Celebrating Five Years of Scenethat Tours

By Abigail Harrison, DHI Communications Coordinator

Since its inception in 2019, Scenethat Tours has been offering unique, year-round guided tours of Huntsville, Alabama. Tour Director Denise Swain shares her journey and the evolution of her company, emphasizing its dedication to showcasing Huntsville’s rich history and vibrant culture.

The Birth of Scenethat Tours
Denise Swain received her tour guide certification in 2019, sparking the idea of creating her own tour company. "When I got back home, I said, you know, what if I start doing tours in Huntsville?" she recalls. Initially uncertain about the demand, Swain was pleasantly surprised by the interest in local tours. She noted a gap in the market, with existing Huntsville tours being seasonal. "What if we had tours that were available all throughout the year, not just during certain times?" This thought was a key motivator for her.

Pandemic and Planning
The pandemic offered Swain a unique opportunity to refine her vision. "It really gave me a chance to think about what I really wanted to do and what tours I wanted to offer," she explains. This period of reflection allowed her to carefully plan a selection of exciting, educational tours.

The First Tours
Scenethat Tours first started with the President’s Walking Tour, highlighting locations in downtown Huntsville visited by over ten U.S. presidents. This was followed by a general walking tour of historic districts. Swain invested significant time in studying the history of Twickenham to expand the tour into a unique and informative experience.

Current Tour Offerings
Scenethat Tours now offers a variety of tours catering to different interests:

  • Pre-Civil War Homes Walking Tour of Twickenham- This 2-hour tour showcases 20 pre-Civil War homes and structures in the Twickenham district, focusing on the period before 1860.

  • Daytime Food Tour- This popular tour includes visits to six local eateries, allowing participants to sample local cuisine and meet owners, all while learning about the city's history and southern food culture.

  • Historic Homes Walking Tour of Old Town- Exploring Victorian-era homes in Huntsville’s Old Town Historic District, this tour delves into the neighborhood's significant role from the 1800s to today.

  • Civil Rights Landmarks Driving Tour- Covering African-American history in Huntsville, this tour starts at a former slave plantation and progresses through key civil rights landmarks, including one of the first integrated schools in the city.

Booking a Tour
Interested individuals can sign up for tours via Scenethat Tours website, which features an availability calendar. Tours are scheduled on a flexible basis, with times arranged individually to accommodate guests.

Celebrating Five Years
As Scenethat Tours marks its fifth anniversary, Swain reflects on the past five years: "The greatest reward is building partnerships and building relationships with local people."

To celebrate, the company is hosting numerous giveaways throughout August, with various partners contributing prizes. Followers on Instagram can participate by following Scenethat Tours and tagging friends to enter.

Swain invites everyone to join the celebration: "Scenethat Tours is celebrating five years and you are part of the celebration!"