Waterfalls, Art, and Charm Await in This Alabama Mountain Town

Want a new outlook on life? As Willy Wonka would say, take the word outlook, "scratch that; reverse it," and you get lookout. Lucky for you, we have Lookout Mountain in Northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, where you'll discover a world of pure imagination. The golden ticket is this mini Mentone, Alabama travel guide.

Relaxation, outdoor adventures, delightful little shops, and delicious restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg of things to do in Mentone, Alabama. While many people throughout the state make a day trip to Mentone just for a meal, it truly is a sanctuary for all the senses and deserves a couple of days' stay, at least.  With that in mind, I've gathered all the critical info on what to do in Mentone, Alabama, and its surrounding areas, plus a bit about this mountain town's backstory and allure over the ages.

History of Mentone

Mentone, Alabama, was founded in the late 1800s by John Mason, a settler from Iowa who arrived in 1872. Mason's daughter, Alice, gave the town its name, calling it Mentone after the French city of Menton, which means "musical mountain spring." The town initially flourished as a health resort, attracting visitors who believed its mineral springs had healing powers.

To serve health-focused visitors, The Mentone Springs Hotel opened in 1884, greeting thousands of guests over its 130 years of hospitality. In 2014, it unfortunately burned down in an electrical fire along with an antique mall next door; the entire town mourned the loss of this historic site in Alabama.

Despite the loss, Mentone's mineral springs, incredible natural beauty, and friendly people continue to shape its identity. Before I go any further, I will add that a visit to Mentone also means a visit to DeKalb County, Alabama, where all of the attractions listed are primarily located. A few counties rightfully claim parts of the Lookout Mountain region, and you absolutely should explore them if you have time during your visit.

Is Mentone Worth Visiting?

Mentone is so worth visiting. Most people decide to stay a while or claim a spot to return whenever they want. That's why several youth camps, vacationers, and 377 or so people are lucky to call it home permanently or semi-permanently. Mentone is known for its jaw-dropping landscapes, friendly people, limitless outdoor adventures, festivals, whimsical shops, thriving arts community, and eateries. It's a bucket-list destination for nature lovers, foodies, artists, and art patrons—and really should be on the radar of anyone looking to unwind in a peaceful natural environment bursting with color and local flavor.

How to Get to Mentone

Located just 70 miles east of Huntsville via US Highway 72 and State Route 40, Mentone is a quick trip from Rocket City. It's also just 110 miles northeast of Birmingham via Interstate 59, so it's also easy access for Magic City residents. Are you seeing the convergence of outer space and magic? Well, Alabamians can't claim all the credit. For those flying in, the nearest airport is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, approximately an hour's drive from Mentone.

In that case, note that Chattanooga is in the US Eastern Time Zone while Mentone (and the rest of Alabama) is in the Central Time Zone. Huntsville International Airport is a solid local option for flights, as well.

Getting Around Mentone

The town of Mentone is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with several shopping and dining attractions clustered. That makes it easy to visit several spots at once if you're exploring on foot. But that's just in bursts, and you'll want to drive between some of them. This is a foothills mountain town and not a suburb. You'll also need a car to reach popular outdoor attractions like DeSoto Falls, DeSoto State Park, Little River Canyon, and Orbix Hot Glass art studio in Fort Payne.

Best Time to Visit Mentone

Frequent visitors to Mentone love it in every season, with spring and fall taking top billing for natural beauty and social happenings. Plus, temperatures are milder in both seasons.

Overall, it's all about the color. Springtime brings bold pops of pink, white, and purple with downright righteous blooms of rhododendron and mountain laurel draping the green canopies that hover over this place. Mother Nature is not at all understated in her accessories during these times of year in Mentone—she'd be best dressed at Fashion Week.

Her adornments are more spectacular in autumn when people come from all over the state and nation to see the local forests ablaze with color. Just as there's much to celebrate in nature during these seasons, spring and fall calendars around Mentone are packed with visitors and events, like the Big Art Pop-Up, held the third weekend in May, and the Mentone Fall Festival, the third weekend in October.

Where to Stay in Mentone

Mentone offers many cozy accommodations, including the historic Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bee on the Brow Bed & Breakfast, and oodles of unique Airbnbs. You'll have more traditional hotel-like amenities at the B&Bs, while the Airbnb options provide a more private, home-away-from-home experience. We've recently shared a bit with you about the Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast, so here's further detail about Bee on the Brow, plus one among the many awesome Airbnbs you can find in and around Mentone.

Hotel Pick: Bee on the Brow

Bee on the Brow is idyllic for a romantic getaway or solo retreat and offers the perfect home base for exploring Mentone and its surrounding areas. It's about 4 miles south of the town's concentration of dining and shopping, which also positions you a little closer to DeSoto Falls and DeSoto State Park.

At the Bee, take your pick among four luxurious guest suites appropriately named for different types of honey, or book the entire home for larger groups (up to 10). Every suite is buzzing with comfortable amenities like a private bath, fine linens and spa robes, an HD Smart TV, and a scrumptious gourmet breakfast. Yes, you can also enjoy a little (or a lot) of honey with your morning meal. I'd say life doesn't get sweeter, but we haven't even gotten to the rest of it!

As nicely appointed as the suites are, you may spend a lot of your quality time lounging in the shared living area with a glass of wine and a book. Better yet, relax on the expansive porch every morning, taking your coffee or tea along with blissful views of the valley and rolling hills. Or dine at one of the outdoor cafe tables while watching the sunset.

Airbnb Pick: Just Bluffin’ at Mentone

If you are looking for more private accommodations, check out this cabin Airbnb in Mentone that also offers spectacular valley views of three states. Ease into an Adirondack chair by the fire pit or rock gently in a swing. You can take these sunrise or sunset scenes to the next level while soaking in the hot tub.

Indoors, you'll find a cozy fireplace seating area, a jacuzzi tub, and a comfortable bed with a view that will make you feel like you're resting in the clouds. There's also a full kitchen if you want to prepare special meals or brew your own coffee before greeting the day.

Mentone Sights and Landmarks Worth Visiting

It's probably clear by now that gorgeous forests and valley overlooks are the main draw to this little pocket paradise of Northeast Alabama, and we promise you won't tire of them—especially if you plan a visit when it's a leaf-peeper's dream every fall. Here are a couple of must-see sights in Mentone, both man-made and with nature top of mind.

Brow Park

While the accommodations options offer gorgeous views, you can't miss the ones at Brow Park. The public space has a large stone pavilion, making it a favorite for family gatherings and letting kids romp on the playground. If you're into the picnic idea, keep reading for a couple of great places to pick up treats to pack your basket. Only hungry for views? Brow Park is worth at least one visit during any trip to Mentone, if only to take in the panoramic views.

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel

Another must-see marvel in Mentone is the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel. The chapel is south of town, and Bee on the Brow is located on the northernmost edge of DeSoto State Park. Col. Milford Howard built the chapel in 1937 to honor his first wife, Sallie. The unique structure is also known as the Rock Chapel or Rock Church because Howard built it around a massive granite boulder that juts into the pulpit.

Inside, the one-room chapel is a testament to both faith and nature, with beautiful wood trim, gleaming hardwood floors, and rock walls. Visitors are encouraged to attend services on Sunday and to please "come as you are." Sounds like nirvana to me.

Mentone Activities and Attractions

As for things to do in Mentone besides just relaxing, almost everything centers on art and nature, including eating and shopping, and we'll get to that soon. In the meantime, here are a couple of must-do places and activities to check out on any trip to this charming mountain town.

Mentone Arts Center at the Chuck Sennett Center for the Arts

Explore your creative side within the heart of the arts community in Mentone—the Mentone Arts Center within the Chuck Sennett Center for the Arts. Check the center's class calendar before your visit to sign up for one of many different classes and workshops in many artistic disciplines, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, music, and more. The classes cater to all skill levels, so don't be intimidated if you're a beginner. You may discover a new creative outlet to get into back home.

If you're more of an art appreciator and patron, you'll find plenty of creative Mentone memories to take home in the Mentone Arts Center gallery space and gift shop. It's chock full of unique works by local artists, including pottery, sculpture, textiles, and paintings.

DeSoto State Park

One of the most popular attractions with a ridiculous choice of activities is DeSoto State Park, located just south of Mentone and northeast of downtown Fort Payne. If you love outdoor adventures, take your pick among the park's many options for swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, rappelling, bouldering, wildflower expeditions, and waterfall watching. One of the park's most popular amenities is its ADA-accessible Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail, named for a former park superintendent.

