Places to Eat...Things to Do...in and around the area

Mentone, AL

Mountain Restaurant (formerly Helena's): located inside the gas station beside Town Hall in downtown Mentone.  (256) 634-2068

The Hatter Café: “The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make you smile. It is then, and only then, that you’ll find Wonderland.”  The Hatter Café is a place where people can come together for comforting food! Open for breakfast & lunch. Delightfully decorated with wonderful food, great tea & coffee 4277 AL HWY 117 Mentone. (256) 634-2018 www.thehattercafe.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheHatterMentone/

Wildflower Café: Wildflower is not just a cafe it is an experience. The ambiance, service and food is as unique as the beautiful mountain it sits upon. Hours may change with the season or holiday. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner on weekends. 6007 AL HWY 117 Mentone (256) 634-0066 http://www.mentonewildflower.com/

Fontastic Foods: Unique food trailer serving specialty pizza, gourmet sandwiches and burgers with a wide variety of vegan options. Take out or dine under the covered outdoor pavilion. 6139 AL HWY 117 Mentone (256) 634-2079 https://www.facebook.com/fontasticfo

Seabolt’s: Street Tacos served out of a restored vintage Airstream! Fun atmosphere right next to Moon Lake Trading Co. 5172 AL HWY 117 Mentone (256) 465-1807 https://www.facebook.com/Seaboltstacos/

Elevation Bistro: Intimate & inviting atmosphere offering menus of locally and regionally sourced ingredients.  (256) 634-3001 https://www.facebook.com/elevationmentone/

Mentone Market: Offering pizza, short order lunch, gifts, and unique gifts. 5872 AL HWY 117 Mentone (256) 634-4686 https://www.facebook.com/mentonemarket/

Mountain Inn Restaurant (at DeSoto State Park): This unique restaurant is located in the original sandstone Lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the mid 1930's and is nestled on a canyon-edge overlooking the West Fork of Little River. The restaurant is open year-around. Open for dinner on Friday & all day on Saturday/Sunday.  (256)-845-5380 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain%20Inn%20Restaurant%20At%20Desoto%20State%20Park%20Lodge/492357640871722/

Joey’s Hotdogs & Ice Cream: Located in the center of Mentone & directly across from Mentone Realty. Nathans hotdogs, scoop ice cream & the best banana splits! Open on weekends only.

Fort Payne, AL (and surrounding areas)

The Spot: Serving Fair Trade Organic Coffee, frozen blended drinks, hot/cold sandwiches, Panini sandwiches, Pastries and Desserts. Free WIFI, art gallery, Downtown Fort Payne on Main Street across from Fontana’s. (256) 979-1287 https://www.facebook.com/TheSpotCoffeeShop

The Bakehouse Downtown: Serving breakfast & lunch on 1st Street in downtown Fort Payne. https://www.facebook.com/tbhdowntown/?ref=page_internal

Little River Burgers and Brews: Located in downtown Fort Payne. Laid back atmosphere offering good food, drinks and live music.  Little River Burgers & Brews | Fort Payne AL | Facebook 

Vintage 1889: Eclectic casual dining in historic W B Davis Hosiery mill built in 1889 (The Big Mill). Enjoy unique outdoor patio/historic courtyard or indoor dining. Burgers, sandwiches, local craft beers. On 8th Street North Fort Payne (256) 845-3380 https://www.facebook.com/vintage1889

Mi Casita: A combination of the best Comida Tex-Mex and a selection of their favorite authentic and traditional dishes from their hometown. Family owned, in business here for over 20 yrs. 3802 Gault Ave N. Fort Payne (256) 845-2999 https://www.facebook.com/micasita256

Taco’s Town (Food Truck): Variety of authentic Mexican food, snacks & desserts. Located across from the ALABAMA Walking Park on 5th St N. Fort Payne.
(256) 516-0367 https://www.facebook.com/Tacos-Town-101284685005655

The Bar-B-Que Place: Smoked pork and beef. Fried chicken fingers and Jo-Jo's. Handmade coleslaw, BBQ sauce, and chicken sauce. Their Jo-Jo’s are on the list of 100 dishes to eat in Alabama. Dine-in, carry out & catering. 1502 Gault Ave S. Fort Payne (256) 845-6155 https://www.facebook.com/barbqplace

Lookout Mountain Creamery & Desserts: Desserts and Craft Ice Cream... Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Ice Cream and Ice Cream Sandwiches. Always Fresh, Always Made in House. 2612 Gault Ave N. Fort Payne https://www.facebook.com/LookoutMountainCreamery

