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Traveling through this area of Alabama, with its wooded glens, rugged mountain vistas, and sparkling lakes, is almost like moving through a calendar of splendid landscapes. Keep your camera handy because you’ll discover some spectacular scenery.
Entering at the state’s northern border, you’ll drive through the rolling Tennessee Valley to reach Huntsville, a handy hub whether you’re heading east or west to explore north Alabama’s numerous attractions.
The birthplace of America’s space program, Huntsville also served as an early capital of Alabama and later grew into a cotton mill town. After Dr. Wernher von Braun and his crew of German scientists arrived in the 1950s to pioneer the space program at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville traded its title as World Watercress Capital for World Space Capital. The decade from 1950 to 1960 saw the population in Rocket City, USA, mushroom from 15,000 to 72,000. Even today, ongoing road construction cannot keep pace with the burgeoning population and traffic.
As for the green scene, Huntsvillians recognize the importance of protecting local and global environments and preserving natural resources. In The Green Guides, Huntsville recently placed ninth in the nation’s top cities for environmental excellence.
If you want to pretend you’re in Venice, you can take a gondola ride at Bridge Street Centre in the heart of Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park. Or enjoy a brisk walk or leisurely stroll through this European-style plaza that features upscale shops, restaurants, and lodging. Only a stone’s throw away (depending on how far you can hurl) from the city’s famed Space & Rocket Center, the complex features entertainment from multiple movies and a full-size carousel to a 10-acre lake with pedal boats and gondolas. Pavement performers entertain on evenings and weekends. Visit bridgestreethuntsville.com.
A good place to start a local tour is the Huntsville Depot Transportation Museum (256-564-8100) at 320 Church Street. Take time to tour the authentically restored depot, a big yellow building where a robotic telegrapher, stationmaster, and engineer welcome visitors and describe railroad life in 1912. During the Civil War the depot served as a prison, and upstairs you’ll see some interesting graffiti such as a rather unflattering drawing of Union officer Major Strout and an inscription that reads HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1864. The depot’s hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed January. Admission: adults $12; seniors and children $10; toddlers $5. Visit earlyworks.com/Huntsville-depot-museum.
Watercress Capital of the World
Huntsville acquired the title “Watercress Capital of the World” because in earlier days it produced and shipped a large volume of watercress throughout the eastern half of the country. A member of the mustard family, watercress thrives in limestone springwater and once grew prolifically in the Tennessee Valley’s many limestone springs.
Huntsville’s old Russell Erskine Hotel was noted for its watercress salad, and several local cookbooks feature this specialty, sometimes known simply as “cress.” The Huntsville Heritage Cookbook contains a section devoted to water-cress including the Frozen Cheese and Cress Salad, a tasty recipe, once served at a White House state banquet. Long a local favorite, this book is again in print, thanks to the Huntsville Junior League. Look for it at gift shops and bookstores throughout Huntsville, and while browsing, pick up a copy of the Junior League’s award-winning Sweet Home Alabama, a handsome volume featuring “Food for Family and Friends from the Heart of the South.”
As you drive around the area, check out the Von Braun Civic Center at 700 Monroe Street. This large multipurpose complex may well be hosting a concert, sporting event, or play you’d like to take in while in town.
Continue your self-driving tour through Huntsville’s Historic Twickenham District with more than 65 antebellum houses and churches. Architectural styles represented include federal, Greek revival, Italianate, Palladian, Gothic revival, and others. For a fine example of federal architecture, tour the Weeden House Museum (256-536-7718; weedenhousemuseum.com) at 300 Gates Avenue. Built in 1819, the home contains period antiques and features the work of Huntsville artist and poet Maria Howard Weeden, who lived here until her death in 1905. Her impressive body of work includes book illustrations, whimsical drawings, fascinating character studies, and portraits. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with group tours available on weekends by appointment. Admission: adults $5; seniors $4; children (ages 5 and up) $3.
On the square in downtown Huntsville, stop by Harrison Brothers Hardware Store (256-536-3631 or 866-533-3631; harrisonbrothershardware.com), located at 124 South Side Square. Here you can purchase marbles by the scoop, old-fashioned stick candy, cast-iron cookware, vintage mix-and-match silverplate flatware, and other merchandise that speaks of yester-year. The store also features regional and locally handcrafted gifts. Historic Huntsville Foundation volunteers ring up sales on a 1907 cash register. The interior, with pot-bellied stove, ceiling fans, rolling ladders, barrels, tools, and antique safe, looks much as it did in 1879 when the store opened for business a few blocks away before moving to its permanent home on the square. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Don’t miss Alabama Constitution Village (256-564-8100; earlyworks.com/alabama-constitution-village) just around the corner at 109 Gates Avenue. Entering at Franklin Street and Gates Avenue takes you back to 1819, when delegates met here to draft Alabama’s first constitution. Afterward, on a tour of the complex, you’ll see costumed guides going about their seasonal business of preserving summer’s fruits or making candles at hog-killing time.
BEST ATTRACTIONS IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA
Alabama Constitution Village,
Huntsville
Buck’s Pocket State Park,
Grove Oak
Burritt on the Mountain,
Huntsville
Cathedral Caverns,
Grant
DeSoto State Park,
Fort Payne
EarlyWorks,
Huntsville
Huntsville Museum of Art,
Huntsville
Lake Guntersville State Park,
Guntersville
Little River Canyon National Preserve,
Fort Payne
Noccalula Falls and Park,
Gadsden
Sequoyah Caverns & Ellis Homestead,
Valley Head
Town of Mentone
US Space & Rocket Center,
Huntsville
Stop by the gift shop, with such unique items as “ugly jugs,” once used as containers for harmful substances. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hours are adjusted in November and December because of Santa’s Village, which is open 5 to 9 p.m. The village is closed January and February and on major holidays. Admission: adults $12; seniors and youth $10; toddlers $5.
Kids—both young and old—love traveling back in time to the 19th century and exploring EarlyWorks Children’s History Museum, a hands-on history museum (256-564-8100) at 404 Madison Street, where new adventures await around every corner. Special exhibits include an amazing 16-foot-tall tale-telling tree, giant-size musical instruments, and a 46-foot keelboat. Youngsters can dress up in vintage clothing and practice tasks that children in the “olden days” performed, and toddlers can milk a “pretend” cow and gather garden vegetables. Except for major holidays, hours run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission. Special prices are available for combination tours of EarlyWorks with the historic Huntsville Depot and Alabama Constitution Village. Metered parking is available throughout the downtown area with handicapped parking on the Gates Avenue side. Learn more about this hands-on facility at earlyworks.com. Admission: adults $12; seniors and youth $10; toddlers (ages 1 to 3) $5.
Spend some time browsing through the interesting mix of boutiques, galleries, and antiques shops in Huntsville’s historic Five Points area. Then treat yourself to a spot of tea or lovely lunch at Emma’s Tea Room (256-489-5850), which occupies an early 20th-century home at 401 Pratt Avenue Northeast. Painted a buttery yellow, the house beckons with a wide front porch and hanging ferns. Former college English instructor Rebekah Klein named the business for her daughter, then seven years old. Emma still helps out from time to time.
Step inside and you’ll see the perfect setting for a girls’ get-together (although my husband also enjoys lunch here). With a menu of delec-table possibilities enhanced by table settings of glistening china and silver, the tearoom lives up to its slogan—refreshingly elegant. Choose from an assortment of teas and a variety of salads, sandwiches, soups, and quiches. Emma’s ever-popular chicken salad with dried cranberries, onion, celery, walnuts, and bleu cheese is served on mixed greens. The menu also features daily specials plus a dessert of the day, which may be a seasonal fruit creation, bread pudding, coconut cake, or something chocolate.
A spiral staircase leads to the second-floor private dining room, which is used for events like card clubs, book clubs, private wedding and baby showers, and business meetings. Emma’s also offers catering, cooking classes, tea tastings, etiquette classes, live music, and much more.
Emma’s Tea Room is open from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday with reservations suggested for lunch. Moderate. Also, you may book an elegant afternoon tea party (minimum of four) on Friday and Saturday between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Visit emmastearoom.com.
Don’t miss Monte Sano Mountain, which offers sweeping views of Huntsville and the surrounding Tennessee River valley. Burritt on the Mountain, a living-history museum (256-536-2882), at 3101 Burritt Drive, just off Monte Sano Boulevard, features 167 wooded acres with walking trails and picnicking facilities. At this living-history site, you’ll find a blacksmith shop, smokehouse, church, barnyard with live animals, and some log houses depicting rural life between 1850 and 1900. An X-shaped house, built in 1937 by Dr. William Henry Burritt, serves as the park’s focal point. Both a physician and gifted inventor who held 20 patents during his life, Burritt combined classical and Art Deco elements when he designed this unusual home.
Inside you’ll see archaeological and restoration exhibits, clothing, toys, and displays on Huntsville’s history. One room features the paintings of local artists. Special events include Spring Farm Days, International Heritage Festival, fall festivals, and Candlelight Christmas. Admission prices are slightly higher for special events. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. November through March. Summer hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission: adults $10; seniors $9; children (ages 3–18) $8. Visit burrittonthemountain.com.
Dogwood Manor (256-859-3946) at 707 Chase Road makes a lovely base for exploring the Huntsville area. Valerie and Patrick Jones own this restored federal-style home, set on a sweeping lawn with century-old trees. The home’s builder once operated a thriving nursery here and shipped his plants all over the country. Patrick, an attorney, shares history about the home and the Chase community with interested guests.
The couple reserves four charming rooms—appropriately named Dog-wood, Magnolia, Azalea, and Rose—for overnight visitors and serves afternoon tea on request. The Devon Cottage offers two bedrooms, full kitchen, dining area, patio, garage, and much more. Valerie, a school counselor, prepares gourmet breakfasts, complemented by her own homemade breads and muffins. She often makes apple French toast, crumpets, and English scones. Moderate rates. Visit Dogwood Manor’s website at dogwoodmanorbandb.com.
Across from Dogwood Manor’s driveway stands the North Alabama Railroad Museum (256-851-6276) at 694 Chase Road. The restored green-and-yellow Chase Depot houses a waiting room, freight room, and agent office filled with exhibits. Home of the Mercury and Chase Railroad and the country’s smallest union station, the facility now features a walk-through passenger train and more than 30 pieces of major railroading stock. The museum can be visited from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and a staff member is available each Wednesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility offers guided tours and excursion train rides. Children enjoy watching for the concrete animals staged along the track. In addition to regular trips, a Peter Cottontail Express, Pumpkin’ Pickin’ Train, and Santa Trail Special are also scheduled. Call for more information on schedules, fares, and reservations, or visit the website at northalabamarailroadmuseum.com for current happenings.
A Tribute to Everybody’s Favorite Aunt
For more than half a century, Eunice Merrell served what many considered the best country ham and homemade biscuits in the world. Former governor Fob James declared her biscuits “the best in Alabama,” and his proclamation made them the official state biscuit.
Although Eunice (better known to her customers as “Aunt” Eunice) described her diner as “just a little greasy spoon,” the fame of her homemade biscuits made the Congressional Record in a tribute introduced by US Senator Howell Heflin, who represented Alabama.
At Eunice’s Country Kitchen, you often had to wait a bit for a table or share one with someone else. Some people even kept their own favorite brand of jelly or preserves in Eunice’s refrigerator, retrieving it when the hot biscuits arrived, but most folks dipped into the honey or Sand Mountain sorghum on every table.
In this small cafe that did a booming business with no advertising, it was customary to warm up your neighbors’ coffee if you got up to pour yourself a refill. In fact, when prospective candidates for office visited (this was a popular stop on political campaigns), Aunt Eunice expected them to follow protocol and wait on her customers; otherwise, they did not deserve the office to which they aspired—and she told them so.
Look for an authentically replicated Eunice’s Country Kitchen at the Historic Huntsville Depot. You’ll see the cafe’s famous “Liars’ Table,” with its suspended wooden sign reserving it for politicians and preachers. (During a meal, Eunice sometimes presented customers with an official “Liar’s License,” permitting them to prevaricate “at any time or place without notice.”) Other memorabilia include favorite quotes and an extensive collection of autographed photos from governors, congressmen, actors, astronauts, sports figures, and even a president.
Aunt Eunice, we miss you.
From Huntsville take US 72 east to Scottsboro, home of First Monday, one of the South’s oldest and largest “trade days.” This outdoor market might feature anything from cast-iron skillets, church pews, and butter churns to gingham-checked sunbonnets and pocketknives—all displayed around the Jackson County Courthouse Square. Lasting from morning till dark, the event dates to the mid-1800s, when people met at the courthouse square on the day Circuit Court opened to visit as well as to trade horses, mules, and other livestock. The merry mix of folks who still come to browse, banter, and barter carry on a Southern tradition, and many have honed their trading techniques to a high level of skill. Although this event takes place on the first Monday of every month (plus the Saturday and Sunday preceding it), the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends typically prove most popular.
alabama trivia
During its territorial and statehood days, Alabama had five capitals.
If you miss Scottsboro’s First Monday, you can console yourself by dipping into a chocolate milk shake, ice-cream soda, or banana split at Payne’s (256-574-2140), located at 101 East Laurel on the town square’s north side. This eatery occupies the site of a former drugstore dating from 1869. The interior, complete with old-fashioned soda fountain, features a black-and-white color scheme with red accents. You can perch on a bar stool, order a fountain Coke that’s mixed on the spot and served in a traditional Coca-Cola glass, and munch on a hot dog with red slaw straight from the original drugstore menu. Other options include Payne’s popular chicken salad and a variety of sandwiches. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To learn about the area’s history, visit the Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center (256-259-2122; sjhc.us), located at 208 South Houston Street. This neoclassical–style structure, built in 1881, houses some interesting exhibits, including Native American artifacts found on land later flooded by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and rare photographic displays depicting the early days of Skyline, a unique community north of Scottsboro.
Behind the big house stands the small 1868 Jackson County Courthouse. Nearby, a pioneer village called Sage Town features a collection of authentic log structures that includes a cabin, schoolhouse, barn, and blacksmith shop, all filled with vintage items.
The museum offers a wealth of genealogical materials, says Judi Weaver, who promotes archaeological awareness in her role as director. The facility focuses on the area’s history from the Paleo-Indian era through the 1930s. Special events include heritage festivals and art exhibitions. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment. A modest admission is charged.
If, after a plane trip, you’ve ever discovered yourself divorced from your bags and wondered about their final destination, it’s entirely possible that your lost luggage wound up at Scottsboro’s Unclaimed Baggage Center (256-259-1525), located at 509 West Willow Street (although your bags may have traveled instead to nearby Unclaimed Baggage in Boaz). At this unique outlet you can find such items as cameras, caviar, clothing, hammocks, hair dryers, jewelry, scuba gear, and ski equipment. The ever-changing merchandise from around the world also features baby strollers, books, briefcases, luggage, personal electronic devices, and high-tech equipment. Over one million items pass through the store annually with about 60 percent being clothing.
“We have to stay on top of technology to know what’s coming in here,” says a company executive. The diverse inventory of lost, found, and unclaimed items comes from various airlines to be sorted and offered for sale at reduced rates—20 to 80 percent or more off retail prices. In this shopping mecca, which now covers more than a city block, you can enjoy a mug of brewed Starbucks coffee or some Dippin Dots at the facility’s in-house cafe, called Cups Expresso Cafe.
Business boomed here—even before Oprah spread the word on her TV show. The parking lot gets especially crowded on weekends, and car tags reveal shoppers from many states. Recent visitors also came from Ontario, Bavaria, New Zealand, South America, France, and England. Closed on Sunday, hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The website is unclaimedbaggage.com.
After sightseeing in the Scottsboro area, you can easily head south on State Route 79 toward Guntersville to take in some Marshall County attractions, or you can continue your loop northeast to Stevenson. Goose Pond Colony (256-259-2884 or 800-268-2884), a peninsula surrounded by the Tennessee River, is located 5 miles south of Scottsboro on State Route 79 at 417 Ed Hembree Drive and offers vacation cottages, picnic facilities, camping sites, swimming pool, marina and launching ramp, golf course, and nature/walking trail. Popular with both geese and golfers, the golf course is noted for its beauty and design. Named by Golf Digest as one of “The Places to Play,” Goose Pond’s course also made the top five in a previous PGA opinion poll ranking courses in the Dixie section. For more information visit goosepond.org.
The Docks (256-574-3071), a restaurant on the grounds behind the swimming pool, offers a variety of seafood including Cajun fare. You can dine on the deck with a fine view of the water. Some diners arrive by boat and tie up at the property’s private pier. The restaurant is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Live entertainment is featured on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Prices range from moderate to expensive.
Before leaving this area, you may want to call the Scottsboro/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (800-259-5508; jacksoncountychamber.com) or stop by the headquarters at 407 East Willow Street to pick up brochures on various local and area attractions.
Although you might find the tiny town of Pisgah on your road map, you won’t find Gorham’s Bluff (256-451-VIEW [8439])—yet. This traditional neighborhood community (inspired by Florida’s Seaside) offers travelers some stunning scenery, especially from the Overlook Pavilion, and accommodations at The Lodge. The property commands sweeping bluffside views of the Tennessee River. Travel and Leisure magazine chose Gorham’s Bluff for inclusion in “The 30 Great US Inns,” and Southern Living magazine voted the property “Most Romantic Spot in Alabama.”
This lovely site remained undeveloped until Clara and Bill McGriff (a CPA still remembered by locals as a basketball star) started exploring their daughter Dawn’s idea of creating a brand-new, arts-oriented Appalachian town—a walking town with a strong sense of community where residents stop for front-porch chats. With each new home and resident, the McGriffs watch the family vision being translated to reality.
“There is a peace that pervades this place,” says Clara, a former English teacher. “We feel it, and guests feel it.” The Lodge on Gorham’s Bluff gives guests ample opportunity to sample this serenity and beauty. Spacious suites, individually decorated by Clara (who also creates the beautiful floral arrangements), double-sided fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs make accommodations even more inviting. Gorham’s Bluff also offers rental cottages.
Hiking, biking, birding, rocking, reflecting, reading, and listening to classical music all rank as popular pastimes here. Dawn frequently schedules special events such as concerts, the Alabama Ballet’s summer residency, and storytelling.
Sometime during your stay, slip up to the observation deck for a panoramic overview. Many visitors want to linger at Gorham’s Bluff forever. A quote from the guest book reads: “Forward our mail. We are not leaving.”
Meals (enhanced by the property’s own fresh herbs) feature traditional Appalachian food—served with flair. Dinners are served with candlelight and white tablecloths as a pianist plays old and new favorites by request on Friday and Saturday nights. By reservation only, the lodge’s 30-seat dining room offers dinner for guests and the public nightly at 7 p.m. Dress is casual. From Pisgah, located on Jackson County Road 58, signs point the way to Gorham’s Bluff. Call for hours and specific directions or write the staff at 101 Gorham Drive/Gorham’s Bluff, Pisgah 35765. Lodge rates range from moderate to deluxe. Make reservations for an evening or a weekend. You just may decide to become one of the town’s new residents. For more background or a map, visit gorhamsbluff.com or e-mail reservations@gorhamsbluff.com.
To reach the Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum (256-437-3012), take US 72 and travel northwest. Near Stevenson turn at State Route 117 to go downtown. At 207 West Main Street, you’ll see the museum positioned between two railroad tracks. Look carefully before crossing the tracks because the Iron Horse still whizzes by. This railroad junction played a strategic role during the Civil War, and the museum director showed me an assortment of uniform buttons, coins, and other military items brought in by a resident who had dug them up nearby. The Stevenson Depot also contains displays of Native American artifacts, period costumes, early farm tools, and railroading history information.
Each June the annual Stevenson Depot Days celebration commemorates the city’s past with a variety of family activities that might include an ice-cream social, spelling bee, pioneer breakfast, wagon ride to the nearby Civil War fort, square dancing, tour of homes, parade, old-fashioned street dance, and fireworks. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April through November. Closed weekends. Admission is free.
TOP ANNUAL EVENTS IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA
Siege of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, fourth weekend of March
(256) 437-8873 or (256) 495-3614
Art on the Lake
Guntersville, third weekend of April
(256) 571-7597 or (256) 558-4331
Panoply Arts Festival
Big Spring International Park, Huntsville last full weekend of April
(256) 519-2787
Riverfest
Gadsden, June
(256) 543-3472
Stevenson Depot Days
Stevenson, first full week of June
(256) 437-3012
World’s Longest Yard Sale
Gadsden, Alabama, to West Unity, Ohio
First Thursday through Sunday in August
(800) 327-3945
St. William’s Seafood Festival
Guntersville, early September (Labor Day weekend)
(256) 582-4245
Depot Days Festival
Hartselle, September
(256) 773-4370 or (800) 294-0692
Harvest Festival
Boaz, early October
(256) 593-8154
Heritage Festival
Attalla, October
(256) 543-3472
Mentone Fall Colorfest
Mentone, third weekend of October
(256) 634-0704
Christmas at the Falls
Noccalula Falls, Gadsden
Thanksgiving through December
(256) 543-7412
Galaxy of Lights
Huntsville/Madison County Botanical Garden
Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve
(256) 830-4447
From Stevenson return to US 72 and continue to Bridgeport, in Alabama’s northeastern corner.
While exploring this region in June 1540, Spaniard Hernando de Soto and his crew chose this area for their entry into what is now Alabama. You might like to take a driving tour of Bridgeport, once called Jonesville but renamed in the 1850s for the railroad bridge that spans the Tennessee River.
Drive through Kilpatrick Row Residential District and up bluff-based Battery Hill, the site of several Civil War battles, to see the lovely historic homes of Victorian vintage with turrets, fishscale shingles, and wraparound porches.
Russell Cave National Monument (256-495-2672), about 8 miles west of Bridgeport, is located at 3729 Jackson County Road 98. Long before de Soto’s visit, the large limestone cave served as an archaic hotel for Native Americans traveling through the area about 9,000 years ago.
The visitor center, in addition to housing a museum that displays weapons, tools, pottery, and other artifacts found in the cave, also offers several audiovisual presentations. After browsing through the museum, you can walk about 250 yards to the cave’s big opening at the base of craggy bluffs. A ranger-led tour takes you to the cave, where you can learn about how the occupants fed, clothed, and protected themselves.
One of the century’s most significant archaeological finds, the relic-filled cave remained pretty much a secret until 1953 when some members of the Tennessee Archaeological Society discovered the history-rich shelter and alerted Smithsonian Institution officials, who collaborated with the National Geographic Society to conduct extensive excavations here. The National Park Service carried out more excavations in 1962. Their joint research revealed Russell Cave to be one of the longest, most complete, and well-preserved archaeological records in the eastern US. Radioactive carbon from early campfires placed human arrival between 6500 and 6145 BC. Remains of animal bones, tools, weapons, and pottery all helped archaeologists fit together portions of this ancient jigsaw puzzle. The evidence implies seasonal occupation, suggesting that various groups of early people wintered in Russell Cave, then moved on to hunt and live off the land during warm-weather months.
Exploring Cathedral Caverns
Both Native Americans and Confederate soldiers used these caverns as a refuge, and Disney used them as a movie setting for Tom and Huck. Ensconced in Marshall County’s northeastern corner near the town of Grant, Cathedral Caverns (256-728-8193) opened as a state park in August 2000.
You don’t have to assume a crouching position to enter because the opening to these caverns measures 125 feet wide by 25 feet high. Meandering along the lighted walkway takes you past Goliath, a massive stalagmite that appears to be a floor-to-ceiling column, and what are believed to be the world’s largest stalagmite forest and frozen waterfall. Besides stalagmites and stalactites, other cave features include drapery, soda straws (capillary tubes), all the common types of shields, and “just about any formation you can expect to find in a cave,” said a guide.
The deeper you go into the cave’s interior, the more wondrous the surroundings. Before the grand finale, you’ll enter a magnificent chamber that soars to a height of 120 feet and presumably contains the largest flowstone wall in any commercial cave. Then, to top that off, the Cathedral Room features a staggering number of fanciful, stalagmitic formations. Beyond the portion open to the public lies a magnificent crystal room with stunning calcite configurations (or so they say).
Former owner Jay Gurley, who died in 1996, dedicated much of his life and fortune to making the caverns accessible so others might share their wonder. His active involvement in developing the park spanned the period from 1952 until 1974 when he sold the property. Although the caverns were open from time to time after Gurley’s tenure, they closed in 1986, and the state bought the site in 1987. Inside the cave, a plaque acknowledges Gurley’s contribution and serves as a monument, as does the Jay Gurley Memorial Bridge that transports visitors across Mystery River.
The river is aptly named because you can’t see where the stream comes from or where it goes. Normally placid, the river can reach a depth of 40 feet during flooding conditions when the swirling water becomes chocolate-colored.
Bring a jacket (the temperature hovers at 57 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) and jogging shoes. The 1.5-mile round-trip takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Future plans for this 461-acre park include additional hiking trails and camping facilities. Hours change seasonally. Call or check the schedule at alapark.com and follow the link to Cathedral Caverns. The park is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission.
Be sure to ask a ranger about a living-history demonstration. I found it fascinating to watch a piece of flint fashioned into an arrowhead in about four minutes with the same simple tools early Native Americans used.
Except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, you can visit Russell Cave from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week, and there’s no admission charge. For more information, write to park personnel at 3729 County Road 98, Bridgeport 35740. Explore the cave on the Internet by clicking on nps.gov/ruca.
One block off State Route 117 in the center of Valley Head stands Winston Place (256-635-6381 or 888-494-6786), a white-columned antebellum mansion owned by Leslie and Jim Bunch. Located 2 miles from Mentone, the property features a panoramic view of Lookout Mountain. Two levels of encircling porches with ferns, white wicker rocking chairs, and a nanny swing invite guests to relax and savor the setting. Built by William Overton Winston from Virginia, the circa-1831 home boasts a rich history. During the Civil War, Union officers occupied the home, and 30,000 soldiers camped on its grounds before leaving to fight at Chickamauga. Leslie, who shares anecdotes about her family home and its fascinating background, has amassed a collection of books and articles detailing Winston Place’s role in history.
alabama trivia
In Valley Head’s “triangle,” you can delve into the mystery of a vanished village at the Ruins of Battelle. For more background on this supposedly haunted site, click on tourdekalb.com.
Previously selected for inclusion in National Geographic’s Small Town Getaways, Winston Place contains lovely period antiques and lends itself well to entertaining, just as its builder intended. Original outbuildings include servants’ quarters, a slanted-wall corncrib, and a smokehouse with hand-painted murals depicting the area’s history.
While immersing yourself in the home’s ambience, take time to see the tucked-away media room with Jim’s football awards—trophies, plaques, and photos. A former Alabama football All-American (whose mastery of the game took him to three Sugar Bowls and a Liberty Bowl), Jim played under legendary coach Bear Bryant.
The couple offers six elegant suites for guests and a full breakfast, served in the dining room. Rates range from moderate to deluxe. Visit the property at virtualcities.com/al/winstonplace.htm or search Winston Place on the Internet.
From Valley Head it’s a short but scenic drive up to Mentone, a charming hamlet perched on the brow of Lookout Mountain at the intersection of State Route 117 and DeKalb County Route 89. Once a fashionable summer resort town that flourished through the Gay Nineties, Mentone attracted visitors from all over the country with its cool mountain temperatures, especially appealing in the days before air-conditioning.
Shops, rustic and quaint, line the single main street, but the large, rambling Mentone Springs Hotel (6114 State Route 117; 256-634-4040) remains the town’s focal point. The three-story structure with turrets, dormers, porches, and steep-sloped roof captured my imagination the first time I saw it three decades ago. Open for bed-and-breakfast guests, the building also houses Mentone Springs Restaurant. Rates are moderate. Go to mentonesprings.com for more information.
The name Mentone translates into “musical mountain spring,” appropriate because the hotel’s grounds once boasted two springs—Mineral Springs and Beauty Springs—which were reputed to possess “strengthening and curative properties.” The hotel’s early guests enjoyed nature walks, croquet, billiards, boating, and other genteel pursuits.
Although you can’t join a picnicking party with a basket lunch packed by the hotel and you won’t be summoned to meals by a dinner bell, you can explore the town’s shops. Some of them close or limit their hours in winter, so it’s best to check ahead. Also, you might inquire about the dates of upcoming festivals because Mentone stages special events throughout the year.
The downtown Moonlight Bistro Restaurant (6080 State Route 117; 256-634-4560), originally a Native American trading post, serves sandwiches, salads, plate lunches, and dinner entrees including seafood, pasta, and hand-cut beef filets, as well as specials. Try the fried green tomatoes with aioli sauce. The eatery, where you’ll find a cozy fire when temperatures drop, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Call ahead for hours. Prices range from economical to moderate.
