20 Free Things to Do in Huntsville, AL

Visiting Huntsville, Alabama on a budget? That’s easy because there are so many free things to do in Huntsville!

From downtown scavenger hunts (where you can get a prize!) to public parks to beautiful hiking trails, Huntsville has plenty of free activities. Check out these fun free things to do in Huntsville.

Best Free Things to Do in Huntsville

1. Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt

Have you noticed the ducks around Downtown Huntsville? (And I don’t just mean the ones at Big Spring Park!)

The Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt is a free, self-guided tour and scavenger hunt around Downtown Huntsville. You’ll grab a clue card either online or at the Visitor Center and search for the 15 hidden ducks around Downtown, all the while learning about Huntsville history.

The scavenger hunt takes you on a 3-mile walk around Downtown, following the ducks to famous landmarks, attractions, and historic sites.

As you do the scavenger hunt, write down the location of each duck you find on your clue card, and once you’ve found all 15, you can turn your clue card in to the Visitor Center and receive a prize!

2. Secret Artemis Trail

Have you also noticed there are these little hidden rockets all around Downtown Huntsville?

In celebration of the Space Launch System named Artemis, Huntsville created the Secret Artemis Trail, a free Downtown scavenger hunt where you can find 12 tiny hidden rockets around.

Grab the trail’s map either online or at the Visitor Center and search out the 1-foot-tall Artemis statues. You’ll find them located by murals and artwork Downtown, and you’ll usually have to look up to find them.

3. Downtown Huntsville & Twickenham Audio Tour

Huntsville History Tours offers a free self-guided audio tour that’s a great way to get to know the history of Downtown Huntsville and the historic Twickenham neighborhood.

The Downtown Huntsville & Twickenham tour takes you through Alabama Constitution Hall Park, around the Downtown Square, and through the neighborhood of Twickenham’s antebellum homes.

The tour is designed as a walking tour, and it does require a good bit of walking. But with a total of 42 sites, this is one of the best ways to learn about Huntsville’s history!

4. Maple Hill Cemetery

Maple Hill Cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery in Huntsville. It was founded in 1822 and has over 80,000 graves across its nearly 100 acres.

The cemetery is free to visit, along with its supposedly haunted Dead Children’s Playground (in fact, there are a lot of haunted graves here; it’s one of the most haunted spots in Huntsville).

They also have free events, like the annual Maple Hill Cemetery stroll in the fall, which is one of America’s largest living history strolls.

5. Big Spring Park

Big Spring International Park is a large park in Downtown Huntsville that was built around the water source that early settlers formed the city around.

The park is at the heart of Huntsville. Surrounding the park are some of the city’s top museum’s and best things to do. The Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt was created in honor of the park’s notoriously friendly ducks.

It’s a great free spot to hang out and enjoy the city. Be sure to visit the source of the Big Spring and touch the marble lion statue that commemorates the opening of the park.

6. Murals

The Rocket City is home to many incredible scientists and engineers, but it’s also home to some amazing creative people. The city is absolutely covered with murals that highlight Huntsville’s history and uniqueness.

A lot of the murals are space-themed, some depict Huntsville’s top attractions, and others are just a nice pop of color to bring beauty to the city.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• “Catalyst” by Robert Bean in Downtown
• “Welcome to Huntsvegas” by Melissa Schanta Ravalli on Triana Boulevard
• “Rocket Man” by Brandon Stoll and Travis Lowery on Governors Drive
• “Crayon Box” by Dustin Timbrook at Lowe Mill

Want to see all the murals in Huntsville? Use my free mural tour here, complete with a map, to see all the murals for yourself.

7. Alabama Constitution Hall Historic Park

While the museum costs money to visit, the Alabama Constitution Hall Historic Park has its grounds open to the public for free, so you can step back in time and immerse yourself in 1819 Huntsville.

This is the site where Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. The park is a quiet space to sit and relax. I recommend grabbing a tea from Piper & Leaf inside the gift shop and enjoying being surrounded by Huntsville’s history.

8. Historic Huntsville Depot

While the museum is currently closed, the grounds of the Historic Huntsville Depot are open to the public and are free to visit.

You can walk around the grounds and look at the trains, train cars, turntable, and engine house on display.

9. Harrison Brothers Hardware

Harrison Brothers Hardware is a historic store on the Square, but it’s not just for shopping.

This general store, founded in 1897, is almost like a museum in itself. On the counter is the old cash register, they have the display shelves and fixtures all intact, and they even set up a history exhibit in the second room.

It’s completely free to stop in and have a look around. Be sure to pick up their free scavenger hunt to help you explore the store more in-depth.

10. Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is a former textile factory turned into a creative epicenter. It’s completely free to visit and get lost in its maze of hallways lined with unique shops and artist workshop from local vendors.

As the largest privately-owned arts facility in the South, Lowe Mill houses over 150 working studios and 200 artists and makers. From sculptures and paintings to records, clothing, and jewelry, you’ll find it all here.

11. Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial

The Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial honors those who have served in the Armed Forces. The memorial and its surrounding park are free to visit.

The park is laid out with fountains, statues, flags, and displays as well as the memorial. A meandering path takes you into a tree-covered space with multiple tributes to those that have served.

The memorial is inscribed with the names of Madison County veterans killed in action during all wars from WWI to present. It also recognizes and honors Madison County recipients of the Medal of Honor.

12. Land Trust Trails

The Land Trust of North Alabama has 10 public nature preserves and over 80 miles of trails that are free to explore for walking, hiking, biking, birding, and more.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Jones Valley Loop Trail at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
• Fanning Trail at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
• Three Caves Loop at Monte Sano Nature Preserve

13. Burritt Nature Trails

Burritt on the Mountain also has its own system of beautiful nature trails. The Burritt Nature Trails wind around the mountain, through the woods, and past historic coal mines and limestone rock formations.

I recommend taking the Rock Bluff Trail to the Cross on Monte Sano.

14. Hays Nature Preserve

Hays Nature Preserve is another great place for free hiking. The preserve has over 10 miles of trails and greenways that follow alongside the Flint River.

These trails are great for birding, biking, hiking, and even horseback riding on specific trails. Plus, you can go kayaking on the river in the summer.

15. Madison County Nature Trail

The Madison County Nature Trail is an idyllic escape tucked away on top of Green Mountain in southeast Huntsville.

The park covers 72 acres, has the 17 acre Sky Lake, a 1.5 mile wooded walking trail, and a variety of historic structures including a covered bridge, an A-frame chapel, a rustic log cabin, and a moonshine still.

The trail is free to visit and is an amazing destination any time of year. Each season brings its own unique charm, from vibrant azalea and dogwood blooms in the spring, to a lush green forest and wildflower-covered fields in the summer. As autumn rolls in, the trees transform into a picturesque array of oranges and yellows, while winter brings a peaceful and moody atmosphere to the lake.

16. Bridge Street Town Centre

An outdoor shopping complex designed with cobblestone walkways and European architecture, Bridge Street Town Centre is a great place to do some window shopping.

Local performers and musicians called “pavement performers” put on free shows on weekends and evenings. During the summer, the kiddos can play in the splash pad. And the shopping center has a great location on a man-made lake, so it’s a nice place to just take a stroll.

17. North Alabama Railroad Museum

The North Alabama Railroad Museum is a train-lovers dream. This free museum in the old Chase Depot (the smallest union depot in the country) is open to the public daily, and volunteers are available to give guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The museum features a collection of rolling stock, including passenger cars and freight cars, and first generation diesel-electric locomotives. Their collection represents the history of railroading in North Alabama and south-central Tennessee.

18. Ditto Landing

Ditto Landing is Huntsville’s ultimate waterfront destination. This marina on the Tennessee River has opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, special events, and more.

You can enjoy Ditto Landing for free by exploring the Tennessee River Greenway, a picturesque trail perfect for a leisurely stroll or a refreshing bike ride. Ditto also hosts free events, like the Summer Sunset Concert Series with live music in the warmer months.

19. Kids’ Space Playground

Kids’ Space Playground has been a family favorite ever since it was built in the 1990s. Back in the day, the playground was an all-wood jungle gym of unique, rocket-shaped towers.

In 2022, the playground got a much-needed renovation, complete with artificial turf and accessibility features.

Kids’ Space is decked out with swings, climbing apparatuses, bridges, tunnels, and slides. The areas are themed to “Early Huntsville” with a cabin play structure, “Space Race” with a giant rocket play structure, and “Future Exploration” with a mountain-themed plaza seating and sleek futuristic elements.

20. The Lost Sink at Keel Mountain Preserve

Lost Sink Falls is a 30+ foot waterfall at Keel Mountain Preserve that flows into a sinkhole and disappears underground. You can access the waterfall by hiking the 3.9 mile out-and-back Lost Sink Trail.

The trail is free to access, and it winds through a lush forest with a rocky terrain and some steep inclines. The waterfall is best after a heavy rainfall. It can be a challenging hike to get to, but the waterfall is well worth it!

Free Huntsville Activities Map

Ready to visit Huntsville on a budget? Use the map below to find all the free things to do in Huntsville listed in this post.

I hope you have an amazing time with these fun free Huntsville activities!

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• Mother-Daughter Weekend in Huntsville
• A Guide to Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
• Explore Huntsville’s Rich History at These Top Sights
• A Guide to Visiting Burritt on the Mountain
• Huntsville for Space Fans: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

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Ready to visit Huntsville, Alabama? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Get Familiar With the City: Check out my Ultimate Guide to Huntsville to help plan your trip!
• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Huntsville using Hotels.com.
• Get Packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

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Cheers!

Paige

What are your favorite free things to do in Huntsville, Alabama? Let me know in the comments!