Licking Good Donuts: Delicious donuts made fresh every day as well as savory Kolaches and homemade breakfast burritos. Mon-Sat 5am-7pm 508 Suite A Glenn Blvd Fort Payne. https://www.facebook.com/Lickin-Good-Donuts-of-Fort-Payne-105822981087030

Mater's Pizza and Pasta Emporium:  Mater's Pizza & Pasta Emporium - Fort Payne | Fort Payne AL | Facebook 

Wiess Lake Area:

Decks & Docks:  located just off of the Leesburg bridge.  (2) Facebook 

Jake's on the Lake: Open seasonally from Memorial Day-Labor Day. (2) Facebook 

Mentone, AL

Moon Lake Library: From Scrabble to ukuleles, there's lots of fun going on at the library. Check out their calendar of events here, Events - MOON LAKE LIBRARY 

The Shops at Moon Lake Village: Multiple artisan shops and businesses in what was formally the historic Moon Lake School. The Shops at MLV

DeSoto State Park: DSP offers lots of activities & events throughout the year as well as zip lines, hiking, biking, swimming pool (seasonal) playground, picnic areas, yoga, & also a country store. Visit their website for all info including trail maps, event calendars & info on camp gear rental. https://www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

SG Horse Ranch: Offering daily trail rides, weather permitting. Call ahead to make your reservation & check pricing. (256)-634-4027 https://www.facebook.com/sghorseranch

Little Mole Run Golf Course: Peaceful, quite & relaxing. 18 hole, PAR 71 course. All gas carts, clubhouse, picnic pavilion. (256)-634-2104 https://www.loc8nearme.com/alabama/mentone/lil-mole-run-golf-course/6625236/                               

True Adventure Sports: A full scale outfitter offering: Adventures for you, your family, or your group. They do it all! (256) 997-9577 https://www.facebook.com/TrueAdventureSports

CCC Museum: People of all ages can enjoy a truly unique experience by taking a step back in time to learn about this Depression-era program that developed DeSoto State Park and other parks all over the U.S.A. Admission is free, with donations accepted. Saturdays-12:00-4:00 March-November (256) 845-0051

Sallie Howard Chapel: Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel rests on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone. It was built by Colonel Milford Howard as a memorial to his first wife. He’d secretly hoped to reproduce a church he and Sallie had visited on their trip to Europe and one of his last accomplishments was raising enough money and materials to build this memorial. Guests are encouraged to “come as you are”.

Discover Lookout Mountain Calendar of Events: Check out this online calendar for events happening in the area. https://visitlookoutmountain.com/event-calendar/

Mentone Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday 10-1 in front of the Mentone Inn (the flashing light at the top of HWY 117. Fresh veggies, bread, eggs & meats.

Barnyard Antiques:  Barnyard Antiques | Fort Payne AL | Facebook
 

Surrounding Areas

Green Axes: We are excited to bring fun and entertainment to the heart of Fort Payne, AL. We offer indoor axe throwing sessions for individuals and group gatherings. We promise once you throw your first axe and it sticks, you will be hooked! Located in downtown Fort Payne on Mainstreet (256) 997-6912

Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In: Downtown is blocked off & features over 200+ classic cars and trucks on display, live music & food vendors. Downtown Fort Payne on Mainstreet. April-October

The Alabama Fan Club & Museum: Visit the newly remodeled, state of the art museum, featuring over 50 years of music memorabilia. From the early days in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to the Country Music Hall of Fame, people of all ages enjoy this experience the story of ALABAMA's history. Our museum includes many personal items, videos, pictures, awards and gifts from other artists, never before seen in public until now. Alabama headquarters is located in Fort Payne, AL at 101 Glenn Boulevard SW near the intersection of State Hwy 35 & U.S. Hwy. 11 and less than a mile off I-59, Exit 218. (256)-845-1646

Boom Town Maker’s Market: Curated collection of beautifully crafted LOCAL jewelry, gourmet food, pottery, hand blown glass, sculpture, furniture, & clothing. Located in downtown Fort Payne on Mainstreet. 

