Family Fun

The River Region features all sorts of family fun attractions, from the Zoo to interactive museums. 

Alabama Department of Archives & History – Montgomery

This museum displays artifact collections documenting Alabama’s history. Highlights include exhibits on Alabama’s involvement in World War I, the geography of the state, and a hands-on gallery for the kids.

Alabama Governor’s Mansion – Montgomery
Built in 1907, this graceful mansion has been the home of Alabama’s governors since the 1950s. Take a self-guided tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays—and check out the pool in the shape of Alabama!

Alabama State Capitol– Montgomery
For 150 years, the Alabama State Capitol has overlooked downtown Montgomery from its hilltop setting. This National Historic Landmark is a working museum of state history and politics. Self-guided tours are free Monday through Friday.

Civil Rights Memorial Center – Montgomery
The four galleries at this site focus on the modern Civil Rights Movement, the stories of the martyrs honored on the Civil Rights Memorial, contemporary social justice issues, and a space of reflection. Advance online ticketing is required.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage – Montgomery
Much of Montgomery’s early Civil Rights activity was directed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from his office in the lower unit of this church. Tours of the parsonage are available on Fridays and Saturdays. Tours of the church are by appointment only.

Elmore County Black History Museum – Wetumpka
Located in the first county training school for African Americans in Elmore County, this local museum showcases artifacts and historical documents relating to county residents. 

Elmore County Museum – Wetumpka
This museum shares the history of Elmore County and its people. It displays both permanent and temporary exhibits, and provides educational programs year round. There’s also a professional genealogist on-site to help you research your family’s past. 

First White House of the Confederacy – Montgomery
In the spring of 1861, the newly formed Confederate government rented this 1830s home as an executive residence for President Jefferson Davis and his young family. Take a free self-guided tour during the week or reserve a guided tour for your group.

Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson Park – Wetumpka
Visit and see the recreated 1751 Fort Toulouse, Creek Indian houses, and the partially restored 1814 American Fort Jackson. You can also see a 1,000-year-old Indian mound and experience the area’s flora and fauna on the William Bartram Nature Trail. Living history events are scheduled throughout the year.

Hank Williams Museum – Montgomery
This facility houses the most complete collection of memorabilia dedicated to country music’s Hank Williams, Sr. It spotlights Hank’s 1952 Cadillac, pieces from his closet, albums and awards,and more.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum – Calera
As the official railroad museum of Alabama, this museum is home to two operating trains, two restored depots, a collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and more. Ride a train, checkout the collections, and learn more about Alabama’s railroad history.

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art – Auburn
This museum consists of various changing exhibitions, a giftshop, impressive outdoor sculptures, landscaped walking paths,and more. Check their calendar for artist talks, lectures, film screenings, and symposia. 

Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery – Wetumpka
This gallery features a permanent collection of works by Fitzpatrick and other renowned artists, as well as rotating exhibitions of works by local and regional artists. The Kelly hosts a variety of art events and workshops throughout the year.

Legacy Museum – Montgomery
The Legacy Museum is located steps away from a rail station where tens of thousands of Black people were trafficked during the 19th century. This facility provides a comprehensive history of the U.S. with a focus on the legacy of slavery using cutting-edge technology and world-class art. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Noted for its outstanding collection of 19th and 20th century paintings, this museum also houses a stunning collection of Southern regional art along with a diverse selection of traveling exhibitions each year. The one-of-a-kind interactive ArtWorksGallery offers a unique learning experience for the entire family. Other highlights include Verde Cafe and the Caddell Sculpture Garden.

The MOOseum -Montgomery
The MOOseum is the best place for children and adults alike to learn more about Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Explore a detailed timeline of the past and have fun in a hands-on environment.

National Memorial for Peace and Justice – Montgomery
Set on a six-acre site, this sobering memorial uses sculpture, art, and design to contextualize racial terror. It includes a memorial square with 800 six-foot monuments to symbolize thousands of racial terror lynching victims in the United States and the counties and states where this terrorism took place.

Old Alabama Town – Montgomery
Over six blocks of houses and buildings portray what life was like in early 19th and 20th century Alabama. The museum is open for self-guided tours, and special guided tours are available as well.

Prattaugan Museum – Prattville
This museum is filled with a collection of artifacts and objects pertaining to Autauga County, one of the oldest counties in the state of Alabama. Exhibits feature Daniel Pratt memorabilia, a Civil War Room, and various county artifacts. There is also genealogy information access available.

Prattville Creative Arts Center
Located within an 1890’s house, the Creative Arts Center features an art gallery that exhibits works by members of the Prattauga Art Guild and guest artists. Art classes and workshops for children and adults are offered.

Rosa Parks Library and Museum & Children’s Wing – Montgomery
The Rosa Parks Library and Museum offer insight into the event that sparked the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. The museum features an interactive children’s area with a multi-media reenactment involving Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other early Civil Rights leaders.

Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum – Montgomery
Located in historic Old Cloverdale, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to the lives and legacies of F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald. The Fitzgeralds lived here in the 1930s. Individual tours are available Thursday through Sunday, and group tours are welcome with advance notice.

Wetumpka Impact Crater
Almost 85 million years ago, a crater was created by a meteor blast deep into the bedrock under a shallow sea. The hills, east of Downtown Wetumpka, are the eroded remains of the rim of the almost five-mile-wide Wetumpka Impact Crater. There are a series of “Educational Viewpoint Signs” in public places around the city so that visitors can view and better understand the crater. 

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama – Hope Hull
Experience one of the world’s most advanced automotive plants and watch team members and amazing robots assemble the Hyundai Elantra, Santa Fe, Tucson, and Santa Cruz. Tours are free and must be scheduled beforehand.

Jackson Lake Island – Millbrook
Step into Spectre, the fictional town custom-built for Tim Burton’s film Big Fish. Visitors can explore the movie set and hang out with the local crowd of cute goats for an entry fee of $3 a day.

Montgomery Whitewater
A man-made whitewater rafting and recreational complex that provides an Appalachian River experience within walking distance of downtown Montgomery for beginners and experts alike, including an Olympic- standard competition venue.

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum
Montgomery’s beautiful 40-acre zoo is home to over 500 animals from five different continents, all housed in natural, barrier-free habitats. The on-site Mann Museum hosts over 275 exhibits of wildlife that are found in North America. Entry to the museum is included with zoo admission.

Riverwalk Amphitheatre and Splash Pad – Montgomery
The Amphitheater sits on the edge of Riverfront Park along the stunning Alabama River. This unique outdoor venue features beautiful grassy seating and restrooms, making it the perfect place for a family picnic. The interactive Splash Pad located in Riverfront Park is the perfect way to cool off during the summer.

Wright Brothers Park – Montgomery

Formerly known as Overlook Park, Wright Brothers Park offers beautiful views overlooking the Alabama River and the surrounding area.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival – Montgomery
As the designated State Theater of Alabama and one of the largest regional theaters in the country, ASF produces classics, Shakespeare, contemporary plays, musicals, and theater for young audiences. 

Capri Theatre – Montgomery
Founded in 1941 as the Clover Theatre, the remodeled and renamed Capri Theatre is currently the longest continually operating movie theater in Alabama.

Cloverdale Playhouse – Montgomery
This volunteer-run community theatre presents entertaining, challenging, and innovative productions throughout the year, as well as special performances, music series, and educational programs.

Davis Theater for the Performing Arts – Montgomery
The meticulously restored Davis Theater first opened in 1930 as a Movie Palace designed for talkies and Vaudeville shows. Now, it hosts amateur and professional musicals, dramatic productions, chamber music groups, symphony orchestras, dance groups, ballets, and instrumental performances.

Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center – Auburn
The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center hosts nationally touring Broadway productions, student musical and theater performances, and more.

Millbrook Community Players
This group puts on a variety of productions throughout the year, from mysteries to musicals. Auditions are open to all in the community, and volunteers are always welcome.

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre
The MPAC is a state-of-the-art facility that’s large enough for first-run Broadway shows yet intimate enough to host a wide variety of concerts as well as opera, comedy, dance, and children’s shows. 

Pike Road Theatre Company
Pike Road Theatre Company launched in Spring 2022 with plays and musicals for the whole family to enjoy.

Way Off Broadway Theatre – Prattville
This organization was formed in Fall 2002 and stages five shows each year, including a musical and a signature Christmas play. Keep an eye out on their Facebook page if you want to audition for a production and get in on the action!

Wetumpka Depot Players
Established in Spring 1980, this local group stages several spectacular productions each year. Auditions are open to all in the community, and there’s even a Youth Actors Academy for children!

 

 Alabama River Region Ballet– Montgomery
As Alabama’s premiere professional ballet school, this organization offers high-level dance education as well as outstanding performances for the community.

The Alley – Montgomery
Downtown Montgomery’s entertainment district features a variety of restaurants, bars, and more. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of the Convention Center, Riverwalk Stadium, and the Riverfront.

Cloverdale Shopping and Dining
Check out the trendy and long-time favorite spots in Old Cloverdale for dining, shopping, and hanging out. Top choices for dining include El Rey, Moe’s Bar-B-Que, and Vintage Year. Pine Bar is a relaxed neighborhood bar, and 1048 Jazz and Blues Club features live music nightly.

Harriott II Riverboat – Montgomery
This elegant 19th century riverboat offers dinner, dancing, and live entertainment on the Alabama River.

Montgomery Ballet
The Montgomery Ballet is the only professional ballet company in the city of Montgomery and one of only two in the state of Alabama. The company puts on several spectacular performances each year.

Montgomery Biscuits Baseball
The Montgomery Biscuits moved to Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium in 2004 after playing 17 seasons in Florida as the Orlando Twins. This Minor League team is the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Games feature theme nights, flexible seating options, and various activities for kids and adults. Yummy biscuits are even shot from an air cannon into the stands during games!

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
This community symphony group began in 1976 and puts on a number of impressive performances each season.

The Rex – Millbrook

This outdoor bar and food truck park creates the perfect atmosphere for adults and kids to hangout while enjoying games and live music.