Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
The charming city of Hunstville located in North Alabama makes for a great day trip in itself. Huntsville is a beautiful city and is famous for space research.
The city can be a great starting point to explore some day trips to the neighboring regions. Let us explore some of the best day trips from Huntsville.
Atlanta, Georgia
- Distance: 4 hours
- Ideal for: Family day out
Just a four-hour drive away lies Atlanta, Georgia which makes for a great day trip from Huntsville. To start with, Atlanta is a lovely city with lots to do, explore, and do.
Start by exploring the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium. The aquarium itself is pretty huge and might take up your entire day if you are with kids.
Next, you can go on to tour the World of Coca Cola Museum, which not only has delicious samples but many exhibits as well.
Atlanta is big on shopping too. There are many well-known brands here like Nordstrom, Dior, Fendi, Gucci and more are all available in the upscale Buckhead area of town.
If all that has left you tired, have a drink in Little Five Points to end your day trip.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Distance: 1 hour and 43 minutes
- Ideal for: Family day out
Chattanooga makes for a great day trip from Huntsville and is a forever favorite with the residents. A two-and-a-half-hour trip to the city is also one of the most favored school trips for students.
Start by exploring Ruby Falls which is one of the most famous attractions. It is a great waterfall inside a cave which is definitely worth a visit.
Next, you can hike to the top of the Lookout Mountain from where you can see seven states at once on a clear day are all a part of the typical Chattanooga day trip.
Other attractions include Tennessee Aquarium, Tivoli Theater, and Miller Plaza.
Birmingham, Alabama
- Distance: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Ideal for: Fun day out
Located just one and a half hours away from Huntsville, Birmingham makes for a great day trip. Situated in the north-central part of Alabama state, Birmingham is Alabama’s fifth-biggest county.
Some popular attractions in the state include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Museum of Art and the McWane Science Center. Plus, the city has a lot of historical attractions as well for history buffs.
Plus, this is a great city for larger music acts and live shows. The city also has a great shopping scene that you can explore. Bullring & Grand Central houses diverse fashion, restaurants, and unique shops.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Distance: 4 hours and 35 minutes
- Ideal for: Family day trip
This wonderful mountain town makes for one of the best day trips from Huntsville. The town is most famous for Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.
This Appalachian-themed park features plenty of fun and could be the highlight of your day trip in Pigeon Forge. The theme park is built around the mountain traditions of logging and mining.
You can spend an entire day here, plus this could be the highlight of your trip as well.
There are huge roller coasters plus rides for younger kids as well. Choose from wooden and steel roller coasters which make for a unique experience.
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede (dinner theatres) and Smoky Mountain Opry are also worth a try.
Guntersville, Alabama
- Distance: 1 hour
- Ideal for: Water lovers
Just a one-hour drive from Huntersville, Guntersville is situated in North Alabama and is surrounded by Lake Guntersville. Since the lake is around you wherever your eyes can see, you can expect a lot of water-related activities in the area.
Visitors can indulge in fishing, Screaming Eagle features an exciting zipline adventure and many more adventures can be done.
Tuskegee, Alabama
- Distance: 3 hours and 27 minutes
- Ideal for: History buffs
Tuskegee is an important site in African-American history and highly influential in United States history since the 19th century. It is also the largest city in Macon County.
Tuskegee is also blessed with a lot of natural beauty which attracts tourists from all over the state. It is a three and a half hours drive from Huntsville.
The town also has some wonderful museums which you can explore such as George Washington Carver Museum and Commodore Museum.
Memphis, Tennessee
- Distance: 4 hours
- Ideal for: Blues lovers
Located around four and a half hours from Huntsville, Memphis makes for a great day trip from the city. The city is famous for the influential strains of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll that originated there.
Elvis Presley, B.B King, and many other legends recorded albums at Sun Studio. Apart from that, famous attractions include Beale Street (home of the blues) and Lorraine Motel, the place of assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Nashville, Tennessee
- Distance: 2 hours
- Ideal for: Country music lovers
Also the capital of Tennessee, Nashville makes for a great day trip from Huntsville. Located just about a two hours drive from Huntsville, this is the country music capital as well.
Legendary country music venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage, and radio show which you can explore.
Other attractions include Centennial Park and Nissan Stadium.
Tuscumbia, Alabama
- Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Ideal for: laidback getaway
Located one-and-a-half-hours away from Huntsville, Tuscumbia is part of Colbert County and has plenty of parks and natural beauty which makes this a great day trip.
Do explore Spring Parks in Tuscumbia which is one of the most beautiful parks featuring waterfalls and a pond.
If you want more, a short visit to Ivy Green (Helen Keller’s birthplace) is a great idea too.
Orange Beach, Alabama
- Distance: 5 hours and 52 minutes
- Ideal for: beach lovers
If you are looking for some summer fun, then there is nothing better than Orange Beach right here in Alabama. A drive of five to six hours is all it takes to reach here and dip your toes in the powdery sand.
There are plenty of watersports as well which can keep you occupied like windsurfing and Jetskiing. Or you can simply relax and watch for dolphins.
Huntsville is a great city for jumping off to some lovely day trips around the state. You can explore gems like Orange Beach and Birmingham in the state or hop on over the state lines to explore lovely destinations like Nashville.
9 Day Trips From Virginia Beach Full of Rich History
Discover the top day trips from Virginia Beach that offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. From exploring the historical sites of Colonial Williamsburg to witnessing the wild ponies on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, this article has something for everyone. So, plan your mini-vacation now and explore the best of Virginia’s gems!
16 Aesthetic Beach View Day Trips From Santa Barbara
If you’re planning a trip to Santa Barbara, don’t miss out on exploring the nearby destinations that offer something for everyone. From hiking in the Los Padres National Forest to relaxing on the beaches of Avila Beach, you’ll enjoy this list of the best day trips from Santa Barbara. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a film buff, there’s something for everyone on this list of exciting day trips.
10 Day Trips From Gainesville
If you’re planning a trip to Gainesville, Florida, don’t miss out on exploring the nearby destinations that offer something for everyone. From the historic city of St. Augustine to the beautiful beaches of Daytona and Cedar Key, we’ve compiled a list of the best day trips from Gainesville. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, there’s something for everyone on this list of exciting day trips. So, plan your mini-vacation now and explore the best of Florida’s gems!
Best 16 Day Trip Spots From Myrtle Beach
If you’re planning a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, don’t miss out on exploring the nearby destinations that offer something for everyone. From the charming fishing town of Murrells Inlet to the historic city of Charleston, this article has compiled a list of the best day trips from Myrtle Beach. Whether you’re a beach lover or a history buff, there’s something for everyone on this list of exciting day trips. So, plan your mini-vacation now and explore the best of South Carolina’s gems!