North Alabama, AL

Travel Guide

Huntsville showing a pond and a park
Huntsville
North Alabama
North Alabama showing a river or creek
North Alabama featuring signage

Alabama’s colorful culture and energetic cities combine with its spectacular scenery in the northern third of the state, a region rich with classic Americana.

Many of the images associated with the Deep South find their origins in North Alabama. This picturesque region has strong links to its past and offers insight into the state’s soulful musical history. Come here to discover Alabama’s technologically significant cities and vast swaths of tranquil countryside in the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains.

Explore the picturesque town of Mooresville to get a sense of North Alabama’s history. It was founded in 1818, the year before Alabama gained statehood, and retains its pioneering atmosphere.

One of North Alabama’s most famous exports is its music industry. Go on a musical pilgrimage to the cities of Florence and Muscle Shoals, where legends such as Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett recorded their greatest hits. Learn about the story of Southern Soul in the W.C. Handy Home and Museum, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the FAME Recording Studios.

Experience contemporary Alabama in the city of Huntsville. Art enthusiasts and culture vultures can lose hours in the vast and beautiful Huntsville Museum of Art, which has a large collection of 19th- and 20th-century artworks. Take your family to the US Space and Rocket Center, which features an authentic Saturn V moon rocket and thrilling exhibits dedicated to space travel.

The nearby city of Decatur promises even more to explore. Travel through time on a walking tour of civil war sites in the surrounding area. Spend your evening at the Princess Theatre, which hosts touring Broadway musicals and a wide variety of musical performances.

Escape to the stunning landscape of the southwestern Appalachian Mountains. Follow one of the hiking trails in Lake Guntersville State Park and explore the archaeological sites of Russell Cave.

Fly into Huntsville International Airport from cities around the country to reach North Alabama. The region is warm enough to visit at any time of year. Visit the mountains in fall, however, to witness the spectacular transformation of the foliage when the scenery bursts into a dazzling array of colors.

Where to stay in North Alabama

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Priceville

Priceville is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and Priceville Town Hall.

Priceville
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Providence

5/5(10 area reviews)

Though Providence might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Westside Center and MidCity Huntsville.

Providence
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East Florence

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in East Florence, Renaissance Tower and Wilson Lake are top sights worth seeing.

East Florence
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Hampton Cove

While Hampton Cove isn't home to many top sights, Hampton Cove Golf Course and Madison County Nature Trail-Green Mountain are some notable places to visit nearby.

Hampton Cove
Huntsville featuring a park

Quigley

4.5/5(41 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Quigley, Big Spring Park and Von Braun Center are top sights worth seeing.

Quigley
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Sherwood Park

Some popular features of Sherwood Park include its shopping and restaurants. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Bridge Street Town Centre or US Space and Rocket Center are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Sherwood Park
The Westin Huntsville
The Westin Huntsville
4 out of 5
6800 Governors Dr W, Huntsville, AL
The price is ₩184,050 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩184,050
₩214,405 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Huntsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"We have stayed at the Westin several times and have always had a great experience. The staff is so friendly and helpful. We have always been very happy staying here"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

The Westin Huntsville
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Huntsville Research Park
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Huntsville Research Park
3 out of 5
4870 University Dr NW, Huntsville, AL
The price is ₩87,767 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
₩87,767
₩103,686 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Huntsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (65 reviews)
"It was up dated from that bed rooms to the bath room , clean beds were comfortable"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Huntsville Research Park
WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham Huntsville
WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham Huntsville
2.5 out of 5
1550 Perimeter Pkwy, Huntsville, AL
The price is ₩175,109 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
₩175,109
₩204,121 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Huntsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (395 reviews)
"Property and room was very clean and modern. Room has everything you need including a large flat screen TV, stovetop, washer and dryer, microwave, etc. Alarm clock with wireless phone charger is nice. Nice,easy to use thermostat with real HVAC and not one of the loud floor units. The A/C fan did ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham Huntsville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
stayAPT Suites Madison-Greenbrier
stayAPT Suites Madison-Greenbrier
4 out of 5
26800 Success Dr SW, Madison, AL
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Madison. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Wheeler National ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (160 reviews)
"We had an amazing stay here! The rooms were spacious and very clean. Had a ton of amenities! We felt very safe and wish we could have stayed longer!"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

stayAPT Suites Madison-Greenbrier
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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