There are numerous resources your city offers that you may not realize are free. These free services are a great way to get more involved in your city without breaking the bank. We’ve listed some places for the whole family to get out of the house and spend time around the River Region—for free!
Montgomery
- Montgomery Public Libraries: Montgomery has a plethora of libraries to choose from, so find the one most convenient for you! Services include access to a tutoring service, EBSCO (virtual library), or if you’re more of an audiobook person, then TumbleBooks is perfect for you. Browse a variety of titles and check them out at your leisure. If something you’re interested in is currently unavailable, you can put it on hold and be notified when you are able to borrow it, and while the wait times can be long, the money saved in the long run will be worth it!
- Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts: This museum is complete with galleries, a sculpture garden, and a section for children to interact with art. The best place for your inner creativity! If you want, you can schedule a guided tour or view at your leisure. You can also sit on the grass and have a family picnic, just be wary of the geese! If you are an avid reader, you may enjoy their Art+Letters event, which is a discussion about art-related books—historical fiction and non-fiction. The MMFA has so many programs for both adults and children, you’re almost guaranteed to find something you’ll like.
- Museum of Alabama and the Department of Archives and History: This museum covers Alabama history from the 1700s to the 21st Century. A great place to take your students to learn about Alabama history, or just to learn more about our state!
- There are many parks to choose from in Montgomery: Ida Bell Young Park, Vaughn Road Park, and many more. A local favorite is Riverfront Park, the perfect place to spend a hot summer afternoon running through the splash pad or having a picnic at the amphitheater.
- The MOOseum: A hands-on museum focused on Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Whether you’re wanting to learn more about the cattle industry or take your children for some hands-on learning, the MOOmeum is the place for you. Say moo!
Prattville
- Autauga-Prattville Public Library: Free services include Hoopla (a streaming service that includes movies, music, and books), Camellia Net, tutoring, computers and wifi, and more. You can also request a Book Bundle that the librarians will curate specifically for you so you can try something new. The library has tons of free fun events for kids, teens, and adults all summer through their Summer Library Club. Complete reading challenges, take gardening classes, get the kids to express their creativity, and more!
- Prattville has many parks to choose from, such as Pratt Park and Overlook Memorial Park. With wide-open fields for playing ball, or playgrounds to keep your children entertained, this is a great place to spend an afternoon! Pratt Park also includes a splash pad, the best way to ward off the summer heat.
Millbrook
- Millbrook Public Library: Memberships are free to anyone who lives within the corporate limits of Millbrook. Not only does the library have physical books, but they also offer Camellia Net (a virtual library service that has audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines). They provide free Wi-Fi, computer use, and even access to a tutoring service. The options are virtually unlimited, and what better way to read more books than for free?
- Village Green Park has a walking loop and a newly remodeled playground, Kids Kingdom, the perfect place for the children to unleash their imagination and play princesses or the valiant knight!
Wetumpka
- Wetumpka Public Library: Memberships are free to anyone who lives or works in Elmore County. Services include access to tutor.com and Camellia Net. Utilizing the library is a great way to try out a variety of genres and see what you like. It’s like browsing a free bookstore, just don’t forget to return them!
- Elmore County Museum: This museum contains temporary and permanent exhibits sharing the stories of Elmore County. Spend a Saturday afternoon learning the history that shaped your community, and guess what? It’s free!
To check out more resources in your area, click here!