Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Huntsville invites you to make plans to join them at their new “Home of Serious Steaks” at Twickenham Place. After 10 years of distinctive Huntsville dining, they’ve moved to a brand new location and designed a restaurant space where you can enjoy Happy Hour daily from 4-6:30pm in their bar and lounge and dinner nightly from 5pm on in their dining rooms.
They’ve also created a stunning room for your next private party for up to 50 guests – be it a business event or a more personal social celebration. AND – the entire restaurant is available for meetings and private events any hour of the day. Tell them EXCURSIONS sent you!
In addition to the food being delicious, Ruth’s Chris has a drink menu that complements every dish. They have an extensive beer list, award-winning wine list, and a unique cocktail list.
Creme BruleeYou’ll definitely want to save room for dessert at Ruth’s Chris, too! Their featured after-dinner treats include crème brulee, warm apple crumb tart, and cheesecake. Creme Brulee
The Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, Alabama opened in 2003 and has provided educational and cultural opportunities to the community. The Carnegie was built in 1904 as the Carnegie Library of Decatur and was one of the 2,509 libraries built by millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, so the Carnegie has a rich, unique history.
Not only does the Carnegie have beautiful collections and exhibits that are on display throughout the center, but they also have numerous programs for adults and kids to encourage and inspire through the arts.
One fundraiser the Carnegie has each year is the Carnegie Carnival that takes place during the Mardi Gras season. They have several events leading up the the big event – the Mardi Gras parade along Second Avenue! You’ll see elaborate floats and get lots of beads.
Visit the Carnegie to see beautiful, unique, and inspiring art. Their exhibits change periodically, so it’s a new place every time you visit.
Our 10th Anniversary edition hit hotel rooms in Madison and Morgan Counties in December of 2021 and it’s been one of our most popular publications to date!
EXCURSIONS is chocked full of local information, places to visit, restaurants, night spots, local attractions, and shopping venues. This is the first in-depth and detailed introduction hotel guests get when they check into their rooms. Placed annually and maintained in more than 5,700 local hotel rooms. EXCURSIONS is a trusted and proven resource for Huntsville, Madison and Decatur travelers.
Enjoy the read and get out and explore Huntsville, Madison and Decatur, Alabama!
If you are like us, we are always craving a little something sweet. Whether it is chocolate, homemade candy, pie, or cake that is your favorite, we have a list of some of the best places to grab that sweet treat in Decatur!
Tennessee Valley Pecan Company
Tennessee Valley Pecan Company on historic Bank Street in downtown Decatur has delicious pecans, hands down, but they also offer those pecans as delectable treats covered in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, key lime pie, cinnamon sugar, and more. It’s really hard to choose a favorite, so they offer a variety tin with all the flavors! TVP also bakes the best pecan pies that are the perfect ending to any meal.
Morgan Price Candy Company
We had you at candy, right? Morgan Price Candy Company has been a fixture in Decatur for more than 20 years. What started out as a mail-order candy business in Mary Morgan’s home, quickly became a thriving store-front in 1991. You’ll find the best pralines, toffee, peanut brittle, cheese straws, and other delicious treats at Morgan Price.
Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que
Ok, so you know that Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que has delicious barbeque, but they also serve up an amazing banana pudding to finish off your meal. So the next time you’re at Moe’s make sure to save room for the banana pudding!
Simp McGhee’s
After you’ve dined at historic Simp McGhee’s on Bank Street and had you fill of their delicious Cajun recipes or a thick, juicy steak, their derby pie is the perfect sweet complement to your meal.
Josie’s Cafe
Since Josie’s Cafe specializes in Mediterranean and Italian inspired foods, you know their tiramisu is to die for! Pair it with a bold cup of coffee, and you’ve got yourself the perfect after dinner treat.
Mellow Mushroom
Think Mellow Mushroom just specializes in pizza? Think again. You’ll find several sweet treats on the menu at Mellow to cap off your meal, like Mary Jane’s Triple Chocolate Brownie, Time For A Sundae, and their Gourmet Cookie. They can even top it with all-natural vanilla bean ice cream, dark chocolate truffle sauce, house-made fresh whipped cream and an all-natural bing cherry.
Big Bob Gibson’s Bar B Q
Sure Big Bob Gibson’s is known for their award-winning barbecue, but they are equally known for their amazing homemade pies. Their pies are so sought-after that if you don’t get your order in early enough around a holiday, you’ll miss out! Their specialities are chocolate, peanut butter, lemon, pecan, and coconut. So, so, so good!
