If You Only Have One Day To Visit This Small Town In Alabama, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Lake fishing, bald eagle watching, boutique shopping, nature hiking, and harbor strolling are just a few of the best things to do in Guntersville, Alabama. That only skims the surface like an eagle snatching a snack from Lake Guntersville. If you only have a day to catch the highlights, here’s a guide to must-dos in this charming Northeast Alabama town.

Early morning at Guntersville State Park

Start your day with a visit to Lake Guntersville State Park, a 6,000-acre expanse of natural beauty filled with woodlands and lakeside scenes.

Choose among 36 miles of hiking, biking, and horse trails, rent a kayak to explore the lake, or simply enjoy the panoramic views from one of the park's many overlooks. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including white-tailed deer, migratory birds, and bald eagles.

Mid-morning coffee in Downtown Guntersville

After working up an appetite at the state park, make your way to downtown for a cup of coffee, a tasty pastry or something more substantial at one of Guntersville's local cafes.

Moody Brews Coffee & Lounge is known for its funky, modern decor and specialty drinks to soothe every mood, from the Drama Queen and Macho Man to Sassy Britches and Whiny Baby.

Another downtown Guntersville breakfast favorite is Homecoming & Company, where you can B.Y.O.B. (build your own breakfast sandwich) or choose from menu items like the Warm Hug (fluffy biscuit with chocolate gravy), the massive Dirty Bird chicken-and-waffle sandwich, or the Power Move avocado toast. And we bet you will end up thanking Sam I Am after you try the Green Eggs and Ham, which consists of local stoneground grits piled with collard greens, city ham, two eggs, and an onion ring.

Shop, stroll, and do lunch in Downtown Guntersville

Spend the middle of the day strolling through downtown Guntersville, and allow yourself time to stop in its selection of shops and boutiques. Shop owners sell apparel for men, women, and children; gifts, antiques, and home decor; outdoor apparel and gear; and much more.

If you saved room for lunch, Rock House Eatery, Cafe 336, and Top O'The River are all solid picks for delicious local flavor.

Not hungry after a big breakfast? Make your way to the Guntersville Museum to learn about the town's history and heritage. It's free!

Late afternoon on the Sunset Drive Trail

The name may give away the clue that Sunset Drive Trail is the best place to be in Guntersville as the day ends. The 3-7-mile asphalt-and-concrete trail follows Sunset Drive along Guntersville Lake, offering pretty waterfront views, as well as several city park facilities, a fishing pier, and the farmers market.

The trailheads are located at the Guntersville Park & Recreation Center and at Sunset Drive and Willow Beach Road.

Early evening shopping, sightseeing, and dinner at City Harbor

You might consider splitting your sunset-watching between the trail and the boardwalk at City Harbor, Guntersville's newest destination for dining, entertainment, and shopping. While a seat in a boardwalk swing can be hard to come by when it's busy, there's plenty of room and views to go around.

Shop refurbished and restored furniture and accent pieces at HOME Re-Decor and an excellent selection of cigars and accessories at The Cigar Room. Enjoy a round of cornhole with a cocktail at Levi's on the Lake.

For dinner, take your pick between elevated Mexican food at La Esquina Cochina or a satisfying steak or chef's choice pasta at Big Mike's Steakhouse.

Where to stay in Guntersville, Alabama

The entire Guntersville Lake area has some excellent Airbnb rental options, from tiny homes to entire houses with dramatic lake overlooks.

Close to all of these things to do in Guntersville, we found this guest-favorite Airbnb on Lake Guntersville that comfortably accommodates up to seven people with its three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The main living area is spacious and the views will make you wish you had more than just one day to visit.

Have you explored this beautiful community in North Alabama? We'd love for you to share about your time there!