This Hidden Southern City Is A Cozy Mountain Gem Packed With Outdoor Fun

Perched atop Brindlee Mountain is charming Arab, Alabama, a small city with a population of around 9,000 that has a peaceful setting along the shores of the Tennessee River. After its early beginnings as a popular wagon route stop, the city of Arab was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich history that can be experienced today through a collection of well-maintained and restored buildings, including a farmhouse, blacksmith shop, and school. Arab has a cozy mountain location near a pristine fishing lake, yet it is only 40 minutes from Huntsville, Alabama.

Arab makes the perfect basecamp for outdoor exploration, and is near two fabulous state parks, including Cathedral Caverns, an underrated park with accessible caverns and a "Goliath" stalagmite, which is located about a 40-minute drive from Arab. Or, about a 30-minute drive away is Lake Guntersville State Park, resting on Alabama's largest lake with "some of the best fishing in the Southeast." The park has a plethora of outdoor activities both on and off the water, and a diverse lineup of accommodations for every type of camper.

Arab is just a 10-minute drive from the Tennessee River, and the surrounding area is dotted with RV parks and campgrounds. The Lake Guntersville State Park offers many amentities, from an 18-hole golf course and zipline to more than 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Fishing on the 69,000-acre lake offers anglers the chance to catch several types of bass, bluegill, and catfish lurking in the water. The park has several free boat launches, a fishing pier, and pontoon boat, bass boat, or canoe rentals. Visitors will enjoy birdwatching at this park, which is known for its bald eagle population.

Additionally, one of the city's main draws for tourists, according to Tripadvisor, is the Arab Historic Village, a tribute to the pioneer settlers that consists of 10 buildings showcasing life between the 1880s and 1940s. The buildings have authentic furnishings to truly paint a picture of what life was like at the time. A few standouts are the mill, which still contains functioning equipment to get a sense of how cornmeal was made, the Elvin Light Museum, and the general store.

After a visit to the village, there are several mouthwatering restaurants for a bite to eat, but no trip would be complete without getting some classic Alabama barbecue. Hog Leg BBQ and Southern Hickory Barbecue are two of the top-rated restaurants, serving up smoky ribs and tender pulled pork. If you want a taste of the nightlife, the city has several bars, but Seidr Brewing is a stand-out choice. The microbrewery began as a community project, and features locally-sourced ingredients and beers that are made onsite. The dark and speakeasy-style decor gives the brewery a unique vibe, so be sure to check their event calendar for creative happenings.

Depending on the time of year, Arab offers a little something different. Each May, the city hosts its biggest celebration, the Poke Salat Festival, which kicks off with arts and crafts, artisan demonstrations, a pet parade, and bluegrass in honor of the traditional southern dish that is made from pokeweed. During the Back When Festival in April, volunteers can learn common historic trades like quilting and blacksmithing, and in December, Arab has an array of Christmas activities. The Arab Historic Village hosts several unique holiday happenings, such as "reindeer shoe making" at the blacksmith shop during the annual Santa in the Park event. In the fall, be sure to check out the Sweet Dreamz Haunted House in nearby Joppa for a frighteningly good time.

If you're looking for a hotel in Arab, the options are limited to a couple of low-rated budget motels, but nearby Guntersville has a variety of chain hotels and other options. Additionally, the Guntersville State Park has more than 280 camping and glamping sites, including safari tents, RV sites, and primitive camping. There are also luxurious lodge accommodations like lakeside cabins and mountaintop chalets.

If you're flying into the area, Huntsville International Airport is your best bet, with an array of commercial flight options, and is about a 45-minute drive from Arab. If you have extra time, be sure to explore Huntsville, which boasts a futuristic space center, and a thriving arts scene. There are no train stations in Huntsville, but Amtrak does visit Birmingham, Alabama, which has plenty of rental car options and is about an hour and 15 minute drive from Arab.