People may know Huntsville, Texas because of the State Penitentiary Unit, but there’s a lot more to Huntsville. Huntsville, Texas boasts a number of fun activities—be it learning the heritage and culture of the city, exploring popular attractions, swimming in the lagoons, catching a show in a performance venue, or just tucking into New American cuisine in some restaurants; this city offers it all! You could be of any age, you could be any kind of a traveler—backpacker, business traveler, or leisure traveler—there’s plenty to do here that will suit your taste. This small town has walking trails, lakes, and outdoor facilities that will make you want to stay outdoors throughout your vacation. Has this peaked your curious mind yet? Book a stay at the top Airbnb and other vacation rentals in the city, and let’s learn some of the fun things to do in Huntsville, Texas.
1. Walk down the streets of historic Downtown Huntsville
If you don’t know what to do in Huntsville and want to explore its true history and culture, head downtown and experience the charm, heritage, and culture that ooze out of this town. Explore antique shops, art, boutiques, sweet stores, and more in the city center. You can also check out the live music, film screenings, musical performances, and other special events held at the Old Town Theater. There are also fun events held a few times a year like Bacon & Brew Fest, the Christmas Fair, and a seasonal farmers’ market.
Downtown Huntsville
Address: Huntsville, Texas, USA
Website: Downtown Huntsville
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
2. Take a stroll among the pine tree trails at Huntsville State Park
Looking for laid-back stuff to do in Huntsville? If you are an outdoor enthusiast or love dwelling in nature for most of your lifetime, it will be no surprise that you love to hike or trek miles of trails in the hills, mountains, or woods. And you will find yourself at home when you visit Huntsville State Park. Known for its beautiful hiking trails along the path of tall pine trees, this beautiful spot also features the stunning Lake Raven for swimming or fishing. You may also find the Huntsville State Park’s resident alligators relaxing!
Just like the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville State Park also has a nature center for visitors.
Huntsville State Park
Address: 565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Huntsville State Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 7 USD
3. Go golfing at Bearkat Course
Texas is always synonymous with golfing. There are so many great and challenging golf courses in all of Texas that this becomes an ideal spot to enjoy a game of golf with your friends or your golf mates. To add a cherry on top of the whole golfing experience, Bearkat Course is situated right amid tranquil nature where you can take a breath of fresh air before you position yourself to hit the ball.
Raven Nest Golf Club
Address: 457 I-45, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Bearkat Course
Price: From 27 USD
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4. Stop by Sam Houston Memorial Museum for interesting facts
Other than Huntsville being known for piney woods and rolling hills of East Texas, this little city is also famous because of General Sam Houston. Known for living in Huntsville on many occasions, the best place to learn about General Sam Houston - considered one of the greatest Texans who have ever lived - is at Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville. The museum is filled with artifacts and lessons from every chapter of his life. it also has a gift shop that features fun items and souvenirs. At the back of the museum, you’ll find a Woodland home that was built by Houston where his family lived, and a Steamboat House where he was found dead. For exciting things to do around Huntsville, check this place out!
Sam Houston Memorial Museum
Address: 1836 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Sam Houston Memorial Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 USD
5. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon
Ever dreamt of swimming in turquoise waters? Well, dreams do come true and this could be your day! The Blue Lagoon at Huntsville, Texas is a popular attraction where people can live their mermaid fantasies by scuba diving into the blissful waters. One of the clearest waters in the state, it’s no wonder why people often travel this far to be able to swim up here. If you’re a scuba diving expert or want to learn scuba diving, this will be the home ground to do so. If you are neither, you could just dive into the waters and swim in the turquoise waters.
Blue Lagoon
Address: 649 Pinedale Rd, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
Website: Blue Lagoon
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm
Price: From 20 USD
6. Explore Huntsville State Park via kayak or a bike
Situated in the northwestern belt of Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville State Park boasts a whopping 21-mile (33 km) track perfectly suited if you are a biker, cyclist, hiker, fishing fanatic, or just a nature lover. In addition to nature trails, there are also outdoor activities, such as camping, wildlife watching, swimming, paddling, geocaching, and more. If you are lucky, you will witness a white-tailed deer, opossum, moles, skunk, raccoons, eastern gray squirrels, and around 250 species of birds in this popular spot. And you’ll also see alligators, largemouth bass, and crappie in and around the lake of Huntsville State Park.
Huntsville State Park
Address: 565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Huntsville State Park
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
7. See prison artifacts at Texas Prison Museum
Do you want to know what went about behind the scenes or how the Texas prison system worked? Now, you can learn all about it at the Texas Prison Museum. The museum features exhibits that include the Texas Prison Rodeo, also known as Wildest Show Behind Bars, and the infamous American criminals, Bonnie and Clyde. While walking around the prison, you will get to understand or feel how the inmates lived behind the fenced walls of the prison. It is a feeling unlike any other you may imagine. Texas Prison Museum should most definitely be on your must-see list. Be sure to drop by the gift shop for keepsakes before you leave.
