Screen-free in Huntsville: 5 local ways to detox digitally + unplug

Huntsville Museum of Art 11 — Explore local museums (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

These days it may feel impossible to go one whole day without your phone. It can be so hard to fully unplug and give your mind and eyes a moment to rest.

Thankfully, in Huntsville, there are many fun things to do that will give you a nice break from screens. From book clubs to line dancing, there is something in town for everyone!

Keep reading to discover my top 5 screen-free activities around the city 👇

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Our recommendations👇

1. Get outside and explore

Get outside! (Lauren Denman / Hville Blast)

Everyone knows the best cure to early-onset brain rot is getting outside and touching some grass. Huntsville is covered in natural beauty, and there are many opportunities to immerse yourself into it. Here are some great places to start:

Hiking spots

Monte Sano
- ✨ One of Huntsville’s most iconic hiking trails just 15 minutes from downtown Huntsville
- 📍 5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
Green Mountain
- ✨ Located in South Huntsville, this trail is very beginner friendly and great for the whole family
- 📍 13800 SE S Shawdee Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
- ✨ Though it may not be quite as beginner friendly, Blevins Gap is home to one of the most stunning views of the city
- 📍 3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802

Swimming spots

River at Oscar and Rube Robinson
- ✨ This hidden gem is perfect for cooling off on a sunny day, and even has a rope swing
- 📍443 Rube Robinson Rd, Huntsville, AL 35811
Hump Creek swimming hole
- ✨ Located in New Market, Hump Creek is great for the whole family to fish, swim or just explore
- 📍1960 Walker Ln, New Market, AL 35761
Indian Creek Greenway
- ✨A spot that is not only great to walk, but also features a nice little swimming hole near Crestwood Park
- 📍360 Harvestwood Court, Madison, AL 35758

Walking + running spots

Aldrige Creek Greenway
- ✨ A Peaceful trail located in South Huntsville, perfect for a quiet walk or breezy jog
- 📍 Aldridge Creek Greenway, Huntsville, AL 35803
Elgie’s Walk Greenway
- ✨ Spanning out 2 miles, this tranquil greenway is great for a walk with the whole family
- 📍 Elgie’s Walk Greenway, Huntsville, AL 35803
Flint River Greenway
- ✨ This greenway features a river, a wildlife preserve and breathtaking scenery
- 📍7153 SE Old 431 Hwy, Hampton Cove, AL 35763

2. Join a community group

Huntsville Madison County Public Library 5 — Find the book club that fits you! (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Another great way to spend a few hours off your phone is by getting involved with local groups. Not only will these help you unplug, but also will help you make connections and build friendships in town. Here are a couple of groups for you to join:

Book clubs (click here for even more recs 👀)

Silent Book Club
- ✨ This book club is BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) and is perfect for silently enjoying a good read while surrounded by others
- 📲The Silent Book Club meets at many different locations, so make sure to follow their Instagram for more details!
Cattyshack Book Club
- ✨ A monthly book club hosted at Cattyshack in Lowe Mill
- 📍Lowe Mill, Studio 127
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
- ✨ Check out their calendar full of daily book clubs sure to fit your interests
- 📍915 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801

Recreational Sports

Run clubs
- ✨ Run clubs are a great nature and wellness-focused way to meet people. These groups rotate their routes frequently, so stay tuned to find out where they’re going next!
- 🏃 Rocket City Runners: A social run club with various events for all fitness levels
- 🏃 We Run Huntsville: Regularly hosts 5ks as well as triathlons + more
- 🏃 Huntsville Pub Run: Meets monthly at a brewery, purple cups provided 🙌
Indoor Open Volleyball
- ✨ Huntsville has multiple opportunities for volleyball lovers to get some practice in and meet other players
- 📍Cavalry Hill Community Center: Fridays from 5:30PM – 7:30PM in the gymnasium
- 📍Mark Russell Community Center: Wednesdays from 5:00PM – 7:30PM
- 📍Optimist Recreation Center: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15PM – 11:00PM
Other Recreational Leagues (Basketball, softball + youth athletics)
- ✨ Visit Huntsville’s Parks and Recreation page for more info on other leagues in the area
- 📍2411 9th Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL 35805

