Plan the Perfect Weekend in Downtown Huntsville

Wondering what to do this weekend? We have you covered! This week packs an exciting punch with Food Trucks, Movies in the Park, a Downtown Dog Day with the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, and so much more! Plan your perfect weekend and learn all about these events in this weeks edition of the the Downtown Explorer.

Big smiles and wagging tails make for a fantastic night in Downtown Huntsville! Come join us and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society for this Downtown Dog Day. This event will be located at the Dog Spot Dog Park Saturday from 4-7pm. This night will be full of fun for you and your furry friend. There will be food trucks for the parents and exciting games and treats for the pups. Some pup activities include an agility course, splash zones, and fun photo opportunities. Do not forget to RSVP on our Facebook page here!

Looking for some Friday fun? Check these out!

Food Trucks in Big Spring Park, presented by Amanda Howard Sotheby's International Realty- A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while also grabbing some great food from fan favorite food trucks. This event starts at 5pm and wraps up at 9pm. So stop by for some amazing food and a fun atmosphere! Check out our Facebook Event Page for a map of the night.

Movies in the Park, presented by Progress Bank- This week we are featuring Disney's Soul! The movie will start around 7pm. So grab a blanket and some friends then head to Constitution Hall Park to get a good spot! Piper and Leaf will be open for movie-goers to purchase tea, coffee, and other awesome products! Plus, What's Popp'N will be there for all of your movie popcorn needs! Make sure to bring your own blanket and chairs, and come out to enjoy these Fall Friday Nights! RSVP to our Facebook Event Page here!

Don't forget to check out our Instagram page and complete your "Soul" bucket list this Friday night!

DHI is partnering with Below the Radar for National Cheeseburger Day on September 18th! The first 10 cheeseburgers ordered at BTR on the 18th are free courtesy of DHI! Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day at Below the Radar with us this Saturday.

We have released two new episodes of our Downtown Explorer Podcast Series!

Episode 7: Restaurantering in Downtown Huntsville with Stephanie Mell
DHI President and CEO, Chad Emerson, sits down with restauranter Stephanie Mell, co-owner of the Church Street Family Businesses. She talks about what it takes to be an entrepreneur in Downtown Huntsville as well as the process it took to make each of the Church Street Family Restaurants.

Episode 8: Writing about Downtown Huntsville with Matt Wake
DHI President and CEO, Chad Emerson, sits down with al.com entertainment reporter, Matt Wake. They discuss his role at al.com, some of his favorite interviews, and what he sees for the future of entertainment in Downtown Huntsville.


Episodes 7 & 8 are available now!

Now available on Apple Podcast!

St. Patricks Day Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale!

March is the month of St. Patrick's Day and you know we love the color green here at DHI! Therefore, join us next week for a Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale, Holmes Ave. Block Party, and the announcement of a new Downtown Huntsville Trail! You get all the details in this edition of the Downtown Explorer.

We are going all out for St. Patty's day in Downtown Huntsville! On Saturday March 13th, join us for a Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale on Clinton Avenue and a Block Party on Holmes Avenue! This outdoor event will include shopping, dining, drinking, gaming, and giveaways to celebrate this upcoming holiday!

Art Vendors and Buskers will be out from 11am to 3pm while local businesses will expand their merchandise to the sidewalk. At 3pm head over to Holmes Avenue for a fun block party with more shopping, dining, and entertainment.

View our Facebook Page to learn more about the art vendors, buskers, and updates on this event!

At this special Super Saturday, we are hosting an IG Reels contest!!! You must post an IG Reel on Saturday of you showcasing something green! Yes just show us something green! The more creative your IG Reel, the better chance you have of being a winner in this contest.

You can find green colored clothes in our local businesses, green plants from our art vendors, green colored food at our restaurants, and so much more! We want to see you having a great pre-St. Patrick's Day Saturday!!!

The best IG Reels will win a gift card to one of our Craft Beer Trail establishments!! Don't forget to tag us in your IG Reel to be entered to win!

Hockey & Food! Can you name a better duo?

Sports and food always go hand in hand, especially in Downtown Huntsville. This week we want to showcase our amazing Huntsville Hockey teams, but we can't leave you with an empty stomach! So, enjoy these lists of our favorite breakfast and lunch items in the downtown core. All in this edition of the Downtown Explorer!

Huntsville Hockey is something you have to experience live! Our Huntsville Havoc professional hockey team is halfway through their season and need your support during their games! Come cheer them on at the Von Braun Center this week.

Upcoming home games:
Feb. 26 @ 7pm
Feb. 27 @7pm
Mar. 14 @5pm

The same goes for our UAH Hockey team, coming to the close of their season. Cheer on the chargers for their final games!

Upcoming home games:
Mar. 6 @4pm
Mar. 7 @2pm

If you haven't been downtown early in the morning for a cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito, then you truly haven't experienced Downtown Huntsville! Here is our list of our favorite breakfast items in the downtown core:

• Hippea Camper has officially moved into Beezr on Northside Square, we recommend you try their Hashroom Bake (hashbrowns with vegan mozzarella, mushrooms, and vegan susuage)

• If you enjoy a french toast, we recommend the Blueberry French Toast at Rhythm on Monroe topped with whipped honey butter, bacon, and more!

• Commerce Kitchen is a beautiful spot for an outdoor brunch with friends. Try their Cast Iron Skillet & Eggs meal with a delicious Mimosa.

• Have a big appetite? Visit La Esquina Cocina for some Steak & Eggs!

• Need a wide selection? 1892 East Restaurant has everything from eggs, to chicken, to tofu. However, we do recommend you try their Eggs Benedict!

• A winner of our Super Seven Breakfast Items is Below the Radar's Biscuits & Gravy! A great southern comfort food.

• When it comes to Acai Bowls, you better head to Honest Coffee Roasters! Seriously, we recommend any of them!

• Moon Bakeshop has so many great options (including their coffee), but our favorite is the Bacon Cheddar Scone!

• If you want a small breakfast, try Cozy Cow's smoothie options!

• Fan of pancakes? Try Another Broken Egg's Buttermilk Pancakes with various topping options!

• Of course, if you are a coffee lover, we have to recommend the Craft Coffee Trail with 10 local coffee shops around the downtown area!

The past few weeks, the DHI Staff have been trying various lunch options in the downtown core and we challenge you to do the same! Here is our list of recommendations:

• Inside Beezr you can find the Champagne Taco Kitchen, offering just that! We recommend the Carnitas Tacos (Pulled-pork confit, roasted corn, Guajillo rojo salsa, cilantro, cotija)!

• Corner Pour recently announced they would be opening for lunch on the weekends, and we are so glad they made that decision. Our recommendation here is the Miso Soup!

• Humphrey's Bar & Grill has a wide selection of chicken options so we recommend The Humphrey's Bird (a classic chicken sandwich).

• The Poppy's recently opened kitchen, The Parliament, has a great selection of UK-inspired cuisines. We recommend starting with the French Onion Soup!

• Sushi! That's what we recommend at Oshi Poke Bowl & Sushi!

• Pecan Encrusted Crispy Trout...if that doesn't make your mouth water, I don't know what will. Try it at Rhythm on Monroe!

• If you are at the Furniture Factory for a drink, try their hamburger steak topped with mushrooms and onions. A great dish to pair with a cold glass of beer!

• Looking for a salad? Try the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna at Commerce Kitchen!

• Try the Kimchi Fried Rice at Big Oh's for a kick of delicious Asian cuisine.

• Jack Brown's Burger & Beer Joint has some of the best burgers in the world, we are convinced. We can't recommend just one, go try them all!

• Cheese lover? Get the Mac Melt at MELT Huntsville! Mac & Cheese inside a grilled cheese? Yes, please!

• For a family meal, grab the double-wide or triple-wide meals at Moe's Original BBQ!

• The Heady Boi Salad at Phat Sammy's is such a unique and delicious creation (like everything at Phat Sammys)!

• Fan of Buffalo Chicken? Try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza at Sam & Gregs Pizzeria (or just try any pizza)!

• Pane e Vino has the best pasta selection. We recommend trying the Butternut Squash Ravioli!

• Craving a specialty taco? You can build your own at Taco Mama in downtown!

• Like the idea of creating your own lunch? Create your own Calzone at Marios Five Points!

• Last but certainly not least, we recommend you try the BBQ Pork Sandwich at Ted's BBQ!

Lunch in Downtown Huntsville is a great way to enjoy downtown during the day while also supporting our local businesses. Remember most of these restaurants offer curbside pickup, to-go ordering, and some even offer delivery (check out GrubSouth)! So, will you accept our challenge to have lunch with us? If so, use the hashtag #LunchWithDHI and tag us so we can share your favorite lunch items in the Rocket City Center!

2020's Downtown New Business of the Year Nominees!

Downtown Huntsville, Inc.'s Annual Meeting and Awards, presented by The University of Alabama in Huntsville with support from Google Fiber, will be held on January 22nd from 7:30-9:00am. Not only will we have an amazing panel to hear from, but a new award will also be presented on Friday! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we will showcase the nominees for the Downtown New Business of the Year award that will be voted on LIVE during the virtual meeting this year!

Canadian Bakin'
Canadian Bakin' has quickly become a community favorite in Downtown Huntsville this year! Offering coffee and carbs in an aesthetically pleasing little shop, there is no question on why they were nominated for this award!

Beezr
Beezr is home to Chandlers Ford Brewing, Northside Coffee, and the Champagne Taco Kitchen. Two of which are also the newest additions to our Craft Beer Trail and Craft Coffee Trail!

Cookie Dough Magic
Remember when you were told not to lick the spoon after your mom mixed the cookie dough? Well, you can live out your wildest dreams here at Cookie Dough Magic, where you can eat as much raw (but safe) cookie dough as you please!

Catacomb 435
Not even the prohibition can keep us out of this 1920s speakeasy under Downtown Huntsville! The theme is not the only thing making Catacomb deserving of this nomination. You can also grab a personalized cocktail at this secret spot!

La Esquina Cocina
La Esquina Cocina not only offers great food, but they have promoted a great Hispanic culture in downtown as well. We are proud to have this new dining spot in Downtown Huntsville this year!

Jack Browns Beer & Burger Joint
If you haven't tried Jack Browns Burgers yet, why? This nominee has exquisite food, great beer, and a lively atmosphere! Opening during a pandemic is very challenging, but Jack Browns has done an amazing job, earning them a spot as a nominee for this award!

Stella's Elixir Lounge
This swanky new lounge lets you travel in luxury right here in downtown! From the old Hollywood vibes inside the lounge to Miami cabanas on the outside balconies, Stella's has been a great new addition to Downtown Huntsville and consequently, deserves a spot as a nominee.

The Poppy & The Parliament
Already a great establishment, The Poppy Pub introduced The Parliament this year. Serving delicious international dishes, which we desperately need to cure our travel bugs!

Phat Sammy’s
Right in the center of downtown, Phat Sammy’s is an eclectic place that offers food and drinks like you’ve never had before! They have handmade tiki cocktails and plenty of spam!

Find out who has won the Downtown New Business of the Year award on Friday January 22nd!