5 ways to make the most of daylight hours in the Huntsville area right now

It seems daylight saving time had barely ended Nov. 3 before the memes started coming and folks were humming Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.” (Hello darkness my old friend …)

Here are some ways to make the most of daylight hours in the Huntsville area to ensure you get enough sunshine. Sunlight can help us mentally and physically, from supporting immune functions to regulating sleep and improving moods.

Even if you mix up your midday once or twice a week, you will gain a few extra rays you wouldn’t get otherwise. These suggestions should fit into a lunch hour, depending on your location.

1. Take a walk or easy hike

The trail doesn’t need to be tough. While getting exercise is great, you can make the most of daylight hours without breaking a sweat. Just get outdoors. Here are a few destinations with easy trails:

• Huntsville: North Plateau Loop at Monte Sano State Park, 5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Madison: Mill Creek Greenway, 125 Foxfield Dr, Madison, AL 35758
• Athens: Athens Sportsplex Track, 1403 US-31, Athens, AL 35611
• Decatur: Delano Park, 825 Gordon Dr SE, Decatur, AL 35601

2. Picnic at a park

Pack a sack lunch or try a new restaurant by ordering takeout. Invite a friend or colleague or go alone and don’t forget a blanket or camp chair for your comfort. Here are some great picnic spots around the region:

• Huntsville: Big Spring International Park, 200 Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Madison: Lucy’s Oak at Dublin Park, 8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison, AL 35758
• Athens: Big Spring Park, 350 Market St E, Athens, AL 35611
• Decatur: Rhodes Ferry Park, 100 Market St NW, Decatur, AL 35601

3. Discover downtowns

Explore your nearest downtown district on foot. Do a little window shopping and not where to return to buy your holiday gifts. This activity is more about walking and observing to make the most of daylight hours and making plans to return with more time.

Whether Huntsville, Athens, Decatur, Madison or Hartselle, most local downtown districts are close enough to choose one per lunch hour. Even in a pinch, you could spend 20 minutes per visit and return to your office on time.

4. Walk a dog

You can walk your dog or, with a little more effort, help your local animal shelter by walking pups awaiting loving homes. If you think you need sunlight and exercise, know they need it even more!

Plus the interaction helps keep them socialized and can alleviate their stress.

It’s important to note most shelters require you to first become a volunteer, and complete orientation and waivers before regularly visiting and walking the pups. Once you’ve done that, you’ll quickly discover how even one lunch hour per week can do a world of good.

5. Visit a nature attraction

Hiking trails and walking paths are one thing, and then we also have attractions that take nature experiences to the next level, such as the Huntsville Botanical Garden and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur.

The latter is especially popular during the often short, gray winter days when it welcomes its annual population of sandhill cranes and rare whooping cranes.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

• Where: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
• When: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM; Sunday, 11AM-5PM. From Nov. 13-Dec. 31, the garden closes at 3PM daily for Galaxy of Lights.
• Info: Website | Facebook

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

• Where: 3121 Visitors Center Rd, Decatur, AL 35603
• When: Visitor Center is open daily 9AM-5PM from November through February and is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. You can visit the refuge grounds from dusk to dawn, any time.
• Info: Website | Facebook

For more ideas on how to make the most of daylight hours in the Huntsville area, follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter.