This refreshing nature preserve contains miles of easy paved trails that wind along the Flint River and nearby oxbow lakes. Playgrounds, riverbanks scattered with beaver dams, black walnut groves, willow oaks and water tupelo trees that look ripped from the age of the dinosaurs can all be found here. Located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Huntsville.
Hays Nature Preserve
Alabama
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
11.29 MILES
If you ever entertained dreams of playing Major Tom to someone's ground control, head here. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum boasts one of the world's…
7.29 MILES
Spanish for 'Mountains of Health,' Monte Sano is a forested upland breath of fresh air located just east of Huntsville. There are some 20 miles of hiking…
23.93 MILES
Where much of North Alabama feels a step removed from pure wilderness, Lake Guntersville State Park provides an interesting counterpoint. This park has…
6.26 MILES
Rising over Huntsville like the proverbial house on the hill (because that's exactly what this is), Burritt is a historical mansion turned museum, events…
10.07 MILES
Huntsville residents take great pride in these gardens, which sprawl across 112 acres at the edge of town. On site you'll find a birding trail, aquatic…
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15.14 MILES
The un-hyperbolic nature of the name 'Cathedral Caverns' is made evident when you first approach the cavern entrance, a whopping 126ft wide and 25ft high…
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8.64 MILES
A good chunk of Huntsville culture revolves around this beloved museum, which contains regional art from across the Southeast United States, as well as…
9.06 MILES
If you're into trains, trolleys and the like, head to this enormous building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which once served as the…
Nearby Alabama attractions
6.26 MILES
Rising over Huntsville like the proverbial house on the hill (because that's exactly what this is), Burritt is a historical mansion turned museum, events…
7.29 MILES
Spanish for 'Mountains of Health,' Monte Sano is a forested upland breath of fresh air located just east of Huntsville. There are some 20 miles of hiking…
3. EarlyWorks Children's History Museum
8.59 MILES
Wear your kids out at EarlyWorks, a hands-on experience with a talking tree, a 46ft keelboat, 19th-century general store and roughly a bazillion costumes…
8.64 MILES
A good chunk of Huntsville culture revolves around this beloved museum, which contains regional art from across the Southeast United States, as well as…
8.71 MILES
Big Spring is named for the water source Huntsville was built around. Now this park acts as a sort of anchor for Hunstville's downtown museum and arts…
9.06 MILES
If you're into trains, trolleys and the like, head to this enormous building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which once served as the…
7. Huntsville Botanical Garden
10.07 MILES
Huntsville residents take great pride in these gardens, which sprawl across 112 acres at the edge of town. On site you'll find a birding trail, aquatic…
11.29 MILES
If you ever entertained dreams of playing Major Tom to someone's ground control, head here. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum boasts one of the world's…