A Parent’s Guide to Arab, Alabama
Welcome to Arab, Alabama, home of the Arabian Knights! (I know you totally just sang that.) Show tune aside, Arab has a wonderful and welcoming small-town vibe with citizens who like to celebrate things like poke salat, football, and the olden days. First things first – you need to know Arab is pronounced with a long A sound and emphasis on the 1st syllable: Ay-rab. Here’s the story behind the pronunciation.
Arab is a convenient 25(ish) minutes from Huntsville. Homes and businesses within the city limits – and its 35016 zip code – stretch for miles. Come get lost and found in Arab, Alabama!
Main Street
Main Street is the heart of Downtown Arab, connecting to US Highway 231 and Highway 69. Municipal and government buildings are west of Highway 69. Traveling east, downtown is reviving with small businesses, and the sidewalks are stroller-friendly.
Flip through records at The Spinning Groove, grab a hot or iced coffee at Four Knights Coffee, and buy a shirt or an antique from one of many shops. Visit Arab Meat Market for package deals, frozen foods, and freshly ground and cut meat. They even have school pizza! Street dances, festivals, and parades occur throughout the year on Main Street (between Sonic and L-Rancho Cafe AKA both “ends” of Hwy 69).
US Highway 231
Highway 231 is the main thoroughfare of Arab where commerce happens seven days a week at small businesses, retailers, and eateries. Milner’s Dairy Delight at the North end is your mom and pop burger shop; order drool-worthy chicken sandwiches at Midas Burger on the South end. Shop local variety stores at Black’s Old & New Mall and The Pickers Choice.
Schools in Arab
Arab provides quality education to its future citizens within its public school system: Arab Primary School (off Main St), Arab Elementary School (off Hwy 69 E), Arab Junior High School (off Hwy 69 W), and Arab High School (off Hwy 69 E).
Marshall Medical Center North serves the North end of Marshall County and is within city limits.
Outdoor Fun
Arab City Park
844 Shoal Creek Trail (map)
Contains pavilions, playgrounds, walking trails, an arena, a disc golf course, and ball fields. Open to the public year-round.
Arab City Pool & Splash Pad
224 City Park Dr NE, Arab (map)
Splash and swim, open May through August.
Thompson Eidson Park
747 4th Ave NW, Arab (map)
This 27-acre complex located adjacent to the Arab Fire Department Station and Emergency 911 Operations Center. This complex includes four lighted soccer fields, an approximate one mile-long walking trail in a natural setting, and a 400 meter running track.
Arab High School Football Field
511 Arabian Dr NE, Arab (map)
Football is king on Friday nights during high school football season!
Hangout Destinations
The Funky Feather Entertainment Center
2423 Old Huntsville Hwy (map)
View Website
Grill & restaurant, games, and indoor laser tag; Open year-round, great for groups!
Four Knights Coffee
109 N Main Street (map)
Children’s story time – 2nd Tuesday, 10:00 AM; weekly in Summer includes a story, craft, and snack.
Jam sessions – Friday nights; bring your musical instruments!
Music Knights – First Saturdays of each month at 7 PM features various artists
Arab Recreation Center
761 N Main Street (map)
View Website
The Rec Center offers youth and adult programs year-round for multiple sports.
Arab Public Library
325 2nd Street (map)
View Website
The library has an extensive collection of reading material, archive room, adult education and children’s reading/ story program (September – April, 9:30 AM); open year-round, closed Thursday and Sunday.
Local Family-Friendly Dining
Dream Catchers Sports Grille at The Funky Feather (map)
Appetizers, burgers, chicken tenders, pizza
Milner’s Dairy Delight (map)
Ice-cream, shakes, burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and chicken sauce.
Sierra’s Mexicanisimo (map)
Local family-owned Mexican restaurant. #TacoTuesdays
ZAX Eats & Sweets (map)
Local cafe with seasonal sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries; coffee/ lattes.
Los Arcos (map)
Popular local chain Mexican restaurant.
Southern Hickory Barbecue (map)
BBQ pork, chicken, turkey, stuffed potatoes, potato salad; sweet tea
Midas Burger (map)
Southern fare: chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, burgers, chicken sauce.
Four Knights Coffee (map)
Coffee/ lattes, milkshakes, sandwiches
L-Rancho Cafe (map)
Soul food, poke salat available seasonally; breakfast and lunch only
Local Museums
Arab Historic Village
224 City Park Dr NE, 35016 (map)
View Website
Located at Arab City Park, the Historic Village is a series of buildings that depict what life was like as Arab became settled. They host annual events like Back When Day and Santa in the Village. Great for groups!
Cost of Freedom Veteran’s Museum
135 S Main Street (map)
View Website
Honors local military veterans and military history.
Annual Events in Arab
Keep an eye out for these fun family-friendly annual events happening in Arab.
- Cruise-in car show (4th Saturday PM, April – October)
- Little Mr. & Miss Arab Pageant (April)
- Easter Egg Hunt (March or April)
- Back When Day (last weekend in April)
- Poke Salat Festival (3rd weekend in May)
- Arab Horse Show (July)
- Homecoming Parade (September or October)
- Arab Community Fair (2nd Saturday in September)
- Christmas In the Park (November 25 – December 31)
- Santa In the Village (November 25 – December 24)
- Christmas Parade (December)
Photo Credit: City of Arab on Facebook
You Might Also Like…
[themify_box color=”lavender”]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jessi Brannon is a commute mom living near Arab, AL with her husband, kid, and a variety of cats. She’s as homegrown as a mater sandwich and enjoys life fully.[/themify_box]
Advertisement
