South - Huntsville, AL-place to stay, things to do, & food joints...

Going to Huntsville for a workshop. All the hotels I have seen on the web don't look so hot...or they aren't offering any pics for me to look at.

Can someone suggest a place to stay (the workshop is at the marriot) any hotels, inns or BB would be great

Good place to eat.

And things to do besides NASA-did that years ago....looking for something else to do..

Thanks!!

Going to Huntsville for a workshop. All the hotels I have seen on the web don't look so hot...or they aren't offering any pics for me to look at.

Can someone suggest a place to stay (the workshop is at the marriot) any hotels, inns or BB would be great

Good place to eat.

And things to do besides NASA-did that years ago....looking for something else to do..

Thanks!!

Just saw this message today, so it may be a bit too late. I'm in HSV once or twice a month. I have not stayed at the Marriot, but hear it is pretty good. I usually stay near the airport at the Holiday Inn, Radisson or Sheraton (connected to airport). All are fine - Holiday Inn has good restaurant - one of the best I have found in HSV. Only stayed at the Sheraton once - will be back again next week due to convenience arriving around midnight. SPG perks seem better than Holiday Inn too.

Foodwise: Landry's (right across street from Marriot) is pretty good. I also like Sammy's Steak House on University. For Mexican, Rosie's is good - there are a couple locations. Most of what I find in HSV are national chains which I try to avoid - I can get Applebee's anywhere.

Not much I have found to do there. I did make the trip to Lynchburg TN once, but missed the Jack Daniel's tour - last one is around 4:00, so may be difficult with work schedules.

Not the most exciting place to go, but not too bad either. Enjoy your trip - if you have not already.

Also chiming in late but ... the Marriott is very nice. For food experiences, try Dreamland Barbeque and ask about the Thai restaurant - I don't remember the name but there can't be 2.

I did not like the Dreamland in HSV - probably the toughest and driest ribs I have ever had. They asked me if I wanted some bread - white Wonder bread (or local equivalent) straight from the plastic bag with a small side of BBQ sauce.

Yep, there are two Thai restaurants. One in 5 points (Thai Garden) and the other on Airport Road (Surin of Thailand).

I like Thai Garden better, but Sarin is much more $$$ and is also very good.

Also chiming in late but ... the Marriott is very nice. For food experiences, try Dreamland Barbeque and ask about the Thai restaurant - I don't remember the name but there can't be 2.

I normally just get the pork sandwich at Dreamland. Nice size sandwich for the money. The 'bagged' sliced white bread & BBQ sauce is a signature item for Dreamland.

I did not like the Dreamland in HSV - probably the toughest and driest ribs I have ever had. They asked me if I wanted some bread - white Wonder bread (or local equivalent) straight from the plastic bag with a small side of BBQ sauce.

Yep, there are two Thai restaurants. One in 5 points (Thai Garden) and the other on Airport Road (Surin of Thailand).

I like Thai Garden better, but Sarin is much more $$$ and is also very good.

Well, I'll be jiggered! I have been to Surin a couple times and enjoyed the food and service. We ate outside on a covered patio. I wasn't paying. :)

I did not like the Dreamland in HSV - probably the toughest and driest ribs I have ever had. They asked me if I wanted some bread - white Wonder bread (or local equivalent) straight from the plastic bag with a small side of BBQ sauce.

I hesitate to recommend barbeque joints because tastes differ and passion is involved for many. I thought Dreamland was alright but not my favorite either. I have sampled the pork, ribs and chicken. I recommend it because sooner or later, it will come up in conversation, and you should be able to say you've eaten there if you had the opportunity. Most folk do prefer the original location in the Tuscaloosa GMA. I have not been but I'm told the food is better. Of course, if you don't like dry ribs and wonderbread, go somewhere else.

Dreamland in HSV is ok, but prefer the ones in ATL. Not been to the ones in either Tuscaloosa or BHM.

ATL has a larger menu than the one in HSV.

I hesitate to recommend barbeque joints because tastes differ and passion is involved for many. I thought Dreamland was alright but not my favorite either. I have sampled the pork, ribs and chicken. I recommend it because sooner or later, it will come up in conversation, and you should be able to say you've eaten there if you had the opportunity. Most folk do prefer the original location in the Tuscaloosa GMA. I have not been but I'm told the food is better. Of course, if you don't like dry ribs and wonderbread, go somewhere else.

For Bar-Be-Que my preference is Greenbriar (on the I-565 access road out past the airport). The hush puppies and iced tea are excellent.

Other good non-chain restaurants include Sazio's in 5 Points, the Furniture Factory downtown, Green Hills Grille out at the mall, and Hildegard's at the corner of Bob Wallace and California (for a unique german lunch experience).

- RightD

Just to add Green Hills Grille is near "Madison Square Mall" not "Parkway City mall".


For Bar-Be-Que my preference is Greenbriar (on the I-565 access road out past the airport). The hush puppies and iced tea are excellent.

Other good non-chain restaurants include Sazio's in 5 Points, the Furniture Factory downtown, Green Hills Grille out at the mall, and Hildegard's at the corner of Bob Wallace and California (for a unique german lunch experience).

- RightD

Just saw this message today, so it may be a bit too late. I'm in HSV once or twice a month. I have not stayed at the Marriot, but hear it is pretty good. I usually stay near the airport at the Holiday Inn, Radisson or Sheraton (connected to airport). All are fine - Holiday Inn has good restaurant - one of the best I have found in HSV. Only stayed at the Sheraton once - will be back again next week due to convenience arriving around midnight. SPG perks seem better than Holiday Inn too.

Foodwise: Landry's (right across street from Marriot) is pretty good. I also like Sammy's Steak House on University. For Mexican, Rosie's is good - there are a couple locations. Most of what I find in HSV are national chains which I try to avoid - I can get Applebee's anywhere.

Not much I have found to do there. I did make the trip to Lynchburg TN once, but missed the Jack Daniel's tour - last one is around 4:00, so may be difficult with work schedules.

Not the most exciting place to go, but not too bad either. Enjoy your trip - if you have not already.

I need to book 2 families into 2 seperate suites n June for a wedding n Huntsville thru my RCI w/ Wyndham. 1st fam) needs 2bdrm suite-2 adults & 4 kids 2nd fam) need 1bdrm suite w/ sofabed-2 adults w/ 1 16yo. R there any better updates on hotels here? I've found Homewood Suites-Village of Providence. Does Courtyard Huntsville/Huntsville Marriott still exist?

I need to book 2 families into 2 seperate suites n June for a wedding n Huntsville thru my RCI w/ Wyndham. 1st fam) needs 2bdrm suite-2 adults & 4 kids 2nd fam) need 1bdrm suite w/ sofabed-2 adults w/ 1 16yo. R there any better updates on hotels here? I've found Homewood Suites-Village of Providence. Does Courtyard Huntsville/Huntsville Marriott still exist?

Huntsville Marriott is alive and well. I had an award stay there 2 weeks ago. It is a typical Marriott.

I stayed last night at the Radisson Suites off Memorial. We needed a separate bedroom for Mrs BV and I while Miss BV was supposed to sleep on the sofa bed in the living room. She ended up at her brother's apartment instead. I mention it because $109 a night is a pretty good price for a suite, especially including breakfast. I posted a review in the Radisson Gold Points forum. I can't make a strong recommendation, but for a family on a budget, I think it's a decent option. I'm not sure where you can find a 2 BR suite except Homewood. It's possible there's an extended stay option in HSV, maybe a Residence Inn?

Thanks alot BamaVol. I was praying someone would see this post. I saw the Radisson & I was wondering about that. I believe ur correct about Homewood. I'm checking ur suggestions now. I just found out that my timeshare has no property here. So if I can put each family n different hotels on my loyalty program n on a good budget, then its a win-win situation for everyone.

Thanks alot BamaVol. I was praying someone would see this post. I saw the Radisson & I was wondering about that. I believe ur correct about Homewood. I'm checking ur suggestions now. I just found out that my timeshare has no property here. So if I can put each family n different hotels on my loyalty program n on a good budget, then its a win-win situation for everyone.

The Residence Inn does have 2BR units that look like they'll hold up to 6. A random weekend yielded a rate of $154. It's off University. I avoid the area most trips. BV Jr#1 & wife live off Airport Rd. We stick around there and points east except for an occasional dinner out or trip to the mall. The distance between the Radisson and Residence Inn is maybe 15 minutes drive.

Well, I'll be jiggered! I have been to Surin a couple times and enjoyed the food and service. We ate outside on a covered patio. I wasn't paying. :)

We had occasion to eat at Surin Wednesday night. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, as did my guests. I had softshell crabs with asparagus and thought it was wonderful. Others had a ginger stir fry and barbeque chicken (recommended by a former coworker at another table). Appetizers were crispy squid, crab angels and satay chicken. All very good.

My other favorite in the area is across the street at Cafe Berlin - especially for dessert.

BamaVol Jr #1 took us to Another Broken Egg for breakfast. Without a doubt the lightest, tastiest waffle I've ever eaten. I'm afraid I'd get very fat if I visited HSV any more often than I do.

Great help! Ur helping us a lot.