Things to Do in Huntsville

A signature Gene Bates–designed course, Saddle Creek Golf Club's 18-hole layout alternates between dense woodlands and open fields, all brought together by a winding, stone-lined creek that babbles across multiple holes. Encroaching trees, lakes, and angry linebackers loom throughout the front nine, where accurate tee shots must bisect unforgiving fairways. The course's second act takes golfers out of dense tree lines and into an open, links-style layout, where players must conquer deep bunkers, intervening waterways, and unfavorable lies wrought by mounded, Scottish-style terrain. Rounds end with dramatic flair at the 18th hole, where a two-tiered green tests how well players have adjusted to the slick, bentgrass putting surfaces and triangular holes that dot the entire course.

The club's Nineteenth Hole overlooks the emerald expanse, allowing golfers to relive glorious moments over frothy beverages, savory meals from the grill, or mouthwatering sports broadcasts by Brent Musburger on the diner's dual big-screen TVs and LCD projector.

Course at a Glance:


* Designed by Gene Bates

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,708 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.3 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 129 from the farthest tees
• Four tee options

The expert staff at Phoenix Paintball Division oversees multiple fields sprawling across 30 acres of paintball action. A woods field cloaks artistic assassins with trees and bunkers, and a tire-and-hay field conceals teams as they rally together toward victory. As in marital disputes between pro athletes, trained referees strictly enforce all rules, making safety the top priority at Phoenix. The pro shop rents and sells all necessary equipment, accessories, and apparel, as well as food and drinks to keep players fueled during friendly outings, group events, or special occasions, such as birthday parties.

The ATV has revolutionized off-roading, traversing terrain inaccessible to cars with more speed than a bicycle and more stability than a dirt bike. Four Wheelin' Expeditions' staff knows the advantages of an extreme off-roading vehicle, which is why carry a fleet of Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, and Can-Am ATVs. Their single-seaters transport riders through rocky terrain with the agility of a mechanical cheetah. Four Wheelin’ lets riders rent for a half or full day, with guided tours available at nearby parks.

Founded 16 years ago by Jay and Beth Handline, Dance Trance's twinkle-toe team constructs an upbeat fitness regimen incorporating various dance styles appropriate for all ages and ability levels. Unlike other fun and funky workouts, such as the Hoedown of Antietam, Dance Trance workouts don't require reenacting historic dance battles to burn calories but keep things exciting with popular songs and dynamic lighting effects. Classes aimed at 10- to 15-year-olds encourage young adults to try the calorie-burning footwork, and special-needs students work through routines designed by the instructors to meet dancers' abilities.

Helmed by an by ex-military parachute-regiment veteran who holds three World Skydiving Championship medals, the United States Parachute Association-certified instructors at Skydive Alabama fly customers up to heights of 14,000 feet for solo and tandem dives. The skydiving center supplies oxygen for these jumps, and conducts both ground schools and eagle-impersonation classes to get first-timers and experienced divers ready for their aerial plunges. Instructors take up to 18 participants to the height of the drop zone in a Grand Caravan turboprop plane, from which they free fall for more than one minute, either by themselves or securely fastened to an instructor. A professional videographer can also join visitors on each jump to capture the aerial experience.

In accelerated free-fall programs, instructors lead students through a ground school, up to seven flights with instructors, and several solo jumps, allowing them to earn their USPA diving license without having to compete a multiple-choice test inside a wind tunnel. While every dive takes place in the designated drop zone, ground-school classes are held inside the airport's dedicated hangar. The airport complex also boasts four cabins for overnight stays, a spectator area, and a restaurant where chefs serve up Southern comfort fare.