The weather is heating up in beautiful Huntsville, Alabama, and with sun-filled skies comes the itch for adventure. Whether you’ve grown up in the area or just recently moved to Huntsville, the city has plenty of fun summer activities to offer. Luckily, your home at Chase Creek Apartment Homes keeps you close to the action while promising the perfect place to wind down after a day of excitement. Get the season started on a high note with our list of things to do in Huntsville during the summer:

1. Events at Big Spring International Park

Big Spring International Park, the beautiful spring-fed hub of the city, is also host to an abundance of events through the spring and summer. One of which is the “Concerts in the Park” series, which features free outdoor concerts every Monday night, starting on the first Monday in June. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the Water Lantern Festival also in June, and the ongoing Big Spring Park Scavenger Hunt.

For another warm-weather activity, pack a snack from home or pick up a bite while you’re downtown and enjoy it by the water. Nearby restaurants and coffee shops to the park include The Cozy Cow, Pane E Vino Pizzeria, and Domaine South.

Bring friends and spend time catching up, settle into a good book, or people-watch the vibrant downtown goings-on. Walk off your tasty lunch with a stroll along Big Spring Park’s many walking trails.

2. Museum Trips to the Huntsville Art Museum and the U.S. Space and Rocket Museum

Entertainment and education go hand in hand when you visit any of Huntsville’s museums. Take the kids out (or embrace your inner child) while enjoying a reprieve from the summer heat.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Museum is among the area’s most iconic museums, giving Huntsville its nickname, the Rocket City. Be an astronaut for the day as you explore one of the world’s largest collections of rockets and space artifacts. Here, you’ll find exhibits showcasing historic and modern spacesuits, interactive experiences like the G-Force accelerator, and sneak a peek into the world of Space Camp. Stroll through Rocket Park (included with museum admission) and stand alongside colossal rockets, missiles, and the Pathfinder Shuttle. Between informational models of Mars rovers and space-themed rides, it’s clear why this is one of the best activities to do with kids in Huntsville.

The Huntsville Art Museum, located in Big Spring Park, is home to both permanent and traveling exhibits that are sure to spark some creative inspiration. Tour through displays spanning early American art, pre-Columbian pottery, carved African masks, an array of glasswork, and more. The Huntsville Art Museum also holds events, workshops, and classes for all ages. Who knows – what starts as a summer activity could turn into a new love of sketching, watercolor, or ceramics.

3. Hang out and order up at StoveHouse

There’s no playtime quite like StoveHouse. The century-old stove factory was reimagined as a multiuse commercial and community space, only to become an all-around hot spot.

Shop around local businesses at Gas Light Alley, choose from the complex’s many dining options, from breweries to crepes, and meet up with friends for games on the Leisure Lawn. Pick up a friendly game of Bocce ball, wooden-pin bowling, cornhole, or four-square while enjoying the laidback atmosphere. Check out the event calendar and be sure to catch an upcoming concert or swing by for a night of dance classes.

4. Discover Cathedral Caverns State Park

Just half an hour from the city, you’ll find a unique way to stay cool: an underground adventure. Measuring 25 feet high and 126 feet wide, Cathedral Caverns State Park boasts the largest entrance to a commercial cave in the world. Take a tour through fascinating natural masterpieces, including the cave’s namesake towering cathedral ceilings, massive stalagmites, and impressive formations in the shape of a caveman and a “frozen” waterfall.

The tour typically lasts 90 minutes as you sightsee the mile-and-a-half loop. As a note, the cave maintains a cool 60-degree temperature year-round, so you might even want to bring a sweater!

5. Visit Huntsville Botanical Gardens

Huntsville makes it easy to stop and smell the roses. Situated eleven minutes from Chase Creek Apartment Homes, Huntsville Botanical Gardens sprawls 112 acres of floral enchantment. Summer is the perfect time to visit too – bringing out the season’s finest blossoms, like azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and daylilies.

