29 reasons Moulton + Lawrence County are worth the drive

Lawrence County is the birthplace of track-and-field legend Jesse Owens, and you may be setting your own records soon for burning up the roads to get over there. The county and its communities are known for their access to incredible hiking and water sports, history and some of the best comfort food anywhere.

Take our tips for this easy 1-hour roadtrip from Huntsville.

Finding your way around Lawrence County

Where to eat in Moulton + Lawrence County

Leave early so you can try Lawrence County local flavor for all three meal times. Moulton has a good amount of established, family-owned restaurants.

On a recent visit, I tried the grilled chicken sandwich at The Hot Spot, which is on the state register of historic places. The sandwich was delicious and similar to a Philly cheesesteak (which they also serve) but with chicken.

Owners Marvin and Elayne Jackson say the Chicago style hot dogs are a best seller, and during cooler weather months, people come from all over for their gumbo, shrimp étouffée and red beans and rice.

Here are some other local flavor faves:

🍳Breakfast

• The Local Grind (2 Moulton locations)
• Steak ‘N’ Biscuit in Moulton (also serves lunch + dinner)
• Little Kountry Kitchen in Moulton (also serves lunch)

🥪 Lunch

• The Hot Spot in Moulton
• The Butterstick Bakery & Bistro (Try the chicken salad!)
• Dots Soul Food in Hillsboro
• Nash’s Barbecue in Hillsboro
• Cardinal Drive-In in Moulton
• NeSmith’s Hamburgers in Moulton (This one is a 1966 classic + cash only)

🍽️ Dinner (or Lunch)

• Western Sirloin in Moulton
• John’s Bar-B-Que (2 Moulton locations)
• The Pink Pig in Moulton
• Cabo San Lucas #3 in Moulton
• Captain Dave’s in Moulton
• Mel’s Family Steakhouse in Moulton

Make time to stop, play + learn

Now you have your guide to choosing where to intake calories, make a plan for burning off some of that energy. Lawrence County has some excellent places to walk, play and learn while you’re at it.

Our top pick for all of this is Jesse Owens Museum and Park, where you can stroll the expansive grounds and see the Olympic gold medalist’s childhood home, learn about his life in the museum and even attempt his record-setting long jump.

Here’s where else to go and get active:

🛝 H. A. Alexander Park: While this park hosts many ball leagues and tournaments, you’ll also find tennis courts, a walking track, a big playground for kids, batting cages, a picnic pavilion and more.
💦 Moulton Splash Pad: Free to all kids with an adult present + open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11AM-7PM every day but Tuesday.
⛳️ Deer Run Golf Course: This city-operated, 18-hole course designed by Earl Stone is three miles south of Moulton and features five lakes, 30 bunkers and nice blend of terrain.

Lawrence County historical attractions

If you’re into history, Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center (about one mile northwest of the Jesse Owens Memorial Park) is the natural first place to start in Lawrence County.

The site has two Native American burial mounds believed to be about 2,000 years old, a museum with exhibits about these early inhabitants (the Copena) and information and displays honoring the land’s next residents, the Cherokee people.

Four years after the land came under U.S. government control through the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814, the Alabama Territory legislature created Lawrence County in 1818, one year before the state’s founding. The county’s namesake is Capt. James Lawrence of Vermont, a U.S. naval officer and hero in the War of 1812.

Here are a few other must-dos in Lawrence County for history buffs:

• 1818-1870: Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home
• 1819-present: Courtland Heritage Museum + Historic Homes Tour
• 1850: Pine Torch Church, part of the North Alabama Hallelujah Trail of Historic Churches

Natural retreats to woods + water

Lauderdale and Lawrence Counties share Joe Wheeler State Park, which has land and amenities on the north and south sides of the Tennessee River, most notably Wheeler Dam Village. The village consists of cabins and homes that Tennessee Valley Authority built to house workers who built Wheeler Dam in the 1930s. Park guests can rent these accommodations for their stay.

🏡 Another lovely spot to stay and enjoy this area of Lawrence County is Doublehead Resort in Town Creek.
🥾 Go to the southern part of the county to discover the natural wonderland of William B. Bankhead National Forest + Sipsey Wilderness Area near Mount Hope.
🪶Lawrence County also has six stops on the North Alabama Birding Trail.

Keep up as we add more guides to day trips from Huntsville, and be sure to follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter.