2023 Explore - Huntsville & Madison

Burritt on the Mountain

Take a step back in time and enjoy the breathtaking view

attractions, parks and greenways, shopping and dining, entertainment, festivals, music and fun!

Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment Reinventing Huntsville’s historic mills

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Terms,

conditions

Clift Farm 417 John Henry Way Madison, AL 35757

Decatur Commons

1605 Beltline Rd. SW Decatur, AL 35601

Eastside Junction

22031 US Highway 72 Athens, AL 35613

Flint Crossing Market Place

12290 Highway 231/431 N. Meridianville, AL 35759

Hampton Cove Center

6707 Highway 431 S. Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

Harvest Square

5850 Highway 53 Harvest, AL 35759

Madison Centre 8000 Madison Blvd. Madison, AL 35758

537741-1

Midtown Centre 165 US Highway 31 N. Athens, AL 35611

Mountain Cove Crossing 12796 Bailey Cove Rd. SE Huntsville, AL 35803

Piedmont Point Shopping Center 4851 Whitesburg Dr. SE Huntsville, AL 35802

Point Mallard Centre 2934 Point Mallard Pkwy. SE Decatur, AL 35603

The Pinnacle at Providence 1660 Old Monrovia Rd. NW Huntsville, AL 35806

The Shoppes at Redstone Square

2286 Zierdt Rd. Huntsville, AL 35824

The Shops at Pine Grove 7129 Wall Triana Hwy. Madison, AL 35757

Twickenham Square 310 Pelham Ave. SW Huntsville, AL 35801

Village Shoppes of Madison 12070 County Line Rd. Madison, AL 35756

2023-2024

ATTRACTIONS

THE AREA’S OFFERINGS

From rockets to museums to historical sights and art, there’s plenty to see and do

THE MILLS

How two of Huntsville historic mills have been transformed into a couple of the area’s top attractions.

DINING [67]

YUM!

Check out some of the restaurants you will not want to pass up.

PERFORMING ARTS

AMAZING SHOWS

Discover what this area has to offer for the performing arts lover.

OUTDOORS

BACK TO NATURE

Discover the beauty of nature in some of the area’s many parks, greenways and trails.

ENJOYING LIFE

SHOP.PLAY.LIVE

Discover some of the unique ways developments are planning to infuse shopping, dining, entertainment and living into one amazing package. Also, check out some of the great new local destinations for shopping and fun.

[126]

LIVING HERE

Life in the greater Huntsville area can be very rewarding. We take a look at some of the area’s districts where people are looking to move.

CELEBRATE

FESTIVALS

Discover fun festivals and events for loads of family fun in the greater Huntsville area.

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Signatureprogramsinclude Meals onWheels, eightnutritioncenters throughoutMadisonCounty,the CenterforAdultDayCare,and wellnessprogramsgearedtoward helpingretirementbethehealthiest andmostinterestingtimeoflife!

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Huntsville,AL35811 Bus:256-852-8205 lara@larabryantagency.com

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Welcome to Huntsville, Madison and Madison County

Putting together this annual magazine makes us realize two things. First, Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County have an abundance of places to see, things to do, and unique restaurants to try. Second, there are several world-class attractions right here or within a short drive, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Cook Museum of Natural Science, and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

If you prefer simpler pursuits, immerse yourself in our area’s natural beauty. The Huntsville and Madison area has some of the most scenic greenways and parks, including Monte Sano State Park and Ditto Landing. You can find hiking trails, biking, fishing, and camping opportunities.

This area also has an extraordinarily strong arts community. Visual arts exhibits are open throughout the year at the Huntsville Museum of Art and on showcase through many of the area’s festivals, like Panoply.

Speaking of festivals, the greater Huntsville area is packed with many of the best festivals celebrating everything from the arts to science to music. We also have a huge selection of music concerts available. Whether it is a concert at the Von Braun Center or the new Orion Amphitheater featuring some of the most recognized names in the music industry, or a showcase of amazing local talent through one of the many concert series, you will be in awe of what our area offers music lovers.

Performing arts such as theater, opera, and ballet can be found in abundance. The Huntsville Ballet Company is one of Huntsville’s oldest arts organizations.

This is only a sampling of what is offered in Huntsville, the rest of Madison County, and the surrounding area. This magazine is a guide to many of the natural wonders, attractions, and festivals that make visiting — and living — in the Huntsville and Madison area so pleasurable. If you cannot fit it all in during one visit, that is understandable.

In addition to Explore, check out the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.huntsville.org. It is packed full of useful information. Have fun exploring all this area has to offer! - John

Few, editor

Harrison Brothers is one of my favorite spots to visit in downtown Huntsville.

BURRITT ON THE MOUNTAIN

This unique museum of regional history is located at the mountaintop home of Dr. William Henry Burritt. The remarkable 14-room mansion built in the shape of an X in the 1930s is insulated with 2,200 bales of wheat straw. Learn the story of Dr. Burritt and his three wives, his penchant for goat’s milk, and how his vocation of homeopathic medicine led him to build one of the city’s most unique and eccentric homes.

The Historic Park consists of six authentic 19th century homes typical of life in the Cumberland Plateau, along with a blacksmith shop and assorted outbuildings. Interpreters in authentic period dress are on hand to answer questions, give tours, and demonstrate life as it was on a farm during the 1800s. At the heart of the Historic Park is The McCurdy Barnyard, home to a variety of authentic farm animals that educate young and old about the animals’ purpose on a farm.

The nature trails at Burritt are perfect for hiking to enjoy the wide variety of wildflowers in spring or the colorful mountain foliage in fall. Burritt’s trails circle around Round Top Mountain and connect to the Land Trust of Madison County and Monte Sano State Park. Special and regular events are scheduled throughout the year, from festivals to music concerts and everything in between, Burritt literally has something for everyone to enjoy.

Burritt’s 3000 square foot overlook, “The View”, is the place to experience the city of Huntsville at your feet. Enjoy events and experiences with Burritt’s breathtaking view. Every Wednesday evening from April through October, watch the sun go down and enjoy a cocktail on the elevated overlook through Burritt’s “Cocktails on the View”. The “City Lights & Stars Concert Series” features eight concerts from May through September, with musical acts from varying genres. Burritt also hosts annual festivals like the Round Top Festival and Spring Day. During the Christmas season, Burritt is a magical place to visit. You can experience a traditional Christmas at Candlelight Christmas, enjoy a gourmet meal in the beautifully decorated Burritt Mansion at Holiday Magic Dinners, or attend the Sanders Family Christmas play in the Old Country Church. For information and dates, go to www.burrittonthemountain.com.

Major 19th-century buildings in the historic park include the Balch House, originally built in 1887 near Harvest; the Chandler House, a dogtrot house from Lester in Limestone County; an 1884 church that originally stood in downtown Madison; the Meals House, an 1845 cabin from near Lester; the Smith-Williams House, an 1868 marriage of two 1840s structures originally from McKay Hollow at the foot of Monte Sano; and an 1890s barn from near Minor

Hill, TN. The museum also features two buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Burritt Mansion, and the Joel Eddins House, which was built in 1810 near Ardmore in Limestone County. The log home was moved to Burritt in 2007. Non-historic structures include a welcome center, administrative building, a replica of a four-room Rosenwald school, and an events center designed to look like the demolished Hotel Monte Sano.

The Historic Park at Burritt interprets the past by showcasing aspects of farm life from the Tennessee Valley of the Cumberland Plateau. At various times, especially durig special events, living history interpreters, dressed in period clothing, recreate the diversity of farm life allowing you to become involved through lively conversation, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Stroll through the historic park and enjoy the sights and sounds of farm life and the barnyard. Listen carefully and you might even hear a fiddle or a banjo. Carefully-restored historic buildings, authentic artifacts, and interpreters demonstrating skills of the past will add to your visit.

EARLYWORKS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

EarlyWorks was designed for children—go ahead…touch, climb, pull, explore! It’s all about FUN at EarlyWorks Children’s Museum in downtown Huntsville. EarlyWorks focuses on letting kids learn through hands-on History and STEM exhibits along with exciting and fun public programming. Each month the museum has a new focus and great activities to go along with it. Some of the traditional favorite play areas such as Bis-

cuit’s Backyard and the KidStruction Zone let kids play through imagination. New exhibits and play areas include The M.O.S.H. Pit, The Tinker Lab, Creative Corner and Bobbi’s Think Big Studio. Rounding out the fun at EarlyWorks are special “take-over” weekends like Harry Potter, Pokemon, STAR WARS, Heroes & Villians and LEGO. Information on all the activities and themes can be found at www.Earlyworks.com.

The many play

exhibits and activities at EarlyWorks Children’s Museum let kids play through imagination.

HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Open year-round, the Huntsville Botanical Garden contains diverse ecosystems to explore within its 112 acres. From grassy meadows to woodland paths, aquatic habitats to stunning floral collections, the Garden invites guests of all ages to discover the beauty and wonder of the natural environment. Stroll along the nature trails while admiring collections of Alabama’s native plants. Play freely in the Children’s Garden after encountering the fluttering butterflies in the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. Find serenity in the cool shade of the trees, surrounded by the sounds of nature. With additional events, exhibits, and programs throughout the year, the Garden is a source of plant conservation, education, and celebration for all.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville

256-830-4447

www.hsvbg.org

Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission Charged

While at the Garden, look for the Fairies as they tend to the new blooms popping up throughout the Garden. Be sure to float by the front desk for a guide, and find this season’s hidden pals: The Fairies!

Unwind and enjoy the Garden’s natural beauty in a new light. Wednesdays, May through August, the Garden welcomes you to explore their 118 acres with food, drinks, and live music, enjoying an elevated evening experience.

The Garden provides a variety of opportunities for adults to expand their knowledge of plants and their place in nature. From Bird walks, to virtual series, to hands-on classes, there are Adult Education classes for every interest. In addition, Nature Academy (pictured above) provides hands-on science classes at the Garden to enrich STEM learning for students in grades K-8. Classes are new and improved every year, and registration is open to all homeschool, public school, and private school students in the area.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts a special exhibit each year like ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN, created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box in collaboration with world-renowned origami artists. Inspired by the art of folding paper to make elegant objects, ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN transforms simple concepts into large-scale metal sculptures that will find their place among our own plant collections to delight, awe, and inspire. It will be on display through August 27, 2023.

HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART

Huntsville Museum of Art is a complete experience. Spend a day viewing art, shopping in the Museum Store and dining at Pane e Vino, which overlooks the park lagoon. Each year, the nationally accredited Museum fills its seven galleries with a variety of traveling exhibitions, and the work of nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. The Museum’s own 2,522-piece permanent collection forms the basis for several yearly exhibitions. The Museum is also the home of the world’s largest collection of Buccellati silver animals.

International

Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.

Tuesday & Wednesday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission charged

Located in downtown Huntsville within the tranquil beauty of Big Spring

Park, the

U.S SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

Huntsville is home to the largest space museum in the world: the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Not only is America’s space program on exhibit in Huntsville, it was forged in Huntsville. We’re known as the “Rocket City” because Huntsville, Alabama is where rockets were developed that put men on the moon. When you visit this attraction, you can’t help but feel the anticipation Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team must have felt as they prepared to put man on the moon. And now you can learn about NASA’s current plans (and Huntsville’s role in it) to travel to Mars with the world’s most powerful rocket – the Space Launch System (SLS).

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is a Smithsonian Affiliate and the Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. It has one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia on display anywhere in the world.

In the Davidson Center, guests journey through America’s Space Race and NASA’s plan to put man on the moon and the International Space Station, and get a glimpse of the future in commercial space ventures and the latest technological innovations. Future astronauts explore the Martian surface at KidSpace, plus experience the power of the first test firing of the five F-1 Saturn V engines and the importance behind their testing at Marshall Space Flight Center in “The Force.”

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center also offers unique experiences. You can see if you have what it takes to get the crew safely to space and back home again in the Discovery Shuttle simulator. Journey into the world of an unbelievably realistic virtual reality experience in space, the ocean, or with dragons through the DIVR+. Soar through the sky with MaxFlight’s state-of-theart fully interactive flight simulator. Also, the Rocket Center attracts international traveling exhibits.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center plays host to a wide range of special events throughout the year, including the Mad Scientist Bash, Spooky Space Spectacular, Molten Mardi Gras, Santa at the Saturn V and many more. They also host popular recurring events like Biergarten and Cocktails & Cosmos.

For the thrill-seekers, there’s the “Space Shot,” where you’ll feel 4 Gs of force as you launch 140 feet in the air in 2.5 seconds, or you can experience three times the force of gravity as you spin in the “G-Force Accelerator.”

The INTUITIVE® Planetarium at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center offers an 8K Digital Planetarium and Digital Dome Experience - the only one of its kind in the Southeast. The theater has 248 comfortable seats and provides a highly enjoyable guest experience including an exciting space-themed lobby and a variety of offerings for food and beverage. The State-of-the-art projection system features 5 Christie laser projectors synchronized to deliver a seamless theater experience; combined with a nano seam dome screen and completely updated sound system will provide a theater experience second to none.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center has created a dynamic and exciting schedule of programming including daytime and evening planetarium shows, full dome movies and fun educational events for all ages.

THE ORION AMPHITHEATER

The Orion Amphitheater marks a bold new chapter in our region’s unparalleled musical history. An 8,000 capacity destination venue built by the people of Huntsville, for the people of Huntsville.

Following its award-winning inaugural season, Huntsville Venue Group’s Orion Amphitheater kicked off its anticipated second season in early April. Additional shows to come this year include Cody Jinks (May 19), Weezer (June 4), James Taylor (June 20), Phish (July 11-12), Widespread Panic (July 28, 29-30), Billy Strings (August 25-6) and The Doobie Brothers (August 30) among many others. There will also be several community events this season.

Of the 2023 season, Managing Director of hvg, Ryan Murphy, shares, “While the 2022 season certainly helped put the Orion on the map, we look forward to this year’s season of programming to really set the pace for years to come. Not only are we bringing in bigger and more diverse acts, but we are pushing to make sure we have a robust schedule of world class artists, cultural and community programming, as well as truly activating the wider campus to host events of all sizes.”

www.theorionhuntsville.com

Additionally, General Manager of the Orion, Katie Millar, shares, “Our team has worked incredibly hard to enhance the guest experience for the upcoming concert season; from fresh new menu offerings, to launching new collaborations with local businesses, we’ve made a concerted effort to focus on the

details that not only make us best in class, but also genuinely represent this community. It’s going to be an epic season, and we can’t wait to welcome y’all back.”

Committed to connecting culture and community, the Orion will expand their food and beverage offerings this season including ChurchStreet Test Kitchen—the venue’s first in-house dining experience, which has been curated in partnership with Huntsville’s ChurchStreet Family and will open later this month. Additionally, Jeff & Blues, Huntsville’s new Dive Barn, and Apollo South will be open to ticketholders before, during and after all upcoming shows with a variety of food and beverage options. Jeff & Blues will also be open to the public after each show as well as Thursdays through Sundays until its forthcoming grand opening, when it will become open seven days a week.

The Orion also remains steadfast in their commitment to sustainability and will continue to enhance their efforts this season. All food and beverage services will feature reusable cups and compostable silverware, while the venue has also partnered with the Master Gardeners of North Alabama to plant herbs, flowers and vegetables, which will provide hyper local ingredients for artist catering and other on-site needs. Additionally, the venue’s Carbon bar is shifting its offerings to climate and carbon-neutral products, with a portion of all bar sales going to select environmental non-profit partners.

The 2023 season follows last year’s triumphant inaugu-

ral season, which saw the Orion win the 2022 Partnership in Tourism Award from the Alabama Tourism Department as well as Attraction of the Year from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association. Further establishing their roots in the Alabama music scene, the Orion’s parent group, tvg hospitality, also recently acquired Birmingham, AL’s live music venue, Saturn, and will support Huntsville’s historic Tip Top Café with their reopening this year.

During the winter months, The Orion transformed into a winter wonderland with many fun activities, including ice skating.

VON BRAUN CENTER

The Von Braun Center is a multi-purpose facility located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. The VBC offers multiple venues for presenting cultural, educational, entertainment, sporting and social events. Venue spaces include the Propst Arena, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Mars Music Hall, North Hall, South Hall, and East Hall. Additionally, the VBC has an on-site full-service restaurant and rooftop bar –Rhythm on Monroe. With over 170,000 square feet of flex-

ible meeting space the VBC is able to accommodate events of all types and sizes. It is centrally located downtown near hotels, shops and restaurants, and overlooking the manicured landscape of Big Spring International Park. This multi-purpose facility is equipped to accommodate major conferences, conventions, concerts, Broadway performances, ballets, symphonies, a full range of sporting events and so much more! Check it out at www.vonbrauncenter.com.

RHYTHM ON MONROE - Rhythm on Monroe is a full-service restaurant and rooftop bar, located in the Von Braun Center at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street in Downtown Huntsville. The facility includes a large and open dining room downstairs with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a covered patio adjacent to Clinton Avenue. Upstairs, guests can enjoy an uncovered rooftop bar with tables, lounge seating around firepits, and cantilever umbrellas. Whether someone is looking for dinner and drinks before a show or an evening cocktail overlooking Downtown Huntsville’s unique cityscape and Big Spring Park, Rhythm on Monroe satisfies all needs.

MARS MUSIC HALL - With its open-floor plan and balcony overlooking the over-sized stage, this intimate setting offers great acoustics for a variety of events ranging from concerts to comedy acts and everything in between.

TOYOTA FIELD Home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas

The excitement among the entire Tennessee Valley remained at a fever pitch for the third season of the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The team based at Toyota Field in Madison took to the action of the Double-A South League earlier than in its inaugural season as the minor league franchise of the Los Angeles Angels began play on April 8 and will continue through the spring and summer months. What is being recognized as one of the newest first-class and fan-friendly stadiums in America, Toyota Field and the Trash Pandas welcome everyone with open arms, smiling faces and plenty of options for positive experiences.

Toyota Field hosts a wide variety of stadium events in addition to being the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas minor league baseball team. They include fairs, movies, kids camps, 5K runs, happy hours, live music, fireworks, and more! As the new centerpiece of North Alabama, Toyota Field is a state-of-theart facility perfect for corporate functions, banquets, wedding receptions, fundraisers, social events and more. Check their website often for updates on upcoming events.

HUNTSVILLE ICE SPORTS CENTER

Serving Huntsville and North Alabama since 1959, the Huntsville Ice Sports Center (ISC) is open year-round with all of your ice sport’s needs. Our mission is to Inspire our Community with ice sports and to serve with Excellence. If your desire is to learn how to skate, play hockey, learn to curl or simply enjoy an afternoon with your family at public session, the ISC is the place to be. Book your next birthday party, church and school fieldtrips, or corporate event here at the ISC. Come experience all that the Ice Sport Center has to offer.

Huntsville Ice Sports Center 3185 Leeman Ferry Road, Huntsville 256-883-3774 • www.icesportscenter.com

JOE DAVIS STADIUM

Home of Huntsville City FC

Soccer is the newest sport to find a home at Huntsville’s Joe Davis Stadium. The former baseball stadium is now the home to the new Huntsville City Football Club.

The soccer club’s inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season grand home opener will be on May 19. Huntsville City FC will host Crown Legacy FC at 7 p.m. in what will be a historic day for the city of Huntsville and the sport of soccer in North Alabama. Huntsville City FC will play host to the best MLS NEXT Pro clubs throughout its inaugural season. The regular season will conclude with a pair of September matches, including a rivalry match against Head Coach Jack Collison’s former club Atlanta United 2 on Sept. 10 and the final regular season match against Chicago Fire CF 2 on September 24.

Joe Davis Stadium was originally a minor-league baseball stadium, home to the AA Huntsville Stars. It was named after former Huntsville mayor Joe Davis, who was instru-

Huntsville City Football Club

www.mlsnextpro.com/huntsvillecityfc

mental in efforts to bring the original stadium to Huntsville in 1985.

Huntsville announced the stadium would be renovated in 2021, with plans to host a minor league soccer team. Now those plans have become reality. With a capacity of 6,000, the facility has additional spaces to accommodate groups for its various events. In addition to soccer, its multi-use fields will be available for football, ultimate frisbee, rugby and lacrosse, and other non-sporting events. Joe Davis Stadium is located in John Hunt Park at 3125 Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville.

HUNTSVILLE SPORTS COMMISSION

The greater Huntsville area plays host to some of the best sports opportunities around. To keep up with what sporting events are planned, the Huntsville Sports Commission is an excellent source of information. The Commission is a not-forprofit organization that promotes and enhances the quality of life in Huntsville by identifying, recruiting, promoting, and staging sporting events and meetings. They recently announced that the 2024 and 2025 Conference USA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships will be hosted at Propst Arena in Huntsville. There are many such sporting events planned for the Huntsville area. Check out the Huntsville Sports Commission at www.huntsvillesports.org to see what the next few months hold for sports in the Rocket City.

BHistory is everywhere you look

Before and during the Civil War, Huntsville was a center for railroad and river-based trade and commerce. The Tennessee River remains a favorite local spot for summertime fun. Even now, we boast one of the nation’s oldest existing railroad depots where Civil War-era graffiti still marks the walls from the Confederate soldiers who were held captive there.

Antebellum Homes and Mills

Unlike many Southern communities during the Civil War, Huntsville’s buildings were mostly spared from destruction –leaving the Rocket City with one of the largest concentrations of antebellum homes in the South. The heart of this historic area is called Twickenham – a nod to the city’s original name given by wealthy landowner and capitalist, LeRoy Pope.

Over time, Huntsville was inhabited by wealthy cotton growers and land speculators in search of frontier property. The growing town turned toward textile manufacturing, establishing several mills that helped organize the town into distinct districts that still exist today as local landmarks of industry and creativity.

Landmarks

Look at the structures across town and you’ll see a beautiful collection of antebellum homes, renovated manufacturing mills, iconic Greek Revival-style buildings, a perfectly preserved downhome hardware store – the oldest in the state – and even a few spaceships! Where else can you find that combination?

Space Exploration

In the middle of the 20th century, our bustling town became a critical support line for the U.S. Army before helping to launch the Space Race with the establishment of NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center. Space exploration is celebrated across all of Huntsville – we are known as “Rocket City USA” after all – but it’s especially celebrated at Alabama’s most popular attraction, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Research Park

Academia has thrived since the early days of Huntsville thanks to Alabama A&M University, Oakwood University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s continued development into premiere research facilities.

Expanding further into science, technology and other industries is Cummings Research Park, the second largest in the nation. Established in 1962, this impressive consortium of more than 300 companies adds a bustling population of engineers, doctors, students and creatives. #EmbraceTheGeek.

The history of Huntsville has seen numerous influxes of new faces from all over the world, which makes our history and identity an ever-changing tapestry. From humble beginnings, the “Rocket City” has grown into a future-minded place to live, work, play... and, of course, to visit!

Check out one of the many walking tours of historic downtown Huntsville and Madison at www.huntsville.org.

ALABAMA

HALL HISTORIC PARK &

Step back in time by visiting Alabama Constitution Hall Park, and catch a glimpse of what life would have been like in 1819. A tour takes guests through the historic buildings that display Huntsville during the constitutional convention of 1819. Learn how Alabama became a state, stories of the community and see demonstrations of how people survived without our modern conveniences. Grounds are open to the public.

HARRISON BROS. HARDWARE

Alabama’s oldest continuously operating hardware store was established in 1879 and has been located on the Square since 1897. It is operated by the Historic Huntsville Foundation and staffed by volunteers. Better than a museum, Harrison Brothers is a living 19th century landmark sitting serenely in the midst of downtown Huntsville. High-tech Huntsville itself seems 100 years away as you enter the store.

Harrison Brothers is more than a glimpse of old Huntsville. It is a shopper’s delight. On the west side of the store, a stack of antique biscuit jars brimming with old-fashioned candies tempts youngsters of all ages. Cotton throws, colorful tins, marbles by the scoop, cast iron cookware, and oak rocking chairs share space with garden gadgets, bird feeders, and whirly-gigs.

Harrison Brothers Hardware

124 South Side Square, Huntsville

256-536-3631

www.harrisonbrothershardware.com

Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

H. C. BLAKE ART & HISTORY CENTER

The Blake Center is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of fine art and the historical and cultural heritage of North Alabama. Established by the H.C. Blake Co. in 2020, HC Blake Art & History Center has quickly become one of the most popular North Alabama art galleries and history museums. This popularity is due to the exceptional historically significant displays, living history preservation, wonderful fine art and world class cultural and art instruction. Home to Huntsville Revisited, it is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich, diverse history of Huntsville-Madison County. You will find Huntville’s most diverse collection of photos and stories anywhere. The passion founder William Hampton brings to the museum makes the stories come alive.

HISTORIC LOWRY HOUSE

Huntsville’s historic districts feature several homes with roots predating the Civil War, but few are as unique as the Lowry House. The 3,000 sq ft house has connections to Huntsville’s ear-

liest settlers. Its namesake, John Taylor Lowry, was a landowner and slaveholder who became an abolitionist.

To say the Lowry House is a mesh of styles would be an understatement. When it was built in 1850, the home included wood beams from the two-bedroom cabin Lowry’s grandfather built in 1809. It’s important to note his grandfather, John Lowry, was the contractor on the county’s first courthouse, completed in 1818.

The large, Italianate-style home people see today is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was purchased by Louie and Jane Tippett in 1998, and underwent an extensive four-year restoration process, The Tippetts’ daughter, Cynthia Tippett Masucci, said visitors are impressed the home is considered a rarity due to its architectural style that includes Federal-Empire, French Colonial and Italianate-style fireplaces.

The Lowry House is also a popular haunt for paranormal investigators who believe otherworldly spirits live within its walls.

The Lowry House is open for tours, concerts and local artisan events. They also host weddings, corporate events and private parties.

John Tate Lowry, who built the Lowry House in 1850, was a landowner and slaveholder who became an abolitionist during the Civil War. The house also played a role in the Underground Railroad.

WEEDEN HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDEN

Federal officers.

After the Civil War, Miss Weeden partly supported her impoverished family by teaching art in the house. Maria Howard Weeden was born in the house on July 6, 1846. She was the youngest child in the Dr. William Weeden family. Athough she had little formal art training, she became well-known for her watercolor portraits of the former slaves, depicting their character in her paintings and their sense of humor and philosophy of life in accompanying poems written in their dialect. Her books were published by Doubleday, McClure and Company. Joel Chandler Harris, creator of “Uncle Remus,” referred to Miss Weeden as “the bright light of the nineteenth century.”

Located at 300 Gates Avenue in Huntsville, the Weeden House Museum is open to the public. It was originally built around 1819 by Henry C. Bradford and is an example of Federal architecture. It was the home of John McKinley, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Bartley M. Lowe. It was the birthplace and lifelong home of nationally famous artist and poet, Maria Howard Weeden (1846-1905). The two-story brick house features an outstanding leaded glass entrance fanlight, spiral staircase and hand-carved mantels. During the Civil War, it was requisitioned for the use of

There are several opportunities throughout the year to experience guided tours of historic locations in Huntsville and Madison. Here are a few to check out. You can find more information about local tours at www.huntsville.org.

Scenethat Tours

256-658-6900

scenethattours.com

Get up close and go behind the scenes and discover the narratives, the lifestyle and the culture in and around Huntsville.

TOURS

provoking, energetic & fun experiences into southern culture for curious travelers who seek to explore.

Spring & Fall Guided Tours

Every spring and fall, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau shows off Huntsville and Madison through its free walking tours. Tours are guided by local experts and focus on the historic districts of both cities. Check out the dates at www. huntsville.org.

Digital History Tour

families–helping,healing,teachinganddiscovering.

Childrens AL •org

U.S. VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum is dedicated to promoting and disseminating the accomplishments of American military men and women. The emphasis is on participants of World War I and subsequent conflicts, whose survivors and families can use the Museum facilities to reminisce on their own experiences and those of parents, grandparents, and other close relatives. The Museum displays more than 30 historical military vehicles from World War I to the present, including the oldest surviving jeep, the Ford Pygmy.

