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4 days in Huntsville area, what should I see/do?

R65_Steve

Member
I will be escorting my daughter to Space Camp since we don't want to put her on a plane. No way I could have her ride on the bike that far, so I will trailer my bike to Huntsville and spend Monday - Thursday travelling around. I'd like to go to Memphis and see Sun Studio (if it's open) and probably Tupelo and ride some of the Natchez Trace, but other than that, what should I see or do in the area? I thought about crossing back to Lookout Mountain, but then realized I could stop there with her on the way back (It's been 25 year since I was there, I shouldn't have trouble pulling an open trailer up the road, no?)

Any suggestions?
 
Some Area Things to See

Alabama
Birmingham African Village in America
Birmingham Barber Motorcycle Museum
Talladega Nascar Super Speedway
Tuscumbia Music Hall of Fame
Montgomery National Museum for Peace and Justice

Mississippi
Jackson Civil Rights Museum
Port Gibson Windsor Ruins
Tupelo Elvis Birthplace
 
How did not think of some of those Motorsports things??? I'm slipping. Good suggestions, keep them coming. I'll have to factor in COVID, etc (was going to hit the Clinton Library but as of now it's closed). The Civil Rights museums sound good too, but I'm wary of riding in big cities. We'll see how Memphis goes. :)
 
A little far, but Bench Mark Works is in Sturgis, MS. They specialize in pre /5 BMW service and parts and have a pretty decent small museum.
 
Not really motorcycle related but the US Space and Rocket Center is something that should not be missed. Some amazing history. Google Youtube for "Saturn 5 guidance system" from the "Smarter Every Day" channel for a showcase interview of some of what's at that Museum.

Post pictures, we like pictures.
 
Not really motorcycle related but the US Space and Rocket Center is something that should not be missed. Some amazing history. Google Youtube for "Saturn 5 guidance system" from the "Smarter Every Day" channel for a showcase interview of some of what's at that Museum.

Post pictures, we like pictures.

OK I should have mentioned this is her second trip so I saw the museum last time and will have plenty of time to see it Friday before I pick her up. It's amazing.
 
If you go to Memphis, go to Stax Records as well as Sun Studios. It was the more interesting of the two. Don't expect an interesting ride to Memphis and back. However, you can detour over the Pickwick Dam and Shiloh Battlefield if that sort of thing interests you.

On top of Lookout Mountain is the Little River Gorge. It's all in Alabama and starts near Desoto State Park. The northern part is quite nice and the southern section has some very challenging roads. Both have vista points to stop and look into the canyon.

As mentioned, Birmingham (Leeds) has the Barber museum; Huntsville's Space and Rocket Center is worth the visit. There is a long covered bridge just north of Oneonta on SR75. You can ride across Sand Mountain and have a birds eye view of the cooling towers at Bellafonte near Hollywood on SR40. Any riding along the Tennessee River embayments is pleasurable.

There's lots to see in the area.
 
Not really motorcycle related but the US Space and Rocket Center is something that should not be missed. Some amazing history. Google Youtube for "Saturn 5 guidance system" from the "Smarter Every Day" channel for a showcase interview of some of what's at that Museum.

Post pictures, we like pictures.

Absolutely, +1 on this. Very much a "don't miss" place. If you remember back to when the first astronauts to land on the moon were quarantined for a time after they returned, yeah, I know my age is showing, they stayed in a specially prepared Airsteam trailer. That trailer was found in a field and was restored and is on display there. "Space Camp" is there, too.
 
If you go to Memphis, go to Stax Records as well as Sun Studios. It was the more interesting of the two. Don't expect an interesting ride to Memphis and back. However, you can detour over the Pickwick Dam and Shiloh Battlefield if that sort of thing interests you.

On top of Lookout Mountain is the Little River Gorge. It's all in Alabama and starts near Desoto State Park. The northern part is quite nice and the southern section has some very challenging roads. Both have vista points to stop and look into the canyon.

As mentioned, Birmingham (Leeds) has the Barber museum; Huntsville's Space and Rocket Center is worth the visit. There is a long covered bridge just north of Oneonta on SR75. You can ride across Sand Mountain and have a birds eye view of the cooling towers at Bellafonte near Hollywood on SR40. Any riding along the Tennessee River embayments is pleasurable.

There's lots to see in the area.


I've roughly carved out a giant loop. Leave Huntsville, to Memphis (probably see a good bit of stuff there, cross the Big Muddy to AR, loop back into MS to ride some of the Natchez Traces, hit Tupelo, then off to Birmingham area to see the race tracks. Then back to Huntsville. A different bed every night. I was thinking of heading a little more south to Birmingham and all, but I'm not sure how much riding I want to do in July heat and I want to leave time to see what I want to see. The motorcycle forum suggested cool places to ride, the guitar forum where I hang suggested 90 places to get fat (or fatter).
 
I've roughly carved out a giant loop. Leave Huntsville, to Memphis (probably see a good bit of stuff there, cross the Big Muddy to AR, loop back into MS to ride some of the Natchez Traces, hit Tupelo, then off to Birmingham area to see the race tracks. Then back to Huntsville. A different bed every night. I was thinking of heading a little more south to Birmingham and all, but I'm not sure how much riding I want to do in July heat and I want to leave time to see what I want to see. The motorcycle forum suggested cool places to ride, the guitar forum where I hang suggested 90 places to get fat (or fatter).

Not sure how far south you'll get on the Trace but Vicksburg National Military Park is a interesting place to visit.
It's a little west of the Trace.
 
I've roughly carved out a giant loop. Leave Huntsville, to Memphis (probably see a good bit of stuff there, cross the Big Muddy to AR, loop back into MS to ride some of the Natchez Traces, hit Tupelo, then off to Birmingham area to see the race tracks. Then back to Huntsville. A different bed every night. I was thinking of heading a little more south to Birmingham and all, but I'm not sure how much riding I want to do in July heat and I want to leave time to see what I want to see. The motorcycle forum suggested cool places to ride, the guitar forum where I hang suggested 90 places to get fat (or fatter).

Sorry that we'll miss visiting w/Y'all. We'll be Coddiwompling during your Alabama Space ADVenture Tour.

Just down the street from the Rocket Center is the new(olde) Stove House with various outdoor eating/drinking venues! Certainly worth having a look {ask for a Purple Cup in HSV; so you can walk around drinking your brew in the designated "entertainment district" including the venues below}.
https://www.stovehouse.com

We also meet-up at the Nook for Friday night libations @6 {the HSV contingent of the AlaBeemers!}
https://www.thenooktavern.com/TheNook/Welcome.html

There's also good beer & delicious pizza (and adult ice cream) at the Yellowhammer Brewery around the corner from the Stovehouse.
https://www.yellowhammerbrewery.com

Another group meets for breakfast every Sat by 0800 outside/inside the Blue Plate Cafe next door to the Stovehouse! These guys are our "North Alabama Vintage M/C " associates...
https://www.blueplatecafe.com/breakfast/ - - - - - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthAlabamaVintageMotorcycleClub/

Ciao!
HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

'14 K-GT -- '09 650GS-twin
'75 R90S -- '82 R100CS
 
Huntsville Marriott/Space Center is only .4 miles away. Google maps says you can walk it. You might even be able to shorten that if you're able to cut through the parking lots.

Good luck
 
Anyone know of lodging within walking distance to the Space Center?
There's a Marriot right there at it. Are you looking for riding to do in the area? To the East of H'ville is good roads. Mostly flat to the West. South West around Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Little River Canyon.

Plan a full day if you really want to take in the Barber Museum. It's that big, but worth it. Also some decent riding near there as well. I office about 30 minute from Barber, and that's one of my go to day ride areas. If you look up "Alabama Motorcycle Rides" you'll see "Leeds to Vincent" It's a fantastic little ride over the mountain.
 
There's a Marriot right there at it. Are you looking for riding to do in the area? To the East of H'ville is good roads. Mostly flat to the West. South West around Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Little River Canyon.

Plan a full day if you really want to take in the Barber Museum. It's that big, but worth it. Also some decent riding near there as well. I office about 30 minute from Barber, and that's one of my go to day ride areas. If you look up "Alabama Motorcycle Rides" you'll see "Leeds to Vincent" It's a fantastic little ride over the mountain.

Barber actually has some rides posted on their website. One goes near 'Dega. I'll probably head over there too. I'm now told I have 3 1/2 days cause graduation is actually Thursday night now instead of Friday. But I'll get started on Sunday so still get done most of what I wanna get done.
 
So Steve: I hope you’re aware that the Big I-40 bridge is closed for repairs at Memphis! That will affect traffic through out the AR/TN region.
Just sayin, Good Luck!
HSV-Phil. :nono
 
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