Take a break at The Wildflower Cafe (256-634-0066), located at 60078 Alabama State Road 117. The eatery offers espresso, cappuccino, and other specialty coffees and a variety of food choices from soups, sandwiches, and vegetarian dishes to gourmet pizzas and a casual gourmet dinner on weekends. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week. Ask about the musical nights every Friday through Sunday. Standard to moderate.
Take time to browse for hand-blended herbal teas, gourmet coffees, and hand-blended bath and body products in the complex. Hours vary.
Across the road from the old hotel is St. Joseph’s on the Mountain. Be sure to notice the log structure, dating to 1826, that serves as the central portion of this unusual church. North of the church on the mountain’s brow, you’ll find Eagle’s Nest, a massive rock formation overlooking Valley Head.
After exploring the village, take a drive along the area’s meandering roads. You’ll see strategically placed destination markers nailed to trees and posts at junctions—these are quite helpful because the mountain terrain can prove confusing to newcomers.
Tucked away at 651 County Road 644 stands Raven Haven (256-634-4310), a bed-and-breakfast perched atop Lookout Mountain. Owners Eleanor and Tony Teverino welcome travelers to share their 10 acres of nature and theme rooms: Queen Anne, Nautical, Casablanca, and Prairie Room—each with private bath.
“Two things that drew us here were the beauty of the place and the people,” said Eleanor, who was born in Northern Ireland. “When I came to Mentone, it was very much like going back home.” The Teverinos hosted recent guests from Ireland, who compared some of Mentone’s narrow boulder-flanked curves with “driving on the roads right back at home.”
Eleanor whisks warm and wonderful pastries from her oven and prepares a delightful breakfast daily, complete with homemade jams. Served buffet style, the menu always features a main dish, fruit, and vegetable to get your day off to a good healthy start. From Scotch eggs to fried green tomatoes to sticky buns, each morning’s choices offer plenty of variety. A copy of The Raven Haven Cookbook makes a great souvenir. Afterward, you can trek through the woods and admire the wildflowers along the property’s ¼-mile walking trail. Standard rates. For more information on this hideaway, pay a visit to ravenhavenbandb.info.
While driving through the area, you’ll pass a number of summer camps for youngsters. In fact boyhood days spent at one such camp called Cloudmont inspired local landowner Jack Jones to pursue his unlikely dream of creating a ski resort in Alabama. After buying Cloud-mont in 1947, he started developing the property as a resort and opened “the southernmost ski resort in the country” in 1970. Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort (256-634-4344), about 3 miles from Mentone on DeKalb County Road 89, is marked by a large roadside sign on the left. To reach the information center, take a left onto County Road 614 for a half mile or so. Besides skiing (and, yes, Mother Nature does get help from snow machines), this unique family enterprise offers golfing, hiking, fishing, and swimming for guests. Jack’s son Gary and his instructors have taught thousands of people to ski. Winter season at Cloudmont usually begins around mid-December and extends through March 15. It’s a good idea to call ahead and check on slope conditions. Better yet, log onto cloudmont.com for lodging packages, schedules, rates, and information on current activities, which include golfing, horseback riding, and more at both Cloudmont and Shady Grove Dude Ranch. You can write the resort at PO Box 435, Mentone 35984.
alabama trivia
Alabama ranks 12th in the nation for attracting retirees, and 8th in the nation for attracting military retirees.
While in this area, don’t miss the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel, on County Road 165 located 6.7 miles from downtown Mentone and adjacent to DeSoto State Park. A 20-foot-tall boulder serves as the rear wall of the small church, and stones from Little River form the pulpit. Visitors often attend worship services held here each Sunday at 10 a.m.
To more fully explore this area’s magnificent terrain, consider headquartering at DeSoto State Park (256-845-5380 or 800-568-8840; alapark.com/desotoresort) on County Road 89, about 7 miles from Mentone. You’ll find almost 5,000 acres of breathtaking beauty and glimpses of unspoiled nature at every turn. The gorgeous scenery around here makes it hard to concentrate on driving, but if you don’t, you might bash into one of the big weathered boulders that partially jut into the road.
The park extends about 40 miles along Little River, a unique waterway that runs its complete course on top of a mountain. Resort facilities include a stone lodge with large restaurant, chalets, cabins, nature trails, playgrounds, a store, and picnic areas. Miles of hiking trails, bordered by Queen Anne’s lace, blackberry vines, honeysuckle, and black-eyed Susans, beckon you to explore the terrain. The park’s wheelchair-accessible boardwalk attracts families and features a covered pavilion and waterfall view. Don’t miss spectacular DeSoto Falls (about 7 miles northeast of the park’s information center), where water rushes over a dam to crash more than 100 feet before continuing its journey.
About 10 miles away in the park’s southern section, you’ll find the beginning of Little River Canyon National Preserve, the largest and one of the deepest chasms east of the Mississippi River. Stretching about 16 miles, the canyon drops to depths of some 700 feet. Skirting the western rim, a canyon road offers breathtaking views of rugged bluffs, waterfalls, and the rushing river.
Start your local exploration here at Little River Canyon Center, a great place to learn about the canyon’s incredible geography as well as other area attractions. Located on State Route 35 just a few hundred yards from the bridge across Little River Falls, this $7 million facility represents a major commitment to environmental sustainability.
Here, you can step out to the large rear deck for a sweeping view of the area, check out the multimedia exhibits about Little River Canyon, and stretch your legs on one of the short hiking trails. If buildings can multitask, this one gets an A+. More than a full-scale visitor center, the lodge-type facility is home base for Jacksonville State University’s Little River Canyon Field School, an instrumental force in environmental education in northeast Alabama. Also, it serves as National Park Service ranger headquarters for Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Many recycled materials went into the construction of this interesting structure that relies on geothermal energy for heating and cooling. “It’s probably the greenest building in the state,” said Pete Conroy, Canyon Center director, who oversees JSU’s Environmental Policy and Information Center and Field Schools. For more information on the Canyon Center, call (256) 845-3548.
Don’t miss Fort Payne, the stomping ground of award-collecting country music group Alabama and home to the redbrick Fort Payne Opera House at 510 North Gault Avenue. The building, which dates to 1889, has served as a vaudeville playhouse, a theater for silent movies, and an upholstery shop. The opera house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Nineteenth-Century Theatres in America. Restored in 1969 the opera house now opens for special events and performances. Tours can be arranged by appointment. Call (256) 845-6888.
The building on the opera house’s north side is home to the DeKalb County Hosiery Museum and the Richard C. Hunt Reception Hall. The hall’s interesting mural, entitled Harvest at Fort Payne, dates back to the Great Depression when President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the Work Projects Administration (WPA) to aid the unemployed. Harwood Steiger, an out-of-work artist from New York, received a commission to paint murals for Southern post offices, and this is one of his creations. Before its placement here, the mural was housed in the old post office building and later the DeKalb County Courthouse. Visitors to the hosiery museum can see early mill machinery and other exhibits as well as a video providing background on the industry that played a major role in the area’s history and economy. For more information contact the DeKalb County Tourist Association at (256) 845-3957.
Nearby, the Fort Payne Depot at 105 Fifth Street Northeast houses the Fort Payne Depot Museum (256-845-5714; fortpaynedepotmuseum.com). Completed in 1891, the handsome Romanesque depot of pink sandstone served as a passenger station until 1970. The museum’s permanent collection includes artwork, early farm equipment, pottery, glassware, and a restored caboose containing railroad memorabilia. You’ll also see beaded moccasins, Iroquois baskets made of birch bark trimmed with porcupine quills, and Mayan and pre-Columbian artifacts dating from AD 400 to 800. An area resident willed to the museum her Cherokee, Hopi, Pueblo, Apache, and Seminole artifacts. Be sure to notice the collection of dioramas that were once part of a traveling medicine show and an unusual bed that belonged to local resident Granny Dollar, whose lifetime spanned more than a century. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Sunday hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Admission: adults (ages 19 and up) $3; students (ages 7 to 18) $1; children (ages 6 and under) free.
Visit Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain
For a walk on the wild side, head to Untamed Mountain, home of more than 160 animals ranging from the barnyard variety to exotic big cats. Located in the state’s northeastern corner about 8 miles from Collinsville, this rescue preserve now serves as home base for Tigers for Tomorrow (TFT).
When you arrive, say hello to Tootles and Zack (the camel and zebra greeters), who will be on hand to welcome you. Then head to the barnyard contact area and meet the sheep, llamas, emus, pigs, goats, and other creatures. Kids will love their encounters with these animals, and so will you.
Nearby, you’ll see the carnivore compound, where more than 40 big cats, wolves, and bears roam about 18 acres in the sanctuary. Timber wolves Bear and Lakota may howl a hello to you. Handlers and keepers provide visitors with spontaneous interactions and give talks throughout the day. “This is the closest you will get to the big cats in a natural setting,” said Susan Steffens, TFT president.
And how did this area become a habitat for tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, and other exotic animals, you ask? After Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne battered their South Florida home, Benny the leopard and Tinkerbell the Bengal tiger along with other cohorts made the move north to this 140-acre refuge. Here, they joined 25 other animal residents at the former Bluegrass Farm Sanctuary. The two operations later merged to become Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain. Many of these exotic animals were rescued from animal attractions or came from individuals who could not provide proper care for them.
When you visit TFT, consider packing a picnic to enjoy in the pavilion, and don’t forget to bring bottled water. Also, slather yourself in sunscreen and wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots—no sandals or flip-flops—because this adventure calls for lots of walking over hilly terrain with limited shade. When the weather heats up, the big cats become languid and prefer napping to prowling. So for the best viewing during hot months, plan your arrival early. No photos or cell phones are allowed. Photos are only allowed on private guided tours. A two-hour private tour costs $25 per person for a minimum of four people.
