There’s more to see and do (and eat!) in Montgomery and the River Region than ever before. To make sure you experience it all, we’ve highlighted 50 of our favorites.
1. Fly a Kite: Take a walk, fly a kite, or just relax with a book at the 77-acre oasis of green called Blount Cultural Park. Bring Fido along for fun at the Bark Park!
2. Dr. King’s Home: Take a look at the actual residence where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his family lived between 1954 and 1960, or see the pulpit from which he delivered his message of hope and change.
3. Stand on History: View this National Historic Landmark where the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights culminated. Stand on the brass star marking the spot where President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, was sworn in on the Capitol’s steps.
4. Explore Your Rights: Be one of the thousands to visit the Civil Rights Memorial, a moving tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle for Civil Rights.
5. Sail the River: Cruise on the 19th century riverboat, Harriott II, walk along the banks of the Alabama River, go to a concert at the Amphitheater, or chill out while your kids play at the Splash Pad.
6. Music Legend: See the car in which the iconic country music superstar Hank Williams took his final ride. The museum also houses the largest collection of Hank Williams memorabilia found anywhere.
7. Bike the Swayback: This 12-mile loop trail in Wetumpka cuts through pine and hardwood forest, with tight turns, fun switchbacks, and the “roller coaster” ride along the banks of Lake Jordan.
8. Make a Wish: The Court Square Fountain is topped by a statue of the Goddess of Youth and was built in 1885 over an existing artesian basin.
9. Get Going: Run through historic downtown during the annual Montgomery Half-Marathon in March.
10. Serious Shopping: From national retailers to eclectic locally-owned boutiques, the River Region’s got it all.
11. Arts Alfresco: Summer and fall are packed with outdoor art events, including the Alabama Dance Theatre’s Stars on the Riverfront, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Broadway Under the Stars, and The Montgomery Ballet’s Ballet & The Beasts at the zoo.
12. ARTWORKS: Satisfy cultural cravings with a visit to Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, housing permanent collections of American art and traveling exhibitions, as well as the interactive ARTWORKS for kids.
13. See a Play: Enjoy a performance at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, one of the country’s most celebrated theaters. Each season offers more than just the Bard’s works—popular contemporary plays and musicals take the stage as well.
14. Indie Charm: Check out Old Cloverdale, a charming neighborhood with shops, galleries, eateries, and more, including a great local hangout, The Pine Bar. Be sure to catch a flick at Montgomery’s only independent movie theater, The Capri.
15. Go Thrifting: Eastbrook Flea Market and Antique Mall has 60,000 square feet and over 300 vendors with all kinds of collectibles.
16. Good Eats: From Southern comfort food at Martin’s and ribs at Dreamland BBQ to farm-fresh fare at Central, Montgomery’s got something for every taste.
17. The MOOseum: Let the kids get hands-on at this agricultural education center.
18. Wild Animals: Go wild at the Montgomery Zoo with over 500 animal species! Don’t miss the rare white tigers, the elephants, or the playful otters. Newest additions include the Skylift and Parakeet Cove.
19. Walk the Creek: The Prattville Creekwalk was established in 2006 and runs along the Autauga Creek, featuring a small garden with picnic tables, a gazebo, and an artesian well.
20. Play Ball: The Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex has eight lighted regulation fields, two championship stadium fields, and other state-of-the-art facilities perfect for hosting your next soccer tournament.
21. Discovery Village: Play and explore the Old Alabama Town playground at the 3-acre Kiwanis Park.
22. Activism: Learn more about one of Montgomery’s most famous Civil Rights activists and how she sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.
23. Great Gatsby: Discover how the Jazz Age’s golden couple and literary legends F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived while in Montgomery at their home that’s been preserved as a museum.
24. Place Your Bets: Head to one of the Wind Creek Casino locations in either Montgomery or Wetumpka and enjoy your pick of 2,000+ games!
25. Produce Picking: Fill up on fruits and veggies with a trip to the Alabama State Farmers Market, the Farmer’s Market at EastChase, or the Montgomery Curb Market.
