Guntersville, Alabama is your new favorite Alabama getaway. Best known for Lake Guntersville, there are lots of things to do with Guntersville State Park, Cathedral Caverns, and easy small town trips to Scottsboro and Arab. After spending a weekend exploring the area with my family, here’s what I’d actually recommend doing—and how I’d fit it into three days.
Treat your family to an Alabama vacation perfectly located nature, hikes, museums, shopping and water play. Head to Retreet Resort near Scottsboro to check out my new favorite kid-friendly resort in north Alabama. Located in the woods of northeast Alabama, this weekend adventure is only a short drive east from Huntsville, and it’s only a three-hour drive for a weekend trip from Atlanta.
With many unique things to do around Guntersville and your weekend at Retreet Resort, don’t fill your schedule with adventures. After all, you’re staying here to relax. Leave enough empty time to fully enjoy some lake views.
Article update: Originally written in 2024, all links, locations, and hotels have been checked as of September 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: When you click through to a link in this post, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only recommend products or places that I have personally want, used, or researched. Thanks in advance. 😉
Jump to These Top Things to Do in Guntersville
Where to Stay: Retreet Resort
Located in the forest of North Alabama, Retreet Resort is luxury set in nature. This collection of tiny cottages, beautiful treehouses, and glamping tents offers the perfect stay for family vacations in Alabama. Anyone who wants to relax, play, or explore Guntersville and beyond just found their new Alabama vacation. Built into the side of the mountain and spaced to allow for some privacy, you are given access to your own personal golf cart to get to your new vacation home and to explore the Retreet property.
My family stayed in the Harry Potter glamping tent. Covered by a metal roof, this thick-walled glamping tent brings no risk of leaking. And, it sounds fabulous during a rain storm – first-hand experience here. You too will want to return and try out one of these other homes.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary stay in collaboration with Retreet Resort. All opinions are my own, and this collaboration did not influence what I share about my experience.
Retreet Resort Amenities
Surrounded by nature, Retreet Resort is a top Alabama destination full of on-site activities. Even though this is an itinerary to keep you busy, try not to use it! Plan to spend hours of each day exploring some of Retreet’s amenities.
- Soak at the hot tub and sauna
- Wander the hiking trail and disc golf course
- Play games like giant Jenga or checkers
- Swing or sleep in the full-sized saucer swings
- Toss around at the horseshoe pit
- Hang out around one of the fireplaces
- Grab a last minute snack at the self-pay store
- Hang out in your cozy new home with a book
~~~> If the Retreet glamping resort looks like your kind of Alabama family travel (which I promise it is), head over to the Retreet Resort website. Don’t forget to use code BBAGGETT5 to save 5% on all bookings.
Day 1: Small Town Adventures
A North Alabama weekend allows for lots of small town day trips. Personally, I like to plan my weekend trips in a circle – arrive one way and exit the other direction. This three-day itinerary will take you around Marshall County, Jackson County, and the surrounding area. Let’s go counter-clockwise around Lake Guntersville, the largest lake in Alabama.
Arab Historic Village
Composed of several historic structures, Arab Historic Village is a tribute to the pioneer settlers and a great place for kids to explore. The museum (which is located next to Arab City Park) has ten buildings including replicas of stores and original homes dating back to the 1880s and 1940s .
- Head over to check out the blacksmith shop.
- Explore the mill to see how goods were made a century ago.
- Touch the goods at the country store.
- Visit the historic, intact home donated by a beloved teacher.
- See the church, school, and community hall.
- Pretend as you pick up antique phones, look at the older furniture, and imagine how great-grandma might have grown up.
Arab Historic Village isn’t just another boring museum. Your kids will be able to touch and explore everything; check it out as a field trip with their class. As my oldest said during our family visit, “This is a history paradise. You get to touch everything!”
If you’re in the area during the Christmas holiday season, this is when the Arab City Park really shines, complete with re-enactors and holiday lights throughout the park.
Check Out the Arab City Park
Right next to the historic village is the fabulous Arab City Park complete with something for everyone including an 18-hole disc golf course and even a pickleball court. During the summer, there’s even a pool and splash pad. The kids can play on one of the playgrounds while mom and dad check out the one-mile walking trail.
As we had our pickleball paddles in the car, we headed on over. It’s a great place, especially if traveling or road tripping with kids, to get out and wander for an hour. If you have snacks or a picnic with you, this is the place to sit back or walk a lap on the path.
Midas Burger
As an Arab staple, Midas Burger is a great stop off for a late lunch before heading toward Guntersville and on to Retreet. Plan for burgers, chicken strips, and French fries. This may not be healthy eats, but vacation calories don’t count! If the weather is nice, plan to enjoy your food outdoors on the patio.
