When I think about Huntsville, Alabama, visions of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center fill my mind.

Sweltering heat, amazement at humanity’s progress with leaving our tiny rock, and being trapped in a tiny velcro suit on a wall come rushing back. But in the years since my last trip to Huntsville, I’ve always wondered how things have changed. What awaits me a mere two-hour drive away?

Home to nearly four-hundred thousand people in the city and its metro, Huntsville has grown exponentially over the years. With a bit over twenty-four hours available, I set out to make the most of a quick day trip to the Rocket City.

A Walk through the Huntsville Botanical Garden

Sprouting as an idea from a meeting in December 1979, the grounds of Huntsville Botanical Garden contain one of the finest collections of flora and fauna in the Southeast. 

After walking through the halls of the new guest center, which was constructed in 2016, a world of diverse flora and fauna of all kinds await visitors. 

The pruned grounds offer visitors a chance to see gardens containing daylilies, perennials, bulbs, annuals, and a special garden dedicated to more than 30 species of trillium, containing almost all known kinds from neighboring regions.

On the northern end of the Garden sits the Damson Aquatic Garden, a gorgeous pavilion with pathways cutting through a pond filled with Victoria lilies and other aquatic plants. 

While visiting, the garden hosted the Chinese Lantern Festival, which featured lanterns of all kinds. I absolutely adored the lanterns swaying from the pavilion’s pergolas.

Strolling around Twickenham

Bearing the name of the city’s original settlement, the Twickenham Historic District lies in the heart of downtown Huntsville. 

In the early 1800s, drama surrounded Pioneer and Revolutionary War Veteran John Hunt, his settlement of Big Spring, and planter and lawyer LeRoy Pope.

Before the Madison County Land Sales of 1809, Hunt planned on securing the best areas. Long story short: Hunt failed to properly register his claims, and Pope purchased huge swathes of land. He founded a new settlement called Twickenham, named after the English city where his distant relative and poet Alexander Pope hailed.

A fair number of Twickenham’s citizens despised the name, so to honor Hunt, the Mississippi Territorial Legislature renamed the settlement to Huntsville in November 1811.

Lined with homes and churches dating to the early seventeenth century, the district preserves countless buildings with distinct architectural styles. 

Represented among the district’s structures are examples of Federal, Italianate, Victorian, Revival, Second Empire, and Craftsman architecture, amongst others. Built in 1819, the Weeden House Museum and Garden serves as an example of Federal architecture, a common style during the late eighteenth to nineteenth centuries.

On the corner of 208 Eustis Avenue, the spire of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity towers 151 feet over the district. Completed in 1859, the church stands as an example of the Ecclesiological Gothic style, a rarity in the South. A few streets over, both the bright steeple of the Huntsville First United Methodist Church and the gable roof of the First Presbyterian Church exemplify Gothic Revival architecture.

A Diverse Food Scene

Before I travel to a new (or old) city, I always check out what restaurants are around town. Similar to other large cities, Huntsville offers a diverse food scene: Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Indian, Mexican, Greek, and more.

After debating on which restaurant to visit, I chose Hildegard’s German Cuisine. This small, cozy restaurant serves a variety of German dishes, with staples such as sauerbraten, spätzle, sausages, and a wide variety of schnitzels.

After checking out the menu and eating some delicious, citrus-tinged bread, I ordered the Bavarian schnitzel: a pork cutlet filled with melted swiss cheese, mushrooms, onions, and covered in a savory jäger gravy. As for sides, I chose red cabbage and German potato salad. 

The verdict: Incredible. I occasionally make German cuisine at home, but eating at Hildegard’s is a real treat.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Alright, this is a fair bit outside of Huntsville, but hear me out: Make the hour and a half drive to Fort Payne and stop at Little River Canyon National Preserve. The Little River twists through a canyon atop Lookout Mountain and features overlooks, trails, and a number of waterfalls.

Located on Alabama State Route 35, there are two ways to access Little River Falls: One is a parking lot sitting right above the rocky steps leading to the river. The other leads you to the main visitor center and a short, rocky trail culminates at the bridge above the falls.

The rushing waters of Little River Falls crash forty-five feet into a large pool, which flows further into the canyon. It’s perfect for relaxing in the sun (or shade) or taking a quick dip.

Final Thoughts

It’s been three years since my last trip to Huntsville, and I again wonder how the city has changed. I intended on visiting the Huntsville Museum of Art and Monte Sano State Park, and maybe try another restaurant, but time always evaporates. So next time, maybe I’ll peruse some art and hike a bit.