I enjoy having my kids home during Summer break as it allows us to spend time together at a relaxed pace. However, exploring the city can be costly, so I include free activities in our schedule to save money while keeping my kids engaged. This approach has enabled us to discover new places and activities that we may have overlooked otherwise. Here are some of our favorite free ways to enjoy Huntsville.
1)Looking for a fun way to cool off and keep the family active? Huntsville has three great splash pads to choose from, each with its own unique features. If you’re planning to bring a big group, we recommend The Richard Showers splash pad, which has spacious pavilions available at no cost.
2) Our Public libraries are excellent places to discover and acquire knowledge. Besides borrowing books, they also provide numerous free classes and activities all year round. These include art classes, sewing, chess, movie screenings, and more, making for a fun and educational summer.
3) Experience the thrill of discovering downtown Huntsville on a scavenger hunt while admiring the impressive big spring rubber ducks. It’s a great way to see the city from a fresh perspective and have fun at the same time. Remember your quarters; the real ducks are always waiting and ready to be fed by visitors!
4) Our family has enjoyed concerts in the park as a go-to date since our youngest was a baby, and it never fails to impress. The atmosphere is always amazing, and we love listening to different genres of music and discovering local artists and musicians. The series takes place every Monday night during the summer and is sure to become your favorite spot to relax and groove.
5) Exploring the beautiful trails offered by The Land Trust of North Alabama is always a great idea, regardless of the season. Huntsville offers miles of trails to hike and discover. During the summer, we recommend visiting Wildflower Trail for a great, primarily shaded hike and Alum Hollow Trail for its rock shelter and waterfall features.
6) If you have a kid who loves trains, consider visiting The Historic Huntsville Depot. Although tours are not available at the museum right now, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the grounds, such as pretending to ride on trains and using your imagination to come up with wild stories of where the trains have been and what they’ve seen. If you want to learn more about the area and the depot’s history, you can combine your trip with a visit to Huntsville Revisited. There, you can explore Huntsville’s fascinating past with the help of owner and historian William Hampton.
Zenovia is a two time graduate of Alabama A&M University where she earned a B.S. and M.S. in Biology. A former Regulatory Affairs Specialist in the Pharmaceutical Industry, She currently works from home as a Regional Project Coordinator and is the mom to 3 extraordinary boys.
