Top 15 Must-Do Attractions in Albertville, Alabama

Summary

Short Creek Falls
Jules J Berta Vineyards
Albertville Museum
Zipline the Screaming Eagle
Cathedral Caverns State Park
Spring Valley Beach Waterpark
High Falls Park
Albertville Home Bakery
Guntersville Museum
Tennessee River Kayaking
U.S Space & Rocket Center
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Lake Guntersville State Park
Alabama Constitution Village
Noccalula Falls Park

Albertville, Alabama was named after Thomas A. Albert, an early settler who arrived to guide the town into prosperity in the mid-1800s.

The city was incorporated in 1891; however, when a tornado struck in 1908, it nearly devastated Albertville entirely. Residents united to reconstruct, and due to the proximity of the Gadsden railroad, aid was provided, enabling the city to recover promptly.

The Albertville we know today is a charming community featuring various shops, restaurants, parks, and walks along the Tennessee River.

As a local resident of Alabama, I have frequented Albertville on numerous occasions. With its rich history, scenic forests, thrilling sports, and diverse hiking and cycling paths, this welcoming Alabama city offers something for everyone. I am confident you will discover enjoyable activities among my recommendations for the best things to do in Albertville:

1. Short Creek Falls

Located merely a 10-minute drive north of Albertville, you will find the scenic Short Creek Falls.

The location boasts stunning views, cascading waterfalls, and hiking trails, providing ample enjoyment for nature enthusiasts.

The creek is ideal for kayaking, featuring thrilling rapids that flow into Lake Guntersville, delivering an exhilarating experience for adventurers.

Alternatively, if you prefer staying on solid ground, consider wearing comfortable walking shoes, bringing a picnic, and taking a camera. You are assured a delightful day out with family and friends.

2. Jules J Berta Vineyards

The heritage of Jules J Berta Vineyards traces back to Hungary. Jules J Berta, a Hungarian refugee, arrived in Alabama in 1959 and, upon encountering the fertile land that resembled his homeland, deemed the area suitable for viticulture.

He planted the inaugural vines in 1987, and today, his son and wife carry on his legacy within the vineyard.

With an elevation exceeding 1,100 feet, Alabama’s Winery of the Year not only offers breathtaking countryside views but also produces a delightful array of wines.

If you are a wine enthusiast, the visit is well-justified. The vineyard provides a selection of favorites including Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Syrah, and Chardonnay, allowing you to sample various blends and acquire several bottles for later enjoyment.

3. Albertville Museum

Situated on West Main Street, Albertville Museum occupies the original site of the city’s first school and church established in the 1850s.

Visitor tours provide insight into the region’s heritage, showcasing captivating artifacts and memorabilia.

With a collection comprising historical photographs, government documents, agricultural data, and more, it serves as an excellent venue for inquiring locals interested in the history of this intriguing Alabama city.

4. Zipline the Screaming Eagle

Nestled among lush forests encircling Lake Guntersville, this zipline experience stands out.

The Screaming Eagle secures you and soars you through the air, navigating between towering green trees leading towards the lake.

The exhilarating zipline adventure caters not only to adults but also to children aged eight and above, creating opportunities for younger adventurers to participate.

The zipline excursions last up to 3.5 hours depending on your level, so prepare to embrace your adventurous side and traverse up to 15 zip lines and 8 suspension bridges with elevations reaching 250 feet and distances exceeding 2,000 feet.

5. Cathedral Caverns State Park

If subterranean exploration intrigues you, Cathedral Caverns State Park, located a short drive from Albertville, should be on your agenda. The state park opened in 2000; however, visitors have been drawn to the ‘Bat Cave’ since the 1950s.

This enigmatic cave showcases stunning stalagmites, some soaring as high as 45 feet.

Features include a “frozen” waterfall, a stalagmite forest, and numerous stone formations that captivate and astonish all visitors.

Within the park, participants can embark on an enchanting cave tour, navigate well-marked trails, and children can even partake in gemstone mining activities.

6. Spring Valley Beach Waterpark

Spring Valley Beach, located in nearby Blountsville, is a family-owned waterpark that features exciting slides, chutes, and wave pools for guests of all ages.

Occupying 25 acres, this cherished Alabama attraction is the ideal locale to enjoy hot summer days.

Visitors may bring their own picnics, experience 10 thrilling water slides, splash in the pool, and participate in BBQ cook-offs! Family passes are obtainable, making it an economical day out for those traveling through this region of Alabama.

7. High Falls Park

While High Falls Park is easily reachable today, this was not always the case. Previously, the park’s creek posed challenges for townsfolk, making crossings particularly difficult during rainy weather, forcing travelers to plan visits according to water levels.