The Gardens include a model railway, a children's playground, and the Purdy Butterfly House, one of the country’s largest open-air butterfly gardens. Between the water features, floral aromas, and butterfly views, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more serene spot to sit back and savor the view. As a plus, Huntsville Botanical Gardens holds events and festivals throughout the year, including pet days, butterfly releases, farmers markets, and more.

6. Hunt for treasures at University Pickers and Railroad Station Antiques

With so much to see, it’s easy to spend a day or more searching through Huntsville’s trove of antique stores.

University Pickers in West Huntsville stands out as a local favorite. The antique mall holds booths from over 115 vendors across 20,000 square feet. Here, you’ll find a fantastic mix of unique products from small businesses and artists, as well as one-of-a-kind finds across décor, furniture, and any knickknackery you might be looking for.

If you’re keen on history, take a step back in time on a visit to Railroad Station Antiques. With three floors of trinkets to peruse, the antique mall is the place to be for collectors, designers, vintage fashion enthusiasts, and art lovers of every era.

7. Shop fresh at Madison County Farmers Markets

From April to October, Madison County comes together to enjoy the fruits of local farmers’ labors. Wake up early, wear your walking shoes, and bring a big bag for your treasures – Huntsville farmers markets are sure to deliver on quality.

One of the best parts of the season is that there’s a market open almost every day of the week throughout the downtown, southeast Huntsville, and Madison areas. Greene Street Markets is a go-to for Thursdays, but be sure to also check out Ayers Farmers Market Wednesday through Saturday, the Meridianville Market on Tuesdays, and the Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment Outdoor Market on Saturdays.

Enjoy the sunshine, discover artisan goods, and bring your family or friends. Reap the benefits of delicious farm-fresh produce and get to know the larger Huntsville community.

8. Hit the trails at Monte Sano State Park

You don’t have to look far for a good view. Just minutes from your front door at Chase Creek Apartment Homes, you can take full advantage of Monte Sano State Park’s 2,140 acres, 20 miles of hiking trails, and 14 miles of biking trails, not to mention its waterfalls and beautiful vistas. The park is dog-friendly, so bring your favorite hiking buddy along while you grab a breath of fresh air. The park is also home to 14 rustic cabins and 89 campsites for those looking to spend a night in the great outdoors.

There’s no shortage of trails in Huntsville. Grab some trail mix and head out to Stone Cut Trail, Burritt Nature Trails, Madison County Nature Trail, and just further down Highway 72, you’ll also find Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve.

9. Shop ‘til you drop at Bridge Street Town Centre

Combining dining, shopping, and entertainment, Bridge Street Town Centre brings together all the fun of a mall day with the breezy perk of being an open-air space. Find what you’re looking for, from high-end clothing and outdoor outfitters to toy stores and everything in between.

Revel in some retail therapy or window-shop to your heart’s content. Bridge Street Towne Centre also boasts a movie theater, a carousel, a splash pad, and an outdoor patio for live music, so there’s plenty of fun for every interest and age group.

10. Take advantage of free activities in Huntsville, AL

There’s no need to break the bank to have fun this summer. In downtown Huntsville, bring the little ones to play and cool off at the Bicentennial Park Splash Pad or the Bridge Street Pop Jet Fountains.

If you’re up for something more adventurous, Talucah Beach is a hidden gem along the Tennessee River that serves as a local swimming spot. Hump Creek Swimming Hole, north of Meridianville, is another great place to splash around or launch a kayak or canoe. Drop a line out on Ditto Landing, along Huntsville’s southernmost boundary, and you may reel in a smallmouth bass, a largemouth bass, or a delicious trout dinner.

Of course, few things feel as in the spirit of summer as a perfect pool day. When in doubt, grab your towel, stop by the leasing office for your resident pool pass, and enjoy our sparkling outdoor swimming pool at Chase Creek Apartment Homes! Our apartment community seamlessly adds fun and relaxation as a part of your everyday life.

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