The park (256-524-4150) opens for public walk-abouts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Private tours, group tours, and school field trips are available by reservation. Hours are seasonal, so before you strike out, check tigersfortomorrow.org for current operating times, admission prices, and directions. You’ll find Untamed Mountain at 708 County Road 345 in Dekalb County, just minutes from I-59. Watch for the signs. Also, check out the link to TFT’s guardian angel program and consider adopting the care of an animal for one year. Admission: adults (ages 12 and up) $12; children (ages 3 to 11) $6.
Before leaving the “Sock Capital of the World,” stop by Big Mill Antique Mall (256-845-3380) and browse among yesteryear’s treasures. Located at 151 Eighth Street Northeast, this 1889 structure, once home to Fort Payne’s first hosiery mill, now houses antiques, collectibles, reproductions, a deli, and a bakery. Mall hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
While traveling through Collinsville, you might want to consider spending some time at Trade Day, an event that draws some 30,000 or so bargain hunters and browsers every Saturday. Spread over 65 acres near Collinsville on US 11 South, this weekly occasion has had a country carnival flavor since it first cranked up in 1950. Vendors start setting up their wares at the crack of dawn and stay until early afternoon. Sightseers can munch on snacks such as boiled peanuts and corn dogs while surveying displays of wares from antiques and crafts to fresh vegetables and houseplants. Swans, ducks, rabbits, geese, goats, peacocks, hunting dogs, game cocks, and other animals often find new owners here. Parking costs $1, but admission is free. Overnight camper parking with electrical hookup is $6 per night. For more information call (256) 524-2127 or (866) 262-2127.
From Collinsville it’s just a short jaunt to Leesburg and The Secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge (256-523-3825). Located at 2356 Highway 68 West on a mountaintop overlooking Weiss Lake, the lodge boasts a view that won’t stop. Innkeepers Charlie and Kris Thomas own this property perched on the eastern brow of Lookout Mountain.
The view, the sunsets and sunrises, and the deer make The Secret a special place. Breakfast is served on a 10-foot-wide round table topped by a lazy Susan. Four guest rooms are located on the second floor above the Main Lodge: Tranquility, Serenity, Remembrance, and Enchantment. The Lodge also offers a lovely rooftop pool and suspended deck. Four cottages also are available for guests—the Treehouse with a tree trunk and ceiling of greenery; the 1850s Jail House with a wooden life-size gunslinger named Shakes; the Sugar Shack, a layered stone cottage; and the Nautical Cottage with its lighthouse motif. Movie buffs will find a video library containing more than 400 titles. Moderate to deluxe rates. Visit The Secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge via the Web at secretbedandbreakfastlodge.com.
Cherokee County, home of Weiss Lake, offers beautiful scenery. Add a chunk of Little River Canyon to this 30,200-acre lake bordered by 447 miles of shoreline, and you’ve got plenty of recreational options. Famous for its fine fishing, the Crappie Capital of the World also offers ample opportunities for catching bass and catfish. The water attracts large populations of wintering birds such as seagulls, wild ducks, and cranes.
While exploring Cherokee County’s many scenic spots, don’t overlook Cornwall Furnace Park, about 3 miles east of Cedar Bluff. To reach the park, take State Route 9 east and turn left onto Cherokee County Route 92. Then make another left onto a gravel road and follow the signs. A flight of steps leads down a steep bank (covered by lilies in spring) to the picturesque stone stack that stands about 5 feet tall—all that remains of a structure built to supply crude iron to be transformed into Confederate arms. General Sherman’s forces destroyed the furnace works during the Civil War.
The well-kept grounds offer attractive picnicking facilities and a short nature trail. The park, which opens at daylight and closes at sundown, can be visited year-round. Running water is available, but there are no bathroom facilities. Admission is free.
Afterward take State Route 9 to Centre, about 6 miles away. Next to the courthouse stands the Cherokee County Historical Museum (256-927-7835), located at 101 East Main Street. This museum, formerly a department store, houses historical objects and memorabilia that characterize the area’s past. You’ll see a Pennsylvania Amish town buggy. Other exhibits include Bob Hope’s first typewriter, Grand Ole Opry memorabilia, wagons, house-wares, antique telephones, Civil War relics, early appliances, Native American artifacts, a printing press, a telephone switchboard, a doll collection, and a bale of cotton. The basement contains a blacksmith shop as well as old farm equipment such as plows, mowing machines, cotton planters, and tractors. The museum has a collection in excess of 15,000 items. Admission: adults $3; senior citizens and children (ages 7 to 18) $2; children (under age 7) free. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information visit museumatcentre.com.
Continue toward Gadsden, situated in Lookout Mountain’s foothills. Turkeytown, named for Chief Little Turkey during the late 1700s, is a tiny community on the Coosa River’s banks near Gadsden that once served as the capital of the Cherokee nation.
Although long known as one of the state’s leading industrial centers with abundant deposits of iron, manganese, coal, and limestone, Gadsden is gaining recognition for its rich Cherokee legacy. The Turkeytown Association of the Cherokee, a nonprofit organization, works to preserve and promote the region’s Native American heritage.
Downtown at Gadsden’s Broad Street entrance to the Coosa River Bridge stands the statue of Emma Sansom, who, at age 16, helped Confederate troops find a place to ford Black Creek after Union forces crossed and burned the local bridge.
alabama trivia
Alabama ranks among the top 10 states with conditions most favorable for starting a small business.
While in Gadsden, stop by the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts (256-543-2787) on the corner of Fifth and Broad Streets at 501 Broad Street. The complex, with a bold gold-and-black exterior in a Mondrian-like design, offers plays, concerts, lectures, classes, and art exhibits. To see the current art shows, take the escalator to the second floor. Before returning downstairs, be sure to notice the model railroad layout depicting Gadsden during the 1940s and 1950s with trains traveling past miniature reproductions of more than 100 historical structures, including the Gulf States Steel complex. The complex also houses the Courtyard Cafe. Admission: adults $6; children $5. Call for information on current exhibits or visit the website at culturalarts.org. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Adjacent to the Center for Cultural Arts, the historic Kyle Building now houses the Imagination Place Children’s Museum (256-543-2787). Youngsters can play in a life-size tree house or a kid-size city complete with Grandma’s House, a bank, grocery store, doctor’s office, fire station, and other interesting sites. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free for kids 2 and under. Admission: adults $6 and children $5 (ages 2 to 12). An adult must accompany children at all times. Imagination Place is closed the first Monday of every month for cleaning.
At Noccalula Falls and Park (256-549-4663), situated on Lookout Mountain Parkway (and easily reached from I-59), the bronze statue of a legendary Cherokee princess stands ready to leap to her destiny in a rushing stream 90 feet below. Legend says Noccalula loved a brave of her own tribe and chose to die rather than marry the wealthier suitor selected by her father.
Explore the park’s botanical gardens, especially attractive in spring with masses of azaleas in bloom. You can either walk through the park or take a mini-train ride to see the Pioneer Homestead, a village of authentic log structures including a barn, blacksmith shop, gristmill, school, and cabins moved here from various sites in Appalachia. Also here you’ll find the restored Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge and a miniature golf course.
Nearby are campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic tables, play areas, and a pool. The park closes from November through mid-March. Hours vary so check to be sure when the park is open. Admission: adults $6; seniors $4; children (ages 4 to 12) $3; children (age 3 and under) free. Admission includes unlimited train rides. The campground number is (256) 543-7412.
If you’re in the area on a weekend, you may want to schedule a jaunt to Mountain Top Flea Market, which is open every Sunday from 5 a.m. to about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. year-round. You’ll find this all-day market with some 1,500 dealers about 6 miles west of Attalla at 11301 US 278. For more information call (800) 535-2286 or (205) 589-2706 or visit the website at lesdeal.com.
Attalla, home of the world’s first hydroelectric generator and birthplace of Alabama Power, lures antiques shoppers. Clustered in the downtown area are more than a dozen shops. Emma Kate’s Cottage Antique Mall & More (256-504-7810) at 309 Fifth Avenue houses several shops inside the 1869 building. The mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to p.m. Call ahead before traveling because dealers keep their own hours, and these vary from shop to shop.
To reach Boaz, located on Sand Mountain, take US 431 north from Attalla.
A foothill of the Appalachians, Sand Mountain covers an area 25 miles wide by 75 miles long. Atop this plateau, you’ll find Boaz Plaza Outlet Center. At one time, Boaz was ranked among America’s top outlet centers in its day and you can still find plenty of bargains here.
Approximately 30,000 people descend on Boaz, population 9,653, for the annual Harvest Festival held the first full weekend in October. The weekend celebration features an antique car show, musical entertainment, an Indian powwow, and some 200 booths brimming with handcrafted items ranging from birdhouses, cornshuck dolls, and crazy quilts to paintings, leather items, and furniture. Music runs the gamut from bluegrass, country, and gospel to jazz. For more information on the outlets or the festival, contact the Boaz Chamber of Commerce, 100 E. Bartlett St., Boaz 35957; call (256) 593-8154; or visit the website at boazchamberofcommerce.com.
Strange as It Sounds
Buck’s Pocket State Park (256-659-2000), a secluded expanse of rugged nature that spills into three counties—DeKalb, Jackson, and Marshall—is rich in botanical beauty and local lore. Covering more than 2,000 acres of craggy canyon scenery on the western side of Sand Mountain, the park is located near Grove Oak.
For a magnificent overview of the entire canyon, head first to Point Rock, the park’s highest area and a wonderful place for picnicking and hiking. According to local legend, early Native Americans took advantage of the area’s geography to help them acquire their food supply by driving deer over the edge at Point Rock right into the “pocket.” Both spring, with its plentiful supply of wildflowers, and fall make great times to visit.