26. Coosa River: Rent a canoe or kayak to embark on an easy, yet thrilling, whitewater adventure on the Coosa River in Wetumpka.
27. Nightlife: Add some energy to your evening with the dining and nightlife options at Downtown Montgomery’s epicenter of entertainment, The Alley.
28. Catch a Game: Montgomery Biscuits Baseball plays at the historic Riverwalk Stadium.
29. Alabama Artifacts: Explore Alabama’s past from prehistory to the present at the Museum of Alabama. Check out more than 800 artifacts, hundreds of images and documents, and over twenty audio-visual programs.
30. Plentiful Pecans: Get a nutty treat from Tucker Pecan Company, the capital city’s family owned pecan producers. Try them plain or smothered in chocolate!
31. Relax and Unwind: Make your reservation at the Spa at the Renaissance to indulge in your choice of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more.
32. Canoe Trail: The Autauga Creek Canoe Trail is recognized as a National Recreational Trail. This 13-mile trek provides exercise, experience with nature, and fun for the whole family.
33. Fort Fun: Visit a recreated 1751 French fort, Creek Indian homes, and a partially restored 1814 American fort at Ft. Toulouse/Ft. Jackson.
34. Alabama Shaped Pool: Tour the stately 1906 mansion that has been home to Alabama’s governors and their families since 1950. Check out the pool—it’s in the shape of Alabama!
35. The Rodeo: The Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo brings a weekend full of buckin’ broncos, steer competitions, a steak cook-off, live music, and other classic rodeo events in March.
36. Golf Cart Tour: Get an up-close and-personal look at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing via a guided golf cart tour.
37. Award-Winning Golf: Hit the links on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course in Prattville. Capitol Hill has been ranked as one of the best public courses in the world.
38. The Meteor Crater: View the huge impact crater left by a giant meteor that hit Wetumpka 83 million years ago.
39. Peace and Justice: Visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of people terrorized by lynching and racial segregation. The memorial structure in the center of the site is constructed of over 800 steel monuments, one for each county in the United States where a racial lynching took place.
40. Roller Palace: Skate your heart out at Eastdale Mall’s newly renovated roller skating rink.
41. Cooter’s Pond: Located on the beautiful banks of the Alabama River, this park features boat ramps and docks, a riverwalk, picnic grills, tables, and a basketball court. Bonus: There is a separate area for Fido located within the park!
42. The Cloverdale Playhouse: Visit this community-based performing arts center dedicated to presenting entertaining, challenging, innovative theatrical performances, music series, and educational programs to enhance the cultural life of the city.
43. Pratt Cotton Gin: Check out the 1850s-era structures of Pratt Industries, the Pratt Cotton Gin Mill. They are some of the earliest brick industrial buildings in Alabama and are being renovated into liveable apartments.
44. Artesian Wells: Prattville has been coined “The Fountain City” because of its numerous artesian wells. These wells produce gallons of sweet, free-flowing water daily.
45. Mother Nature: The Alabama Nature Center covers 350 acres with miles of trails and lots of special events throughout the year.
46. Urban Farming: EAT South is Montgomery’s urban teaching farm. Sign up for one of their classes!
47. Historic District: Visit the charming shops and restaurants of this area in downtown Prattville—it’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
48. Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs: Take a bite out of history at this local favorite that’s been serving tasty dogs smothered in a signature sauce since 1918.
49. Bass Pro Shops: Explore 14,000 square feet of outdoor excitement, including two large freshwater aquariums.
50. Dixie Youth Baseball: The spring and summer months are alive with the sound of bats cracking and baseballs popping against leather as over 5,000 young people take part in the “National Pastime” through Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball.
But wait– there’s more! Here are 5 more reasons to love our area:
- We enjoy mild weather all year long.
- We’ve got lots of friendly folks with good manners who exude Southern hospitality.
- We’re close to Birmingham, the beach, and Lake Martin.
- Downtown is hoppin’.
- We’re the star on the Alabama map!