There’s so much fun to be had for families in our area! Here are a few of the best family-friendly activities in the River Region.
1. Have a picnic at Blount Cultural Park.
This 175-acre park is located on the east side of Montgomery. It features miles of walking trails, large green spaces, lots of interesting sculptures, dozens of picnic tables, and more. Pack a lunch for your family (or pick up a few sandwiches from Chappy’s Deli) and drive over to the park for a picnic. Make sure to bring along a bag of oats, frozen peas, or dried corn to share with the ducks and geese! Dogs are welcome throughout the park as long as they’re kept on a leash, and there’s also an off-leash dog park for your pup to enjoy.
BONUS: Move your picnic over to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts’ Caddell Sculpture Garden, which is conveniently located in the park. Once you’re done eating, head inside MMFA to check out over 4,000 works of art and exciting traveling exhibits. This is a great way to cool off and have some fun after a summer picnic— and it’s free!
2. Ice skate indoors at Eastdale Mall.
Southern summers are no joke! Cool off and have some fun with the family at Eastdale Mall’s Ice Palace. Even if you aren’t a skating pro, you can still have a good time with the ice bumper cars. Once you’re done on the ice, spend a little time checking out the awesome stores and food options in Eastdale Mall. There’s truly something there for the whole family to enjoy.
TIP: Have your kids’ next birthday party at the Ice Palace!
3. Take a trip to the Montgomery Zoo.
We love visiting the Zoo, and we know you and your family will, too! There’s no better way to spend a Saturday than hanging out with and learning about over 500 cool animals. Exhibit highlights include the reptile house, elephants, Bengal tigers, and alligators. Don’t miss out on the educational elephant and lion keeper talks!
TIP: Save 50% off admissions every Tuesday afternoon through August 31, 2021.
If you get a little hungry while you’re exploring, stop by the Overlook Cafe and enjoy lunch with a great view of the giraffes. You can also bring in a picnic lunch— just make sure to leave the plastic lids, plastic straws, and glass at home.
Of course, you could spend all day just walking around the Zoo and taking it all in. There are a few extra things you can do to make the day even more special for the whole family, though.
Don’t forget to buy a ticket for the Zoofari Skylift and glide over the Australia, Africa, and Asia exhibits. We also highly suggest taking a quick train ride around the Zoo while you’re there. If you want to get up close and personal with the animals, check out the petting zoo section and the giraffe feeding encounter.
While you’re at the Zoo, visit the Mann Museum to see over 270 lifelike displays of North American animals, artifacts, and more. Admission to the Mann Museum is included with Zoo tickets.
TIP: The Montgomery Zoo and the Mann Museum have sensory bags filled with headphones, fidgets, and more that can be rented for free! These bags are great for anyone with a sensory processing disorder.
4. Catch a Biscuits baseball game.
Montgomery has its very own Minor League Baseball team— the Montgomery Biscuits! Check the season schedule and plan to attend a home game at Riverwalk Stadium. If you’re lucky, you just might catch a flying biscuit or a sweet piece of team merch.
BONUS: Most Saturday home games end with a spectacular fireworks show!
5. Go on an adventure at Alabama Safari Park.
Before you start your trek, grab a bucket of food from the gift shop. Then, drive your own car over 350 acres of land filled with zebras, llamas, emus, and more. Make sure the car windows are rolled down so these creatures can pop their heads in for a treat!
Once you’re done with the fun-filled safari, park your car and check out the Village Walk-About, complete with a petting zoo, lemur exhibit, and kangaroo exhibit. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even feed the giraffes from the giraffe tower.
TIP: Things might get a little slobbery on the safari, so we suggest packing extra hand sanitizer and wipes.
7. Play at Gold Star Park.
Located on the Coosa River in Wetumpka, Gold Star Park has walking trails, picnic tables, and a playground for the kids to enjoy.
BONUS: Gold Star Park has a great birdwatching trail!
8. Have a blast at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park.
It may be too hot to play outside right now, but your kids still need to get moving and burn some energy. Rockin’ Jump is the perfect place for a family outing. The Open Jump Arena is filled with tons of trampolines for everyone to enjoy. Other attractions and activities include the Ninja Course, Warped Wall, and foam cube pools.
TIP: Rockin’ Jump’s Family Flight Monday promo includes one hour of jump time for five people, plus pizza and drinks!
9. Spend the day at Jackson Lake Island.
This is one of our favorite places to go for outdoor fun with the family. Located in Millbrook, Jackson Lake Island is the perfect place to fish, kayak, or just explore. Plus, it’s home to friendly goats that you can pet and take photos with. There’s also a campground, but it’s important to check ahead before planning a camping trip since the island is sometimes closed due to flooding.
FUN FACT: The remains of Spectre, the fictional town featured in Tim Burton’s Big Fish, are still standing on Jackson Lake Island!
10. Cool off at the Pratt Pool and Splash Pad.
If you’re looking for a way to spend time with the family and beat the heat, we suggest taking a dip at Pratt Pool or at least cooling off at the Splash Pad.
TIP: Plan ahead— the pool is open from noon to 5 p.m. during the week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Splash Pad is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.