by the federal government in 1963. And for a history lesson woven into nature, visit the Vulcan Park and Museum at the top of Red Mountain to witness a symbol of the city's booming iron and steel industries.
Florence
Travel west to the shoals for a vibrant historical experience and a culinary treat. Home to FAME Recording Studios, the W.C. Handy Museum, Helen Keller's birthplace, and the only Frank Lloyd-Wright designed home in Alabama, there is no shortage of interesting sites to see in Florence and Muscle Shoals. Depending on your interests, we recommend choosing one or two tours to attend and stop in downtown Florence for shopping and ice cream at Alabama's oldest ice cream shop, Trowbridge's. Finish the day with dinner at Ricatoni's or Odette, or make it a weekend trip by booking a reservation at the Rennasiance Resort & Spa, where you can dine at the prestigious 360 Grille for circulating views of the Shoals and beyond.
Dismals Canyon
Nature lovers will be enamored with Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell, Alabama. Take a hike through the winding natural trails of the west Alabama woods and be prepared to stumble upon streams and waterfalls, providing a perfect opportunity to cool off in the summer heat. As beautiful as the sunken forrest is during the day, the real magic happens after sunset as tiny bioluminescent "glow worms" light up the canyon. This trip is an exciting outdoor adventure and science lesson all in one!
Lynchburg
A quaint town with big stories, Lynchburg, Tennessee is rich in history and southern charm. People come from all over the world to see the Jack Daniels Distillery where an immersive tour guides guests through the process of how the iconic Tennessee whiskey is produced, and the history of how the brand came to be. But you can't take a trip to Lynchburg without making reservations for Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House. When the dinner bell rings you'll be seated family style to enjoy authentic southern fare like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and Jack-infused baked apples, as a town native sits with you to fill you in on the civil war era history of the town. Make sure to reserve your spot before you go, as this is a hot spot of the south and reservations fill up weeks ahead of time!