2060A Airport Road, Huntsville

256-883-3737

www.memorialmuseum.org

Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Admission charged

Active duty in uniform and guests free

U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum

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HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

This Memorial exists to honor those countless individuals who have answered the call of duty by serving in the Armed Forces that protect our country and our way of life. So many have proven their courage in battle, and so many have defended liberty and freedom at great sacrifice. This Memorial will hold before present and future generations the principle that freedom is not free and that a free people must always be prepared to defend that freedom at whatever cost.

Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial Park

200 Monroe Street NW, Huntsville

www.hmcvm.org

Madison Veteran’s Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Church and Front Streets. The park was designed and constructed by Madison American Legion Post 229. The park is dedicated to Jesse Ollie Wikle, Jr., who was the first Madison man to lose his life in World War II, and to the members of the United States Military from the city of Madison who lost their lives during the wars of the 20th century.

- The

Honoring Courage, Sacrifice, and Duty

TThe Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial, officially dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, honors and pays tribute to all veterans for their “Courage”, “Sacrifice”, and call to “Duty”.

Sacred geometry was used to determine the placement of eight polished black granite markers engraved with the names of over 365 Madison County servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice for their country. The granite markers are arranged along a timeline to accurately illustrate the United States’ involvement in military conflicts around the world.

The Memorial fountain system begins with water cascading over the continuous weir, symbolizing the blood which has been spilled defending our nation’s freedom. The flow of water is punctuated by the granite markers and pours into the Sacrifice Pool, the Courage Pool, and the Defender Fountain. As a visitor stands at the granite marker, facing their own reflection, water falls over the weir on each side producing a gentle sound reminding them of the great sacrifice made for our freedom. The small white headstones in the Defender Fountain are replicas of those in Arlington National Cemetery and represent all of our fallen warriors. Water streams through the Defender Fountain into the pentagon shaped

Freedom Fountain, thus providing a contained circular flow. The impressive rise and fall of water from the Freedom Fountain reminds us that this is a living tribute to all veterans and gives the sense of life, liberty and freedom springing forth from a grateful

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Anchoring the memorial at each end of the circular fountain are bronze statues depicting “Sacrifice” and “Courage”. The models for these statues are all Madison County combat veterans. Through the left portal leading to the POW/MIA flag is the Eternal Flame perpetually burning in remembrance of all those who died, were imprisoned, and remain missing in war. In the right portal leading to the Alabama flag is a Time Capsule, in which veterans have placed personal artifacts, letters, and items reminiscent of their service and the wars they fought. It will be disinterred on November 11, 2062.

The U.S. Flag, which represents “Duty”, reminds us all of the serviceman’s commitment to defend and serve under her. Continuing beyond the U.S. Flag is the Patriots Walkway. This Walkway features a series of seven kiosks, dedicated to educating young and old alike about our nation’s wars and the citizen soldiers that fought those wars, beginning with the Revolutionary War. The main intent of these informational panels is to help readers gain an appreciation for the high price that has been paid to achieve freedom and liberty throughout our nation’s history.

Along the Patriots Walkway is the Battlefield Memorial Walkway, featuring five plaques along the winding walkway that discuss the meaning of the Battlefield Memorial and serve as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many on battlefields around the globe.

As you travel the pathway and reflect on the meaning of this solemn place, you are taken to the highest point of the park, the entrance to the Battlefield Memorial, where you will find the final plaque, a poem in remembrance of the fallen warrior. Just beyond, you will find the Battlefield Memorial, a symbolic representation for the fallen soldier. This space offers a somber area to mourn and honor those that died serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. It is a place set aside to remember the fallen, pay tribute to their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved ones.

Continuing along the Patriots Walkway, you will find the Aviator Statue. This U.S. Armed Forces Aviator, sculpted by local artist Dan Burch and modeled after the likeness of Marine Captain James N. “Trey” Wilbourn III, Huntsville’s only casualty of the Persian Gulf War, pays tribute to all U.S. Armed Forces Aviators for their courage, duty and sacrifice in defense of our nation and way of life.

At the base of the Patriots Walkway you will find the Revolutionary War Monument. This 8 ft, 3 ton monument, dedicated to the 84 Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in Madison County, was relocated to the Huntsville Veterans Memorial park in October 2016. Originally standing on the north side of the Madison County Courthouse Square, until the old courthouse was razed in the late 1960s, the Revolutionary War Monument had many homes and, to the delight of the Twickenham Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has appropriately found its final resting place in the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial.

HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE DEPOT

Board a train at the Historic Huntsville Depot. An active passenger station until 1968, the original depot building stands as a symbol of Huntsville’s transportation history and city growth. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Depot served as the local passenger house and the corporate offices for the Eastern division of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Inside the Historic Huntsville Depot is currently closed due to staffing shortages. Depot Park is open year-round for the community to enjoy. There is a beautiful bike path, a picnic pavilion and a train for children and adults to explore. The RoundHouse and Eunice’s Bridal Suite are available for rent.

NORTH ALABAMA RAILROAD MUSEUM

The centerpiece of the museum features the Chase Depot, the smallest union depot in the country since it served more than one railroad when in service. If you visit the museum on a day when the train is running, you can ride a vintage train over the museum’s own Mercury & Chase Railroad. Over thirty pieces of major rolling stock have been preserved including both freight and passenger equipment and three historic locomotives. The museum is open for visitors seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. throughout the year to inspect, photograph, and study the historic rail equipment, the small depot and the facility. The

museum’s volunteer staff is present each Wednesday and Saturday until 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. to answer the phone, to take train ride reservations and to assist visitors.

The North Alabama Railroad Museum runs special themed train rides during thee holidays. Rides include the Peter Cottontail and Spring Fling Specials aroud March or April, Mother & Son Special in May, Father’s Day Special in June, Flip-Flop Fun in July, Magic on the Mercury & Chase in July and August, Punkin’ Pickin’ Extravaganza in October, Fall Color Special in October and NOvember, North Star Limited and the Santa Train in December.

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Reinventing Huntsville’s historic mills

By Maria Rakoczy

BBefore Huntsville, Alabama became the Rocket City and the space program moved into town, its main industry was manufacturing and cotton processing. Huntsville’s past is represented today by the mills still standing tall around the city. Two mills in particular are once again drawing the attention of locals and asserting their relevance to Huntsville’s culture and business sector.

Lowe Mill was really a trailblazer in the reinventing of Huntsville mills. Inspired by Alexandria, Virginia’s Torpedo Factory, a former arms factory turned artists’ refuge, Lowe Mill transformed a shoe factory into an arts and entertainment hotspot.

Spokesperson and photographer at Lowe Mill, Eric Schultz says, “Simply by keeping the building open and safe is a tribute to the history of Lowe Mill! It’s amazing the work which goes into keeping this 120-year-old building open to the public. It’s also a tribute to those who built Lowe Mill.”

Schultz continued, “We also have a ‘history hall’ near our door #4 entrance. There we have a collection of old photos, memorabilia, and historical items from the mill throughout the years. While renovating parts of the mill our crew has found all sorts of items from old soda bottles to tax records. We add to the collection whenever we find anything noteworthy.”

More than 250 hundred artists call the mill home in over 150 studios. Seven galleries and four performance venues display the work of Lowe Mill’s talented tenants and sometimes guest artists. Photographers, painters, hair stylists, weavers, ceramists, and a

distiller all find space and inspiration in Lowe Mill.

Lowe Mill has not forgotten the culinary arts either. In fact, visitors can find some of the finest in local fare there. Huntsville’s own sister chocolatiers practice their craft at Pizelle’s Confections where the case is fit to mesmerize with the stunning confections inside. Piper & Leaf, a tea shop serving and selling its original tea blends, welcomes visitors on the front porch of the mill, and nestled inside is the whimsical Dragon’s Forge Café, roasting and pouring an espresso exclusive to the cozy coffeeshop.

The mill loves to host parties, performances, concerts, and special events, like its Concerts on the Dock, year round, and according to Schultz, this year has an especially exciting calendar.

“We have a variety of events this year from the regular Open Studio Night and Concerts on the Dock to our once-a-year events like the upcoming Cigar Box Guitar Festival and the Huntsville Comic Convention. Yule Y’all and Winter Solstice, held in December, our signature shopping events, attracting vendors and shoppers from all over the country,” he said. “Our artists also offer classes and workshops throughout the year. Classes in watercolor painting to pottery and everything in between are offered by our different artists. We even offer dance classes and yoga workshops throughout the year.”

On the north side of town, another mill is receiving new life. Lincoln Mill was originally a textile mill and produced cotton

In 1900, Arthur H. Lowe of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, formed Lowe Manufacturing Company, and began the building of Huntsville’s fifth textile mill. Lowe Mill opened in 1901 with 25,000 spindles that helped to turn locally-grown cotton into woven cloth. By the end of World War II, in December 1945, Nashville-based General Shoe Co. opened a shoe factory in Lowe Mill, employing up to 800 people, which later became Genesco, Inc.

LoweMill ARTS & E ntertainment

“duck” canvas during World War II. In the late 1950s, the mill received its first major transformation into an industrial center for the space program and the home of Brown Engineering. In its new capacity, Lincoln Mill contributed to the development of the Lunar Rover. Today, Mill No. 3 and the Dye House, the only surviving structures of a 1980s fire, have experienced a second major transformation and continue to contribute vitally to the Rocket City.

Haley Clemons, a spokesperson for Crunkleton and Associates, the firm behind the mill’s current redevelopment, said keeping the mill’s history in mind was integral to the Crunkleton team, “Historic sites like Lincoln Mill come with a rich history that we always do our best to respect—and often showcase—when we undertake a redevelopment. We kept its history in mind throughout the process and made sure that its historical significance to our community was made known. In the lobby of the office building, we designed an illustrative timeline that includes images and snippets of the property’s past. Guests can see how the site operated during its time as a textile mill, its connection with NASA’s Lunar Rover, and even the devastating fire that took place there in the 1980s. We aimed to revive the property and make its history a part of its future.”

Art Theatre Food

Lincoln Mill is now living a new life as unique offices spaces for Heritage Kitchen and Bath, Nesinfit Physical Therapy, Madison County offices, Retina Specialists, Huntsville Community Chorus, and more. The mill is a diverse space for businesses of all varieties. Fusion Barbecue, High Point Climbing and Fitness, Turbo Coffee, and Irontribe, for example, occupy the Dye House.

Indeed, “Lincoln Mill is unique in its ability to attract a wide variety of potential tenants. It’s distinct character often interests tech companies, creatives, government agencies, and many other office users,” Clemons remarks.

The mill has also acquired some famous and popular neighbors on Meridian Street in Preservation Co., L’Etoile Patisserie, Holtz Leather Co., and Brooks & Collier.

According to Clemons, these neighbors helped set the tone for the area’s revival, “Prior to the redevelopment, Meridian Street already hosted businesses such as Preservation Company, Holtz Leather, and Brooks & Collier. It was already leaning in the direction of an “Interiors Row”. When Heritage Kitchen & Bath relocated to Lincoln Mill, it built upon that trend.”

Both Lincoln and Lowe Mill still have bright futures ahead of them. With the artists at Lowe Mill always exercising their creative abilities, there is something new and intriguing to discover on every visit to Lowe Mill. Lincoln Mill is, itself, continuing to grow and inviting more businesses to discover and fall in love with its distinctive office space offerings and proximity to downtown Huntsville.

LOWE MILL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, located in historic Lowe Mill, is the largest privately owned arts facility in the United States. With a focus on visual arts, this huge historic factory building has been redeveloped into 153 working studios for over 200 artists and makers, 7 art galleries, a multi-use theatre, a community garden, and performance venues. Within this thriving creative community are artists and makers from across the world. With studio spaces lining the hallways, visitors have the opportunity to openly explore the Mill and artist spaces where they can shop and learn about the artists and their works.

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

2211 Seminole Drive SW, Huntsville

www.lowemill.art

Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

MILL

Lincoln Mill is a historic 215,000-square-foot facility that has been transformed into a premier Huntsville destination with office, retail, and food & beverage. The development is located on the growing Meridian Street corridor that already features some of the city’s most popular and unique retailers.

TATE FARMS

Tate Farms operation includes some 72 acres of pumpkins and gourds in many shapes, sizes and colors. The pumpkin business has expanded to include more than tours for school children. Today, in addition to school tours, Tate Farms is open in pumpkin season for families to spend time on the farm. Activities include: hayrides to the pumpkin fields to pick a fresh pumpkin off the vine, pedal carts, petting animals, barnyard playground, corn cribs, jumping pillows, hay maze, corn train rides, cotton jump, picnic areas, two restaurant facilities, Coun-

try Store, Pumpkin & Vine - Cafe & Collectibles, antique farm equipment, and a huge produce shed for fall decor purchases.

Tate Farms

8414A Moores Mill Road, Meridianville

www.tatefarmsal.com

Open from October 1st – October 31st

Check website for times

HUBERT FAMILY FARMS

Nestled in the Tennessee Valley, Hubert Farms location provides a beautiful backdrop to over 200,000 tulips in early spring. Enjoy the scenery and take some of the beautiful fresh cut flowers back home with you! There are picnic tables, fun activities for the kids, and a beautiful view. Check their website for future events at the Farm. A sunflower field will be ready in the summer and other events are being planned to one day make the Hubert Family Farm a year-round destination.

SCOTT’S ORCHARD

Scott’s Orchard is a century-old, family owned business that grows 18 varieties of apples on 100 acres and 20 different varieties of peaches on an additional 50 acres. Pick your own apples in September and October. Freshly pressed cider and slushies are a popular seasonal feature.

Scott’s Orchard

2163 Scott Road, Hazel Green

256-828-4563

www.scottsorchard.com

Check website for open days and times

Hubert Family Farms

432 Narrow Lane, New Market

256-759-1099

www.hubertfamilyfarms.com

JDM FAMILY FARM

JDM Family Farm is a lush Pumpkin Patch located in New Hope, and so much more. Whether you visit us in spring, summer, winter, or fall, there’s always something new for the whole family to discover.

