Downtown Huntsville: A Guide to Exploring the City

Huntsville, Alabama, or as many people know it, “Rocket City” is an impressive northern town in Alabama just 40 minutes from the Tennessee border. Huntsville earned the progressive moniker because of its contributions to aerospace and rocketry, including the iconic rocket that put a man on the moon! However, there's more to Huntsville, AL that visitors can indulge in, including fine dining, kid-friendly experiences, museums, and local mom-and-pop gems.

Here is a helpful guide to exploring downtown Huntsville to make the most of your time there:

Restaurants & Nightlife

No trip to the South would be complete without experiencing a taste of rich, Southern comforts and country nightlife. Here is a list of the top diners, restaurants, and bars that are sure to make your trip unforgettable.

Blue Plate Cafe

If you find yourself craving warm, homemade favorites, check out the Blue Plate Cafe. This family-run business has been delighting customers for years with delicious made-from-scratch dishes and they offer a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Try unique Southern specialties like cream corn, hashbrown casserole, and Southern-fried catfish. Whether you’re looking to shoot the breeze with a local, enjoy a homemade meal with family, or dive into the classic dishes of the South, Blue Plate Cafe is a must.

Revivalist

“Handshake Deals Deemed Legal in this Parlor.” Those are the words on the menu at the Revivalist, a bustling tavern turned hotel, turned furniture store that is now a thriving historic restaurant in Downtown Huntsville. 

Embodying parlor culture, the Revivalist boasts old-time hospitality and serves modern and southern cuisine like fried green tomatoes, crab/shrimp hushpuppies, steak frites, and seared scallops. There is something for everyone at the Revivalist, including a fine selection of wine and a decadent dessert menu.

Beyond Southern Dining

The Poppy & Parliament

Poppy & Parliament is a gourmet store, butcher shop, and upscale English pub in the Downtown Huntsville area. Their menu focuses on elevated English and Irish meals including deluxe favorites like frog legs, bangers and mash, potato gnocchi, tart monsieur, and goat cheese tarts. 

They also sell fresh, hand-cut steaks, and classic pantry staples like marmalades, sauces, teas, and jellies, imported from the United Kingdom. This English pub and butcher shop is perfect for the refined epicurean in your family and with dishes so delicious, they will have you planning your next trip to London.

Other local favorites include Rhythm on Monroe, The Bottle Restaurant, and a swanky cocktail/cigar bar called, SIP Fine Spirits & Cigar Lounge, all located downtown and within walking distance of one another. To check out the oldest distillery in the country, head to Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, TN, only an hour away from Huntsville.

Markets

Visiting the area for an extended vacation? Why not check out the local farmers markets in the area? Downtown Huntsville has many options for locally grown produce, crafts, and treats.

Village of Providence Farmers Market

The Village of Providence Farmers Market is a local market in Huntsville that is pet-friendly and offers unique products like handmade jewelry, coffee grounds, hot sauces, and crystal suncatchers. The vendors also sell a variety of produce, meat, artisan products, and baked goods. You can bring Rover to the market and give him a taste of some organic, homemade dog treats. Be sure to check the organization’s website for seasonal hours of operation and guidelines for pets.

Museums & Historical Centers

Although Huntsville skyrocketed to popularity and status because of the Space Age and the town’s contributions, the city’s rich history began well before this time. Huntsville has a wide variety of educational museums and historical experiences.

Harrison Brother’s Hardware

Harrison Brother’s Hardware has been serving the area for more than 100 years and offers a multitude of quirky products for every kind of customer. Originally established as a hardware and furniture store, the Harrison Brother’s Hardware was purchased by the Historic Huntsville Foundation in 1983. The Foundation wanted to continue the Harrison family’s legacy, preserve a local piece of history, and operate the store as a non-profit gift shop.

The store features many original products on display that were once sold when the store first opened like vintage candy, games, and marbles. Part gift shop-part museum, the Harrison Brother’s Hardware store is a truly unique attraction to experience on your journey through Huntsville. When you visit, be sure to listen for the infamous ding of the vintage cash register still used at the store.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Huntsville is home to several unique attractions centered around the city’s commitment to continual learning and exploration. Huntsville is home to the world's largest space museum and the site of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The MSFC is located 14 minutes south of Downtown Huntsville and is an essential organization in our Nation’s dedication to space exploration and aerospace programs. 

MSFC is a field center that designs, builds, and tests rockets and propulsion systems. NASA uses this revolutionary system to power rockets and further our Nation’s aerospace innovations. If you’d like to stop by for a visit, the MSFC offers science STEM-focused activities for children, educators, and college students. The museum’s Davidson Center for Space Exploration also houses a magnificent, full-scale, fully restored Saturn V rocket that is one of only three in the world.

Early Works Children’s Museum (EWCM)

For a more STEM-powered learning experience, check out the Early Works Children’s Museum in Huntsville. The EWCM focuses on creative exploration and activities that develop fine motor skills like cooking, building, arts and crafts, and sailing. 

There are even unique experiences at the EWCM like playing with tinker toys, interacting with a talking tree, light exploration, working in a dog grooming salon, and learning about African American History. The Early Works Family includes additional historic areas like the Constitutional Hall Park and Historic Depot Park.

Entertainment

If live entertainment is more your speed, consider spending the night at one of Huntsville’s theaters or listening to live music. These exciting gems will make for a memorable experience during your trip through Huntsville, AL.

Broadway Theater League (BTL)

Experience a thought-provoking and enriching experience by watching a live theater performance on your trip through Huntsville. Unlike other forms of media, live theater offers a unique opportunity to witness storytelling in its most raw and authentic form, and Broadway Theater League does not disappoint. The Broadway Theater League performs many well-known classics like Les Mis, Peter Pan, and Clue and offers convenient ticket packages throughout the season.

Three Caves Concerts

You’ve never experienced a concert quite like this before. Once used as a mine in 1945, Three Caves is a unique concert venue preserved by the Land Trust of North Alabama. Delight in musical performances while you sit in the mouth of Monte Sano Mountain. Let your senses take over as you marvel at the shining concert lights, projecting off of the cold, limestone rock.