Road trip from Columbia to Huntsville
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Sights & Landmarks
Outdoor Activities
Nightlife
Nature & Parks
Fun & Games
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ITINERARY
8h 32m406 miles17 stops
1
Studio Cellar
2
Ponce City Market
3
Johnny's Hideaway
4
Underground Atlanta
Known as “the city beneath the city,” Underground Atlanta has been the cultural heart of Downtown Atlanta since the 1900s. From basement speakeasies to the annual Peach Drop (where an 800-pound peach is dropped from the top of a building to ring in the new year), this arts, entertainment, and retail district has seen it all. Today, Underground Atlanta offers a multifaceted cultural experience featuring a virtual reality gallery, music clubs, and restaurants. travelers can also enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals, artisan markets, and more. This vibrant hub is conveniently connected to the Five Points train station, and just a short stroll from the scenic Broad Street Boardwalk. – Tripadvisor
5
State Farm Arena
Philips Arena, named for founding partner Philips Electronics and home of the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and WNBA's Atlanta Dream, has hosted many top tours and events including: U2, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Sesame Street Live and so many more!
6
Trails End Ranch
7
Chattanooga Zoo
Imagine a zoo that's specially designed to bring the animals up close to you. Imagine a zoo where you have time to notice the subtleties of animal behavior, instead of being pushed along by an impatient crowd. Imagine an exciting and diverse zoo that's still easy to navigate with strollers...or little legs. That's the new Chattanooga Zoo!
8
River Gallery
Craft and art collections.
9
Forest Hills Cemetery
10
Naughty Cat Cafe
Naughty Cat Cafe is a comfortable and healthy space to interact with adoptable cats and enjoy coffee, tea, beer and baked goods. Ages 11+.
11
Lookout Mountain
This mountain ridge is home to three scenic attractions: Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. Ruby Falls is the country’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall at 260 feet, while Rock City is where you can supposedly see seven states at the iconic Lover’s Leap. Then, brace yourself as you hop on the Incline Railway—the steepest passenger railway in the world. We recommend you spend at least 4 hours at Lookout Mountain to experience the highlights. Each attraction is priced separately and tickets sell out fast, so book early to secure your spot. – Tripadvisor
12
Ruby Falls
ADVENTURE AWAITS! Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Take a guided Classic Waterfall Tour, Lantern Tour or Extended Cavern Experience Tour along the scenic cavern trail to the breathtaking waterfall. See ancient geological formations, millions of years in the making, and learn about the cave's storied history. Enjoy extensive views of the Tennessee Valley, Cumberland Plateau and the Tennessee River from scenic overlooks and Lookout Mountain Tower. There is always something new to discover at this national treasure! Tours fill quickly, purchase tickets in advance online for best availability.
13
CC's Antiques
14
Earlyworks Museum Complex
Interactive children's museum focused on teaching about Alabama history.
15
The Deep Comics & Games
One of the largest comic / games / toys stores in the South East! Board Games and TCG Games daily!
16
The Cigar Box Guitar Store
The only one in the world! The Cigar Box Guitar Store located in Studio 106 at Lowe Mill A&E features art you can touch. There are dozens of handmade three-and-four string cigar box guitars and other cigar box instruments that visitors can play. Learn more about how these unique instruments are created by the artist himself most Friday and Saturday afternoons. Want to learn how to play cigar box guitar? Come for free lessons on Saturdays anytime between Noon-2:00 and borrow a guitar.
17
Huntsville Botanical Garden
The 118-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and contains a diverse ecosystem of meadows, upland and bottomland forest, and wetlands, as well as a variety of specialty gardens and native plant collections. The Mathews Nature Trail contains the largest accredited trillium collection in the U.S. and the Anderson Education Center is home to the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. The Native Plants Teaching Garden is a public space that highlights the way local plants, soil, pollinators, and birds create distinct communities and how they interact to form a diverse, sustainable, and attractive landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the North American Plant Collections Consortium, and the American Horticultural Society, as well as an ArbNet-accredited arboretum.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Studio Cellar
Columbia, South Carolina·
5.0
(9) review
912 Lady St The Vista, Columbia, SC 29201-3106
2
Start:Ponce City Market
Atlanta, Georgia·
4.5
(992) review
675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308-1884
3
Start:Johnny's Hideaway
Atlanta, Georgia·
3.5
(95) review
3771 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342-4414
4
Start:Underground Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia·
2.0
(976) review
Known as “the city beneath the city,” Underground Atlanta has been the cultural heart of Downtown Atlanta since the 1900s. From basement speakeasies to the annual Peach Drop (where an 800-pound peach is dropped from the top of a building to ring in the new year), this arts, entertainment, and retail district has seen it all. Today, Underground Atlanta offers a multifaceted cultural experience featuring a virtual reality gallery, music clubs, and restaurants. travelers can also enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals, artisan markets, and more. This vibrant hub is conveniently connected to the Five Points train station, and just a short stroll from the scenic Broad Street Boardwalk. – Tripadvisor
5
Start:State Farm Arena
Atlanta, Georgia·
4.5
(912) review
Philips Arena, named for founding partner Philips Electronics and home of the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and WNBA's Atlanta Dream, has hosted many top tours and events including: U2, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Sesame Street Live and so many more!
6
Start:Trails End Ranch
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.0
(4) review
224 Trails End Rd, Chattanooga, TN 30707-6055
7
Start:Chattanooga Zoo
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.0
(907) review
Imagine a zoo that's specially designed to bring the animals up close to you. Imagine a zoo where you have time to notice the subtleties of animal behavior, instead of being pushed along by an impatient crowd. Imagine an exciting and diverse zoo that's still easy to navigate with strollers...or little legs. That's the new Chattanooga Zoo!
8
Start:River Gallery
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.5
(98) review
Craft and art collections.
9
Start:Forest Hills Cemetery
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.5
(8) review
4016 Tennessee Ave St. Elmo, Chattanooga, TN 37409-1372
10
Start:Naughty Cat Cafe
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
5.0
(715) review
Naughty Cat Cafe is a comfortable and healthy space to interact with adoptable cats and enjoy coffee, tea, beer and baked goods. Ages 11+.
11
Start:Lookout Mountain
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.5
(4358) review
This mountain ridge is home to three scenic attractions: Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. Ruby Falls is the country’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall at 260 feet, while Rock City is where you can supposedly see seven states at the iconic Lover’s Leap. Then, brace yourself as you hop on the Incline Railway—the steepest passenger railway in the world. We recommend you spend at least 4 hours at Lookout Mountain to experience the highlights. Each attraction is priced separately and tickets sell out fast, so book early to secure your spot. – Tripadvisor
12
Start:Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.0
(7298) review
ADVENTURE AWAITS! Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Take a guided Classic Waterfall Tour, Lantern Tour or Extended Cavern Experience Tour along the scenic cavern trail to the breathtaking waterfall. See ancient geological formations, millions of years in the making, and learn about the cave's storied history. Enjoy extensive views of the Tennessee Valley, Cumberland Plateau and the Tennessee River from scenic overlooks and Lookout Mountain Tower. There is always something new to discover at this national treasure! Tours fill quickly, purchase tickets in advance online for best availability.
13
Start:CC's Antiques
Chattanooga, Tennessee·
4.0
(9) review
2939 Cummings Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37419-2356
14
Start:Earlyworks Museum Complex
Huntsville, Alabama·
4.0
(92) review
Interactive children's museum focused on teaching about Alabama history.
15
Start:The Deep Comics & Games
Huntsville, Alabama·
4.5
(9) review
One of the largest comic / games / toys stores in the South East! Board Games and TCG Games daily!
16
Start:The Cigar Box Guitar Store
Huntsville, Alabama·
5.0
(9) review
The only one in the world! The Cigar Box Guitar Store located in Studio 106 at Lowe Mill A&E features art you can touch. There are dozens of handmade three-and-four string cigar box guitars and other cigar box instruments that visitors can play. Learn more about how these unique instruments are created by the artist himself most Friday and Saturday afternoons. Want to learn how to play cigar box guitar? Come for free lessons on Saturdays anytime between Noon-2:00 and borrow a guitar.
17
Start:Huntsville Botanical Garden
Huntsville, Alabama·
4.5
(912) review
The 118-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and contains a diverse ecosystem of meadows, upland and bottomland forest, and wetlands, as well as a variety of specialty gardens and native plant collections. The Mathews Nature Trail contains the largest accredited trillium collection in the U.S. and the Anderson Education Center is home to the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. The Native Plants Teaching Garden is a public space that highlights the way local plants, soil, pollinators, and birds create distinct communities and how they interact to form a diverse, sustainable, and attractive landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the North American Plant Collections Consortium, and the American Horticultural Society, as well as an ArbNet-accredited arboretum.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Columbia and Huntsville?
The distance is 406 miles
What's the travel time between Columbia and Huntsville?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 8h 32m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Columbia and Huntsville?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Huntsville?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Huntsville
What’s the weather like in Huntsville?
The weather in Huntsville is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Huntsville in January
Weather in Huntsville in February
Weather in Huntsville in March
Weather in Huntsville in April
Weather in Huntsville in May
Weather in Huntsville in June
Weather in Huntsville in July
Weather in Huntsville in August
Weather in Huntsville in September
Weather in Huntsville in October
Weather in Huntsville in November
Weather in Huntsville in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Huntsville?
Plan your dream Huntsville trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Huntsville
A 2-day itinerary in Huntsville
A 3-day itinerary in Huntsville
A 4-day itinerary in Huntsville
A 5-day itinerary in Huntsville
A 6-day itinerary in Huntsville
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Columbia?
We have a lot of great trip options for Columbia! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you