DeSoto Falls

Speaking of DeSoto, a big highlight of the Mentone area is the 107-foot DeSoto Falls, north of the state park and closer to Mentone. While there are hiking trails around it, you can drive right up and park at the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area for excellent views of the falls. Note that parking costs $4, and while anyone can easily see the upper falls from the picnic area, you must descend steep steps to see the lower portions.

Orbix Hot Glass

Another DeKalb County activity that area visitors often include in their itineraries is Orbix Hot Glass in Fort Payne, a small glass studio about 25 miles south and a 40-minute drive from Mentone. At Orbix, you can watch glassblowers craft their art firsthand, explore the gallery, and shop for one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass pieces. Florence native Cal Breed and his wife, Christy, run the studio. Cal is one of the Southeast's best-known glass artists, and you'll find his work in many public and private collections in the region and far beyond.

A trip to Orbix may sound like a bit of a hike, and yet it's part of any solid itinerary if you're visiting Mentone and DeKalb County. It's only a little further south from Mentone than Little River Canyon, which you'll also want to see while you're in this neck of the woods. So, stay with me here: We will get to the canyon, river, and falls soon after we cover the shopping and food. If you aren't hungry after reading about all these activities, your mouth will be watering soon enough.

Shops and Boutiques in Mentone

Shopping options in Mentone span from the most practical to the completely frivolous—and you will question what's necessary or frivolous anyway once you see it all. Here are the top spots for everything from basic groceries to the quirkiest gift you can bring home to your best friend.

Mentone Market

Since I started talking about food, Mentone Market has been the local general store for over 80 years, so suffice it to say you'll find a lot more than delicious food. It's where it's at for fresh local produce, eggs, meat, craft beer, and other groceries.

Sure, Mentone Market is your go-to for foodie goodies you'll need for an unforgettable picnic anywhere you want to stage it. It also serves fresh homemade meals for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. Big bonus: The market has a well-curated selection of local art and gifts to take home to folks to show you remembered them—and maybe not be as jealous of your sweet Mentone getaway, and instead plan one for themselves.

Little River Hardware

Another sweet spot for essentials in Mentone is Little River Hardware, which has been in business for over 30 years. While in Mentone, you aren't that far from the chain stores you find in slightly larger small towns. But we highly recommend driving to this local shop if you need something like a lightbulb. You can also grab something fun like a wooden yo-yo, a cooler, or boiled peanuts. If nothing else, stop in and say hi and pick up some homemade ice cream.

The Groovy Goat

And oh, the fun things you'll find at other Mentone shops. That brings us to The Groovy Goat, an eclectic shop in the Log Cabin Village of downtown Mentone. Here, you'll find an impressive selection of local art, unique gifts and souvenirs, clever signs, and Alabama wines.

Another must-stop shop is about 1.5 miles southeast down State Route 117, where you should look for the Shops at Moon Lake Village, a community of shops and studios on a former school campus in Mentone. The complex is adjacent to Moon Lake Library and the Pathway to Community, a park with a walking track, outdoor musical instruments, and a fence featuring pickets painted by residents.

Moon Lake Trading Company

On your way to Moon Lake Village, your eye will be captured by Moon Lake Trading Company. Do stop. If you're like me, you wouldn't need me to tell you not to let it pass you by once you see it. As cute as it is from the front, you will not be disappointed to venture around the back.

There, you'll find gardens framed by hanging vintage bicycles and a visual escapade of luscious plants to take home and baby. Then, if that isn't enough, your eyes will train onto a taco truck—a taco Airstream, though, for added greatness. It's a separate business called Seabolt's, and it fits right in. If you've been working on your fitness on the local trails, no reason not to work on fittin' those tacos into your mouth.

Restaurants in Mentone

That brings us to the many great choices for where to eat in Mentone, Alabama. As I mentioned earlier, many people day-trip to Mentone just for the food. When I show you some of the options, you will understand why.

Wildflower Café

When you say Mentone, Alabama, many people immediately say, "Wildflower Cafe." The cafe existed long before the current owner, Alabama native L.C. Moon, took over around 2008 after moving to Mentone a decade before. She boomeranged back to Alabama from California before "boomerang" was a word in this context. It was kind of like knowing the world's hottest band was cool 20 years before everyone. It was different because she didn't sit on that feeling.

