Guntersville, Alabama Travel Guide
Introducing Guntersville, Alabama! Prepare to relax and enjoy the water as this town is right on Alabama’s largest lake, Lake Guntersville! Guntersville is home to around 9,000 residents and is the bald eagle capital of Alabama. Visitors can enjoy the day at the beach, boat and fish for bass on the lake, hike local parks, shop, zipline, and horseback ride! Guntersville has plenty to eat too, from bakeries to seafood to steaks, there are plenty of restaurants here that are sure to impress. Located near Huntsville, Alabama (40min, 35 miles), Birmingham, Alabama (1hr 30min, 70 miles), and Atlanta, Georgia (3hrs, 140 miles), Guntersville makes the perfect day, weekend, or weeklong getaway vacation! Read more to see all of the great things Guntersville has to offer.
Every visit to Guntersville includes a trip to the lake! Head to Lake Guntersville State Park for beach access, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking. You can even tee off at their golf course! While you are on the lake, make sure you make your way to Hambrick Bat Cave to see the bats, which is only accessible by water. Some local companies do offer seasonal tours of the cave. Visitors can also see the Guntersville Dam. Another great outdoor spot is Cathedral Caverns State Park, complete with cave tours of their caverns. For some more hiking, be sure to visit Bucks Pocket State Park. For some unforgettable adventurous memories, book a zipline trip at Screaming Eagle Zipline or a horseback ride with Alabama Horseback.
Downtown Guntersville has a lot to do and see! Head to City Harbor and walk along the water, shops, restaurants, and the Downtown Guntersville Historic District. Enjoy the lake while walking on the Sunset Walking Trail, or relax at The Soak House & Soapery spa. For shopping, grab antiques from Pickers Choice and Antiques and Sweets, or grab unique gifts from The Red Elephant, True South Boutique, and Bohemian Gypsy. Want to learn about the local history? Visit the Guntersville Museum. For a show, check out what at Whole Backstage Theatre, a local theatre.
Spending time in the sun and on the lake is sure to work up an appetite. For breakfast, hit Homecoming and Company for country breakfast staples, Cafe 336 for cafe breakfast, or Bakehouse Eatery for baked goods. For coffee, get your morning brew from Moody Brews Coffee. For lunch, grab bar and grill favorites from Nash’s and Fire by the Lake. Stop by Top o the River for seafood and fried catfish and Rock House Eatery for southern food. For an afternoon beer, be sure to try a local brew from Main Channel Brewing. For dinner, get Cajun food from Papa Dubi’s and Crawmama’s. Try deep dish and NY pizza from PizzaEd and Mediterranean from Brazos Restaurant. For a nice meal, get steaks from Big Mike’s Steakhouse or fine dining at Old Town Stock House. Satisfy that sweet tooth with cakes and sweets from Jonica’s Bakery.
Need a place to stay while you’re here? Consider booking a room at Lake Guntersville Bed and Breakfast, The Lodge at Lake Guntersville, or City Harbor Suites. Interested in camping? Check out River Ridge Retreat Campground. Need a whole place to yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: House Boat for 3, Marina Cabin for 6, and Waterfront Vacation Home for 14.
Want to visit Guntersville but not sure when? Consider coming during one of their many festivals and events, including Hydrofest, Art of the Lake, or the Eagle Awareness Weekends. Whatever you’re into, Guntersville, Alabama has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Guntersville that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide