A look at Elite venues

Guntersville: A tour of Scottsboro

Posted on
Sure, Lake Guntersville is known for its amazing bass fishery, but there’s so much more to the area than fishing. Tag along on this tour of the Scottsboro area to learn what this beautiful North Alabama region has to offer. <br><br> Just a few minutes from Scottsboro, Ala., is Cathedral Caverns State Park. This hidden jewel features tours of an amazing cave filled with fanciful formations that developed over millennia. The opening to the cavern is 125 feet wide and 25 feet high.
Sure, Lake Guntersville is known for its amazing bass fishery, but there’s so much more to the area than fishing. Tag along on this tour of the Scottsboro area to learn what this beautiful North Alabama region has to offer.
Just a few minutes from Scottsboro, Ala., is Cathedral Caverns State Park. This hidden jewel features tours of an amazing cave filled with fanciful formations that developed over millennia. The opening to the cavern is 125 feet wide and 25 feet high.
One of Cathedral Caverns’ “rooms” is known as Stalagmite Forest because it is filled with stalagmites.
One of Cathedral Caverns’ “rooms” is known as Stalagmite Forest because it is filled with stalagmites.
The walking tour extends more than 2,500 feet into the mountain. This 550-foot stretch is known as Boulder Boulevard because of the huge rocks scattered along the way. The boulders fell from the roof to form the cavern.
The walking tour extends more than 2,500 feet into the mountain. This 550-foot stretch is known as Boulder Boulevard because of the huge rocks scattered along the way. The boulders fell from the roof to form the cavern.
Goliath is a massive stalagmite column standing on the edge of a pool of crystal-clear water. The reflection in the dim light makes it look like Goliath extends far below the surface of the water, which is actually only inches deep. The column stands 40 feet high and measures 240 feet around the base.
Goliath is a massive stalagmite column standing on the edge of a pool of crystal-clear water. The reflection in the dim light makes it look like Goliath extends far below the surface of the water, which is actually only inches deep. The column stands 40 feet high and measures 240 feet around the base.
A 20-mimute drive from Cathedral Caverns brings you to Walls of Jericho, a beautiful natural area offering hiking and horse-riding trails.
A 20-mimute drive from Cathedral Caverns brings you to Walls of Jericho, a beautiful natural area offering hiking and horse-riding trails.
The Walls of Jericho hiking trail is 6.6 miles long, and is rated as a difficult walk. However, the trail does feature a waterfall.
The Walls of Jericho hiking trail is 6.6 miles long, and is rated as a difficult walk. However, the trail does feature a waterfall.
The short stretch of the Walls of Jericho hiking trail I had time to walk featured beautiful scenery. It’s definitely on my list for a return visit.
The short stretch of the Walls of Jericho hiking trail I had time to walk featured beautiful scenery. It’s definitely on my list for a return visit.
What happens to unclaimed baggage at airports? The best stuff ends up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where you can shop for all kinds of goods. This center is the only one in the United States that purchases unclaimed baggage from airlines and offers it for sale, and you never know what treasures you’ll find.
What happens to unclaimed baggage at airports? The best stuff ends up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where you can shop for all kinds of goods. This center is the only one in the United States that purchases unclaimed baggage from airlines and offers it for sale, and you never know what treasures you’ll find.
Scottsboro, Ala., also is full of history. For instance, you can visit the Scottsboro Railroad Depot Museum, one of only three pre-Civil War railroad depots in the state. The depot was originally built in 1860-61, and it was designated the center of Scottsboro in 1870 when town leaders laid out the city limits.
Scottsboro, Ala., also is full of history. For instance, you can visit the Scottsboro Railroad Depot Museum, one of only three pre-Civil War railroad depots in the state. The depot was originally built in 1860-61, and it was designated the center of Scottsboro in 1870 when town leaders laid out the city limits.
Grab some comfort food and eat in style at the old McCuthen’s Magnolia House. Choose from Southern specialties like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and hamburger steak, as well as other menu items.
Grab some comfort food and eat in style at the old McCuthen’s Magnolia House. Choose from Southern specialties like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and hamburger steak, as well as other menu items.
Learn everything there is to know about the area at the Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Museum. The center is dedicated to Jackson County's rich history, customs and traditions, as well as its art. Much of the collections are housed in the antebellum Brown Proctor House.
Learn everything there is to know about the area at the Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Museum. The center is dedicated to Jackson County’s rich history, customs and traditions, as well as its art. Much of the collections are housed in the antebellum Brown Proctor House.
The Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Museum also includes a pioneer village named “Sagetown,” which features structures representing the region’s pioneer heritage.
The Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Museum also includes a pioneer village named “Sagetown,” which features structures representing the region’s pioneer heritage.
Don’t forget to visit Scottsboro’s downtown district. You can shop, eat, drink coffee, grab a snack and even get your hair cut in the locally owned businesses ringing the town square. Scottsboro Tackle Company, for instance, has everything you need to catch fish on Lake Guntersville.
Don’t forget to visit Scottsboro’s downtown district. You can shop, eat, drink coffee, grab a snack and even get your hair cut in the locally owned businesses ringing the town square. Scottsboro Tackle Company, for instance, has everything you need to catch fish on Lake Guntersville.
Pine Brothers Coffee Company and La De Da’s Antiques show the diversity of the locally owned businesses on the town square.
Pine Brothers Coffee Company and La De Da’s Antiques show the diversity of the locally owned businesses on the town square.
The downtown district’s building’s definitely have some age to them, and that means the businesses often have very cool vibes. Enjoying a cup of Joe inside Pine Brothers Coffee Company is like stepping into the past.
The downtown district’s building’s definitely have some age to them, and that means the businesses often have very cool vibes. Enjoying a cup of Joe inside Pine Brothers Coffee Company is like stepping into the past.
Wives can be pampered at the Chaleur Salon and Spa while their husbands are out playing golf or fishing.
Wives can be pampered at the Chaleur Salon and Spa while their husbands are out playing golf or fishing.
Grab a bite to eat at Payne’s Sandwich Shop & Soda Fountain, which has been serving the Scottsboro community since 1869.
Grab a bite to eat at Payne’s Sandwich Shop & Soda Fountain, which has been serving the Scottsboro community since 1869.
The town square features several boutiques, offering even more for wives to do while their husbands are out doing man things.
The town square features several boutiques, offering even more for wives to do while their husbands are out doing man things.
A war memorial honors local residents who gave their lives in this country’s wars and conflicts from World War I through the Korean War.
A war memorial honors local residents who gave their lives in this country’s wars and conflicts from World War I through the Korean War.
A stone bust memorializes Gen. Andrew Jackson, for which the county is named, sits in front of the county courthouse. The county was named after the general in 1819 by the state Legislature because he was visiting Huntsville during the legislative session.
A stone bust memorializes Gen. Andrew Jackson, for which the county is named, sits in front of the county courthouse. The county was named after the general in 1819 by the state Legislature because he was visiting Huntsville during the legislative session.
The Jackson County Courthouse sits on land donated by the widow of Robert Thomas Scott. Scott was a planter, tavern operator, newspaper editor, legislator and land developer who advocated moving the county seat from Bellefont to the settlement bearing his name, but he was unsuccessful before his 1863 death. His widow donated the land to the county government in 1868, on condition that the town be named the county seat.
The Jackson County Courthouse sits on land donated by the widow of Robert Thomas Scott. Scott was a planter, tavern operator, newspaper editor, legislator and land developer who advocated moving the county seat from Bellefont to the settlement bearing his name, but he was unsuccessful before his 1863 death. His widow donated the land to the county government in 1868, on condition that the town be named the county seat.
A couple of wood swings on the courthouse square offer shaded places to relax and while away the time.
A couple of wood swings on the courthouse square offer shaded places to relax and while away the time.
The Variety Bake Shop sells baked goods that get your day started right.
The Variety Bake Shop sells baked goods that get your day started right.
True barber shops are becoming harder to find, but Eddie’s Styling & Barber Shop remains a fixture on the Scottsboro square.
True barber shops are becoming harder to find, but Eddie’s Styling & Barber Shop remains a fixture on the Scottsboro square.
Walk into Eddie’s and you find a barber shop that looks like a movie set.
Walk into Eddie’s and you find a barber shop that looks like a movie set.
Golfers have plenty to keep them busy in the Scottsboro area. There are three golf courses, including this one at Goose Pond Colony Resort, in the city.
Golfers have plenty to keep them busy in the Scottsboro area. There are three golf courses, including this one at Goose Pond Colony Resort, in the city.
The Dock Restaurant is located right on the banks of Lake Guntersville within Goose Pond Colony Resort. So enjoy the view while filling up after a day catching fish or chasing little white balls.
The Dock Restaurant is located right on the banks of Lake Guntersville within Goose Pond Colony Resort. So enjoy the view while filling up after a day catching fish or chasing little white balls.
Goose Pond Colony Resort even offers cottage rentals. These quaint wood cabins are situated right on the banks of Lake Guntersville, and are perfect for fishing or golfing getaways.
Goose Pond Colony Resort even offers cottage rentals. These quaint wood cabins are situated right on the banks of Lake Guntersville, and are perfect for fishing or golfing getaways.
Even if you don’t own a boat you can get out on Lake Guntersville by renting a kayak at Goose Pond Colony Resort.
Even if you don’t own a boat you can get out on Lake Guntersville by renting a kayak at Goose Pond Colony Resort.
There are plenty of beautiful, shaded RV spots at Goose Pond Colony Resort. Just set up and start relaxing.
There are plenty of beautiful, shaded RV spots at Goose Pond Colony Resort. Just set up and start relaxing.
There also are plenty of green spaces in Scottsboro. For instance, King Caldwell Park offers beautiful walking trails and picnic areas.
There also are plenty of green spaces in Scottsboro. For instance, King Caldwell Park offers beautiful walking trails and picnic areas.
But don’t forget the great fishing to be had on Lake Guntersville. Boat ramps all around the lake make access a breeze.
But don’t forget the great fishing to be had on Lake Guntersville. Boat ramps all around the lake make access a breeze.
Finish off the day watching a spectacular sunset over Lake Guntersville from Washington Park in Section, Ala., just across the lake from Scottsboro.
Finish off the day watching a spectacular sunset over Lake Guntersville from Washington Park in Section, Ala., just across the lake from Scottsboro.

Related