It's been apparent that Moon brought the best of her travels and experiences back home and fed them before choosing to feed folks in her chosen hometown. Sure, Moon kept famous flavors like the tomato pie that preceded her ownership of this community treasure. Few would argue at this point that the last few decades of Wildflower Cafe are all her vision.

Great backstory, but what to order? Almost anything. And I mean that for our vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary-conscious readers. There is no snobbery about food needs here, and it's beyond accommodating for all of us. Check online reviews for deliciousness—it's highly rated for inclusivity and flavor.

Reinvention and awareness are nothing new to anyone around here. This restaurant is in a former Alabama home built in 1889. You can tell it's a dream Moon had since the late '90s, and it's been a bright star in Alabama's restaurant sphere for a long time. Great vision, but still a small space to consider it all—it seats less than 100, so make reservations to get a spot, especially during the busy spring and fall seasons.

The Hatter Cafe

Here is some very good advice to follow: Stop at The Hatter Cafe in Mentone for Mentone's special, Alice in Wonderland-worthy brunch. It's open Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Hatter Cafe opened in 2018 when Roger and Pamela Wald saw the magic in Mentone. They followed this quote from the classic book: “The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make you smile. It is then, and only then, that you’ll find Wonderland.” The eatery has also expanded to include dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. It might require a little more polishing for the potential Cheshire Cat conversation of the dinner hour, but who can resist this charm?

Village Ice Cream Shop

The Village Ice Cream Shop is where you can sneak away for a sweet treat. It's kind of in the middle of everything, and there's no hiding the massive banana splits it's known for. You can be demure and get a fresh cone with delicate, creamy, cool ice cream. Or you can "go big or go home" with a massive banana split. Zero judgment here: You know what you want and need! That's what an Alabama getaway to Mentone is all about.

Elevation Bistro

Elevation Bistro has many rave reviews from locals and tourists alike. In fact, it's been called one of the better restaurants in the state for quite some time, beating out other major city spots. The restaurant opened in the spring of 2020 and seems to keep the focus on the food, updating its rotating menus regularly on its Facebook page and not doing anything else flashy besides serving its community with delicious food and service.

Again, take a look at the restaurant's Facebook to keep up with current menus and book a spot to guarantee it during your visit to Mentone.

Nature in and Around Mentone

Last but not least, here are a couple more ridiculously beautiful places to explore around Mentone. While the town is a widely recognized base for exploring DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls, it's just as worthy a home base for venturing further south to Little River Canyon. You can do both with a weekend trip to Mentone.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Compared to many places in our country, there's a lot you cannot do at Little River Canyon National Preserve. Pay a visit, and it'll hopefully show you why. Nope, you can't camp there. You can visit, hike, kayak, fish, and explore as you should. If you want to pitch a tent, check out your options at DeSoto State Park next door.

The Little River carved this canyon, and it's also one of the most pristine in this country for water quality. It's home to many aquatic creatures that wouldn't exist without it. The river flows from its headwaters in northwestern Georgia across (and obviously through) Lookout Mountain to Weiss Lake southeast of DeKalb County in Cherokee County, which both share this national preserve.

Little River Canyon Falls Park

Want to see where the canyon begins? That's easy. Little River Falls is a 45-foot waterfall wonder and the start of where the Little River began carving the sandstone mountain. Accessible from a paved parking lot on the west side of Highway 35, an ADA-compliant boardwalk leads visitors to a close view of the falls.

During late spring and summer weekends, the parking lot can fill up quickly, so arrive early to secure a spot. The flow of Little River Falls varies by season, with summer and fall revealing the sandstone beneath and providing wading pools above the falls and sometimes a wonderful swimming hole below. You want to watch in the gushing, high-water spring and icy winter.

Are you ready to plan your small-town getaway to this charming Alabama mountain town? It's waiting with incredible art, food, nature, and friendly people, happy to show you the best of what Alabama has to offer.

If you've visited before, we would love to hear about your experiences. And if you take our tips, by all means, let us know what you enjoyed the most among the many wonderful things to do in Mentone, Alabama.