Texas Prison Museum
Address: 491 TX-75, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
Website: Texas Prison Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 7 USD
8. Grab lunch at Farmhouse Cafe
Looking for a restaurant that serves country cuisine? True to its name, Farmhouse Café serves up some of the fine countries cooking food on your table in Huntsville, Texas. To help you make easy decisions when you visit the café in the near future, try ordering chicken fried steak, fried okra mac n cheese, fried avocado, a large dinner salad with homemade dressings, and other crowd favorites.
Farmhouse Cafe
Address: 1004 14th St, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Farmhouse Cafe
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 8:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm
9. Savor Potato Shack's delicious baked potatoes
This is for all the potato heads out there! Potato Shack is a funky eatery shop that features pool tables and an eclectic menu that serves up some of the best creative baked potatoes in the state. This is your place to be if you are looking for great vegetarian food. When you are there, order up some butter potato, a regular potato with toppings of your choice—cheese, bacon, chicken, and more. This is one such place where you won’t stop after gobbling up one spud.
Potato Shack
Address: 1229 Josey St, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Potato Shack
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
10. Taste the best of barbecue at Bennie J's Smoke Pit LLC
No one ever hated barbecue food and will never and especially at Bennie J’s Smoke Pit, you will keep coming back for more! Renowned for its smoking meat, briskets, fried shrimp and fish, ribs, potato salad and beans, and other crowd favorites, this is one of the best barbecue restaurants in Huntsville, Texas. But, be sure to call ahead and place your order—they usually run out of all the popular items.
Bennie J's Smoke Pit LLC
Address: 621 9th St, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
Website: Bennie J’s Smoke Pit LLC
Opening hours: Sat - Sun, Tue: 11am - 3pm; Wed - Fri: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
11. Satiate your sweet cravings at Insomnia Cookies
Ever craved a midnight treat and ended up getting disappointed with satisfying your cravings? Everyone’s been there! And to help solve your midnight woos, Insomnia Cookies brings you tasty treats including, brownies, cookie cakes, and cookies, and if you are one of the cold milk lovers, they have your back with this one, too. For those craving a bit more than cookies, they also have ice creams to calm your soul. The best part about Insomnia Cookies is they deliver all your favorites to your doorstep.
Insomnia Cookies
Address: 2100 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Insomnia Cookies
Opening hours: 10pm - 3am (daily)
12. Eat up Best Box Ever Bakery's homemade cookies
Voted as the best bakery in Huntsville in 2017, Best Box Ever Bakery makes yummy cookies and other treats for any day or special occasion. Be it Valentine’s Day, your significant other’s birthday, your dog’s birthday, or an anniversary, they make treats for everything! They are renowned for their specially decorated sugar cookies, rummies, cookie cake, cupcakes, brownies, and more great stuff.
The Best Box Ever Bakery
Address: 1329 University Ave Ste. B, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: The Best Box Ever Bakery
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 1pm (closed on Sun)
13. Read a good book at Lottie's Books
Editor’s note: Establishment is Permanently closed.
Fan of classic novels? Think they’re the gem to book communities? If so, head to Lottie’s Books whenever you make your way to Huntsville! Look for a classic or some modern literature that you can spend days reading. You will also find books that will take you on an adventure, or if you want to learn about a specific topic, you will find that, too! There is a book for everyone at Lottie’s Books.
Lottie's Books
Address: 25 US-190, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
Website: Lottie’s Books
Opening hours: Tue, Thu: 9am -7pm; Wed, Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 1pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
14. Get a gift at Tickled Pink Gifts
Editor’s note: Establishment is Permanently closed.
When you are on a vacation, going shopping is inevitable. You end up shopping for yourself and for your loved ones or others. And for those reasons, to help you out a little, Tickled Pink Gifts brings to you a store that specializes in gifts, everything from hand-painted baby shoes, and hand-painted wine glasses, to trinket boxes. Nestled in the town center, it’s a great place where you will find it all. They also have custom jewelry, tutus, candles, and home décor.
Tickled Pink Gifts
Address: 1109 12th St, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Tickled Pink Gifts
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5:30pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
15. Read a book for free at Newton Gresham Library
Want to escape a world full of fantasy, mystery, romance, or crime? Newton Gresham Library has what it takes for you to escape the real world! The library provides access to a diverse array of genres and authors that will make every reader excited about the possibility of the kind of gem they would get to discover here.
Newton Gresham Library
Address: 1830 Bobby K Marks Drive, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Website: Newton Gresham Library
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7:30am - 10pm; Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 2pm - 10pm
Price: Free
Lots to do in Huntsville
With so many things to do in Huntsville, Texas, and also lots of eatery options mentioned in this guide, it looks like your eyes and stomach will be satiated, for sure. You could either go on a museum-hopping tour, explore some Huntsville parks, attend holiday events, or try several amazing restaurants, you will find joy in everything you do in Huntsville.