As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “earth laughs in flowers.” That makes spring an especially jovial time in Huntsville, Alabama. The Huntsville Botanical Gardens must seem downright hilarious from through April 30th with a showcase of annuals, perennials, and flowering trees during their Huntsville Blooms event. If you want to bring the blooms home, the Botanical Garden hosts a Spring Plant Sale April 16-19 with a stunning variety from ferns to heirloom plants to orchids, roses, wildflowers, and even fruit and berry trees and shrubs. All the plants they sell are suited to the climate of North Alabama, so it won’t be hard to watch your thumbs turn as green as the leaves and stems of whatever plants you pick.
That’s not the only way to enjoy the warmer weather, though. Spring is one of the best times to be out and about in Alabama, before it gets too hot and sticky. The Dine & Dash Downtown Trolley Tour starts up again April 8th and continues through October. For just $35 you get to explore downtown Huntsville while enjoying hors d’oeuvres from 4 different restaurants. It’s a fun way to savor some of the city’s best restaurants, and April’s tour includes 189s East, The Office, Church Street Wine Shoppe, and Humphrey’s Bar & Grill. Best of all, there’s no driving necessary— the trolley takes you from spot to spot.
If food is your thing you’ll also enjoy the Heads n Tails Crawfish Boil April 11th at the Von Braun Center. There is a variety of seafood to enjoy and craft beers from local breweries. Mambo Gris Gris and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas will be performing all afternoon. There are also activities for the kids of your grandchildren are able to attend. This event is always a lot of fun and is sure to be a great time with friends or family.
For those more interested in dazzling their other senses, the Land Trust of North Alabama has a variety of guided hikes that aren’t too physically challenging. On April 13th there is a wildflower excursion at Wade Mountain, not far from Alabama A&M University. Botanist Lynne Weninegar will offer information on some of the native plant species along the trail. On May 3rd there is a walk along the Bradford Greek Greenway, a paved stretch in Madison. If you’d like to be more physically active and would like to add variety to your fitness routine these outings are a neat chance to get your blood moving while learning something new and enjoying Alabama’s beautiful landscapes.
No matter how you choose to enjoy the new season, you’re sure to end up following in Emerson’s footsteps and enjoy some laughs as you soak up the sun and have a few adventures. After all, spring is a time when everything is new, and that can apply to your life, too!