JDM Family Farm

1614 Old Gurley Pike in New Hope

256-819-9390

www.jdmfamilyfarm.com

Check

COOK’S MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

The Cook Museum of Natural Science is a state-of-the-art natural science museum in downtown Decatur. It provides a hands-on, immersive experience where kids can explore, interact with, and learn about nature. Families leave the Cook Museum feeling fulfilled by their time together and inspired by the things they saw and learned.

Cook’s Museum of Natural Science

133 4th Ave. NE, Decatur

256-351-4505

www.cookmuseum.org

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission charged

John Cook Sr., the founder of Cook’s Pest Control, opened the museum’s predecessor in 1980. It welcomed over 750,000 guests to view its collection of insects, rocks, minerals, seashells, coral, and more before it closed in 2016. The Cook family decided to reinvent the museum with interactive, engaging, and hands-on experiences. The new museum opened in June 2019.

Live Animals

The museum has a large variety of live animals including many different species of saltwater fish, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, live coral, moon jellyfish, and numerous species of freshwater turtles and fish. Their terrariums house eastern hellbenders, an eastern indigo snake, alligators, and more, and their Wonderful World of Insects exhibit is home to various kinds of terrestrial and aquatic insects.

Exhibits

They have a number of interesting and educational exhibits that are sure to delight your senses and give you a closer look at some of the amazing creatures and environments in nature. Many of the exhibits include interactive activities, such as a meteorite from outer space, digital seashell generator, kinetic sand table, and a tree with a rope bridge to climb.

Nature’s Table

Nature’s Table serves up fresh, tasty food for dine in, carryout, and catering. Located inside of the Cook Museum, Nature’s

Table is open to the general public without an admission ticket. Enjoy healthy wraps, sandwiches, salads, protein bowls, smoothies, coffee, and more, all made to order with the freshest ingredients. From a quick bite on-the-go to box lunches for groups, Nature’s Table will definitely hit the spot!

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MOORESVILLE

Mooresville, the Limestone County town “older than the state” is home to a church where James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, preached in 1863, a post office built in 1840 and the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern built before 1825. Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, worked in Mooresville while serving as a tailor’s apprentice. The town also served as the filming site of Walt Disney’s “Tom & Huck.” The quaint town currently houses a bike shop, a candy store, a coffee house and a farm. Created by Laurence and Natasha McCrary in 2011, the three-acre 1818 Farms – a nod to the year of the town’s formation – is home to Southdown Babydoll sheep, chickens, pigs and goats.

• The circa 1821 Stagecoach Tavern, reportedly the oldest frame public building in the state of Alabama.

• The circa 1839 Brick Church, a distinctively elegant Greek Revival building.

• The circa 1840 Mooresville Post Office, the oldest continuing operating post office in the state and one of the oldest in the U.S.

• The circa 1854 Church of Christ, owned and maintained by the Church of Christ.

Historic Mooresville is located one-quarter mile south of Exit 2 (Mooresville Road) on I-565.

www.mooresvilleal.org

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Salt Factory Pub

6000 Stax St. Huntsville, AL 35806 (256) 585-2488

www.saltfactorypub.com

Salt Factory Pub is an upscale gastropub that offers modern and approachable cuisine with an unbeatable beer list. The creative menu features a variety of classic comfort foods with international influences. The dishes are comprised of local and organic ingredients designed to complement the notable beer lineup of more than 50 different draft and bottled brews. Modeled after the pubs of the English countryside, the exposed brick walls, dark hard-

wood floors, cozy booths and dim lighting create an inviting and casual atmosphere for guests.

Hopper’s Holiday Inn Research Park

5903 University Drive

Huntsville, AL 35806

256-830-0600

Hoppers is about great food, serious libations and some of the best entertainment in the Tennessee Valley. Their lunch country cooking southern buffet features a different array of meats and vegetables every day. Karaoke Tuesday and Thursday from 8 p.m.-on where You are the

star. Friday and Saturday night features the best dance bands around and there’s never a cover.

Tellini’s Italiano

1515 Perimeter Parkway

Huntsville, AL 35806 (256) 726-9006

www.tellinis.com

It is the spirit of old Italy that guides Tellini’s to do what they do. There the foods and faces are familiar. The meals are made from scratch and they only use simple ingredients and bring them to rich, robust life. Pizzas, pastas, and paninis are the foundation of their

menu, which are highlights by house specialties and daily features, all served in a casual setting.

El Coyote Mexican Restaurant 2

6610 Old Madison Pike, Suite 102

Huntsville, AL 35806

256-837-6876

Order from the menu or overload from the buffet, El Coyote has several options to choose from in order to accommodate all of their guests. Eat inside, at the bar, or on the patio at this cozy, authentic Mexican restaurant.

Looking for a great dining experience, the greater Huntsville area has tons of quality choices to satisfy any palet. Here are some examples, but by no means is this all. This is only a sample. For a complete list of dining opportunities in the Huntsville and Madison County area, check out www.huntsville.org. Pictrured above is one of the delicious steaks at Tom Brown’s. See pages 69-71.

Salt Factory Pub is an upscale gastropub, modeled after the pubs of SaltFactoryPubisanupscalegastropub,modeledafterthepubsof the English countryside. We offer a scratch kitchen, an unbeatable theEnglishcountryside.Weofferascratchkitchen,anunbeatable beer list, extensive wine selections, casual dining and much more. beerlist,extensivewineselections,casualdiningandmuchmore.

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Hildegard’s German Cuisine

2357 Whitesburg Dr.

Huntsville, AL 35801

hildegardsgermancuisine.com

Hildegard’s German Cuisine has served the Huntsville community for over 15 years, at the corner of Bob Wallace and Whitesburg. Every dish is freshly prepared from the highest quality ingredients, and served quickly, efficiently, and with a smile. Many of their cooks and servers have been with them for years, which means you will always have a team of people who are well versed in the Hildegard’s way of preparing and serving the best German meals in the area.

Tom Brown’s Restaurant

8141 Hwy 72 W

Madison, AL 35758

Madison, AL 35758

Main Street Café 101 Main Street Madison, AL 35758

1892 East Restaurant & Tavern

720 Pratt Avenue NE

Huntsville, AL 35801

Bark & Barrel BBQ

3414 Governors Dr. SW

Huntsville, AL 35805

Baumhower’s Victory Grille 2309 Memorial Parkway SW

Huntsville, AL 35801

Blue Plate Café Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35805

Cava

4800 Whitesburg Dr.

Huntsville, AL 35802

Canadian Bakin’ 501A Church St. NW

Huntsville, AL 35801

Cheesecake Factory

300 The Bridge St. Huntsville, AL 35806

Chuck Wagon BBQ 8048 Highway 72 W Madison, AL 35758

Chuy’s Tex Mex

935 Bob Wallace Ave. SW Huntsville, AL 35801

Cork & Crust Pizzeria + Wine Bar

12120 County Line Road Madison, AL 35758

Commerce Kitchen 300 Franklin St. SE Huntsville, AL 35801

Cotton Row 100 Southside Sqaure

Huntsville, AL 35801

Cricket’s 3810 Sullivan St. Madison, AL 35758

Domaine South 200 West Side Square

Huntsville, AL 35801

Edgar’s Bakery & Café 472 Providence Main 2004 Airport Road SW Huntsville, AL 35801

Eggs Up Grill Hughes Road

Madison, AL 35758

Flight Plan Wine and Tapas 2710 Carl T Jones Dr. SE Huntsville, AL 35802

The Foundation Coffee House 4701 Meridian St. N Huntsville, AL 35811

Furniture Factory Bar & Grill 619 Meridian Street Huntsville, AL 35801

Golden Years Ice Cream & Diner 12835 U.S. Hwy 231/431 N

Hazel Green, AL 35750

Goodland Pour House 12110 County Line Road

Suite A

Madison, AL 35756

Grandmother’s House 3980 Old Highway 431 Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

Grounded Coffee 12120 County Line Rd

Madison, AL 35756

Haru Korean & Sushi 8760 Madison Boulevard

Madison, AL 35758

Humphrey’s Bar & Grill 103 Washington St Huntsville, AL 35801

J. Alexander’s Restaurant 380 Town Madison Blvd. Madison, AL 35758

Lanier House 20 Martin St. Madison, AL 35758

Le’toile Patisserie 1214 Meridian St. N Huntsville, AL 35801

Little Libby’s Catfish & Diner 234 Lime Quarry Road Madison, AL 35758

Little Rosie’s Taqueria 4781 Whitesburg Dr. Huntsville, AL 35802

Mangia Italian Restaurant 2288 Zeirdt Rd. Madison, AL 35758

Mason-Dixon Bakery & Bistro 415 Church St. NW Huntsville, AL 35801

Mellow Mushroom 470 Providence Main Street Huntsville, AL 35806

Mellow Mushroom South Cecil Ashburn Dr. Huntsville, AL 35802

New Market BBQ 5601 Winchester Rd. New Market, AL 35761

Old Black Bear Brewing Company 212 Main St. Madison, AL 35758

Original Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar 25951 Huntsville Brownsferry Rd Madison, AL 35756

Phat Sammy’s 104 Jefferson St. S Huntsville, Al 35801

Phil Sandavol’s Mexican Restaurante 8217 Hwy 72 W Madison, AL 35758 6125 University Dr. Huntsville, AL 35806

Phuket Thai Restaurant 475 Providence Main Street Huntsville, AL 35806

Piper & Leaf 2211 Seminole Dr. Huntsville, AL 35801

Posey’s 12909 US 231 Hazel Green, AL 35750

Prohibition Rooftop Bar & Grill 100 Moon Shot Dr. Madison, Al 35758

Sam & Greg’s Pizzeria 116 Southside Square Huntsville, AL 35801 364 Hughes Rd. Madison, AL 35758

Slim Chickens 8168 Hwy 72 W 130 Outfield Dr. Madison, AL 35758

AOnly the best will do at Tom Brown’s

After seeing what the area offers, Tom and Ashley Brown decided to plant roots and start their next adventure. Their love for food and Tom’s passion for cooking inspired them to create Tom Brown’s. Some of their family’s fondest memories are enjoying Tom’s delicious recipes around the dinner table. So they knew they had to offer that intimate experience to the community! Thus, Tom Brown’s Restaurant was born.

Located in Madison at 8141 Highway 72 W, Suite A, and in a new location at Hays Farm in South Huntsville, Tom Brown’s offer premium steak and seafood options in a unique, relaxed atmosphere. Their recipes are made from scratch with only use the finest ingredients.

“As a steak and seafood restaurant, we pride ourselves on the quality of beef we serve,” Tom said. “We strive to serve the highest quality possible, and we’ve done just that with our steak offerings. We proudly serve Certified Angus Beef . All steaks are wet-aged for a minimum of 21 days. Plus, we hand cut each steak. At Tom Brown’s, we let the steaks shine. First, we season our steaks lightly and chargrill them to perfection. Then, we top it off with our house-made TB Herb Butter.”

The seafood at Tom Brown’s is fresh, never frozen, and is flown in weekly from as far as Honolulu, Hawaii. Each fish is hand-cut and cooked to perfection.

Tom Brown’s cocktails are one of a kind and delicious. Their bartenders used their creativity and knowledge to cultivate a fantastic cocktail menu. In typical Tom Brown’s fashion, only the best ingredients are used when creating each cocktail.

Both restaurants offer the same great menu options and southern hospitality. However, the design, color palette, and ambiance create a different, unique experience at each restaurant. “Our concept is to offer patrons an escape,” explained Ashley, who is the visionary for the design and aesthetic of the restaurants. “When you step into our restaurants, you know you will enjoy a delicious, top-quality meal while also being transported to another place. A place that is one of a kind, where you feel at ease and creates lasting memories.”

For more information about Tom Brown’s or to make a reservation, go to tombrownsrestaurant.com.

Tom Brown’s in Madison has been met with rave reviews since opening in 2020. The popular restaurant now has a second location in south Huntsville at Hays Farm.

Tom and Ashley Brown

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PERFORMING ARTS

Huntsville may be largely an engineering town, but that doesn’t make us a shy bunch. Classic productions, current favorites and local originals are all on display on stages across the Rocket City. Broadway Theatre League brings Tony-winning favorites to the Von Braun Center. Theatre Huntsville and Independent Musical Productions cast accomplished local actors in meticulously designed and directed productions. Award-winning Fantasy Playhouse encourages and inspires children to join in on theatre arts. In addition to these organizations, Huntsville boasts several audacious troupes that perform original dramas and off-the-wall sketch comedy. Independent dance studios offer ballet and dance performances year round. Huntsville universities and schools have been praised for their professional-level stage shows. Simply put, the Rocket City has something on the marquee for whatever kind of theatre experience you’re looking for!

HUNTSVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Founded in 1955, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is the longest continuously operating professional orchestra in Alabama.

The HSO sets a high standard for artistic quality and, in addition to putting on acclaimed concerts, supports the Huntsville community through music education, free family concerts and community outreach. The HSO has numerous ongoing series that focus on various genres, such as classical, casual classics and pops. Performances are usually held in the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center, but the HSO plays other venues from time to time. www.hso.org

HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY

As one of Huntsville’s oldest arts organizations, Huntsville Ballet Company is justifiably proud of its long history of excellence in dance training and performances. The Huntsville Ballet Company (HBC) is growing with the vibrant city of Huntsville, Alabama. In 2015 HBC became the first professional ballet company in North Alabama, and one of only four in the state. HBC holds a long and rich history in the art of dance and is working to expand and challenge its repertoire. HBC brings the finest quality of dance to the region, performing ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, The Firebird, Cinderella

and recently the acclaimed original adaptation of Peter Pan.

The annual performance The Nutcracker is a much-anticipated part of the holiday season in the region. The performance takes place in the Von Braun Center Concert Hall to accompaniment by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and is uniquely set in historic Huntsville.

Both the Huntsville Ballet Company and Huntsville Ballet School operate under the umbrella of Community Ballet Association, Inc., a non-profit member of the state Arts Council and Arts Huntsville. www.huntsvilleballet.org.

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy (FPCTA) provides theatre arts access through production, education and outreach, reaching more than 29,000 residents annually, including 16,000 children and youth. FPCTA enriches the lives of children and families through theatre and arts education, encouraging students to become self-confident, academically successful, creative-thinking citizens who are more likely to invest in their communities as adults. FPCTA’s core programs include live children’s theatre productions, classes, camps, workshops, and educational outreach through after school classes and In-school touring programs. Recognizing the transformative power theatre arts can have in the life of a child, FPCTA prioritizes theatre arts access for all by engaging local underserved communities. www.fantasyplayhouse.org

THEATREARTSTRAINING|AGES3-ADULT

Camps&Classes

PerformanceShowcases

FieldTrips

AfterSchoolPrograms

In-SchoolTouringPrograms

PrivateLessons

LiveTheatricalProductions

ActingConservatory

TechnicalTheatre

ScoutWorkshops

SensoryFriendlyPerformances

FineArtsPreschool

Scanfor MoreInfo!

FANTASYPLAYHOUSE.ORG

HuntsvilleLocation: 2011UniversityDriveNW Huntsville,AL 256-883-4911

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Thenumerouspiecesthat furnishyourhouse...are undoubtedlythings!Butif youchooseeachpiecewith dueregardtoyourindividual needsandpreferences...then itbecomesnotathing,butan undeniablepartofyourself!"

~LeopoldStickley

THECHORUS HASACHOIR FOREVERY SINGER!

GRADES3-12

CHILDREN’SCHORALE TREBLECHORALE YOUTHCHORALE

ADULTS

CHAMBERCHORALE SYMPHONICCHORUS

NOAUDITIONSFORSTUDENTS

TOFINDOUTHOWTOREGISTERYOURCHILDORFOR INFORMATIONABOUTTHEEASYAUDITIONSFORADULTS, EMAIL: INFO@THECHORUS.ORG ORCALL: 256-533-6606.

The Huntsville Community Chorus Association (HCCA), established in 1946 and incorporated as a non-profit allvolunteer community choral organization, is Huntsville’s longest-continuing performing arts group. HCCA strives to offer the best in choral music and musical theater through various groups: The Symphonic Chorus, The Chamber Chorale, Children’s Chorale, Youth Chorale, and other ensembles that perform throughout the year. www.thechorus.org

BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE

Broadway Theatre League was founded in 1959 by the Business & Professional Women’s Club of Huntsville and the shows were held at Huntsville High School! In the early days, touring theatre veterans Joan Bennett, Dorothy Lamour, John Carradine, and John Raitt came to Huntsville. In 1975, BTL moved the performances to the “new” Von Braun Center and brought bigger scale shows to town. The 1990’s brought about the now standard weekend performance schedule and the beginning of the mega-musical. All types of Broadway shows have been presented, from blockbuster musicals, to obscure little plays and special once-in-a-lifetime events. www.broadwaytheatreleague.org

Drama, music and comedy fill BTL’s 2023-2024 season

BBroadway Theatre League has announced the shows for its 2023-2024 season. Laughs, finger snaps and even hope will interlace the spectrum of performances.

The upcoming slate offers six straight-from-NYC productions, along with four Season Specials:

“Come From Away,” Oct. 27-29, 2023 – This “Best Musical” winner reveals the true story of 7,000 passengers stranded after 9/11 attacks and the Newfoundland hamlet that welcomed them. Anxiety at first transformed into trust and friendships.

“Beetlejuice – The Musical,” Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2023 – A ghost like none other, “Beetlejuice” is based on Tim Burton’s genre-smashing movie. Lydia Deetz, an unusual teenager, whose life morphs when she meets a couple, who just died, and a bizarre Netherworld demon/comic/deceased guy.

“Mean Girls,” Dec. 15-17, 2023 – The musical is the (wild) child creation of Tina Fey (“Saturday Night Live”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (“Legally Blonde”) and director Casey Nicholaw (“The Book of Mormon”). Teenager Cady Heron had lived in an African settlement but that environment was much less hostile than her new home in suburban Illinois. At her new high school, Cady falls in/out of favor with brutal mean girls, led by vicious Regina George.

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” Jan. 12-14, 2024 -- Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin adapted this version of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. “60 Minutes” lauded “To Kill a Mockingbird” as “the most successful American play in Broadway history.” NPR said Lee’s work and on-stage presentation is “one of the greatest plays in history.”

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” March 15-17, 2024 –Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic anthems and ballads in “Jesus Christ Superstar” are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. For BTL, a new version will grace the stage.

The show depicts Jesus’ final weeks from Judas’ perspective. This version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” pays homage to “Billboard’s” 1971 “Album of the Year,” yet creates a modern feel.

“Pretty Woman: The Musical,” May 10-12, 2024 – Based on the cherished rom-com film, the musical shows that a prince can rescue the beautiful maiden. Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance developed the score, while the movie’s director, Garry Marshall, and J.F. Lawton authored the uplifting book.

Season Specials include “Bluey’s Big Play”; “Johnny Cash –The Official Concert Experience”; “Stomp”; and “The Simon and Garfunkel Story.” The season package does not include Season Specials.

For more information, visit broadwaytheatreleague.org/newseason-announcement.

Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre & Dance School

Where dance is an art not a competition.

Classes for students aged three through adult. Dance Fundamentals, Ballet & Pointe, Boys Ballet, Partnering, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Theatrical & Liturgical

Celebrating 18 years of dance in South Huntsville

aybtheatre.org

At Alabama Youth Ballet (AYB), every student is given dance instruction that meets the highest standards of professional training. Our program provides a solid technical foundation in a warm and caring environment. They specialize in teaching dance in a manner that builds self-esteem, so that everyone from the beginner to the pre-professional dancer can excel at each level. AYB seeks to encourage well-rounded young people as well as developing dancers. Alabama Youth Ballet also sponsors several performing companies that provide a wide range of performance opportunities for its students. www.aybtheatre.org

1405-D Weatherly Plaza SE Huntsville, Al 35803 256-881-5930

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Great Outdoors

DITTO LANDING

Ditto Landing is Huntsville’s gateway to the majestic Tennessee River, and its banks create the Rocket City’s southernmost boundary.

During the warmer months, the docks of Ditto Landing are bustling with boats equipped for water skiing, swimming and fishing. In cooler months, the gorgeous Tennessee River Greenway gives pedestrians a stunning view to enjoy. Ditto Landing boasts a collection of pavilions that are popular options for company outings, weddings, and family events, with over 20 campsites spread across 560 acres.

Whether you’re drawn to the Tennessee River for relaxation or excitement, Ditto Landing is one of Huntsville’s favorite access points for fun in the sun.

Located on the picturesque Tennessee River at the southern edge of Huntsville, Alabama this marina is nestled in lush greenery, and surrounded by serene mountain foothills.

Whether you arrive by land or water there is no mistaking the beauty and serenity of Ditto Landing. Located on the picturesque Tennessee River at the southern edge of Huntsville, Alabama this marina is nestled in lush greenery, and surrounded by serene mountain foothills. Bass, bream and catfish are plentiful in the sparkling waters where sailboats and yachts cruise side by side. Along with water recreation, Ditto Landing plays host to many special events throughout the year.

Last year, Ditto Landing hosted the inaugural Christmas on the River featuring Christmas Card Lane, a model train display at Santa’s Depot, decked out boats, and holiday fireworks. It was a signature South Huntsville Christmas event. This summer, it welcomes back the Reelin’-n-Smokin’ Backyard Barbecue Competition for its seventh year June 9-10 for barbecue, camping, and family outdoor fun.

Family friendly activities available to you and yours at Ditto Landing include boating, camping, fishing, hiking/walking, picnicking, and cycling

WET SLIPS

BIG SPRING INTERNATIONAL PARK

Big Spring first drew settlers in North Alabama around its welcoming banks to found Huntsville in the late nineteenth century. Today, Big Spring, in its central location in the heart of downtown Huntsville, still draws locals and tourists to its waters for events, picnics, concerts, and more. The park has even caught the eye of tourists from around the world. Hence, the ‘international’ in the name. The park boasts a sundial from Germany, a bench from the United Kingdom, and gifts from Japan that include cherry trees and that famous red bridge. Big Spring Park plays host to numerous community events throughout the year, including the annual Tinsel Trail at Christmas time, but visitors will find it a pleasant place for quality time with loved ones while feeding fish and ducks and taking in the Huntsville skyline all year round.

The History of Big Spring International Park

MMore than 200 years ago, future U.S. Senator John Williams Walker remarked that “Huntsville is situated around the finest spring in the world,” and two centuries later, it’s still true. Huntsville’s Big Spring Park is located at the heart of the city, just off the courthouse square.

The Birthplace of Huntsville

Back in 1805, Revolutionary War veteran John Hunt chose Big Spring as the location for a new community – the 7 to 20 million gallons of fresh water the spring produces every day were an invaluable resource for the new town. Before it was

HuntsvilleLocation: 2011UniversityDriveNW Huntsville,AL 256-883-4911

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Huntsville, the community was called “Hunt’s Spring,” in honor of the two ingredients on which it was started. Hunt built the first cabin in what would become Huntsville atop the bluff by the spring. It would be the better part of a century before Big Spring became part of Big Spring Park; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers renovated the site of the spring beginning in 1898, under the leadership of Hiram Chittenden, who had just been involved in the early development of Yellowstone National Park.

A Man, a Plan, a Canal: Big Spring

The park gets its name from the Big Spring, but the spring itself can be easy to overlook, tucked away in a corner of the park. Much harder to miss is the canal that runs through the park, the Indian Creek Canal. Indian Creek is the first canal in the state of Alabama; begun the year after the state was formed in 1819, and completed in 1830. The canal connects the spring with the Tennessee River, 10 miles to the south, and was constructed to support the shipping of cotton. From a race to a restaurant, the name “Cotton Row” is part of Huntsville’s culture; it stems from the cotton trade that took place alongside the courthouse square. Indian Creek Canal allowed cotton to be transported much more easily from Cotton Row to the Tennessee River, from whence the entire world could be reached via the Ohio River to the Mississippi, to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.

More Than Just A Park

Over the years, Big Spring has been home to a variety of attractions, activities and even utilities. In 1823, Huntsville developed the nation’s first public water system west of the Appalachian mountains, with Big Spring as its water source. Community baptisms were held at Big Spring Park, dating back to at least the late 1800s. In the mid-1960s, amusement park rides were set up in Big Spring Park. Big Spring was also a filming location for the movie Constellation, which starred Billy Dee Williams and Zoe Saldana.

Cherry Trees Big Spring Park Red Bridge

Informally, the park is just “Big Spring.” You’ll often hear it called “Big Spring Park.” But for formal occasions, use its full name – “Big Spring International Park.” International Park? That’s right – Big Spring is more than a great place to hang out and feed fish and ducks, it’s practically a low-key EPCOT of treasures from around the world.

Wander through the park, and you’ll find a lighthouse and fob bell from Norway, a bench from the United Kingdom, a sundial from Germany, and, most distinctively, the iconic cherry trees and red bridge from Japan. You’ll also find geese from Canada, but they weren’t really a gift.

- By David Hitt (Huntsville.org)

Stick your head in the clouds at Monte Sano State Park. Rising over 1600 feet above downtown Huntsville, Alabama is the southern Appalachian peak of Monte Sano. One of North Alabama’s natural treasures, thousands of acres are preserved for nature and recreation thanks to the Land Trust of North Alabama and Monte Sano State Park. A 15-minute drive from downtown, Monte Sano offers trails to meet hikers and mountain bikers of all levels. A large trail map is posted at the trailhead in the Hiker’s and Biker’s parking lot. You can also buy one at the Park Store. Trails throughout the park are well blazed, and very easy to see in winter.

Monte Sano State Park offers 14 miles of trails contained inside the park for hiking, running, and mountain biking of varying difficulties, plus facilities for other outdoor activities like picnicking, rock climbing, and disc golf. Monte Sano also offers some of the best views of Huntsville.

FEATURES:

Museum & Memorial

Disc Golf Course

Japanese Garden

Playground

Planetarium

Hiking & Biking Trails

Cabins

Camping

Event Lodge

Pavilions

SHARON JOHNSTON PARK

Located just 20 minutes from downtown Huntsville, the 250 acre park lies nestled in the rolling hills of northeast Madison County. The Pioneer Village at Sharon Johnston Park reflects the period in Alabama’s history when homesteaders moved west seeking a permanent settlement. Part of the Pioneer Village, the SniderFanning cabin, built in 1883, serves as a symbol of the practical shelter solution of the period as well as a symbol of the houses of the rural poor.

Sharon Johnston Park is home to a 58 site RV/campground park located just 16.7 miles from the Von Braun Center and downtown Huntsville. They have both wooded and open areas available for campers. Their campsite provides an asphalt pad, picnic table, and trash receptacle. The rustic site provides water and electric hookup. Sharon Johnston Park provides water, electric, and septic hookup. The campground contains two bathhouses (one newly renovated), 2 picnic shelters, a laundry mat, plus many more amenities.

THE PARK ALSO INCLUDES:

• Twelve acre fishing lake stocked annually with catfish

• Olympic size swimming pool where children can take swimming lessons

• Campground facilities

• Small picnic shelters and large pavilions with open air barbecue grills

• Playground with pavilion

• Shooting range

• Arena

• Soccer fields

• Marked 5k walking/running course

• 18-Hole Disc Golf Course

All facilities are handicap accessible

LAND TRUST OF NORTH ALABAMA

Relax, get some exercise, and connect with nature. Visitors to Land Trust of North Alabama’s seven nature preserves can enjoy outdoor adventure on over 70 miles of free public trails. The largest of these, Monte Sano Nature Preserve, is one of the largest urban nature preserves in the US and is located only two miles from downtown Huntsville. Each preserve offers unique opportunities to discover Alabama’s natural beauty - caves, wetlands, historic sites, farms, forests, and flowing creeks. Find trail maps and details about each nature preserve at www.landtrustnal.org/explore.

LOCATIONS INCLUDE:

Monte Sano Nature Preserve

2442 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville

Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve

1263 U.S Hwy 72 East, Huntsville

Green Mountain Nature Preserve

13800 South Shawdee Road, Huntsville

Blevins Gap Nature Preserve

3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville

Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve 230 Stoneway Trail, Madison

Wade Mountain Nature Preserve

9500 Spragins Hollow Road NW, Huntsville

Harvest Square Nature Preserve

111 Allyson Sadie Blvd, Harvest

Bethel Spring Nature Preserve

2641 Cherry Tree Rd, New Hope

Bradford Creek Greenway

574 Palmer Rd, Madison

MADISON COUNTY NATURE TRAIL

Located atop Green Mountain in southeast Huntsville, high above the noise of the city, a mood of quiet tranquility envelops you as you enter the 72-acre park.

