Great Staycation Ideas for Spring Break in Huntsville

Not everyone is able to head to the beach or take a roadtrip during Spring Break, but that doesn’t mean it has to be ho-hum! If you are trying to stay local during this year’s break, here are some kid-friendly excursions in Huntsville & North Alabama that will help you (and your budget!) stay sane.

Spring Break Staycation Fun in Huntsville

We tried to pull together a list of fun things to do during each day of Spring Break. Even if you’re headed to one of the local Spring Break Camps, you’ll still need ideas for the weekends! The itinerary below is coordinated so that it’s possible to do everything on our Best Picks list, but there is a little wiggle room if you opt out of the special events.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

Low Clouds. High 73° 

Take advantage of the beautiful weather! Head up to Burritt on the Mountain to check out opening day of Blast in the Past. Designed for families with children ages 3 to 12 years old, Blast in the Past offers engaging hands-on experiences that provide a glimpse into the lives of early Alabamians. Let your kids dive into history as they dress up in period clothing, enjoy pretending to cook and clean in an 1800s kitchen, and discover how to wash clothes using a traditional scrub board. Watch as they learn how to weave on a loom and enjoy building their very own kid-sized “log” cabin. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Children can dig in a garden, try their luck at panning for gems, and experience a day at school using slates and chalk. Don’t forget to visit “Boxy,” Burritt’s faux cow, for a hands-on milking experience that kids won’t soon forget.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

55% Chance of rain, high 59°

Grab an umbrella and a jacket before enjoying Rocket City Reading Fest at the Orion Amphitheater.

Stories are waiting to be discovered at this festival, from local authors showcasing their incredible work at the Authors’ Village in the Apollo South Dome, to the beloved HMCPL book-mobile. Can’t wait to dig into your latest literary finds? Visit the Artist Meadow, where Huntsville and Madison’s Silent Book Clubs will be holding a meet-up. You are welcome to bring picnic blankets and chairs to comfortably read while catching some rays!

Plus, plenty of family-friendly activities, bounce houses and interactive performances to enjoy. There will be food trucks so be sure to plan on having lunch!

MONDAY, MARCH 11

A couple of morning showers; otherwise cloudy, high 61°

Looking to miss the morning showers? EarlyWorks is full of special activities just for Spring Break including scavenger hunts, Tinker Lab lessons, crafts, story time, and more.

If all that exciting play made you thirsty, walk across the street and order a refreshing cup of iced tea from Piper & Leaf. (There are so many tasty flavors to choose from but you can never go wrong with good ol’ Front Porch Special.)

 TUESDAY, MARCH 12

Sunny. High 62°

Soak up the sun with some outdoor activities!

We here at Rocket City Mom love a good scavenger hunt – we even created our very own in Big Spring Park! Check out these area scavenger hunts!

• Big Spring Park Scavenger Hunt (Huntsville)
• Downtown Turtle Trail (Decatur)
• Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt (Huntsville)
• Trains on Main (Madison)

Of course a trip to the playground is always a winner or you can head out to enjoy one of these family-friendly hikes.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

74% chance of rain. High 55°

Don’t forget your umbrella!

Head to Hays Nature Preserve for a morning of Spring Break Fun! Learn about how animals transition from winter to the warmer weather, build a bird’s nest from natural materials and plant a seedling to take home to care for this Spring. There will be live turtles to view and a chance to do a scavenger hunt too!

If today looks more like an indoor type of day to you, swing by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and catch one of their new live show performances, STEM on Stage. After the show, stop by the Spark!Lab for some hands soon activities that brings out the scientist and inventor in your kiddos.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

A little morning rain followed by a shower in spots in the afternoon, High 63°

Spend the Huntsville Botanical Garden and let the fun take flight at their Raptor Show. You’ll get to see the raptors up close and learn more about them and their role in the ecosystem.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Cloudy, High 68°

Check out the cool creations and snacks at the NEACA Spring Craft Show if you’re not wanting to chance the rain.

Grab a canned food item to help support our community and head to FairyTales Costumes Meet and Greet for an enchanting evening.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

Partly sunny and cooler, High 57°

Wrap up an amazing Spring Break with shamrocks at the Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade – it starts at 11:00 AM but we advise arriving early to snag a good spot along the parade route. Grab some lunch on the square downtown – we love the slices at Sam & Greg’s Pizzeria.

If you’re feeling very brave and not in need of nap time yet, skip over a block to Big Spring Park and see how fast your kids can finish the free Big Spring Scavenger Hunt. You can pick up a paper map on your way out at Earlyworks, or just play from your phone. Reward yourself with a cup of hot cocoa or a sweet treat at the Cozy Cow Cafe.

Not feeling the parade? Join the Land Trust of North Alabama for a guided hike at the Monte Sano Nature Preserve. Note that this is rated a moderate hike, so it’ll be better for the older kids/more experienced hikes. This event is free, but be sure to register!

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

Mostly sunny. High 56°

After a week jam packed with fun and adventure, you might be ready for a slower more relaxing day.

Stop by opening day for The Market at Mid-City and grab some amazing produce and products from local vendors.

Spend the rest of the last day of the school break with family or friends. Be sure to make some time to get in bed early and prepare for school in the morning!

Spring Break Staycation Fun for Any Day

• Take a Kid-Friendly Day Trip from Huntsville
• Visit The Main Event Entertainment Center at Bridge Street for a day of arcade games, bowling, laser tag, and gravity ropes.
• Hang out at Dave & Busters, Stars & Strikes, or TopGolf Huntsville.
• Jump off some energy at The Matrix Gym’s Open Play sessions.
• Pop over for some walk-in play at Let’s Play Huntsville. (Best for kids ages 2-5)
• You can spend all day at Decatur’s GoFAR USA Park
• Take to the sky at Vision Zipline Tours
• Let the kids literally climb the walls at High Point Climbing

More Spring Break Ideas…

Spring Break Camps
Spring Break in Huntsville for $8 or Less
2024 Spring Activity Guide to North Alabama