Surrounded by a 69,000-acre lake, it's no wonder life in Guntersville is all about the water.
Lake Guntersville is Alabama's largest freshwater body of water and it's home to multiple annual fishing tournaments. Next year, it will host one of the nation's top speedboat races.
How many cities have a state park that features miles of shoreline, an 18-hole golf course and resort? Guntersville has it, as well as a museum that tells the history of the area, which was formed by the building of the Guntersville Dam in the 1930s. As with most waterfront areas, Guntersville is also home to several restaurants that specialize in seafood.
Guntersville is an adventurer's heaven and only two hours from Chattanooga. What's not to like?
AT A GLANCE
*Population: 8,385
*Landmarks and geographic features: Lake Guntersville; North Alabama Birding Trail; Buck Island in Lake Guntersville
*Founded: 1836
*Famous son: Guntersville's John Allan Wyeth was a renowned author and surgeon. He founded one of New York City's largest hospitals and was consulted when England's Queen Victoria needed an operation.
*Unique traditions: At sunset, thousands of bats emerge from a cave near Lake Guntersville Lock and Dam. The cave can be accessed only by boat.
*Fun fact: Guntersville was founded by John Gunter (1765-1835), the great-grandfather of American humorist Will Rogers. Gunter came from the Carolinas just 10 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.
GET TO KNOW GUNTERSVILLE
*Originally built as a military armory in 1936, the Guntersville Museum and Cultural Center is today a cornerstone of the community and the centerpiece of its culture. The museum hosts monthly special events, fundraisers and unique exhibits.
*Among the exhibits is a photo history of the city, whose centerpiece lake was formed by the construction of a Tennessee Valley Authority dam. The Percy Barnard Collection of Native American artifacts, which date back to the Paleo-Indian era, is very popular, as is the work of local artist Frank Nelson.
*One of the most unique displays features native mounted birds that once resided at Guntersville's City Elementary "Rock School" in the 1920s.
*The free museum is located in the historic rock armory in Guntersville and has exhibits for all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. (1215 Rayburn Ave.; 256-571-7597; guntersvillemuseum.org)
NASCAR ON WATER
*Boat racing has been a part of Lake Guntersville's history for nearly 70 years, and summer 2018 will bring one of the most exciting events to the area.
*HydroFest, scheduled for June 22-24, will have a variety of events over three days that feature some of the fastest boats in the world.
*Turbine engine-powered boats will race over a two-mile oval on Spring Creek at speeds up to 200 mph in the headlining Unlimited Series event. Other events scheduled are the Grand Prix World Hydros, stock outboard racing, waterboard exhibitions and a boat show featuring the famous Miss Budweiser.
*Tickets go on sale beginning March 1, 2018. (256-582-7015; @GuntersvilleLakeHydrofest Facebook page)
TAKE IN A PLAY
*The Whole Backstage Community Theatre has been entertaining locals and visitors for nearly half a century. What was once a safe haven for teens has turned into an entertaining and educational part of life in Marshall County.
*The nonprofit theater, which recently underwent a renovation, is a volunteer-based organization that teaches every aspect of theater, from backstage production to advertising to acting. Among the shows set for the current season are "Evita," "Black Tie America" and "Legally Blonde." (1120 Rayburn Ave.; 256-582-7469; wholebackstage.com)
A PARK WITH A VIEW
*Lake Guntersville State Park offers the usual park fare - camping, hiking, interpretive programs, etc. - and some activities that are definitely unique.
*Located on 6,000 acres of natural woodlands, the park offers an 18-hole championship golf course, a beach complex, a fishing center, a resort lodge on top of Taylor Mountain, a convention center, cottages and chalets.
*In the winter it is also home to a large collection of migrating bald eagles. Eagle Awareness Weekends, held from early January to early February, offer guided trips beginning at 5:30 a.m. and include guest speakers and other activities. The programs are free and begin at the park lodge. (7966 Ala. Highway 227; 256-571-5440; stateparks.com/lake_guntersville.html)
DINE WITH THE LOCALS
*Locally owned Rock House Eatery is rated the No. 1 restaurant in Guntersville by TripAdvisor and has a menu offering everything from sandwiches to pizza to gourmet seafood entrees.
*Open for lunch and dinner, the eatery offers indoor and outdoor dining and an atmosphere some have called "eclectic." Check out the catch of the day special, which features items like grouper with Jamaican rum sauce, or feast on prime rib or steak.
*The Rock House gets its name from the rock building that houses it.
*The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner Wednesday-Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Dinner prices range from about $13 for a pizza to $26.50 for a 16-ounce ribeye. Dinner reservations are suggested. (1201 Gunter Ave.; 256-505-4699; rockhouseeatery.com)
Sources: Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rock House Eatery, TripAdvisor, Alabama Tourism Department, U.S. Census Bureau