Open free to the public each day from seven in the morning until thirty minutes prior to sunset, your convenient escape from urban life encompasses Sky Lake, a 1.5 mile walking trail, pavilion, chapel, outdoor classroom, picnic tables, covered bridge, and accessible restrooms.

The State’s largest and oldest Champion Winged Elm Tree - stands tall along the Trail.

The Madison County Nature Trail provides the perfect setting for nature lovers of all ages — whatever the season. Spring features the park’s beautiful azaleas and dogwoods, while summer exhibits colorful wildflowers blooming beneath the forest’s deep green canopy.

In fall, amidst the crisp mountain air, trees display a glorious collage of color. Winter contrasts with its stark beauty and the quiet rustle of leaves along the forest’s floor.

Madison County Nature Trail

5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville

256-883-9501

www.madisoncountyal.gov/services/ green-mountain-nature-trail-1594

GOLDSMITH-SCHIFFMAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Located along the Flint River in southeast Huntsville, GoldsmithSchiffman Wildlife Sanctuary spans more than 375 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat interspersed with open fields and farmland. This natural area is an important part of the North Alabama Birding Trail and is home to a variety of habitats and an abundance of bird species. More than three miles of trails wind through bottomlands, swamps and sloughs suitable for hiking or mountain biking. Includes handicap access, parking, picnic area and viewing area.

Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary

Taylor Road and Terry Drake, Owens Cross Roads

256-532-5326

www.huntsvilleal.gov/environment/ green-team/nature-preserves/goldsmith-schiffman-wildlife-sanctuary

HAYS NATURE PRESERVE

The Hays Nature Preserve is one of Huntsville’s largest and most undeveloped parklands. There are over 10 miles of trails that wind through bottomlands, swamps, and sloughs, suitable for hiking or mountain biking. Horses are also welcome on the northern trails. Come explore hardwood forest, walk the fields, and discover the wetlands. Wildlife abounds with deer, rabbits, raccoons, and resident and migratory birds; in fact, this natural area is an important part of the North Alabama Birding Trail. Join us in our efforts to preserve this valuable asset for our children and learn something along the way.

256-532-5326

www.huntsvilleal.gov/environment/green-team/ nature-preserves/hays-nature-preserve Open

Dublin Memorial Park at 8324 Madison Pike in Madison includes 60 acres, double court gymnasium equipped for basketball and/or volleyball with an upstairs walking track, 25 yard – eight lanes heated indoor swimming pool, meeting rooms and administrative offices, paved walking trail, soccer fields, disc golf course, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, pond, new inclusive playground, outdoor pool with a diving well and kiddie pool. Go to www.madisonal.gov/93/Parks-and-Recreation for more information.

The renovated Home Place Park at 100 Shorter St. in downtown Madison features a performance pavilion and amphitheater-style seating, along with a picnic area and walking path. Renovations to the park have added walkability and event space for downtown Madison. The re-imagining of Home Place Park not only enhances downtown Madison’s footprint but offers an opportunity for residents to gather for community events. The improvements will allow residents and visitors to enjoy theatrical and musical performances, along with other events.

Brahan Spring Park at 2920 1st Street SW in Huntsville is a multi-use facility that can accommodate a variety of sports. The park has six sand volleyball courts, four soccer fields, a disc golf course, multiple softball fields, playground, splash pad and also has a recreation center for basketball, volleyball, table tennis and pickleball. For more information, go to www.huntsvilleal.gov/ environment/parks-recreation/parks-and-nature

The William Hooper Councill Memorial Park is located on the historical site of the William Hooper Councill High School at 620 St. Clair Avenue in Huntsville. Where once stood Huntsville’s first school for African American students is now a beautiful and welcoming park. Walk in the footsteps of Councill High alum and pay tribute to a small portion of Dr. William Hooper Councill’s legacy. The park is the perfect place to enjoy a book, picnic lunch, coffee from the coffee trail, or relax under the sun.

SINGING RIVER TRAIL

The Singing River Trail (SRT) is a world-class resource that connects the region, celebrates Native American heritage, provides education opportunities, contributes to economic development, and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors throughout North Alabama. The Singing River Trail is much more than just another greenway. It’s an outdoor experience which promises to connect people with Alabama history through storytelling and educational pieces along the way. As more people flock outdoors, the masses discovered what were once hidden treasures to some. You will find many trails loaded with regulars and newcomers alike on any given day. With the booming growth in the area, 70 more miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails will serve the community well. According to the master plan, the trail is a proposed 220-plus-mile greenway system. It’ll be 10-12 feet wide, paved in urban areas, and have natural surfaces in rural areas. It’s a bike and pedestrian trail that will go from go from Jackson County in the northeast all the way to the Shoals in the northwest, so basically crisscrossing North Alabama. You can find more information at singingrivertrail.com

The 58 acre Dallas Fanning Nature Preserve off of Martin Road West (258 Old Jim Williams Road SW) is named in honor of the late Dallas Fanning, former planning director and architect of the City’s western expansion. The beautiful sanctuary provides outdoor trails for exercise, passive recreation, and nature hikes. The nature preserve provides several miles of signed trails through the woods and a two-acre green space dotted with shade trees and benches.

The Indian Creek Greenway begins at Slaughter Road and runs northward for two miles from Old Madison Pike up to Creekwood Park. Another section north of Highway 72 runs one mile. It will eventually total six miles and run to Old Monrovia Road. The beautiful greenway route meanders north along the creek, bordered by farmland and woods. At Creekwood Park you will find playground, restrooms, pavilions, a dog spot and disc golf course. You can find parking at 360 Harvestwood Court.

Other Area Greenways

Mill Creek Greenway

167 Silo Hill Rd, Madison

Mill Creek Greenway is a short hike-and-bike trail in Madison. The asphalt trail is just over a half-mile long and sits within Mill Creek Park. The trail is useful for dog-owners trying to access the dog park as well as residents of the nearby subdivisions who are just looking for a safe and easy place to walk. There is parking at either end of the trail. There are two dedicated parking areas for this trail: One is on the south end, near the corner of Mill Road and Balch Road. The second is on the north end, on Browns Ferry Road near its intersection with Balch Road.

Rainbow Mountain Preserve

230 Stoneway Trail, Madison

Located off of Stoneway Trail, 1.5 mile long Loop Trail follows a generally rocky path along the cliff ridge and east side of Rainbow Mountain. It features beautiful rock formations such as Balance Rock, excellent views of Madison to the west, fossils, caves, and a waterfall.

Bradford Creek Greenway

574 Palmer Road, Madison

Bradford Creek Greenway is definitely a green way winding just over 2 miles through Madison under cover of a dense hardwood forest. The paved pathway begins at Palmer Road (at the entrance

Mill Creek Greenway

Bradford Creek Greenway

to Palmer Park) and heads north following Bradford Creek past residential neighborhoods to end at Heritage Elementary School. The trail has marked lanes separating walkers and bikers, offers trailside benches and picnic tables, and provides nice views of the creek, rural horse fields, and wetland areas, where you might spot beavers, possums, deer, and many species of birds.

Beaverdam Boardwalk

Old Hwy 20 SW and County Line Rd, Madison

This one mile trail is accessed from a frontage road located just off exit 7 on 1-565. The one-mile frontage road is off of County Line Road just south of the interchange. The frontage road dead ends at the trailhead. The Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk leads the visitor into the heart of the largest Tupelo Swamp in Alabama. While exploring the boardwalk, watch the canopy for active flocks of Tufted Titmice, Red-eyed Vireos, and warblers. The swamp usually rings with the songs of frogs, insects, and numerous birds including Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great-crested Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk trail crosses a swamp filled with some of the state’s largest water tupelo trees. Various species of frogs, turtles, small fish, snakes, and other reptiles and amphibians are often visible along the trail. Songbirds are common in the canopy as well.

Aldridge Creek Greenway

1100 Mountain Gap Road

Located in South Huntsville, near Bailey Cove Road, .5 mile south of Weatherly Road to Ditto Landing. Paved 4.19 mile trail with walking, jogging, bicycling and rollerblading allowed. Pets allowed on a leash only. Parking at Ken Johnston Park.

Atwood Linear Park Greenway

7500 Atwood Drive

Multi-use walking and biking trail that runs along Atwood Drive and connects Jones Family Park to the Valley Hill Country Club. A small parking lot is available near the Aldridge Creek Bridge on Four Mile Post Road or large parking lots can be found at the northern terminus at Valley Bend Shopping Center at Jones Farm.

Big Cove Creek Greenway

Flint River Greenway

100 Old Highway 431

The Big Cove Greenway follows Big Cove creek for 2.5 miles from a Hampton Cove Neighborhood on the east side of Hwy 431 to the Hayes Nature preserve where it changes names to the Flint River Greenway and continues on another 2 miles now following Flint river before ending at Old Highway 431. There are four convenient

parking locations at Hampton Cove Elementary/Middle School, Behind the Publix Shopping Center, Haynes Nature Preserve, and off of Old Highway 431.

Gateway Greenway

Although less than a mile long, the Gateway Greenway’s location in downtown Huntsville means it offers many interesting and unique things to see and do. The trail begins in Veterans Park, dedicated to honoring veterans and those who have lost their lives in military service. The park will feature three sculptures of local veterans who represent the park’s theme of courage, sacrifice and duty. A trail spur in the park takes you to the Huntsville Depot, which was completed in 1860 as part of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. Midway, you will come to the Garden of Life and Remembrance, just off Meridian Street. The garden is dedicated to those who have survived gynecologic cancers, as well as a special place to remember loved ones lost to cancer. You’ll continue along the east side of Meridian Street, past the playground at Bud Cramer Park, to end your journey at Pratt Street.

Little Cove Greenway

100 Old Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads

The Little Cove Road Greenway begins at Hampton Cove Elementary in eastern Huntsville. Here, the trail connects to the Big Cove Creek Greenway, which can take you north along the scenic waterway, or south to the Hays Nature Preserve. Along the way, you’ll pass the Hampton Cove Golf Course, one of 11 sites on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of championship-level public golf courses across Alabama. The trail ends at the Flint River Bridge in the upscale community of McMullen Cove.

Tennessee River Greenway

293 Ditto Landing Road

The Tennessee River Greenway is a short, but scenic, route in southern Huntsville with a forested area on one side and the river on the other. The trailhead at Ditto Landing offers a great place to access the river to swim, fish and boat, or to camp and picnic on its banks. For further adventuring, hop on the Aldridge Creek Greenway to travel more than 3 miles north along a wooded creek rich with birds and other with wildlife.

Wade Mountain Greenway

Pulaski Pike and Spragins Hollow Road

Wade Mountain Greenway is the most isolated greenway in the entire network. Located near the Toyota Engine Plant off of Pulaski Pike it runs from its parking lot for one mile where it ends at the Wade Mountain Nature preserve.

Beaverdam Boardwalk

Aldridge Creek Greenway

CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK

OOne of the main reasons for Huntsville’s success, Cummings Research Park is the second largest research park in the country and the fourth largest in the world. Founded in 1962, it is one of the world’s leading science and technology business parks, with a mixture of Fortune 500 companies, local and international hightech enterprises, U.S. space and defense agencies, thriving business incubators and competitive higher-education institutions.

CRP is the home of over 300 companies, more than 26,000 employees and 13,500 students.

While the park has known decades of success, Executive Director Erin Koshut and area leaders are not about to let CRP grow stagnant. A comprehensive master plan set out in 2016 to keep the park vibrant, which has sparked a resurgence and revitalization in recent years, led by the Huntsville/Madison County

Cummings Research Park plays host to several special events each year, like the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open. Mix in regular activities from food truck rallies and pop-up coffee tents to running, yoga, and happy hours, Cummings Research Park is a hub of activity. This year on May 26-29, the park is playing host the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup. This is the first Para-cycling Road World Cup to ever be held in the U.S. and is expected to bring in 300+ athletes from 30-40 countries with their support teams and families.

Chamber, City of Huntsville and the Industrial Development Board.

Currently over 91 percent capacity, the highest CRP has seen in more than 13 years, leaders are working to make sure the park is not just a place to work, but live, with added walkability and social events.

“One of the things we know is for our companies across the community that are recruiting and retaining top talent, creating a sense of place is incredibly important,” Koshut said. “Inside the park we are creating that sense of place. We are building that community, that collaborative environment.”

In addition to enabling innovation and technological achievement for companies located within the Park, progress on the Master Plan has meant incorporating new and additional outdoor amenities to further connect the Park by adding way-finding signs, greenways, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, and pocket parks.

“As we look into the future, CRP is planning to bring mixed-use centers to the Park. These centers will include business and lifestyle services, cafes and restaurants, and limited housing to support the primary science and technology focus of businesses in Cummings Research Park,” Koshut said.

The Park is also supported by programming and services such as food truck fests, lightning-round tech talks, lecture series’, musical events, tech trolley tours, and more connected and collaborative activities.

For more information visit cummingsresearchpark.com.

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Cummings Research Park through the years

EEstablished in 1962, Cummings Research Park began as an idea during a brainstorming session between Dr. Wernher von Braun and a group of Huntsville community leaders. This conversation about the city amenities needed to attract business sparked the beginnings of Cummings Research Park, first known as Huntsville Research Park. The group set out to create a collaborative environment for companies who supported the groundbreaking governmental research on Redstone Arsenal.

Brown Engineering was the first business to move into the Huntsville Research Park. The engineering firm, headed by Milton K. Cummings and Joseph C. Moquin, purchased a 100-acre lot in 1962 at the end of the dirt road that developed into what is known today as Sparkman Drive. As a founding business in Huntsville Research Park, Brown Engineering established their research laboratories and flourished. In 1967, Teledyne Incorporated of Los Angeles bought the engineering firm. The company, known today as Teledyne Brown Engineering still remains an anchor tenant in the Park.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, IBM, Lockheed, Northrop, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville all soon located within the Park, all of which grew tremendously. After the death of Milton K. Cummings in 1973, the park was renamed Cummings Research Park (CRP). The original settlement of CRP, known as CRP East, filled up by the late 1980s.

In 1982, the City of Huntsville purchased additional land, known today as CRP West. Companies including ADTRAN and Dynetics Inc. as well as the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and its 152-acre biotech campus are located there.

In 1996, Calhoun Community College established their Huntsville campus inside CRP East. They are the only community college in the nation with a campus in a major research park. They are also now the state’s largest community college.

In 2007, Bridge Street Town Centre opened inside CRP West.

The mixed-use project was originally established as a nearby place to offer services to employees inside the Park but soon became a booming regional retail destination.

Today in the Park you find a vibrant mix of academia, the private and public sectors, retail, hospitality. With nearly 300 companies, 26,500 employees and 13,258 students, our Park is and will be a collaborative and connected ecosystem. Anchor tenants in the Park include Teledyne Brown Engineering, UAH, Lockheed Martin, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Calhoun Community College, ADTRAN, Dynetics and HudsonAlpha. In 2019, the first ever apartments opened inside the park. The Seleno at Bridge Street feature 240 luxury apartments in CRP West.

Today, even more companies have located to Cummings Research Park, making the Huntsville community the hub for innovation and technological advancements.

Brown Engineering was the first business to move into the Huntsville Research Park in 1962.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the research park.

Go to www.cummingsresearchpark.com/in-the-park and check out the amenities map to discover all there is to do in the Park. Click around to see where you can grab coffee or lunch, the best selfie spots, running loops, parks, Huntsville Shuttle stops, electric car charging stations and more.

LIVING IN CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK - There are two convenient options to live inside Cummings Research Park with convenient access to Bridge Street Town Centre’s shopping, dining and entertainment amenities. You can live, work and play in one place: Cummings Research Park. Seleno at Bridge Street Town Centre, above, is an apartment community of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments offering residents modern convenience, luxury features, and a location that’s close to it all. Mosby at Bridge Street, below, is a new 290-unit, Huntsville apartment community.

HUNTSVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the largest commercial airport in North Alabama, serving more than 1.2 million passengers annually. HSV is known throughout its 18-county service region for outstanding customer service, state-of-the-art technology and convenience. HSV has nonstop service to 13 destinations, including: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami (seasonal), Orlando, Tampa and two airports in Washington D.C. – Dulles and National. The airport is quick and easy to navigate, and very convenient to all the attractions and businesses located in North Alabama. You can find it online at www.flyhuntsville.com

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MIDCITY DISTRICT

Recently cited as one of the 12 largest commercial real estate projects in the nation, MidCity District is a nationally acclaimed mixed-use district located in the heart of the Tennessee Valley’s high-tech employment center and at the epicenter of the 13-county regional trade area with more than a 1.1 million population.

MidCity is a culture-forward district focused on constructing a well-rounded community with bountiful entertainment, recreation, and art. Built on land formerly occupied by a regional mall, MidCity District was planned through careful research into how people congregate, what communities look for in a place, and how venues, buildings, parks and public spaces can be used in varied ways. Fitness and recreation, public gathering areas, walkable streets, inspired architecture, vibrant neighborhoods and intimate spaces form MidCity.

The district already boasts the Orion amphitheater, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue with national and

MidCity District

5909 University Drive, Huntsville

www.midcitydistrict.com

international accolades, North Alabama’s first and only Topgolf center, and The Camp, an inviting and eclectic music venue with a two-story shipping container coffee shop, food trucks, and farmers markets, but MidCity is not stopping there. Starbucks, boutique Hotel Indigo, and net zero energy residential project are just a few of the upscale and innovative projects adding to MidCity’s repertoire. As the district continues to expand, it will come to hold 350,000 square feet of retail space, 400,000 square feet of office space, 1,600 residential units, and 650 hotel rooms, and will surely continue to put Huntsville on the map.

MidCity hosts a farmers market every Sunday afternoon from March through the middle of November. It is held at The Camp.

The MidCity District hosts many fun events throughout the year and welcome special traveling attractions, like the Venardos Circus.

In between law offices in the heart of the city, you’ll find some of the area’s best restaurants and retail in downtown Huntsville. Downtown Huntsville features top-notch dining including Domaine South, The Open Bottle, Commerce Kitchen, Mazzara’s Vinoteca, and nationally-recognized Cotton Row. The downtown area has options for all ranges of palates like Huntsville’s very own tiki bar Phat Sammy’s, upscale Mexican restaurant La Esquina, not-your-average sandwich shop MELT, eclectic pizzeria and gelateria Sam & Greg’s, and an iconic local Irish pub, Humphreys Bar and Grill. Stop by Clinton Row too for some small business shopping at In Bloom flower shop, Maxwell’s Music, DapperDude, and more.

For some cultural and educational enrichment, pay a visit to the Huntsville Art Museum, Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial Park, EarlyWorks Children Museum, and the living museum Harrison Brothers Hardware. Don’t forget to take a minute to pause in the great outdoors and feed the ducks at Big Spring Park.

Downtown Huntsville plays host to many events throughout the year, including the Concerts in the Park series and food truck rallies.

Clift Farm brings convenience with a friendly hometown feel to northwest Madison. A Publix shopping center anchors the development which is supported by the fast-casual restaurants of Chick-fil-a, Chipotle, Taco Mama, and Slim Chickens. Other dining favorites, Cava, Culver’s, Maple Street Biscuit, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Five Guys, and Walk-Ons Bistreaux, will be joining the development later this year and next year.

Clift Farm is a Southern -style, mixed-use community built on the success of the century-old Clift family farm.

This neighborhood offers a wide variety of residential housing to fit every lifestyle, including townhouses, cottage houses, condominiums, single-family homes, estate houses, and multifamily homes – all with high-end finishes.

Clift Farm offers outdoor living amenities including nature trails among orchards, a clubhouse with a gym and pool, a retail village, event spaces, and workplaces within one of North Alabama’s most desired communities.

Clift Farm

Located along Hwy 72 between Balch and Wall Triana Highway in Madison

www.cliftfarm.com

Town Madison is not just any development. It is a community planned with connectivity and sustainability in mind. Designed by world-renowned urban planner Andres Duany, the genius behind the Miami Design District and Huntsville’s Village of Providence, Town Madison fuses beauty with function to create long-lasting and appealing spaces to live, work, and play in.

Town Madison takes play very seriously, playing baseball, that is. In the very heart of Town Madison, sits the $46 million Toyota Field that is home to North Alabama’s minor league baseball team, the Rocket City Trash Pandas. In addition to baseball, Town Madison also has some pretty serious eats. Taco Mama, Moe’s Barbecue, SaZa Serious Italian Food, The Yard Milkshake Bar, and J. Alexander’s Restaurant are well within walking distance of the stadium for a pre-game bite. Cava, the upscale Prohibition, Chipotle, Slim Chickens, Starbucks, and more are just a stone’s throw away on the east side of Town Madison. Feel free to stay a while and maybe even work in this up and coming area in one its three hotels, many residential areas, or one of its live-work units.

Just when you think Town Madison already has it all, the community continues to grow and add exciting ventures to the area. A large mixed food hall and entertainment venue concept from Florida, The Big Chill, is on the horizon to bring local retail and dining in an open-air setting. Even more eateries will be joining Town Madison including Edgar’s bakery and Walk-Ons Bistreaux. Homewood Suites, Courtyard, and Residence Inn will soon join Avid Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and Home2Suites in the hospitality lineup at Town Madison, and North Alabama’s first BJ’s Wholesale will add to Duluth Trading Co., Premiere Dental Spa, and Twice Daily in the retail and services options.

Town Madison is truly on the cutting edge of modern urban development, making a stop here unavoidable.

Tucked away at the heart of the City of Madison is historic downtown Madison. Once called Madison Station for the 1850s era Memphis and Charleston railway depot built there, the old town, residences, and railway tracks are still in use and thriving. Today, downtown Madison is a slice of Southern Americana with delicious food and unique shopping.

Finding fun in Madison’s historic downtown

By Brandy Booth

DDowntown Madison will always be a unique part of Madison as the historic buildings remain a physical evidence of the past. But as every business owner that is a part of Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison knows, in order for any downtown to thrive, it must evolve. Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison is the overarching name of the business owners of Main Street as well as the outlying businesses in the historic district.

Two years ago, these business owners came together to begin collaborating to plan a variety of events to drive more traffic downtown and give Madison more events to enjoy. Here are events the Shoppes are planning to bring to downtown this year.

May - August: Third Thursdays - Shoppes launched this in 2022. While there will be some revamping this year to improve the experience, the main highlights will continue. Every Third Thursday from May to August, businesses will remain open later (8:00ish) for evening shopping, and some of the local favorite food trucks will be coming in for all to enjoy as well as Main Street Cafe and Old Black Bear. Fingers are also crossed during this time that Humphrey Bros. Cigar Lounge will also be opening.

October - Scare on Main: This will be a new event and the planning is still in the process but definitely mark your calendars. This will be a fun event for everyone. Events will include a variety of events for children as well as fun for adults too. With

the addition of Humphrey Bros. Cigar Bar and Lanier House Tea Room, downtown Madison soon hopes to become an entertainment district.

December - Wassail Fest: This year will be the third year of this fun-filled event. Wassail Fest is the brainchild of Tammy Hall with Main Street Cafe. This is a fun event for everyone as it works in unison with the Polar Express tree lighting event. Plan to make a full evening of this event to come downtown, enjoy the variety of Christmas trees decorated by various Madison businesses and then visit the historic downtown businesses and sample their Wassail. Pick up a voting card to fill out and return to be entered into a grand prize drawing.

Also in December - Christmas on Main: This will be the second new event hosted by Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison in 2023. As a new event, this event is still in the planning phase but hopes to include Santa pics, a variety of kid events hosted throughout downtown. This event will potentially coincide with Christmas Capers which has historically been a fun day downtown where the Anderson brothers toss rubber chickens with prize vouchers attached for everyone.

So as we cherish the past in downtown Madison, the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison continues to bring more events and activities to downtown for all residents.

Make sure you follow Shoppes on both Instagram or Facebook @shoppes_of_downtown_madison.

In one of the more unusual Christmas events, rubber chickens with gift certificates are tossed from the roof of a Madison downtown building. As odd as it might sound, the tradition pays homage to a real event that occurred during the great depression years to help local families — except back then it was performed using real chickens.

Holtz leather Co. expands with second store in historic downtown Madison

By Erin Coggins

TThe rustic smell of leather permeates the air, beaconing patrons to enter the two large doors of 4155 Sullivan Street in historic downtown Madison. The white building itself exudes the personality of leather with its whitewashed stucco exterior and western style windows. It is almost like the building was built specifically for Holtz Leather.

Rick and Colleen Holtz were working out one day at Toe Pilates in Madison when they noticed the renovation of the historic building on the corner of Main and Sullivan. After multiple phone conversations with the owner, they convinced her that the building was perfect for their family business.

“We were fortunate that Mrs. Mehry did such a great job with the restoration of the building that it created the perfect environment for telling our story,” Colleen said. “Just looking at the building you feel like you’re stepping back 100 years when time was just a bit slower, and you could just be in the moment.”

Besides the historic feel, the Holtzes saw the building as a way to imprint their personality into the building as well as into the Madison community.

“We wanted our new store to incorporate the nuances of our values and bring the focus back to what makes our communities

great and that’s family, heritage and honor,” Colleen said.

Like the Huntsville location, the Madison store offers handcrafted products with in-store personalization. And of course, southern hospitality.

“First, you will be greeted by a smiling face and given a complimentary leather keychain. You will feel genuine southern hospitality as you talk with our associates,” Colleen said. “We aim to make coming into our store a unique experience. We are honored that you are taking the time out of your busy day to visit us, and we want to make your experience worth your time.”

From the finest of full grain American leather to the whiskey products made from Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrels, everything is handmade in the family’s Huntsville factory. Originally, RIck handcrafted all the products, but as the business grew the couple brought on and trained other skilled artisans.

“Some of our larger handbags take multiple days to craft,” Rick said. “We take great care in the quality because we want it to last.”

The Holtzes started Holtz Leather in 2014. Their first product was a simple rivet keychain that did not require much skill, but they continued to learn and build confidence to expand into a line of wallets, then journals, belts and now some very complex high-

quality bags. Then they expanded into other product offerings like wood products, candles, pottery and will open a lumber store retail experience in Huntsville this summer.

“We began with a good understanding of manufacturing and e-commerce which really helped us propel and get in front of a lot of people early. We grew extremely fast. At times, I felt like it was too fast, not allowing us the time to build strong internal systems,” Rick said. “The growth and success of our business has surprised me in so many different ways with one of the greatest being our connections with some of our employees that have become a part of our family.”

With their success, the business has made products for heads of state, The Today Show, celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, fortune 500 companies and even the former Vice President of the United States. The family was even offered an opportunity to do their own reality show, which they turned down.

“One of bestsellers is a personalized leather desk caddy. It was featured on The Today Show as a “best gift for him,” Rick said. “It’s just another surprise from this business that we are in another part of the country and seeing our product walking around.”

The idea of Holtz Leather was about having a purposeful business. The Holtzes set out to create a business where the family was in the forefront in more than one way. And family is something Rick and Colleen know. The couple adopted five children from Costa Rica, increasing the number of their children to 10.

“We work as a family. My older children hold positions in the business, but all the kids contribute,” Colleen said. “We talk about everything going on in the business and ideas for growing the business all the time at home. We use the business as an opportunity to teach our kids the values of hard work, honor and the pleasure that comes when you do your best. I think Holtz products reflect this same generational mindset in that they will last a lifetime.”

After requests from customers who wanted to know more about the Holtz family and their adoption, the family started a podcast series called “A Whole Lotta Holtz.” The podcast can be found on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

“People want to know more about how we live on a farm. We live very differently,” Colleen said. “The response has been great. In fact, we just sent out an email asking for topics people want us to cover in our next season.”

