Dreaming of a day (or two) in Decatur?

Decatur is a small town, but it doesn’t lack for things to do, that’s for sure! From a new state-of-the-art natural science museum to the oldest standing bank building in the state, Decatur’s charm is unmistakable. Deciding what to do will be your biggest challenge, but I’m going to make it easy for you. I’ve put together some days you can spend in Decatur, learning more about its history, shopping and eating, and, of course, having fun.

1.) But first, coffee!

For your girls’ day in Decatur, you should definitely begin with a hot cup of coffee from High Point Market on Second Avenue. This quirky coffee shop has many delish drinks as well as super friendly service. Relax on the big couch, sipping on your coffee before you head out to explore the town.

2.) Shop for home decor downtown

One of my fave boutique shops on Second Avenue is Miss Muldrew’s. She has lovely farmhouse décor, and her candles are a must. Ray of Sunshine is my all-time fave.

3.) Find a new "fit"

Continuing with the shopping, head over to Bank Street and do a little more retail therapy at Threaded. This adorably trendy boutique has the most fashionable clothing and accessories.

4.) Get creative

Ok, so you’ve got our shopping fix out of the way, make your way to the Carnegie Visual Arts Center to take in the latest art exhibit. The Carnegie features the work of many local artists. A fun fact about the Carnegie – it was built in 1904 as a library and was one of 2,509 libraries built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie

5.) Try something tasty

All of this shopping and perusing the art gallery will work up an appetite, and downtown Decatur has so many locally-owned restaurants with a unique flare. Grab lunch at Josie’s on Second Avenue. Josie’s has a more eclectic menu featuring sandwiches, nachos, mahi-mahi tacos, homemade hummus, and more.

After lunch you will need to grab a chocolatey snack from Morgan Price Candy Company and then take a stroll in the beautifully fragrant Rose Garden at Delano Park. This park was founded in 1887 and is one of Alabama’s oldest parks. In the summertime, the hydrangeas are in full bloom, too, and they are absolutely gorgeous.

Thank you to Melea Hames for this incredible itinerary.

A 1995 Auburn University graduate, Melea is the Social Media Manager for Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. She started at AMLA in 2010 after teaching middle school English for three years. Prior to that she worked in public relations for an advertising agency in Atlanta, a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia, and for Auburn University. She loves to travel, go to Auburn games, and she just became a foster mom.