Shopping Enthusiast
Calling all Shopaholics: where to go in Huntsville/Madison County
By Amy Fisher Jones, We Are Huntsville
Huntsville is an eclectic, cool, historic, diverse and downright amazing place to live and visit. For your shopping weekend, we have plenty of traditional and high-end retail, but we also offer historic settings and the largest independent center for the arts (open to shop!) in America. With boutiques and antique stores in between, you’ll not leave empty handed.
And everyone knows a weekend spent shopping should include some amazing eats! I’m sharing some of my favorite places to grab a bite, the perfect way to rest and refuel in between shopping excursions. Enjoy!
Day 1 - The Downtown Experience:
Let’s start this adventure with a little shopping and sightseeing in Downtown Huntsville! Emphasis on the shopping.
You’ll start at the one place you have to visit - Harrison Brothers Hardware on the Square. No longer a hardware store, this historic site has been in continuous operation since 1897. You’ll find unique gifts, arts and fine crafts in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Head two blocks over and shop the Clinton Row Project made up of local retail shops utilizing storage units (really!) for their stores. Only in Huntsville! An amazing line-up of boutiques is across the street - check out Elitaire, Caley Paige Home and Gifts, and Roosevelt & Co.
Downtown Shopping Tip:
Bring quarters to feed the parking meters, or look for the big parking garage on Clinton Avenue (which accepts credit cards).
Bonus:
Drink a glass bottle Coke from Harrison Brothers Hardware. Such a treat!
Breakfast
Grab a warm Q-Becco breakfast bagel sandwich from Canadian Bakin.
Lunch
Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro is a unique dining experience only made better by gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.
Dinner
Have a casual yet classic meal at Commerce Kitchen.
Day 2 - The Place You’ll Tell Everyone You Know About:
Spend your Saturday at the one place that you will go home and positively rave about. That place is Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment.
Not only is it a 100-year-old historic textile mill that’s been converted into the largest independent center for the arts in the southeast, but there is an Artist Market every Saturday to find unique art and hand-made items. Shop open artist studios and the flea-market vibe arts collective area (2nd floor). Plan to spend several hours.
After exploring all of Lowe Mill, try some late-afternoon antiquing with a quick trip to Downtown Madison, AL (about 10 miles down the road). Park on Main Street and visit Madison Station Antiques then have a beer at one of my favorite taprooms, Old Black Bear Brewing Company.
Bonus:
While at Lowe Mill, grab some Pizzelle’s Confections artisan truffles to-go.
Breakfast
Go straight to Blue Plate Cafe and order the Cocoa Biscuit (or biscuit and chocolate gravy as we Southerners call it).
Lunch
Stay right inside Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment for Happy Tummy. The pizza is adventurous.
Dinner
Stick around Downtown Madison for dinner at the Old Black Bear Brewery taproom.
Day 3 - Go Old School Traditional, AKA The Mall:
Sunday shopping can’t begin without brunch. Since our shopping destinations don’t open until 10:00 am or later on Sunday, it’s the best way to start.
After you are well and full, it’s mall time. Visit Parkway Place and start your day with our best indoor mall atmosphere. It’s a great chance to walk off those mimosas.
After doing the indoor, head to the outdoor with a stop at Bridge Street Town Centre,our mega outdoor mall with the highest-end shopping in town.
While in the area, hit up Cabela’s. It’s something to behold, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or not and a super fun way to end your shopping adventure.
Bonus:
Hit up the fudge shop inside Cabela’s! Can you tell I like to talk about sweets?
Brunch
1892 East is a great place to start your Sunday with mimosas. It’s a personal favorite of mine.
Dinner
Head back into Downtown Huntsville for dinner at The Poppy. It’s loud, the food is great and it’s a wonderful way to recap your weekend over a brew.
I think our little slice of Alabama is pretty unique, so naturally I also think our shopping opportunities are out-of-this-world. A weekend shopping your way through Huntsville and Madison is a fun adventure, but using this itinerary to pick out a few places to supplement your visit is a great idea too.
However you spend your time, I hope you go home with a great souvenir. Happy travels.
Bio:
Amy has been a marketing professional in Huntsville for over 15 years. She has a diverse background in marketing, special events and public relations from the corporate world, shopping center management and non-profit performing arts.
As an account manager with Move Digital, Amy enjoys helping clients tell their story through a dynamic digital footprint.
Amy is also the web content manager for Our Valley Events, a hyper-local website keeping the Rocket City in-the-know.
During her non-screen time, Amy is a busy mom (2 boys!) who likes to obsess over musical theatre, Doctor Who and Snapchat (in that order).
