Major city · United States
ScottsboroScottsboro, Alabama
Give Scottsboro one night and a half-day: the Scottsboro Boys museum and Unclaimed Baggage are the only stops that justify the detour off US-72.
Scottsboro sits on the west bank of the Tennessee River in Jackson County, about 45 minutes from Huntsville on US-72. It is a small town with two specific draws: the Scottsboro Boys Museum, which tells the 1931 case that set US precedent on counsel and juries, and Unclaimed Baggage, the airline lost-luggage store that made the town known. Everything else is river recreation and local history. Plan one night, or pass through on the way to Lake Guntersville or Chattanooga.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (few open hours)
- Airports
- HSV · CHA · BHM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Scottsboro911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Scottsboro Police (non-emergency)256-574-3333
- Jackson County Sheriff (non-emergency)256-574-2610
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Scottsboro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow street crime for a US small town; the practical risks are heat, deer on rural roads at dusk and long drives after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 256-574-3333 Scottsboro Police (non-emergency) · 256-574-2610 Jackson County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHSV Huntsville International (About 1 h by car via US-72; the usual arrival airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights are spread over 8 km (5 mi) and there is no useful local bus for visitors.A car is effectively required: sights are spread over 5 mi (8 km) and there is no useful local bus for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealLunch or dinner main$12–25
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- Museum or sight ticketBoys Museum entrycheck current hours and price$10 adults, $6 students and seniors
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HSV Huntsville International (About 1 h by car via US-72; the usual arrival airport.) · CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-24 and US-72.) · BHM Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (About 2 h by car via I-65 and US-72.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid*
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Sep (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Scottsboro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights are spread over 8 km and there is no useful local bus for visitors. Downtown is walkable once parked — the Boys Museum, the Heritage Center and the depot are within about 10 minutes on foot of each other. US-72 links the town to Huntsville and Chattanooga; the Comer Bridge crossing was replaced by a modern span, so the river is no longer a bottleneck.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
US-72 west by car
Space and Rocket Center, breweries and a bigger restaurant choice.
Lake Guntersville
goDoor to door: About 45 min
AL-35 south by car
State park, boat ramps and lakeside trails.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-72 east then I-24
Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Aquarium; a full day.
Fort Payne, Alabama
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
AL-35 south then US-11
Little River Canyon is the reason to go; check park road status.
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
AL-79 south by car
Bat emergence at dusk in warm months; access and seasons vary — check with the refuge.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
John T Reid Parkway (US-72 strip)
Chain motels on the east side of town, closest to the highway and Unclaimed Baggage; best for one night with a car.
Downtown Scottsboro
Near the courthouse, museums and Willow Street; walkable to the two main sights but few beds.
Goose Pond Colony
River resort south of town on Guntersville Lake; pick this if you want water access and a slower stay.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$55 | US$55 |
| Fuel, Huntsville return1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$484 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–14 |
| Lunch or dinner main | $12–25 |
| Boys Museum entrycheck current hours and price | $10 adults, $6 students and seniors |
| Fuel, 1 US gallon | $3–3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Museum and depot hours are short and weekday-only in places: check before you drive out.
- Summer heat and humidity run from June to August; carry water.
- Unclaimed Baggage draws crowds on Saturdays — go at opening.
- Rural roads around the river have deer at dusk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Scottsboro Police (non-emergency)
- 256-574-3333
- Jackson County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 256-574-2610
Pocket card
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ScottsboroScottsboro, Alabama
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Scottsboro Police (non-emergency)256-574-3333
Embassy
No consulates in Scottsboro; nearest consulates are in Atlanta. Embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Huntsville airport → Scottsboro, car: about 1 h, fuel about $8–12 each way
- Rental car, one day: about $45–75 plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is it far? — Is it far?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Scottsboro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (few open hours) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HSV: drive times, last rental-car desk hours, taxi fallback.
- Walking cluster for downtown: Boys Museum, Heritage Center, depot, Willow Street food.
- Place pages with verified opening hours for the Boys Museum, Heritage Center, depot and Sauta Cave.
- Eat pages with last orders for the Willow Street kitchens.