Other Hobby Clubs

Huntsville Mahjong Collective
- ✨ Events and private lessons for anyone looking to get into the game
- 📲 They host events all around town, so visit their website to stay in the loop about their next event!
North Alabama Bridge
- ✨ Long-standing local group offering bridge lessons + play times for all skill levels
- 📍3069 Leeman Ferry Rd, Huntsville, AL
Rocket City Table Gamers
- ✨ Any table game you can think of, from board to card to role-playing
- 📲 Follow their Facebook for information about their upcoming events

3. Have a night on the town

orionpic1 — Support local music with these recommendations 🙌 (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Huntsville’s night life is thriving, and there are many screen-free activities for you to find. Although you might not want to leave your phone at home, these are activities that will give you a break for at least a few hours:

Karaoke

Moody’s Karaoke Bar
- ✨One of Huntsville’s most iconic karaoke spots that hosts karaoke 7 nights a week
- 📍718 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- 📲 Website | Instagram
Lipz Lounge
- ✨Campus 805 spot that hosts karaoke every Friday and Saturday
- 📍2610 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805
- 📲 Website | Facebook | Instagram
Voodoo Lounge
- ✨This spot downtown has karaoke on deck every Monday at 9PM
- 📍110 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801
- 📲 Website | Instagram

Live music

Orion Amphitheater
- ✨With a capacity of 8,000, the Orion is easily Huntsville’s biggest spot for live music
- 📍701 Amphitheater Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Mars Music Hall
- ✨ A bold, modern venue that hosts familiar faces and local artists that are up-and-coming
- 📍700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Stovehouse
- ✨This outdoor food hall spotlights local musicians every weekend during the summer
- 📍3414 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805

Line dancing

Field Day
- ✨Field Day hosts line dancing nights every Thursday at 6:30PM
- 📍6123 University Dr NW Unit 110, Huntsville, AL 35806
Whiskey Bottom Saloon
- ✨This bar has great cocktails and is considered by many locals an ideal spot for line dancing
- 📍109 Washington St NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Rocket City Line Dancing
- ✨A local group that hosts classes and events around town
- 📲Check out their socials for information on meeting times and events

4. Visit a local museum

Huntsville Museum of Art 34 edited scaled — Check out $5 after 5 every Thursday at the Museum of Art! (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Huntsville is home to many unique museums. Whether you want a quiet day enjoying the AC or you want to get an up close look of a rocket, there are many options to choose from:

Huntsville Museum of Art
- ✨Features art-centered events and programs, including their $5 after 5 deal every Thursday
- 📍300 Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Huntsville Botanical Garden
- ✨Find beautiful scenery, nature and butterflies in the heart of Huntsville
- 📍4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
- ✨Broaden your horizons and enrich your mind at this iconic spot
- 📍1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805

5. Have a DIY day

Using your hands to make things is a great way to keep them away from reaching for your phone. Not an artist? Don’t worry! Huntsville has many spots that will help you reach your DIY dreams:

Pottery

The Vessel
- ✨A beloved pottery spot offering classes, courses and more
- 📍1300 Meridian St N STE D101, Huntsville, AL 35801
Sullivan Pottery
- ✨Find classes, open studio opportunities and memberships
- 📍2315 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805
Hot Spot Studios
- ✨ A brand new pottery spot that just opened in Jones Valley, perfect for a fun family day
- 📍2750 Carl T Jones Dr SE #205, Huntsville, AL 35802

Knitting and crochet

Sparkle Studio
- ✨ Local yarn shop with many ways for you to get involved
- 📍2211 Seminole Dr SW #103, Huntsville, AL 35805
Sister Stitches
- ✨Offers “needlepoint therapy,” and hosts classes + stitch nights for anyone who wants to learn needlework
- 📍814 NE Wellman Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
Fiber ArtWork
- ✨Yarn store and fiber studio offering personally curated products for local knitters and crochetters
- 📍817 Regal Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35801