As the area’s population expanded, the demand for a bridge became imperative to ensure supplies could reach neighboring towns. Thus, a pedestrian bridge has been constructed, remaining in the park today, facilitating access to the falls and hiking trails.

Whether you wish to roam nature trails or stop by the creek for a leisurely picnic, there’s an abundance of activities to enjoy.

The main highlight for many is the impressive waterfall, cascading 35 feet and extending 300 feet across—an excellent opportunity for photographers. Hence, ensure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera to appreciate the stunning beauty this exceptional park presents.

8. Albertville Home Bakery

Since 1949, Albertville Home Bakery has been welcoming patrons. This European-style bakery began by providing the local community with freshly baked bread and homemade pastries.

Today, they continue the same traditions, albeit incorporating some modern recipes.

The bakery offers a delightful variety of freshly made donuts, delectable pies, pastries, and cakes.

Among local favorites, the sausage balls and cupcakes are particularly well-liked, and they also accommodate dietary needs by offering gluten-free options, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy during your visit to Albertville.

9. Guntersville Museum

Delve into the local history at the nearby Guntersville Museum.

Strategically located at the southernmost point of the Tennessee River in the city of Guntersville, the museum provides an engaging narrative of its early inhabitants, foreign settlers, and natural history.

A plethora of Native American artifacts is available for exploration, accompanied by a collection of artworks by regional artists.

Exhibits range from a 12-foot fishing boat named ‘Mississippi Bill’ to archives and photographs documenting the construction of the local dam.

10. Tennessee River Kayaking

Whether you prefer to start your kayaking adventure early in the morning or navigate the Tennessee River at sunset, there are opportunities to do both near Albertville, Alabama.

With rapid currents or tranquil wildlife refuge kayak trails, there is an option to satisfy everyone.

Mysterious bat caves are accessible via water, or you can simply drift along the river admiring the lush forests, urban landscapes, and riverbank wildlife.

11. U.S Space & Rocket Center

Approximately an hour’s drive from Albertville leads you to the U.S Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Here, you can engage in interactive space challenges, collaborate with scientists exploring for extraterrestrial life, and experience the sensations of a rocket launch! Enjoy captivating museum simulators, a climbing wall that mimics the surface of Mars, and various children’s play stations.

Guests can explore an extensive assortment of rockets and space memorabilia or take a moment to relax with space-themed films on a 67-foot full-dome IMAX screen.

12. Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Located approximately 40 miles southwest of Albertville, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a prominent Roman Catholic Latin Rite dedicated site built upon a former soybean farm in Hanceville.

Though relatively new, the Romanesque-style architecture modeled after 13th-century Italian designs merits exploration. Both the interior and exterior are richly decorated, showcasing colonnades, a piazza, and solid bronze doors.

The construction materials for the shrine were sourced globally, with red jasper marble from Turkey, cedar from Paraguay, and stained-glass windows from Germany.

This significant Alabama religious site draws pilgrims from all around the globe and is frequently featured on the Eternal Word Television Network.

13. Lake Guntersville State Park

The 5,909-acre state park stretches along the shores of Guntersville Lake.

A paradise for nature enthusiasts, the park features an 18-hole golf course, a beach complex, a fishing center, and about 36 miles of trails suitable for hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking.

You can choose to camp overnight amidst nature or stay in lakeside cabins, and for those who prefer modern comforts, a 112-room lodge is available on-site.

Relax with a glass of wine while admiring breathtaking sunsets and unique wildlife, and if you are visiting during the winter months, keep an eye out for the majestic American Bald Eagle.

14. Alabama Constitution Village

Travel back to 1819 at Alabama Constitution Village. This interactive museum provides an educational experience about life in historic Alabama.

Volunteers don period costumes to illustrate agricultural practices, traditional bread baking, and cabinet-making for the community.

Witness reenactments, visit the post office, print shop, and law office, immersing yourself in the daily life of yesteryears.

15. Noccalula Falls Park

Situated in nearby Gadsden, Noccalula Falls Park is a stunning destination.

The park invites visitors to traverse hiking trails, explore pioneer homesteads, caves, and even discover an old dam.

Guests can stroll along the bridge above the falls for extraordinary photographic opportunities, or stand beneath it to feel the mist as it cascades 90 feet into the creek below.

The park provides a multitude of activities suitable for all ages, including a petting zoo, mini-golf, and botanical gardens, alongside scenic hiking and mountain biking trails that navigate through the park’s beautiful landscape.

Spread the love