The Holtzes are finding their home in the Madison retail community. They say the Historical Committee was easy to work with when getting signage approved and their neighboring shop owners have been welcoming and considerate to inform them of upcoming events or promotions specific to the area.

“We have loved having the opportunity to meet new customers in the Madison area,” Rick said. “Our retail stores are about providing customers with a unique experience. They can walk in and out of our store with a personalized finely handcrafted item in about five-10 minutes.”

SHOPPING CENTERS

The best part about shopping in Huntsville is the wide variety of choices. Many of Huntsville and Madison County’s shopping centers are located along the area’s main highways and the interstate, which makes it easy to come and go and find what you need at ease. And there is plenty of parking to make your trip as convenient as possible.

Whether you are in the Research Park area, in Jones Valley, Madison or downtown Huntsville, there are plenty of

shopping options nearby.

Not only will you find the department and national chain stores you love, you’ll also find specialty shops and restaurants in each shopping center, as well as in the area immediately surrounding the complexes.

Explore the shopping centers below to help plan your day (or two, or three!) of shopping in town.

Here are a few good choices:

Bend at Jones Farm, a multi-anchored retail and dining development in the heart of southeast Huntsville, is located at the intersection of Carl T. Jones Drive and Four Mile Post Road.

Parkway Place Mall is the premiere indoor shopping center of north Alabama, with more than 150 specialty stores and eateries. Place Mall is located off Memorial Parkway at Drake Avenue.

Located just off Highway 72, a major artery for west Huntsville, the Village of Providence is a pedestrian friendly village built upon time-tested principles of traditional architecture and town planning.

BRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE

Bridge Street Town Centre is an outdoor lifestyle center with a European design. It is the premiere lifestyle center in Huntsville. Here you’ll find more than 70 upscale shops and restaurants anchored by a flagship Belk department store, plus the 210-room Westin Huntsville hotel and 14-screen Monaco Pictures. Retailers exclusive to Huntsville include Apple, Southern Living, Kendra Scott, Conners, H&M, Michael Kors,

Bridge Street Town Centre

365 The Bridge Street, Huntsville

www.bridgestreethuntsville.com

Anthropologie, J. Crew, P.F. Chang’s, Pandora, Orvis, Texas de Brazil and much more.

While shopping or dining at Bridge Street, it is common to hear the sounds of live performers. Bridge Street has a street entertainment program that showcases some of the best local talent.

Bridge Street during the holidays is a magical experience. It truly is a fun destination no matter what time of year, but there is just something extra special about Bridge Street at Christmas.

HAYS FARM

Hays Farm is South Huntsville’s newest development on the former Hays family farm. It is a multi-use development with residential areas, 540 acres of green spaces, an upcoming Central Park space, and shopping center named The Market at Hays Farm. The Market adds a touch of convenience for residents of Hays Farm with a combination of restaurants, retail, medical, and services.

The Publix-anchored shopping center currently features Staples, Amerigo: An Italian Restaurant, Wing Stop, Premier Urgent Care, Eye Care Associates, and Grand Nail Lounge. Later this year, The Market will expand to welcome the second location of Madison-favorite upscale dining option Tom Brown’s along with a new fast-casual Mexican concept, Loco Taco, Birmingham-based acai place City Bowls, and a boutique fitness gym, Sweat 440. Outparcels will add Circle K, Starbucks, and Bank Independent to the directory later this year as well.

Once a Martin Stamping and Stove Company factory, Stovehouse is now one of Huntsville’s top spots for dining, shopping, and culture. Browse the local food options at the Food Garden like Taqueria El Cazador, Bark and Barrel BBQ, Oh Crepe!, and Woks Up. Then stroll down Gaslight Alley for small boutiques and storefronts showcasing the work of Huntsville artisans including The Vessel, Pimentos, Inc, Peachtree & Co., and The Parlor.

From barbecue to crepes and coffee to brewed on-site beer, Stovehouse has something for everyone all in one

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Stovehouse

place. It makes for a fun spot for lunch or dinner and for any special event with its event and office space. A central outdoor space sets the tone with lawn games, live music, and special events all year round.

There’s no homework anymore at this former middle school turned 13-acre brewery and multi-use development. At Campus No. 805, formerly Stone Middle School, the books have been swapped for craft beer, artisan food, craft coffee, arcade games, and even a hidden speakeasy. The development houses Yellowhammer Brewing, Straight to Ale, Hops n’ Guac, Earth and Stone, Parlor Doughnuts, Bubba’s Silver Spoon, Offbeat Coffee Studio, and Pints and Pixels. Campus No. 805 is also home to Huntsville Ballroom, Stone Event Center, X-Golf Huntsville, The Net, Civil Axe Throwing, and Arcadia Tattoo.

WELCOME HOME

Huntsville and Madison are continuously voted as one of the best places to live in the U.S. It’s easy to see why when you spend time in any of the diverse areas of town. Despite rapid growth, the “Rocket City” is laid out in an intuitive and easy-to-navigate way, making it simple to plan a visit full of worthwhile sights. Each district has unique elements that cater to any kind of lifestyle. Whether it’s the history of the Merrimack, Lincoln and Medical districts, the peaceful ambience of Hampton Cove, the fine dining and shopping of Providence and Research Park, the community feel of Madison, this area’s residents and visitors love having options for where and how they spend their time. We have provided a brief glimpse into each district. For more information, go to www.huntsville.org or www.madisonal.gov.

MEDICAL

The tightly packed district, which also features a network of medical research and care organizations and numerous private practices and pharmacies, is strategically central to entertainment, dining and Huntsville’s main highway, Memorial Parkway. You’ll love the Medical District’s tight-knit sense of community, which makes it a great spot for visitors wanting to get a taste of local flavor, culture and activity.

MONTE SANO

When Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists came to Huntsville to work with the U.S. Army and then help NASA land a man on the moon, there was one area of town that appealed to their families most: the lush, natural beauty of Monte Sano Mountain. Today, Monte Sano is still a vast, secluded area where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air.

LOWE MILL

In its early days, Huntsville was sectioned into districts that were based on the various textile facilities – such as Dallas Mill, Lowe Mill, Lincoln Mill and others – that drove the local economy. It’s noteworthy that in a special way, this tradition continues today! The Lowe Mill area is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing neighborhoods in Huntsville and an essential destination for visitors and residents alike!

HAMPTON COVE

Once a quiet, rural collection of back roads, Hampton Cove has spent the last twenty years rapidly developing into one of the largest suburbs in the Huntsville metropolitan area. Soak in the epic view of the Tennessee Valley during a drive over the Cumberland Plateau, and you’ll find a picturesque community that values peace, quiet and fun.

JONES VALLEY

Head south from Downtown Huntsville, take a left to climb the hill that intersects Whitesburg Drive and Airport Road and you’ll be stunned at what you see: the beautiful, rolling hills of Jones Valley. A sweeping landscape dotted with grazing cows will greet you, along with beautiful homes built into the hillside and the majesty of the Cumberland Plateau on the horizon.

LINCOLN MILL

Lincoln Mill might be Huntsville’s most unique and surprising neighborhood. At one time it was the largest cotton mill in the city. At

another, Lincoln Mill housed office space for NASA. It was also where engineers designed the Apollo Lunar Rover! Since then, Lincoln Mill and its surrounding area has developed into a re-emerging area for outside-the-box thinkers in the world of business, benevolence and education.

MERRIMACK

Huntsville’s Merrimack District has a different feel than the other urban areas in Rocket City, thanks to its open spaces and New Englandinspired homes. In the early 1900s, Merrimack Manufacturing Company developed a village to surround its booming cotton mill in Huntsville and designed it to mirror villages in Massachusetts. Big, welcoming porches and duplex-style homes characterize a community that This Old House has highlighted as a notable “old-house neighborhood.”

MADISON

Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in the southeastern United States, with one of the highest per capita incomes and a school system that is recognized for scholastic excellence at the local, state, and national level Madison has been listed as a US News & World Report “Top 10 Places to Grow Up”, a CNN Money “Top 100 Best Places to Live”, one of Family Circle’s “10 Best Towns for Family”, and was recognized as Google’s “2013 Digital Capital of Alabama”.

VILLAGE OF PROVIDENCE

Boasting “big city life and small town living,” the Village of Providence is a quaint and charming, idyllic area right off Highway 72 in northwest Huntsville. The meticulously designed community has been nationally recognized for its commitment to creating a peopleand pedestrian-oriented place for residents to enjoy. Of course, the Village of Providence welcomes visitors as well, which is clear from the neighborhood’s dining, shopping and lodging options.

SOUTH HUNTSVILLE

South Huntsville is where the energy of the city meets the tranquility of nature. Explore the outdoors, uncover unique places, and share in the spirit of innovation that characterizes South Huntsville. Take a bike ride down Aldridge Creek Greenway, hike on Green Mountain, row along the river at Ditto Landing, or run through a neighborhood. Enjoy the vista of the mountains, the view across the water, the stars, and the trees along the street.

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There are a ton of great reasons why Huntsville ranked as the No. 1 metro in the “Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 202223” by U.S. News and World Report. The rankings are determined by factoring in housing affordability, the job market, net migration, desirability and quality of life, which includes crime rate, college readiness among high school students, overall well-being among residents, average commute time, access to quality health care and air quality. With particularly high scores in housing affordability and quality of life.

One reason for the area’s success has been the availability to some of the top schools in the state and nation. Madison City Schools recently earned the status of being the top school district in the state. Madison County Schools and Huntsville City Schools ranked high as well.

Huntsville City Schools, founded in 1875 , includes 37 schools: six high schools, five middle and junior high schools, six P-8 schools, and 20 Pre-K through elementary schools. Seven of the district’s schools are also home to various magnet programs, with one high school and two P-8 facilities dedicated as fully established magnet schools.

The area also boosts a wide range of quality private schools, such as the top-rated Randolph School, a pre-k through 12th-grade college preparatory school chartered in 1959. Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School is one of two Catholic Elementary Schools in the city of Huntsville under the auspices of the Diocese of Birmingham.

Huntsville is also home to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering.

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CELEBRATE WITH US

From festivals celebrating barbecue, art, hot-air balloons and history to concerts to street parties with classic cars, music and art, events across the Tennessee Valley annually entertain lovers of food, music, nature, history and more. Go to www.huntsville.org for a complete list of festivals and other events.

Panoply Big Spring Park in Downtown Huntsville

The Southeast’s premier arts weekend features multiple stages offering regional and national performers in dance, music and theater. In addition, Panoply offers STE(A) M make-and-take activities for children, an Art Marketplace featuring 100 artists, artist demonstrations, craft beer, food and fireworks. The festival is usually held the last weekend in April. www.artshuntsville.org

Madison Street Festival

Downtown Madison

Madison is known for its down-home and family friendly atmosphere, and the Madison Street Festival is a great example of this. For over 30 years, the festival has featured the local food, music and art that makes Madison such a special place. It happens on the first Saturday in October. www.madisoinstreetfeatival.org

Concerts in the Park

Big Spring International Park

An increasingly popular local tradition, the ten-week Concerts in the Park series highlights local music across many genres, including rock, swing, country, jazz and bluegrass. These free events take place in beautiful Big Spring International Park in the heart of Downtown Huntsville. Music lovers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or towel and listen to the sounds of great Rocket City musicians as the summer sun wanes above them. Food is on hand thanks to Huntsville’s growing collection of food trucks, which offer cuisine like barbecue, Cajun, ice cream, and so much more. The first concert will begin in June and continues every Monday through the summer. It starts at 6:30 p.m.

Create inspiring spaces for beautiful living

Galaxy of Lights

Huntsville Botanical Garden

The Huntsville Botanical Garden creates a “holiday light extravaganza” with its Galaxy of Lights every winter. You’ll see Huntsville’s ingenuity on display through animated light displays, from Santa Claus with a rocket to a twinkling icicle forest, traditional holiday scenes or nursery rhyme characters. This annual event opens with the walking weekend strolls (including some dog friendly nights!) that begin a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Then the Galaxy of Lights opens for cars, which can drive through the path nightly from Thanksgiving into the New Year. The Galaxy of Lights is constantly touted by travel writers and group tours as a top sight to experience. www.hsvbg.org

Speaking of the holidays, the greater Huntsville area has a slew of holiday events, like Tinsel Trail. It is a display of live Christmas trees in Downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring Park. Over 400 trees decorate the park for the holiday season. It is free to tour and so much fun each year. You can find a complete listing of holiday events at www.huntsville.org and watch for the annual Holiday Event Guide in November on www.themadisonrecord. com.

Monte Sano Art Festival

Every year, Huntsville’s top artists gather in the beautiful Monte Sano State Park to showcase their work at the Monte Sano Art Festival organized by Arts Huntsville. Visitors can view and buy art pieces, listen to great music and enjoy local food. The festival is a perfectly serene destination to appreciate hand-made art and vibrant culture. Special exhibits by artists from across the country are on display in the regal Monte Sano State Park Lodge. The Monte Sano Art Festival grows every year and, along with the beautiful changing leaves of the “Mountain of Health,” is a beautiful tradition in which Huntsville locals and visitors love to take part. It will be held in September. www.artshuntsville.org

309JordanLaneNW Huntsville,AL 256-430-4729

Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll

Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville

Autumn in Downtown Huntsville is a very special time of year, and there are few better ways to welcome it than with a pilgrimage through one of the Rocket City’s most sacred areas at the Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll. The Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll has become one of the largest living history strolls in America. History comes to life all along the path with more than 75 costumed characters living out Huntsville’s rich history, often accompanied by music. This free event (donations appreciated) features special exhibits, an antique auto display and scavenger hunts for kids of all ages. There just may not be a more unique way to appreciate the magic of Huntsville’s storied past. www.facebook.com/maplehillstroll.

Farmers Markets

There isn’t a more vivid illustration of a healthy community than an active farmers market. Madison County’s farmers market season is April through October. Across the greater Huntsville area, growers from veteran farmers to hobbyists gather to provide their neighbors with fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Farmers market visitors will find organically sourced beef, poultry, chicken and eggs, fresh-baked bread, handcrafted honey and jam and a varied selection of other lovingly- and locally-made items. Go to www.huntsville.org/things-to-do/farmers-market/ for times and directions to each market.

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