The 7 best things about Huntsville's Twickenham and Old Town neighborhoods

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beth morring twickenham old town — RealtySouth agent Beth Morring outside the Old Town home she’s lived in for the last 20 years. (Jacob Blankenship / Hville Blast)

Huntsville’s Twickenham and Old Town neighborhoods are a dream for lovers of historic homes with decades of character. We teamed up with RealtySouth agent Beth Morring, a Huntsville native and long-time Old Town resident, to get the scoop on the neighborhoods’ history + find out the best parts of living there.

Read on to see what Beth said.

1. History + character

The homes in Twickenham and Old Town aren’t just some of the oldest in Huntsville—they’re among the oldest in the state. Both neighborhoods have homes built in the early 1800s, with some Twickenham homes being built before Alabama even received statehood in 1819.

The name “Twickenham” actually predates Huntsville, as it was the name given to the area in 1810 when the township was established.

In 1972, Twickenham became Huntsville’s first Historic Preservation District, and Old Town followed shortly after in 1974. You’ll find more pre-Civil War homes in Twickenham than anywhere else in the state, while Old Town is the place to go for Victorian-style architecture and charm.

2. Amazing eats

cotton row twickenham old town — One of Huntsville’s favorite upscale eateries is just steps away from Twickenham + Old Town. (Jacob Blankenship / Hville Blast)

Residents‘ favorite part of Twickenham + Old Town? Being able to walk to the area’s bustling downtown, with delicious eats like these nearby:

Cotton Row, the spot that has set the standard for fine dining in Huntsville for more than a decade.
Commerce Kitchen, one of my go-to spots for birthdays, date night and girls’ brunches.
La Esquina Cocina, a delicious spot for authentic Mexican food.
Moe’s Barbecue, great BBQ in a fun, lively atmosphere (and founded by University of Alabama alums).
Pane e Vino, the only place you can eat authentic Italian food with a view of Big Spring Park.
The Standard Social Market, a grocery store and eatery inspired by NYC bodegas.

3. Great shopping

twickenham old town — Bring a piece of Twickenham home with you, no matter where you live. (Jacob Blankenship / Hville Blast)

Clinton Row, one of downtown Huntsville’s most colorful streets, is also known for great shopping. Here are a few of the spots you’ll find there:

AM Collective, a vintage store with star power.
Elitaire, where you can find your next date-night ‘fit.
In Bloom, a gift store and floral shop where we found candles customized for Huntsville’s neighborhoods.
Roosevelt & Co., the best place to make sure the men in your life stay spiffy.

4. Downtown markets

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What’s better than local markets? I love browsing the stalls to see what our local artisans, farmers and creatives have to offer. Here are a couple you should check out:

The Greene Street Market at Nativity happens every Thursday, May-October, from 4PM until sundown.
Downtown Huntsville Inc. hosts the Downtown Night Market every fourth Friday night June-October in Chandelier Alley, on Clinton Avenue between Jefferson and Spragins.

5. History tours + ghost walks

A Huntsville history tour has been at the top of my “must do” list since I moved here two years ago. Thankfully, there are several to choose from:

Rocket City Rover’s Boos Cruise is a Haunted Huntsville tour that makes stops at downtown breweries. Get tickets.
Take a Huntsville Ghost Walk and choose from three options: Twickenham, Old Town + Downtown. Get tickets.
Use the Huntsville History Tours website to take a self-guide walking or driving tour of downtown.
The Huntsville/Madison County Convention + Visitors Bureau offers free walking tours every April + October. Tour Old Town October 15, starting at 10AM.

6. Fine arts experiences

Huntsville has so many talented local artists, and there are plenty of opportunities to discover your next favorite local maker downtown.

Downtown Huntsville Inc. hosts Friday Night Art Walks every second Friday, May-October, from 5-8PM.
The City hosts Concerts in the Park at Big Spring Park every Monday during the summer + Jazz in the Park on Sundays in September.
Rotating selections from local artists can also be found at Harrison Brothers Hardware. Here’s the history of the store.