Recommendations for visiting Huntsville/Decatur (Madison, Valley: relocation, showing, hotels)

[military spouse]

Hello everyone,
We are going to be visiting Huntsville next weekend and I am looking for recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and drives to see the area. We would like a nice, clean hotel. We prefer ethnic-type restaurants such as Greek and Mexican, or really any Middle-Eastern type food. Oh, and a great barbeque place!
We would like to drive around and see the "nicer" parts of Huntsville and Decatur, with an eye toward relocation. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!

[Keeper]

Do you want to live in H'ville proper? There are a lot of smaller towns just outside of H'ville. Do you have children and are schools a concern?
Try Gibson Bar-b-que.. chicken with the white sauce. I am sure others can tell you of other places. There are mexican restaurants 'Rosie's on the pkwy is good.
Not an expert on where to live in H'ville as I live 25 minutes s.e of there in Arab.

[nalabama]

Surin of Thailand (Airport Road) is highly recommended by many, and my daughter and my cousin (who lived in Korea for 10 years) always make a point of eating at a Korean restaurant somewhere here in Huntsville when they're in town--maybe someone else on the forum will know its name.

The Hampton Inn (Boulevard South) and Radisson Inn (South Memorial Parkway) are right next to each other, and many of our family members and acquaintances stay there when visiting from out of town. They have had no problems, and that area is somewhat safer--in my opinion--than some others you could choose. Decatur will be a little more of a drive than if you stayed out near Madison, but at either the Hampton or the Radisson you'll be as close as you're going to get to south Huntsville.

[military spouse]

Thanks for the replies. I would like to stay somewhere where my husband will say, "Boy, I didn't realize Huntsville would be so nice, modern and clean." I want him to be pleasantly suprised by the surroundings. I would also like to take him on a driving tour of the general area, particularly the areas that would make him say the above statement The interior of the hotel isn't quite as important as showing him that Huntsville is nicer than some of the other Southern cities in which we've lived. I REALLY want him to be impressed! Thanks and feel free to continue the suggestions.

[Reactionary]

The Embassy Suites downtown is new; overlooks Big Spring Park, Museums, and the Civic Center; and is convenient to everything.

Greek - Papou's on South Courthouse Square. Mexican - I like Rosie's (S. Parkway or W. University Drive), but there are too many to list. Try Humphrey's for cocktails or dinner.

Driving tour of SE HSV: starting downtown, drive through the Twickenham Historic District, go to Five Points then up Pratt Ave / Bankhead Pkwy over Monte Sano Mountain to Governors Drive. Head East (away from town) to Hampton Cove then back over the mountain on Sutton Rd to Bailey Cove Road (aka Carl T Jones aka Airport Rd). Head South to Ditto Landing Marina (Green Cove Rd) then back up the Parkway - or down the Parkway to visit Keeper in Arab.

BTW Keeper - any good Middle Eastern food in Arab?
/ jk

[Southlander]

We have LOTS of Mexican restaurants because of the Hispanic population. Casa Blanca (several locations, one on University Blvd catty-corner from Madison Square Mall) is a good one. Maria Bonita in Decatur, along with El Portal on the Beltline (Ala 67) in Decatur. Gibson's BBQ in Decatur (Huntsville Gibson's is a different branch of the family, thus different BBQ)...Whitt's for take out BBQ. Catfish is a regional favorite - McCollum's in Decatur.
You might also search this forum for more info. Welcome!

[dee 42]

You might want to drive over the river to Decatur and see the historic sections, Line St, Ferry, Jackson St, to name a few. There is shopping downtown at Bank St and Lagniappes has great lunches and wonderful iced coffees ! In Decatur, you should see Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and Point Mallard Park.....if youre curious to see more "exclusive" neighborhoods, Burningtree Mountain and Country Club are v. nice.....we like to head out toward Burningtree to surrounding areas on our bike . Good Luck !

[Keeper]

HMMM.. As Henry Cho might say Gannon's is on the east side of town.. we consider that a mid eastern restaurant LOL
You might want to take 431 or 231 to 69 to Lake Guntersville to show hubby if he likes fishing or boating. It is a pretty drive down the mountain with the lake below. Boondockers or Top O the River are good places for lunch both on the water. You can make a loop leave H'ville using 431 go through G'ville to 69 then take 231 back to H'ville. You will go through the big town of Arab 'the home of the Polk Salait festival'.
I love Twickenham area, the houses are beautiful and they each have a sign telling when they were originally built.
Have fun.. The Tennessee Valley is a great area, something for everyone.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

The Embassy Suites downtown is new; overlooks Big Spring Park, Museums, and the Civic Center; and is convenient to everything.

Greek - Papou's on South Courthouse Square. Mexican - I like Rosie's (S. Parkway or W. University Drive), but there are too many to list. Try Humphrey's for cocktails or dinner.

Driving tour of SE HSV: starting downtown, drive through the Twickenham Historic District, go to Five Points then up Pratt Ave / Bankhead Pkwy over Monte Sano Mountain to Governors Drive. Head East (away from town) to Hampton Cove then back over the mountain on Sutton Rd to Bailey Cove Road (aka Carl T Jones aka Airport Rd). Head South to Ditto Landing Marina (Green Cove Rd) then back up the Parkway - or down the Parkway to visit Keeper in Arab.

BTW Keeper - any good Middle Eastern food in Arab?
/ jk

Perfect! Thank you so much!

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by dee 42

You might want to drive over the river to Decatur and see the historic sections, Line St, Ferry, Jackson St, to name a few. There is shopping downtown at Bank St and Lagniappes has great lunches and wonderful iced coffees ! In Decatur, you should see Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and Point Mallard Park.....if youre curious to see more "exclusive" neighborhoods, Burningtree Mountain and Country Club are v. nice.....we like to head out toward Burningtree to surrounding areas on our bike . Good Luck !

Yes, we definately want to see the historic areas of Decatur. I am considering buying a townhouse in Decatur, but I need to warm hubby up to the idea He wants to stop working, so not having a house payment is VERY important. I will try to warm him up with a tour of the nice, historic area!