Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Decatur is a city of about 58,000 people on the Tennessee River in north Alabama, about 25 miles west of Huntsville. Founded in 1820 and named after naval hero Stephen Decatur, it is one of the oldest towns in the state, and its historic districts have some of the finest Victorian homes in Alabama.
The Old State Bank, built in 1833, is one of the oldest bank buildings in the state and survived the Civil War, when much of Decatur was destroyed. The Princess Theatre, a 1919 Art Deco movie palace, hosts concerts and plays, and the Bank Street and Second Avenue districts are full of shops and restaurants.
The Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake are central to life in Decatur. Point Mallard Park has a water park, golf and campground, and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, just east, is famous for thousands of wintering sandhill cranes. Delano Park has a historic rose garden, and Cook Museum of Natural Science is a popular family attraction.
A Greek Revival bank completed in 1833 with tall limestone columns, one of the oldest bank buildings in Alabama, which survived the Civil War when most of Decatur was destroyed. It is now a free museum with restored banking rooms and exhibits. It stands at the foot of Bank Street near the river.
Decatur's historic riverside street of late 1800s brick buildings, now filled with antique shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It is a pleasant place to browse on foot and hosts seasonal events. The Old State Bank anchors one end, and the Tennessee River is just a few steps away.
A historic downtown theater, first opened in 1919 and remodeled in Art Deco style in the 1940s, with a glowing neon marquee. It now presents concerts, plays, comedy and touring shows as a center for the performing arts. Check the season schedule and buy tickets early for popular performances.
An art center in Decatur's 1904 Carnegie library building, with galleries showing changing exhibits of regional and national artists, art classes and events. Admission is usually free or by donation. The classical building itself is attractive, and it is a short walk from the downtown restaurants.
A modern natural science museum downtown with a large aquarium, live animals, interactive exhibits on caves, forests and the Tennessee Valley, plus a big collection of insects. It is especially good for families with kids. Allow two to three hours, and buy tickets online to avoid lines on weekends.
A historic city park in Decatur with the restored Delano Rose Garden, old stone structures from the 1930s, a playground, splash pad and shaded walking paths. The rose garden is at its best in May and again in the fall. It is a quiet spot for a stroll, with free parking around the park.
A waterfront park and marina on the Tennessee River in Decatur, with boat slips, a pavilion, a playground and open lawns used for concerts and festivals. It is a popular place to watch the sunset over the river and the bridges. Fishing from the bank is common, and parking is easy and free.
A large city park on the Tennessee River with a water park that has a wave pool, lazy river and slides, plus a golf course, campground, trails and an ice rink in winter. It is a summer favorite for families. The water park opens from Memorial Day to early August; buy tickets online to save time.
An annual Memorial Day weekend festival at Point Mallard Park, among the oldest balloon events in the South, with mass ascensions of hot air balloons, night glows, car shows, live music and food vendors. Balloon launches depend on the weather and happen early and late in the day, so plan for those times.
A large refuge along the Tennessee River on the edge of Decatur, famous for the thousands of sandhill cranes and rare whooping cranes that winter here. The visitor center has an observation building with windows over the wetlands. Visit from December to February for the best crane viewing; entry is free.
A paved riverside trail along the Tennessee River that links downtown Decatur with parks and boat landings, good for walking, jogging and biking with views of the river bridges and barges. Benches line the route. Start near the Old State Bank or Ingalls Harbor, where there is plenty of parking.
Top-rated local businesses in Decatur, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Decatur? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Decatur? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: MPearsallArt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: AlabamaGuy2007 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: AlabamaGuy2007 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: National Trails Office (US National Park Service), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Antony-22, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: AlabamaGuy2007 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: MPearsallArt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Pruitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kevin Stephenson from Florence, AL, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ke4roh at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: The Redstone Rocket, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