Wander Guntersville
Start your drive along the lake. Your path will take you to wander downtown Guntersville, Alabama. With a collection of local clothing stores and antique shops, you could spend several hours exploring the street. If it’s late enough to think about supper, grab a meal at Pizza Ed in Guntersville to eat back at your tent later. Once you start relaxing at Retreet, you might not want to leave for food!
Back to Rest at Retreet Resort
If you haven’t had the chance to explore Retreet before, I suggest arriving before dark. This way, you will have a chance to load your luggage into your personal golf cart before following the map up to your Retreat rental tiny home or glamping tent while it is still light outside. With special themed details in every cabin, you’ll want some time to slowly explore and take it all in.
PS: Don’t forget to use my code BBAGGETT5 when you head over to the ReTreet Resort booking page!
If you’ve slipped your shoes off and don’t want to head back out to grab food, there are some often-changing restaurants listed on UberEats or similar platforms. Or go get some popcorn from the Retreet store and call it supper. I won’t tell.
Day 2: Exploring Scottsboro
Scottsboro, Alabama is day trip to pick if history and nature are on your list. This was my favorite of our North Alabama family trip. However, don’t start your day before booking yourself a ticket for Cathedral Caverns. As may be completely booked during busy summer season, plan ahead. Here’s how to spend a day of exploring around Cathedral Caverns.
Breakfast at the Retreet Glamping Tent
Eat a simple breakfast at your Retreet tent in your an outdoor cooking area. If you didn’t bring food with you, you’re in luck because the Retreet store has what you might need.
Shop at Unclaimed Baggage
If you’re a shopper or a treasure hunter, Unclaimed Baggage is the place for you. This is the place to wander and look at all the treasures.
Unclaimed Baggage is the United States’ only lost luggage store. And it’s huge. You could spend an entire afternoon here looking at new and slightly used electronics, clothing, books, and so much more. Because the goods are from luggage from all over the world, there are treasures you truly won’t find anywhere; don’t over look the international section.
Leave ten minutes to wander through the Unclaimed Baggage museum where the truly unique finds have been placed complete with descriptions. And prepare to take some photos with the photo ops scattered throughout the store. It’s not just shopping; this is fun.
Explore and Snack in Scottsboro
Founded in 1869, Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain is a must-see stop for a sandwich lunch or an ice cream snack. It is believed to be the oldest business in Alabama. With many different flavors scooped from the soda fountain, you have innumerable shake, sundae, or flavor combinations.
After eating, take some time to wander across the street to the historic Scottsboro courthouse, and explore some of the small stores around the square.
Learn at the Scottsboro Boys Museum
As a homeschool mom who has dragged taken her kids around to many Civil Rights sites across the south, the Scottsboro Boys Museum was an eye opener. Despite all our American history reading and visiting US historical sites, our visit to Scottsboro was the first time I had heard of this landmark legal case that went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Did you know that it’s considered to be the first Civil Rights case? In 1931, more than ten years before Rosa Parks’ famous bus boycott started in Montgomery, she worked for the defense of the Scottsboro Boys alongside her husband. Learn about the Scottsboro Boys Museum and the case here.
This relatively small museum is housed in a church that was significant during the CIvil Rights trial. With placards and artifacts lining the four walls, there’s a lot of reading to happen here. However, the real treasure is the passionate museum docents. They will tell you personal details that you might have overlooked otherwise. Living history waiting for you.
As a note: The court case centered around the topic of alleged rape, including some sensitive details. On our visit, the museum docents offered to keep it PG-rated, and it was worth it. Honestly, you’ll want to keep listening past the kids’ attention span. (Bring an iPad for just in case.)
~~~> Next Read: Dive into Civil Rights history with a three-hour drive from Guntersville to Montgomery, Alabama where Rosa Parks’ story began. Then, continue your Civil RIghts tour and follow Dr. Martin Luther King through history to Memphis.
Adventure at Cathedral Caverns
Cathedral Caverns if the underground star of your Guntersville getaway! Your adventure at Cathedral Caverns State Park Alabama is the portion of the trip your kids will talk about back home. Plan to spend at least two hours here while waiting for the tour, and if you have a couple extra hours, take a hike around this north Alabama state park. This could easily be moved to the morning as the caverns are only 20 minutes away from the other Scottsboro sights.
I admit, I had never even heard of the giant Cathedral Caverns until this trip and don’t know why since it’s the largest cave in Alabama. This amazing Woodville, Alabama cave holds several world records including largest stalactite forest, largest individual stalactite, and largest opening of a commercial cave. Unlike the small tunnels of other caves we had visited, this tour will take you down a well-lit, concrete-paved path through some huge rooms. My favorite feature was the stalactite forest; these fabulous formations were growing everywhere and were all amazing.
