MARSHALL COUNTY TOP 10 FUN
LOCATION: Marshall County Alabama – Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Grant & Lake Guntersville
TRANSPORTATION:
Driving, walking
TIME:
Three-day weekend
SUMMARY:
Marshall County has five major cities: Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Grant and Lake
Guntersville. Each with its own patchwork of attractions, historical sites and
festivals. But we also have some of the best shopping in Alabama, as well as
wonderful museums. Pick and choose from this top ten list or do it all!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Boaz Outlet Shopping, Cathedral Caverns State Park, Lake Guntersville State
Park, Guntersville Lake, Albertville Pre-Civil War Cemetery, Arab Historic
Village, Guntersville Museum, Guntersville Train Depot, Guntersville Dam,
Whole Backstage Theatre
ITINERARY:
Begin
your journey early Friday morning if possible. Marshall County has a wide
diversity of shops and stores to suit about every whim your shopping needs
take you. Every city has its own shopping centers and shops to give you a
unique shopping experience. Bargain hunters will prefer Boaz Outlet
Shopping which is just what it suggests-- a collection of almost 100
discount outlets like Tommy Hilfiger, GAP, Ralph Lauren and the VF Factory
Outlet Center. Save anywhere between 20 and 60% on designer brand merchandise!
When you get hungry enjoy one of several Boaz restaurants such as the Mill
Street Deli or the Station House Grille.
After
you’ve shopped, you’ll surely be ready to drop. But get plenty of rest,
because Saturday is reserved for a romp that will take you to some of the best
parts of Marshall County. Start early with a walk around the Albertville
historic district where you can see several of the area’s most beautiful
homes. You might also be interested in visiting the Albertville Pre-Civil
War Cemetery. This burial ground dating from before the Civil War features
rows of white marble and granite headstones. Inscriptions on the stones tell
fascinating stories about the people buried there.
Speaking
of history, be sure and visit the Guntersville Train Depot. Restoration
of the Depot was a project initiated by the Guntersville Historical Society.
In 1996 CSX Transportation gave the City of Guntersville the depot and a small
amount of surrounding land. The restored depot was officially opened and
dedicated on December 3, 2000. The depot is operated as a part of the Guntersville
Museum and Cultural Center, which is home to many interesting
photographs and artifacts. There you will find a gallery dedicated to local
Indian history in memory of the Cherokee and Creek Indians who were evicted
from their homes and forced to travel the “Trail of Tears” which a portion
of is located in Marshall County. The
route travels Alabama Hwy 75 in Albertville to U.S. Hwy 431 in Guntersville.
Along that route you will also come upon the North Alabama Birding Trail. The
trail, which consists of 41 birding sites located in northern Alabama, has 11
sites listed in Guntersville alone.
Back
at your hotel, take a much-needed rest before dinner at one of Marshall
County’s fine restaurants (restaurant guides are available) and then take in
a play at the Whole Backstage Theatre. Over the past 30 years The Whole
Backstage Community Theatre has produced a wide range of quality shows. The
WBS is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. It is the only community
theatre in Marshall County, Alabama and exists solely through the generous
support of its patrons.
Wake
up bright and early and head for the Lake Guntersville State Park.
Although the lodge is closed for renovations, the Lake Guntersville State Park
still offers newly renovated cottages & chalets, camping, swimming,
fishing, boating, golf, tennis, hiking, picnics, eagles and more!
Then head for the Guntersville Dam, which was
completed on January 16, 1939. During this era, the Tennessee Valley area
was small and unprogressive, but with the dam came commerce. In later years,
Guntersville was the acknowledged grain port center of the Southeast.
Commercial and sport fishing also increased with the additional water area. It
also enabled Marshall County and surrounding areas access to low cost
electricity. Guntersville Lake, Alabama’s largest lake, rests
peacefully at the base of the majestic mountains of the Appalachian range.
Travelers from all over the world marvel at the spectacular natural beauty and
colorful panorama offered by 950 miles of winding shoreline and 69,000 acres
of the sparkling, fun filled waters of Lake Guntersville. The beautiful lake
offers excellent fishing, swimming, boating and skiing.
After lunch visit the Arab Historic Village,
located in the Arab City Park, enjoy the Old Hunt School, Rice Mill Church,
Elvin Light Museum, Blacksmith Shop, Country Store and Grist Mill. It was
developed as a tribute to the pioneering people who settled and built this
area into the prosperous, community-spirited place it is today. Development of
the Complex was started in 1991 as a Centennial project of The Historical
Society. At the present time, six of the 8-10 buildings are completed. They
are furnished with items from 1880 through the 1940’s.
Sunday
is reserved for Cathedral Caverns State Park, located in Grant, which
is open year round. Here you can see world’s largest cave opening, the
world’s largest frozen waterfall and Goliath, the world’s largest
stalagmite. Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself, Cathedral Caverns,
the nations most magnificent park, nature’s million year monument, a 14-acre
underground world.
ATTRACTIONS
LIST:
Boaz Outlet Shopping
(256) 593-8154
Cathedral Caverns State Park
(256) 728-8193
Lake Guntersville State Park
(256) 571-5440
Guntersville Lake
(256) 582-3612
Albertville Pre-Civil War Cemetery
(256) 878-3821
Arab Historic Village
(256) 586-3138
Guntersville Museum & Cultural Center
Guntersville Train Depot
(256) 571-7597
Guntersville Dam
(256) 571-4280
Whole Backstage Theatre
(256) 582-SHOW