Hartselle is one of America's founding cities, established in 1870 with the building of the South and North Alabama Railroad. Downtown Hartselle has a range of antique and historic shops and restaurants, together with the railway depot. There are only two motels in the Hartselle area, together with an historic bed-and-breakfast guest house, although more accommodation is available in Decatur, which is close by.
The Express Inn is a Hartselle motel affiliated to the Magnuson Hotel group and situated on U.S. Hwy. 31. The Express Inn is situated just outside downtown Hartselle and close to the historic shopping center. The inn has an outdoor pool and offers guests basic fax and copying services. Small pets are allowed in the inn and a wireless Internet service is available. Continental breakfast is served from 7 to 9.30 a.m.
Country Hearth Inns and Suites offers family-oriented accommodations in Hartselle and is situated on Dixie Lane South East. Amenities include air-conditioning, complimentary wireless Internet and complimentary continental breakfast, along with daily maid services. Accommodations range from double to king rooms and Country Hearth Inns frequent stay program benefits are available to guests.
The Oden House bed and breakfast is a historic Victorian home, just a short walk from Hartselle city center. Guests at the bed-and-breakfast hotel will experience an authentic Victorian atmosphere, as the house is furnished with a range of antiques. There are three guest rooms, the Rose, the Daisy and the Magnolia, each offering a different atmosphere. Meals are available in the cozy dining room at the guest house, or the Oden House property next door.
Visitor attractions in the Hartselle area include the historic Hartselle Depot Days Festival, held annually in September to celebrate the history of the railroad. The festival includes antique car and tractor shows, arts, crafts and live entertainment. The Mosquito Festival is held in June and includes "redneck games," entertainment and competitions. Hartselle city center features a range of antique and historical shops and restaurants along Main Street and Railroad Street. The Hartselle Military Museum and Foundation presents the history of America's wars from the Civil War to the present day. Bankhead National Forest is close by for outdoor activities, mountain biking and hiking.