Huntsville has become a music mecca over the past few years! With the Von Braun Center, Mars Music Hall, The Orion Amphitheatre, Stovehouse, and many other cool venues in the Rocket City, you can take in live music just about any day of the week. Check out these favorite places to catch live music.
Von Braun Center
The Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville is the host to a wide variety of musical acts, comedians, and other live entertainment. You can see some big names at the VBC! The VBC also has the Mark C. Smith Hall and Mars Music Hall that are smaller venues that make for a more intimate setting for artists and fans. The VBC also opened a new restaurant – Rhythm on Monroe – that features a roof-top bar that looks out onto downtown Huntsville.
Mars Music Hall
Mars Music Hall at the Von Braun Center opened in 2018 and has changed the landscape of music in downtown Huntsville. With the open-floor plan and balcony at Mars Music Hall, you get great acoustics and a more intimate concert and performance setting.
Stovehouse
Stovehouse is in a 100 year-old factory that has been transformed into a village of eclectic restaurants, gourmet cocktail & coffee bars, event & entertainment spaces, boutique shopping, offices, and more. You can hear live music all through the week at this eclectic new venue located on Governors Drive.
Photo courtesy of Stovehouse.
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
Concerts on the Dock at Lowe Mill are great places to hear local bands! You’ll hear an eclectic mix of music that includes: rock ‘n roll, folk/Americana, jazz, funk/r&b, and quirky cabaret pop. Check out their Fall Concert Series! Concerts are free, but there is a $5 parking fee.
The Orion Amphitheater
The Orion Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art, open air venue that opened in May 2022. Seating 8,000, this Greek-inspired amphitheater provides a more intimate performance than a larger, closed-in arena. So far, The Orion has hosted the likes of Dave Matthews Band, The Black Crowes, Chris Stapleton, and has many more world-famous acts on tap!
Downtown Huntsville
Whether you’re looking to grab a drink and chill to some tunes or dance into the night, you can find just the right spot in Downtown Huntsville. Live bands are a mainstay at many bars and clubs, including The Martin Bar & Bistro, Jefferson St. Pub, and Sidetracks where you can also grab a bite to eat. Or, you can rock out at such local favorites as Stella’s Elixir Lounge, Sammy T’s Music Hall and Whiskey Bottom Saloon.
Ah, the weather is cooling down to below scorching hot, so eating outdoors is about to become pleasant again! Check out these fun and delicious restaurants and make it a date to dine al fresco.
Simp McGhee’s
Nestled into a corner of historic Bank Street, just a stone’s throw from the Tennessee River, lies the heart of fine dining in Decatur. Simp McGhee’s exudes old-fashioned charm while offering fresh Cajun seafood and beef selections sure to please all palates.
Enjoy live music and their rustic historical atmosphere while you dine or relax. You may also dine under the stars on their pet-friendly sidewalk café.
Josie’s
Josie’s is a café that serves dishes originating in America, Italy, France and Spain. This Mediterranean restaurant adds flavor and style to Second Avenue in downtown Decatur.
Moe’s Original Bar B Que
Moe’s Original Bar B Que serves up an award-winning, all things Southern, BBQ experience. Their fast casual eatery offers Moe’s award-winning Bama-style BBQ offerings including pulled pork, ribs, wings, chicken and turkey in addition to catfish and a shrimp Moe-Boy sandwich, not to mention an array of Southern Sides prepared fresh daily. The full premium bar serves frozen concoctions including the famous Bushwacker and Moonshine Margarita, Southern-style cocktails, wine and plenty of craft beers on tap and will even stay open until midnight on Thursdays through Saturdays. Located in the Downtown Decatur Arts & Entertainment District next to the historic Princess Theatre, there is occasional live music on the weekends that ranges from Southern rock and blues with an emphasis on the Muscle Shoals and North Alabama music scene.
Mellow Mushroom
Who doesn’t love to eat a good pizza outdoors?! Mellow Mushroom on Second Avenue in downtown Decatur has a large, covered patio that’s perfect hanging out with friends over pizza and drinks. Mellow Mushroom is the originator of hand tossed, stone baked classic southern pizza, and they use the freshest ingredients in their pizzas. You’ll also find lots of beers on tap as well as hand-crafted drinks daily.