To reach the headquarters and campground, you’ll descend from Point Rock about 800 feet via a curving road to the canyon’s base. The bottom line on the park’s wooden sign says: HAVEN FOR DEFEATED POLITICIANS. Buck’s Pocket acquired its reputation as a refuge for election losers after “Big Jim” Folsom, a former Alabama governor, lost a senate bid and announced his intention to go to Buck’s Pocket, get his thoughts together, and “lick his wounds.” He invited other defeated candidates to join him at this favorite retreat.
In addition to trails for hiking and rocks for climbing, recreation options include swimming and fishing at South Sauty Creek. Also, nearby Morgan’s Cove offers a fishing pier and boat launching ramps. Rappelers and rock climbers should first stop by headquarters for a permit, good for a year. Write to Buck’s Pocket at 393 County Road 174, Grove Oak 35975. For reservations call (800) ALA–PARK. Visit the website at alapark.com/buckspocket. Open daily 7 a.m. until sundown.
After exploring Boaz, continue north on US 431 toward Albertville, watching for the WINERY sign. To reach Jules J. Berta Vineyards (256-891-5115) at 1409 Darden Avenue, turn right and drive a short distance until you see a white fence on the left with vines growing beyond. Stop by to meet owners Jules Berta and his wife, Becky, learn about the challenges of growing grapes in Alabama, and sample a vintage or two in the tasting room.
“We have one-acre tracts of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sylvaner with small tracts of Blaufrankisch, Petit Syrah, Riesling, and Aurore grapes,” said Jules. Vineyards cover five of the farm’s 22 acres. The Bertas also import muscadines from local farmers.
Jules’s parents (his father was a Freedom Fighter in Hungary’s 1956 Revolution) immigrated to America in 1959. His father’s career as a materials engineer later brought him to Alabama, where he planted his first vines in 1987. “Those first plantings, a combination of vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes, evolved from a hobby into an obsession,” said Jules, who joined his father in this venture in 1993, having previously served in the Gulf War and Special Forces with the Navy. Jules continued to develop the vineyard after his father’s death in 2005. Although still in the experimental stage, the vines are doing well, and the family is committed to making quality wines. Future plans call for adding varietals more suitable to the state’s climate. Despite the challenges of sandy soil and hot, humid weather, Jules finds it gratifying to carry on his father’s “impossible dream—grape growing in Alabama.” You can visit the grapes between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Check out julesjbertavineyards.com for a wine list and more information.
alabama trivia
Boaz, population 9,653, was named for a biblical character in the Book of Ruth.
Afterward continue about 5 miles north to Albertville, the “Heart of Sand Mountain.” Albertville’s former Freedom Festival, chosen many times by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of July’s Top Twenty Events, has evolved into an event called Taste of Freedom BBQ Cookoff, which draws a large crowd in late June.
For a look at some of the city’s lovely historic homes, drive along East Main Street off US 431. At the street’s end stands the 1891 Albertville Depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The depot now houses a senior citizens center.
Albertville acquired its title as “Fire Hydrant Capital of the World” because the local Mueller Company turns liquefied steel into dome-topped fire hydrants and ships them to countries near and far. In front of the chamber of commerce building, you’ll see a special nickel-plated version that marks Mueller’s one-millionth locally manufactured fire hydrant.
At 113 Sand Mountain Drive, you’ll find Whitten’s (256-878-3901), a clothing store that features upscale town and country fashions for women and men. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop closes on Thursday afternoon.
When visiting a new place, some travelers like to search out a restaurant where the locals eat. Here it’s The Food Basket (256-878-1261), located just off US 431 at 715 Sampson Circle. The Daniel family has been feeding folks in Albertville since 1959.
Noted for its country ham and homemade biscuits, the restaurant draws a big breakfast crowd. Lunch specialties include Sand Mountain fried chicken and home-style fresh vegetables. Economical to moderate. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. seven days a week for breakfast and lunch.
Take time to drive along some of Marshall County’s rural roads. Along the way you’ll notice fertile rolling farmland and chicken houses. Broilers, eggs, and turkeys produced on the state’s individual farms add up to a billion-dollar poultry industry. In broiler production, Alabama ranks second in the nation.
When your taste buds crave Cajun cuisine and you can’t make it to Louisiana, then stop by Papa Dubi’s Cajun Kitchen (256-894-7878) on the Albertville-Guntersville line. Located at 3931 Brasher’s Chapel Road, the eatery offers seafood gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice with sausage, Creole dishes, po’boys, and more.
While living in Germantown, Tennessee, Dan and Lisa Younghouse hit the road to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. After visiting the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery near Hanceville, they toured the surrounding area—never dreaming they would soon become Alabama residents. But that’s exactly what happened when they fell in love with the area’s beauty while staying at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge.
Their restaurant takes its name from Lisa’s grandfather, a Cajun descendant, who lived in Gulfport, Mississippi, and the recipes—including the one for tasty gumbo—came from her grandmother, Nanny Dubi. Parents of seven, the couple and various family members have some restaurant experience, but starting their own eatery represented a leap of faith. However, the locals kept them so busy they had to expand soon after opening. The kids pitch in to help with this family venture. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Economical to moderate.
The lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park (256-571-5440 or 800-548-4553) makes a handsome base while exploring this area. Perched atop Taylor Mountain with views nothing short of stunning, the lodge sits just off State Route 227 at 1155 Lodge Drive. Simply seeing the sunset from the sweeping rear deck overlooking Lake Guntersville makes the trip worth it.
The lodge’s 13 suites and 99 hotel rooms contain refrigerators, microwave ovens, large TVs, DVD players, pillow-top mattresses, and more. (Be sure to request a bluffside view.) Other park accommodations include cabins and chalets. Moderate to deluxe. The lodge’s Pinecrest Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Nature lovers will enjoy seeing the wildlife and exploring 36 miles of color-coded hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. The park’s pastimes also include tennis, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, and water skiing. Fishing boats and pontoons can be rented during spring, summer, and fall.
The park features several miles of scenic drives, a helipad, and camping facilities. Campsites range from primitive to fully equipped with utility hookups, tables, grills, bathhouses, hot showers, and play areas. You’ll also find a camp store and nature center. For more information about the park and special packages like Eagle Awareness weekends, see alapark.com/lakeguntersville.
Continue to nearby Guntersville Lake, a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) creation, where sailboats and fishing vessels dot shining expanses of open water. “The most striking thing about Guntersville,” says local newspaper editor Sam Harvey, “is that it’s a country town with a lake all around it. Of the five approaches to Guntersville, four take you across water.” With 69,100 acres of water, Guntersville bills itself as a vacationer’s paradise. Truly a haven for water-sports enthusiasts, the area offers boating, swimming, skiing, and fishing. The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society calls Lake Guntersville “one of the finest sport fishing lakes in America,” and the Alabama Bassmasters stage invitational tournaments here. Field & Stream magazine placed Guntersville in America’s top 10 fishing towns. And Where to Retire magazine recently ranked the town one of the country’s top choices for retirees, citing a variety of reasons including its heart, the lake.
Drive through the downtown area and stop by Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center (256-582-3612; lakeguntersville.org), which is in a house with a beckoning front porch at 200 Gunter Avenue near the big river bridge. Here you can pick up brochures on area attractions and inquire about current happenings. For instance, the local theater group The Whole Backstage mounts a mix of productions throughout the year, so check on possible performances during your visit. For more information about The Whole Backstage, call (256) 582-7469 or visit the website at wholebackstage.com.
Atop a hill, Lake Guntersville Bed and Breakfast (256-505-0133) at 2204 Scott Street offers suites with private entrances and more lovely water views from its two levels of wraparound porches. While living in Fairfield, Connecticut, former Guntersville resident Carol Dravis dreamed of returning. She got to do just that when an unexpected opportunity came along to purchase the handsome circa-1910 white brick home.
Carol picks up guests who arrive by boat and airplane and serves a bountiful breakfast—on the veranda when weather permits. A full gourmet-style breakfast might feature her special European pancakes, beautiful and puffy with various toppings, or a sausage-and-cheese strata. Accompaniments include breakfast breads and a special mixture of fruit juices called Morning Sunshine. Based on individual interests, Carol recommends local activities and provides directions to nearby walking trails and other scenic spots. In the foyer you’ll see a small gift shop with works by local artists and writers.
Carol offers several special-occasion packages such as birding, pamper yourself (with one-hour massages), Valentine, anniversary, birthday, theater, etc. One guest wrote, “How wonderful to have found such a thoughtful, talented hostess! Your charming B&B has been a true lagniappe [a lower Alabama expression meaning something extra special], and we’ve discovered again the great delight of porch-sitting. Thank you for a lovely and delicious visit.” Visit Lake Guntersville B&B’s website atlakeguntersvillebedandbreakfast.com. Standard to moderate rates.
Encounters with Eagles
Sipping hot apple cider or coffee, listening to Appalachian music, and basking in a fireplace’s glow set the tone for eagle-watching adventures at Lake Guntersville State Park. Each year from the second weekend in January through the first weekend in February, birders can band together for stimulating interpretive programs, live birds, and guided field trips.
“As if seeing the eagles were not worth it, the educational programs are fantastic,” said a previous participant from Boston. The weekend gathering starts on Friday evening with a social hour at the park’s lodge. Attendees meet each other and get an overview of the scheduled birding activities. Everyone is encouraged to get a good night’s sleep because the first eagle sighting takes place Saturday at dawn’s early light. (And don’t forget your goose down jacket.)
“There’s just something about eagles,” said former state park naturalist Linda Reynolds. “I see the birds every winter day, and I still get goose bumps.” Eagles from the Great Lakes area start trickling in during October, but most arrive in November to make the park’s wooded terrain and lake their winter resort until their exodus in February.
As the stars disappear in dawn’s silvery light, watchers scrutinize the sky over a valley lacking summer’s lush foliage but still beautiful in its starkness. The greenery of pines softens interlacing barren tree branches. With all eyes searching the sky, the waiting group listens intently for that first whispered announcement: “There goes one!” Watchers continue to study the horizon with their scopes, which range from binoculars to serious tripod versions. During an hour’s watch, you might see a dozen or so bald eagles soar from their roosts and spiral toward the nearby lake.
After the birds depart, the group also heads to the lake for a chance to see the eagles dip down to the water, extend their talons, and grasp fish—their favorite breakfast. From the vantage point of a nearby bank, it’s thrilling to see the great birds at close range. “Morning is feeding time, and afternoons are for play,” said a staffer helping with Eagle Awareness programs. “Then it’s home to the roost at dusk.”
The group also gathers at twilight to watch the eagles return for the evening. Before retiring, the birds preen and strike regal poses as if compelled to perform for the audience training binoculars in their direction. Some watchers set up telescopes, inviting others to enjoy the view. You might find yourself sharing a scope with a pharmacist, truck driver, teacher, dentist, computer programmer, retiree, or student.
The group’s mix confirms that you don’t have to be an ornithologist to get excited by encounters with eagles. “We’ve noticed that everyone loves eagles even if they’re not bird enthusiasts,” Reynolds said. “I don’t know if it’s a spiritual thing or because the eagle is our national symbol. Historically, eagles symbolize that which is uplifting and inspirational.”
After the morning sighting, you can head to the lodge for a bountiful breakfast. Later, you may want to take a daytime field trip with one of the designated guides. Depending on your individual interest, you can choose a park tour, a visit to the Nature Center located near the campground, an outing to the water bird refuge, or opt for more eagle viewing at other observation points. Eagle watchers come not only from Alabama, but also from Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and beyond, and repeaters make up about a third of each group.
Each weekend features a different program. At the birding seminar, which stars live raptors, you might see eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and other previously injured birds that recovered with the help of individual volunteers and such groups as the Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center and the Alabama Wildlife Rescue Service. The agenda also includes programs on various birds of prey and their mating, nesting, migration, and feeding habits.
In addition to bald eagles, many species of birds populate the area. This lovely wild region is also home to deer, weasels, raccoons, opossums, muskrats, beavers, bobcats, cougars, and foxes. Some of the park’s hiking trails follow paths once traveled by the Cherokee and the area’s early settlers through forests of red cedar, ash, maple, hickory, sumac, redbud, oak, black walnut, poplar, sweet gum, and pine. Most of the land has been left in its natural state, and hiking allows you to study firsthand the local flora and fauna. For more information on Eagle Awareness weekends and other special packages at the park, visit alapark.com/lakeguntersville or call (256) 571-5440.
At Kala’s Cottage (256-582-5580), 217 Gunter Avenue, you can anticipate a warm welcome, great gift ideas, and a large selection of fine wines. Kala and JoAnne, who know their wines, will help you select the perfect vintage for that special occasion or simply to sip while enjoying a lakeside visit to Guntersville. (And speaking of spirits, ask them about Charlie.)
Ham Cups a Breakfast Treat at Lake Guntersville B&B
One of the favorite breakfast treats at the Lake Guntersville Bed and Breakfast is a quick and delicious recipe known as Ham Cups. Innkeeper Carol Dravis is happy to share the recipe.
GG’s Green Eggs & Ham Cups
Created by Gay Martin for Lake Guntersville Bed & Breakfast Cookbook
6 very thin slices of deli-style ham
1 cup loosely packed fresh spinach leaves cut in slivers
1 cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 eggs
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon flour
Line six (1-cup) muffin tins with ham slices. Top with slivered spinach divided equally among cups. Mix remaining ingredients and pour on spinach. Bake at 350°F about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cup comes out clean.
Yields 6 cups
Browse through rooms crowded with art, antiques, home accessories, jewelry, and gourmet foods. Choose some personalized gifts and maybe pick up a package of those sugarcoated rose petals from France to drop in your cup of tea.
From art classes and demonstrations to costume parties and even meeting and greeting a baby tiger, you never know what surprises await here. Hang out with the locals at Friday wine tastings ($10 per person) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and get some sightseeing tips. The shop opens at 10-ish in the morning Tuesday through Saturday; and closing time is 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit kalascottage.com.
Continue to nearby Fant’s Department Store (256-582-3845) at 355 Gunter Avenue. The rambling structure offers a bargain basement and plenty of treasures. Your sightseeing excursion may take you past the Guntersville Museum (256-571-7597) at 1215 Rayburn Avenue. Built under the Works Progress Act (WPA), this handsome structure of rough limestone and mortar dates to 1936 and houses an art gallery, archives, and intriguing collections. Guntersville’s past comes alive here with exhibits from Native American artifacts to sepia pictorial views of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s dam construction and lake creation. Guntersville is named for John Gunter, great-grandfather of famed humorist and social commentator Will Rogers. Rogers is an honorary son of the city. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. See guntersvillemuseum.org.
Angels in Arab
One spring day, a friend and I drove to Guntersville for an art exhibit and lunch. Walking into a local restaurant, we saw two angels, dressed in flowing white tunics with gold accessories—which included halos. One of the angel-women wore gold combat boots.
We soon found out the B-Team Angels, Paula Joslin and Kay Jennings, came from nearby Arab. They were “on a quest to earn their wings by spreading happiness.” Wafting a wand in our direction, the angels then glided outside, where traffic screeched to a halt.
A year later I met the B-Team Angels and learned their league had grown and their happiness ministry had expanded. Each month, for example, they surprise a local resident with an Earth Angel award, honoring people who bring happiness to others, often without recognition. On Valentine’s Day the angelic band entertains at area nursing homes, churches, conferences, and retreats. They charge nothing for their programs of songs, skits, puppet shows, and birthday parties.
“We feel that sharing love with others is what life’s all about,” writes Kay, in her introduction to The B-Team Angels’ Quest, a book filled with Paula’s whimsical photo-collages featuring 700 Arab residents. (A professional artist, Paula works in all mediums and has won numerous awards in juried shows.) Proceeds from the book sales help defray costs incurred for this ministry—gifts, certificates, photography, costumes, transportation, etc. Also, the group has published a cookbook called Angel Food, featuring some heavenly recipes.
So if you see an angel flitting about Arab, you know why: She’s out to brighten someone’s day—maybe yours. If you need to speak to a B-Team Angel or order a cookbook, call (256) 586-8463.
Strange as It Sounds
If a boat outing fits into your travel schedule, try to catch the evening exodus of bats from Hambrick Cave. Some 350,000 American gray bats, a protected species, consider this cave home from late April to mid-October (although the females migrate the first of August). You’ll probably join a bevy of other boaters, clustered around the water-level cave mouth at the base of a bluff, all waiting for the sunset performance as a cloud of bats swoops overhead on its nocturnal foraging flight. Going downriver toward Guntersville Dam, look for a cave (marked by a small overhead sign) on your right. Flashlights are prohibited. (For more information on this and other area bat caves, call the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge at 256-353-7243 or visit fws.gov/wheeler.)
Other local events include a series of summer evening lakeside concerts on Tuesdays, and the MOVA Arts Festival featuring a songwriter competition. The latter, a fall event presented by the Mountain Valley Arts Council, also features a juried art exhibit, children’s activities, and lots of food and drink. For more information or to see a current art exhibit, stop by the Mountain Valley Arts Council (MVAC) office at 300 Gunter Avenue, or call (256) 571-7199. For an updated schedule, see mountainvalleyartscouncil.org.
Guntersville’s popular two-day Art on the Lake Show draws crowds on the third weekend in April. The show features more than 120 artists and craftsmen, plus food vendors, outdoor games and rides, and a bake sale. The show promotes the arts while providing scholarship programs for local high school graduates. Held along beautiful Lake Guntersville, the show takes place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for ages 3 and older. Visit the website for more information, artonthelake-guntersville.com.
On the Saturday before Labor Day, St. William’s Seafood Festival features more than 5,000 pounds of fresh shrimp, oysters, crab, flounder, and other fish imported from coastal waters. Parish members prepare the seafood, which includes making about 400 gallons of gumbo. The festival is held at St. William’s Catholic Church (929 Gunter Avenue; 256-582-4245; stwilliamchurch.com/seafood_festival).
If you prefer the privacy of a vacation rental, check out Guntersville Getaway (256-582-3013 or 256-571-5888) on Buck Island near Gunter’s Landing and the Yacht Club. Only five minutes from downtown Guntersville and one mile from the public boat launch, this waterfront home at 280 Morrow Drive comes with private pier and many amenities.
The house, which offers three bedrooms and can accommodate nine, is ideal for families or a group of fishing buddies. Enjoy the lake view, natural wooded setting, and wildlife. Say hello to the great blue heron who seems to have a proprietary interest in the place, as do the turtles sunning on a log in the lake out back. (We counted 10 napping turtles with a duck serving as sentinel.) Devise your own easygoing schedule and relax in the backyard hammock with a good book. Grill your catch or a steak on the rear patio and dine outside. Owner Lyndall Hamlett has decorated the place with whimsical touches and provides information on local restaurants and attractions. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, good cell-phone reception, cable TV, TVs in the living room and each bedroom, and a washer and dryer. Moderate to deluxe. See guntersvillegetaway.com.
For some good old-fashioned fun and a mess of “poke salat,” take State Route 69 to Arab during the first weekend in May. When the Arab Liars’ Club (the self-appointed title for a group of local men who meet daily for coffee at L Rancho Cafe) came up with the idea for the Poke Salat Festival, they probably did not expect it to become an annual affair with everything from street dances and craft shows to beauty contests and drama productions.
In downtown Arab, notice the weather-beaten Farmer’s Exchange, a local landmark that now houses a garden center. Also, you may wish to explore the city’s dozen or so antiques shops.
At the southern edge of town on Arad Thompson Road, you’ll find the inviting Arab City Park with the Shoal Creek Trail, ball fields, a pool, and modern, well-equipped playground. The park is also home to several historical structures including the Hunt School, Rice Church, Elvin Light Museum, and Smith’s Country Store. Look for a statue of town founder Tuttle Thompson in Tuttle Thompson Park at the corner of Highway 89 and Main Street. Tuttle named the town in honor of his son, Arad Thompson, but the post office mistakenly changed the spelling to Arab. So it has remained. Afterward head toward Huntsville to launch an exploration of Alabama’s northwestern region.
Places to Stay in Northeast Alabama
ALBERTVILLE
Microtel Inn & Suites
220 Alabama Hwy. 75
North
(256) 894-4000 or (800) 771-7171
Quality Inn
315 Martling Rd.
(256) 891-2600 or (800) 526-3766
ATTALLA
Days Inn of Attalla
801 Cleveland Ave.
(256) 538-7861 or (800) DAYSINN
BOAZ
Key West Inn
10535 State Rte. 168
(256) 593-0800 or (800) 833-0555
FORT PAYNE
DeSoto State Park
7104 Desoto Pkwy.
(256) 845-5380 or (800) 568-8840
GADSDEN
Gadsden Inn & Suites
200 Albert Rains Blvd.
(256) 543-7240 or (800) 637-5678
Hampton Inn
129 River Rd.
(256) 546-2337 or (800) HAMPTON
GUNTERSVILLE
Guntersville Getaway
280 Morrow Dr.
(256) 582-3013 or (855) 499-0001
Hampton Inn of Lake Guntersville
14451 US 431
(256) 582-4176
Holiday Inn Lake Guntersville
2140 Gunter Ave.
(256) 582-2220 or (800) 439-4745
Lake Guntersville Bed and Breakfast
2204 Scott St.
(256) 505-0133
lakeguntersvillebedandbreakfast.com
Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge
1155 Lodge Dr.
(256) 571-5440 or (800) 548-4553
HUNTSVILLE
Bevill Conference Center and Hotel
550 Sparkman Dr.
(256) 721-9428 or (888) 721-9428
Courtyard by Marriott
4804 University Dr.
(256) 837-1400 or (800) 321-2211
Dogwood Manor
707 Chase Rd.
(256) 859-3946
Hampton Inn
4815 University Dr.
(256) 830-9400 or (800) HAMPTON
Huntsville Marriott
5 Tranquility Base
(256) 830-2222 or (888) 299-5174
The Westin Huntsville
6800 Governor’s West
Northwest
(256) 428-2000 or (866) 716-8808
LEESBURG
The Secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge
2356 State Rte. 68 West
(256) 523-3825
secretbedandbreakfastlodge.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHEAST ALABAMA
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
402 Sherman St.
PO Box 2537
Mooresville 35649
(800) 648-5381
info@northalabama.org
This organization covers 16 north Alabama counties that are home to some 100 attractions in a 100-mile radius.
DeKalb County Tourist Association
1503 Glenn Blvd. SW
PO Box 681165
Fort Payne 35968
(256) 845-3957 or (888) 805-4740
info@lookoutmountain.com
Greater Gadsden Area Tourism
90 Walnut St.
PO Box 8269
Gadsden 35901
(256) 549-0351 or (888) 565-0411
Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
407 E. Willow St.
PO Box 973
Scottsboro 35768
(256) 259-5500 or (800) 259-5508
chamber@scottsboro.org
Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
500 Church St.
Huntsville 35801
(256) 551-2230 or (800) 843-0468
info@huntsville.org
Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau
200 Gunter Ave.
PO Box 711
Guntersville 35976
(256) 582-7015 or (800) 582-6282
MENTONE
Crystal Lake Lodge
3291 County Rd. 165
(256) 634-8209
angelfire.com/al4/crystallakelodge
Mentone Springs Hotel
6114 State Rte. 117
(256) 634-4040
Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast
624 Rd. 948
(256) 634-4673 or (800) 889-4244
Raven Haven
651 County Rd. 644
(256) 634-4310
ravenhavenbandb.info
PISGAH
The Lodge at Gorham’s Bluff
101 Gorham Dr.
Gorham’s Bluff
(256) 451-2787
MAINSTREAM ATTRACTIONS WORTH SEEING IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA
Alabama Fan Club & Museum
101 Glen Blvd.
Fort Payne (256) 845-1646 or (800) 557-8223
This museum showcases the band’s musical achievements, which are many: The group has garnered numerous awards, gold albums, and plaques for such releases as “My Home’s in Alabama,” “Mountain Music,” and “Fallin’ Again.” Fans can purchase souvenirs ranging from T-shirts and jackets to photographs and mugs—and of course albums. The museum features individual sections on band members Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Mark Herndon. For a little background and a Web tour, visit thealabamaband.com.
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church St. South
Huntsville
(256) 535-4350 or (800) 786-9095
Save time for browsing through the $7.5 million home of the Huntsville Museum of Art. This beautiful building stands in Big Spring International Park, the heart of the city, and offers a wide range of exhibitions, art classes, and educational programs. You’ll see an outstanding permanent collection with works by Picasso, Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Goya, and other renowned artists as well as exhibits on loan from major institutions. The Pane e Vino Cafe on the Plaza Level offers pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Admire student artwork in the Children’s Community Gallery, sign up for an art class at the museum academy, and shop for treasures at the Museum Store, opened in 2009. Visit hsvmuseum.org.
US Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville
(256) 837-3400 or (800) 637-7223
At One Tranquility Base on Huntsville’s western side, you may feel like a character out of a science fiction movie as you wander through a world of rockets, spaceships, shuttles, nose cones, and lunar landing vehicles. Other interesting exhibits include a moon rock, Apollo 16’s command module, the overpowering Saturn V moon rocket, history of the space shuttle with artifacts, and an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane. Don’t miss the featured film presentation at the Spacedome Theater, or, for a unique adventure, sign up for Space Camp. You’ll find Space Camp dates, rates, registration information, and everything else you need to know for blasting off at spacecamp.com.
SCOTTSBORO
Goose Pond Colony
417 Ed Hembree Dr.
(256) 259-2884 or (800) 268-2884
Quality Inn
208 Micah Way
US 72
(256) 574-6666
VALLEY HEAD
Winston Place
353 Railroad Ave.
(256) 635-6381 or (888) 4-WINSTON
Places to Eat in Northeast Alabama
ALBERTVILLE
Asia Garden Restaurant
210 State Rte. 75 North
(256) 891-1616
Catfish Cabin
8524 US 431 North
(256) 878-8170
The Food Basket
715 Sampson Circle
(256) 878-1261
Giovanni’s Pizza Italian Restaurant
711 Miller St.
(256) 878-7881
Papa Dubi’s Cajun Kitchen
3931 Brasher’s Chapel Rd.
(256) 894-7878
Sebastien’s on Main
102 Main St.
(256) 660-1222
ARAB
Fonseca Factory
1082 N. Brindlee
Mountain Pkwy.
(256) 931-7687
Son’s House of Barbecue
2425 N. Brindle Mountain
Pkwy.
(256) 931-7667
BOAZ
Grumpy’s
8679 Hwy. 168
(256) 593-0599
CENTRE
Tony’s Steak Barn
804 Alexis Rd.
(256) 927-2844
GADSDEN
The Choice
531 Broad St.
(256) 546-9055
Courtyard Cafe
501 Broad St.
(256) 547-1066
Top O’ the River
1606 Rainbow Dr.
(256) 547-9817
GRANT
Mi Mi’s Cafe
12 Third St.
(256) 728-7483
GUNTERSVILLE
El Camino Real
14274 US 431
(256) 571-9089
Top O’ the River
7004 Val Monte Dr.
(256) 582-4567
Wintzell’s Oyster House
14455 US 431
(256) 582-5600
HUNTSVILLE
Cafe Berlin
964 Airport Rd.
(256) 880-9920
Cantina Laredo
330 The Bridge St.
6872 Old Madison Pike
(256) 327-8580
Landry’s Seafood House
5101 Governor’s House Dr.
(256) 864-0000
Ol’ Heidelberg
6125 University Dr.
(256) 922-0556
Surin of Thailand
975 Airport Rd.
(256) 213-9866
MADISON
Main St. Cafe
101 Main St.
(256) 461-8096
MENTONE
Log Cabin Restaurant and Deli
6080 State Rte. 117
(256) 634-4560
The Wildflower Cafe
83 Cutter Ave.
(256) 634-0066
PISGAH
The Lodge at Gorham’s Bluff
101 Gorham Dr.
(256) 451-2787
SARDIS CITY
Garcia’s Grill & Cantina
13026 US 431
(256) 840-5694
SCOTTSBORO
McCutchen’s Magnolia House
303 East Willow St.
(256) 259-3077
Carlile’s Restaurant
2011 E. Willow St.
(256) 574-5629
The Docks
Goose Pond Colony
417 Ed Hembree Dr.
(256) 574-3071
Liberty Restaurant
907 E. Willow St.
(256) 574-3455
Payne’s
101 E. Laurel St.
(256) 574-2140
Triple R Bar-B-Q
2940 Veterans Dr.
(256) 574-1620
STEVENSON
Friday’s
507 Second St.
(256) 437-8201