Unlike the other places on this north Alabama itinerary, your trip to Cathedral Caverns must be scheduled. Don’t forget to plan ahead; get the tickets ahead of time especially if it’s busy season during three-day weekends, school breaks, or summer vacation. And, when the park is busy, you might have to hike across the busy parking lot; add time in your schedule for this.
As the temperature in Cathedral Caverns stay at sixty-degrees year round, make sure to wear a warm layer that you can easily take off. Don’t forget your water either. Don’t overlook Cathedral Caverns! But, I’m warning you. No other future cave explorations will compare.
Day 3: Guntersville Lake
For our Alabama family road trip, we packed up our stuff after the fabulous two night stay at Retreet to head back to Atlanta. Plan to eat another breakfast on your balcony at your new favorite Alabama resort, or there are lot of options in Guntersville to grab a breakfast on your way to the state park.
Explore Lake Guntersville State Park
For me, the best of Lake Guntersville State Park was the views from the resort lodge at the top of Taylor Mountain. Only from that vantage point that I was able to see the amazing size of Guntersville Lake! The sunset from here would be fabulous.
As we visited during the quiet season in February, this Alabama state park and Lake Guntersville Lodge were mostly vacant. The view from the rooms over the lake would be perfect for watching boats and water play during the summertime. There are several hikes and a man-made beach for water fun during the summer. There are even Guntersville State Park glamping tents for an stay option.
If you have even more time to explore the area, keep heading north from Guntersville State Park to check out some trails and waterfalls at Bucks Pocket State Park.
Eat in Albertville
If you’re looking to explore another small town on your way back home, check out the main street of Albertville. We enjoyed a lunch of pizza and pasta at Bootleggers before grabbing some Mexican ice cream and popsicles right around the corner at La Michocanita.
Albertville is another little Marshall County town with a walkable downtown with unique stores along main street. It is the biggest town in the area with 22,000 people, so take some time to explore. Also nearby are Jules J. Berta Vineyards & Pizza, Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, and the Albertville Museum.
More Things to Do In Guntersville
Since my first visit to Guntersville, there are even more things to do in Guntersville, Alabama and the surrounding area.
Kayak on Lake Guntersville
On one of my Guntersville trips, I was able to get out on a boat ride on Lake Guntersville. Not only is it huge, but it’s so peaceful. Since I was there last, you can rent kayaks and explore the coast. Islands Boat Rental, located in Guntersville and Scotsboro, has single and tandem kayaks for you to rent for the day.
The Guntersville Museum
The Guntersville Museum & Cultural Center is a good stop for families who want to understand the history of the area beyond its lake and outdoor attractions. Located in the historic rock armory which is itself on the National Historic Registry, the museum features exhibits on Native American history, military history, and the development of the community.
This is a relatively quick (and free!) visit, making it easy to add to a day exploring downtown Guntersville or as a rainy-day option.
City Harbor Hotels and Restaurants
Ready to eat? If you’ve explored and now are ready to see more, head back to Guntersville to the restaurants at City Harbor. With an amazing setting right on the water, this is a great place for supper outside and watching the boats on Lake Guntersville during the busy season. Booking a hotel at City Harbor means easy access to boat trips on Lake Guntersville or walking into downtown.
La Cocina Esquina offers the perfect beautiful spot for up-scale Mexican cuisine and adult drinks. Sit out on the dock and watch the boats. There are multiple large swings and kid seating areas that the kids will enjoy.
My Guntersville Review
Retreet Resort is my new favorite weekend away from our Georgia home, and I’ve gotten to stay in their glamping tent, tiny home, and large vacation homes. Only three hours away from my Georgia home, Lake Guntersville is so peaceful, and the Guntersville area is perfect for anyone looking for an Atlanta weekend or Huntsville small town vacation. Whether looking for a lake trip, small town shopping day, or history learning, this north Alabama trip has everything.
I hope you enjoy your Alabama family trip to Retreet Resort! There’s so much to do in Guntersville, Scottsboro, and northeast Alabama. Go explore!
My Favorite Travel Resources
- Booking.com – This is my go-to website for hotels, apartments, and even vacation home rentals to easily find places for my group of 6.
- Trip Advisor – This travel planning and booking website has been my go-to for decades. I especially use it to find nearby restaurants and activities.
- Viator – My go-to to find for city tours and experiences.
- Omio app and website – European train travel is easy for booking and keeping all tickets organized
- Radical Storage – Busy travel days sometimes means needing to leave your suitcase somewhere trustworthy. This worldwide option makes it easy.
- Welcome Pickups – I just found this company, but I plan to use them next time we need an airport or port transfer!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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