Ways to Enjoy Your Summer in North Alabama

By Ashley Polesak

There are so many things to do in the summer! Check out this awesome list and add a few things to the calendar now! 

Celebrate the 4th of July!

This year there are a bunch of different celebrations, including Independence Day Celebration at Ditto Landing (June 26), Spirit of America Fireworks Show (Point Mallard, July 3 & 4), Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular (Toyota Field, July 4), 4th of July Weekend at MidCity (July 2-4), 4th of July Fireworks @ Lake Wheeler KOA (July 4) and Red, White & Boom (Athens Football Stadium, July 4)

Attend Concerts at Three Caves benefiting Landtrust of North Alabama

These concerts sell out quickly, buy your tickets now!

Support local comedy at Shenanigans Comedy Theatre

Take an improv class, participate in Family Game Night or watch a drag show!

Go to an outdoor festival!

Start your summer off with a Midsommar’s Festival at Leigh Acres or end it at ShoalsFest

Enjoy an outdoor movie!

Big Screen at Big Spring, Movies in Constitution Park and Outdoor Movie Night at Madison Public Library

Enjoy a drink at a local brewery

Most are kid/dog friendly and have outdoor seating/AC options!

Check out cool cars!

First Wednesday Car Meet Up, River Run Car Show, Cars n’ Tacos

Try out stand-up paddling!

Forrest Stand Up Paddling includes rentals and lessons

Splish splash at a splash pad

City of Huntsville splashpads, Delano Park, SNAP Splashpad, Bridge Street Pop Jet Fountains, New Hope Splashpad

Participate in the City of Huntsville Parks & Rec Month

Nationwide July is recognized as Parks & Rec Month, follow along with Huntsville as they highlight all the department has to offer. Share your photos using #GoPlayHsv.

Go Fishing

Alabama Residents can fish from the bank in their county of residence with hook and line (live bait only) without purchasing a license. Resident must be able to provide reasonable proof of residency (driver’s license) while fishing.

Brahan Spring Park, Ditto Landing Marina, Cabela’s Pond, Hays Nature Preserve, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, Anderson Pond

Visit Wheeler Wildlife Refuge

All buildings are still close due to COVID-19, don’t let that stop you from going there to hike, bike, fish, hunt, bird watch, kayak and more

Check out a local museum

We have tons of them in the area!

Huntsville Museum of Art, The Earlyworks Family of Museums, U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, North Alabama Railroad Museum, State Black Archives Research Center and Museum, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Burritt on the Mountain, Alabama Veterans Museum, Cook Museum of Natural Science, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Historic Depot & Railroad Museum

Take a selfie!

We know, you can do that anywhere, but did you know Huntsville has its own indoor selfie museum? Head to A Complete Vibe Museum!

Go kayaking or canoeing

If you don’t have your own kayak/canoe or you’re looking for a service that will make going out on the water easy, try these places.

North Alabama Canoe & Kayak (NACK), Brown Bear, Paint Rock Canoe, Kayak Lake Guntersville (256.572.7888), Elk River Canoe Rental

Book a professional fishing guide service

Fish Guntersville Lake Guide ServiceMark Collins Guide Service

Try out hiking

Hike, camp, or tour a cave at Cathedral Caverns!

Do you believe in ghosts?

The Southern Ghost Girls are hosting two nights at the Lowry House to look for paranormal activity!

Waterfall Hunting

We’re lucky to be close to so much hiking- for the summer time try out trails with waterfalls!

Meet Sprocket

The Rocket City Trash Pandas will be playing all summer long!

Stop and smell the sunflowers

Check out Sunset Valley Farms and Hubert Family Farm

Ways to Enjoy Your Summer in North Alabama

Ashley Polesak

Ashley Polesak has spent the last 10 years living her best life in Huntsville, Alabama. She loves to explore all of the things that Huntsville and the surrounding areas have to offer and is a big proponent for scouting out local experiences. Ashley lives and breathes the outdoors and recreation opportunities in the area, you are very likely to run into her at a park or on a hiking trail. If she has her two rescue dogs with her, Oba and Twyla, please excuse their over-excitement, they are currently being trained and it's a work in progress! If she had to describe herself in television characters she would choose 1/4 Eleanor Shellstrop, 1/4 Leslie Knope, 1/4 April Ludgate and 1/4 Margaery Tyrell.