Alice Circle:  Alice Circle is located in Fort Payne AL offering unique gifts, art workshops, coffee/drinks, and snacks.  Alice Circle | Fort Payne AL | Facebook 

Myrtle Jane’s: Small town Vintage & Antique Marketplace featuring over 40 booths full of unique vintage and home decor items in an environment similar to your home. 1030 Grand Ave SW Fort Payne. (256) 845-4830

Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain: Non-profit 501-c-3 Wild Animal Preserve and Environmental Educational Center, home to over 160 animals including tigers, mountain lions, African lions, bears, wolves, black leopards and so many more wonderful animals. As a last stop preserve, the animals that come to live with us remain here for the rest of their lives. Located on 140 acres in Dekalb County, Alabama, Untamed Mountain, home of Tigers for Tomorrow, is open to the public as a premier wild animal park and preserve, and family recreational destination, providing environmental educational programming to the community and tourists of North Alabama. Our Mission is to uphold the highest standards of care and respect for native and exotic animals in need of a secure and permanent homes. Less than a 30 min drive from downtown Fort Payne & well worth the drive! 708 County Road 345 Attalla, AL (256) 524 4150 https://www.facebook.com/tftatuntamedmountain

Orbix Hot Glass: Blow your own glass ornament. Classes held regularly, call for class times & prices. Really cool place & a gorgeous drive there too! 3869 County Road 275 (256) 523-3188 https://www.facebook.com/orbixhotglass

Little River Canyon National Preserve: Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians. You can view the falls from either the pedestrian walkway on the GE Hill Bridge or by walking down a board walk with minimal stairs. Great parking & picnic tables there too. 4322 Little River Trail NE Fort Payne

Little Falls (formerly known as Martha's Falls): This mini-waterfall, formed by water cascading over a sandstone ledge the width of the river, is a favorite swimming spot in the summer. Access to Little Falls can be had from the paved Little River Falls parking lot on Highway 35. The Little Falls Trail is a .75 mile hike which leads to 137 stone stairs down into the canyon to the river.

Little River Canyon Center: Little River Canyon Center is a state-of-the-art education facility with free HD theater, info, gift shop, & trails. Please call ahead for hours and/or appointment. (256) 845-3548

Little River Canyon Rim Parkway (Scenic Drive): 23 miles, 8 overlooks, 4 trails, 1 unique rock formation, and a thousand memories ready to be made! Connecting Little River Falls and Canyon Mouth Park, the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway grants visitors the opportunity to take in the beauty of the canyon from the west rim, and the challenge of hiking down into the canyon to the river below. Travel time from the Little River Canyon Center to Canyon Mouth Park along the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway takes approximately 45 minutes (without stopping at overlooks) - the 11 miles from Eberhart Point to Canyon Mouth Park is steep and windy in areas and impassable to trailers and RVs. 

Graces High Falls (seasonal waterfall): At 133' high, Graces High Falls is the tallest waterfall in Alabama. This waterfall is dependent on rainfall and does not flow year-round. Graces High Falls Overlook features a viewing platform on Little River Canyon Rim Parkway.

Blue Hole: A wonderful swimming hole located on AL Highway 35 just 1/4 mile east of Little River Falls. This spot is perfect for families with young children or new swimmers, featuring calm, easy flowing waters and is close to the parking lot. A small parking lot limits crowding at this location. Future improvements will include picnic benches and fixed-in-place charcoal grills for visitor use.* On late spring and summer weekends, the Blue Hole parking lot often is full by 11:00 AM (CST) and park staff will close the lot until spaces become available. Have a back-up plan in case this area is inaccessible due to a full parking lot.*

Wildlife Management Area: The backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve is a landscape of rolling hills and dense woodlands, where Little River runs calm and wildlife abounds. The 23 miles of road in the Wildlife Management Area are open to 4 wheel drive vehicles, horseback riders, bicyclist, and hikers, and is popular for kayaks and canoes during the wetter months. The backcountry is accessible by a series of numbered roads off Cherokee County Road 103, DeKalb County Road 295, Oakhill Road, and Dunn Road. 4 wheel drive vehicles are required to traverse many of the backcountry roads in the Wildlife Management Area.* Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) such as ATVs, UTVs, and non-street legal dirt bikes are NOT allowed on any road at Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Discover Lookout Mountain Calendar of Events: Check out this online calendar for events happening in the area. https://visitlookoutmountain.com/event-calendar/

Hiking in Little River Canyon: Little River Canyon features over 26 miles of trail, from serene river-side hikes to steep, strenuous trails leading down the canyon to the river below. Jacksonville State University also offers the Path To Learning Trail, a gentle stroll through the woods behind the Canyon Center. Stop by the information desk at the Little River Canyon Center for suggestions for your hike.

Cherokee Rock Village: From rock climbing to bird watching. There's something for everybody!  Outdoor Nature Facility in Leesburg, AL | Cherokee Rock Village 

Pirate's Bay Waterpark:  Pirates Bay Waterpark | Top Rated Waterpark in Leesburg, AL