Nature’s Table at the Cook Museum
Nature’s Table at the Cook Museum is a great place to grab lunch! There’s a large, covered and uncovered patio area that makes lunch fun and enjoyable. Sit around on the couches or grab a table! Nature’s Table uses the freshest ingredients, so it’s a great option if you’re into nutrition and watching those calories. You can choose from wraps, sandwiches, protein bowls, and salads that are refreshing and filling. Their smoothies and acai bowls are a dream! Nature’s Table also has a kid’s menu that’s perfect for the littles, and the best part is that you don’t have to have a ticket to the Museum to enjoy the restaurant.
The Alabama Center for the Arts is a new state of the art facility that has added a lot of art and culture to downtown Decatur! Located just across the street on Second Avenue from the Princess Theatre, this 44,000-square-foot facility is the region’s premiere arts center and degree program.
It represents an investment of more than $8 million dollars from Athens State University, Calhoun Community College, the City of Decatur and Morgan County.
College courses taught at the facility will lead to Associate of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees with class offerings that include art appreciation, painting, drawing, computer graphics, sculpture, ceramics, and pottery as well as a teaching major, leading to licensure for art instructors.
Non-credit, community education courses are available to the public. Classes are programmed to reflect the interests of local citizens. Instructors include local talent as well as renowned masters.
Since opening its doors in 1970, nearly 16 million people have toured the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The vast majority of those visitors have been from out of state or from foreign nations. Many of the more than 550,000 annual visitors are school students on field trips to their future. Dozens of interactive exhibits encourage visitor participation, prompting one official to note: “Here, everyone can be an astronaut for the day!”
Home to Space Camp® and Aviation Challenge® Camp, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is the most comprehensive U.S. manned spaceflight hardware museum in the world. Its large rocket and space hardware collection is valued in the tens of millions of dollars. From America’s first satellite, Explorer I, to next generation space vehicles like Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, the museum showcases the past, present and future of human spaceflight.
The USSRC is more than just artifacts! Experience the physics of astronaut training like never before in simulators like Space Shot and G-Force. Our Spacedome IMAX® Theater transports you to different worlds with amazing documentary films like Hubble, and live demonstrations in the Discovery Theater will have you seeing space science in a whole new light. There’s always something happening at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center!
Notable Artifacts
National Historic Landmark Saturn V Moon Rocket Pathfinder – the world’s only full-stack space shuttle display Apollo 16 Command Module Skylab Orbital Workshop Apollo 12 Moon Rock
Your source for locally-curated fine art, home accessories and other treasures
Kathleen’s Fine Art & Interiors is one of the most unique spaces in Decatur, featuring original art and home accessories that complement the art. Visitors can find anything they are looking for and often find things they weren’t looking for but were meant to have.
“Art speaks to the right person,” Kathy Clay, owner of Kathleen’s Fine Art andInteriors, said. Because of that, visitors never know what will speak to them as they peruse Kathy’s collection.
For the last 1l years, Kathy has served Decatur as a little-known treasure, deal-ing in one-of-a-kind art and unique accessories for the home. Kathleen’s has also become known for its special occasion flowers and decorations that are unlike anything most florists could put together. Flower art is just another creative outlet for Kathy and her partner, who enjoy helping buyers connect with the artists that speak to them.
“Art speaks to the right person”
There is no one type, style or genre of art in the shop, which boasts 3,000 square feet of space filled with art from a variety of artists who create pieces as different as they all are. Each artist has their own story about how they create, what inspires them and how they view their work and Kathy knows each story as well as her own.
“I love my artists, and I love to sell for them,” Kathy said. “I always tell them it is so important to do what you love when they are looking at what type of art to create. The right person will find the painting that’s meant for them.”
KATHLEEN’S FINE ART& INTERIORS
211 2nd Avenue SE, Suite B, Decatur, Alabama 35601
Spring, summer, fall, or winter – the Garden is an oasis of natural beauty in every season!
Open year-round, the Huntsville Botanical Garden has 112 acres to explore, learn, and discover the beauty and wonder of plants. From grassy meadows to woodland paths, aquatic habitats to stunning floral collections, the Garden invites guests of all ages to make memories together in nature.
On a visit to the Garden, you can stroll along the nature trails while admiring collections of Alabama’s native plants. If you visit with little ones, head to the Children’s Garden for play, pretend, and hands-on learning. From May through September, you won’t want to miss seeing over 1,000 brightly colored butterflies the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. Finally, at the end of the day, you can find a moment of serenity in the cool shade of the trees, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
The beautiful Guest Center features additional amenities to make your trip extra special, including recommendations for dining and a gift shop with a hand-picked selection of unique items for your own home and garden.
With additional events, exhibits, and programs happening throughout the year, the Garden is a place of beauty, education, and celebration for all in every season.
