What makes Mobile unique is that it’s a port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. It has an extensive history and still has many of its historic buildings with 1820s architectural styles still intact. It even takes part in the Mardi Gras tradition!

I’ve always liked port cities, and interestingly back in the 1800s, Mobile was known as the Paris of the South, which was when Mobile was the 10th wealthiest city in the United States, thanks to the port and the cotton trade.

Today Mobile is the twelfth busiest port in the country and is a major hub of the entire Gulf Coast.

Although being by the water, there is no beach here, don’t worry there are still plenty of other fun things to do in Mobile! If you’re thinking of visiting but not sure what Mobile attractions to add to your itinerary, keep reading for our favorite things to do, see and explore.

Where is Mobile, Alabama?

The city of Mobile is conveniently located just two hours east of New Orleans and one hour north of the beautiful Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

It’s easily accessible east/west on Interstate 10 and north/south on Interstate 65.

Is Mobile Alabama worth visiting?

We arrived in town after a few relaxing days at the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and soon discovered that Mobile also offers a fabulous local foodie scene, plus interesting history, culture, and arts.

There’s a wide variety of activities for families and people of all ages, and Mobile’s colorful downtown is thriving!

And did you know that Mobile is home to America’s Original Mardi Gras? And each year it hosts the oldest organized Carnival celebration in the United States?

That’s reason enough to visit!

We’ve done Mardi Gras in New Orleans with kids, which was amazing, and now we’d love to experience the family-friendly Mardi Gras in Mobile.

The Best Things to Do in Mobile Al

Whilst we only had two days to explore, we got a good taste of what this city is about and would love to come back and take in some of its live music, and live theater, and eat our way around the city.

Below is what we got up to.

1. Explore Dauphin Street & Bienville Square

Our first introduction to Mobile was Dauphin Street.

We drove in from Gulf Shores, found a car park on Dauphin Street, grabbed some lunch at Fountain of Youth – FOY (more on this place later) then explored the street.

Across the road from FOY is Bienville Square, a historic city park in the center of downtown Mobile. It takes up the entire block bordered by the streets of Dauphin, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis, and North Conception.

There’s a nice fountain and some benches to sit on to people watch or watch the squirrels running everywhere. Be sure to check out the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Along Dauphin Street you find numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and stores  – we didn’t venture out late with kids, but you can tell this is where it all happens in downtown.

We also enjoyed the architecture and vibrant colors. Would be great to be here during Mardi Gras!

2. Explore the USS Alabama Battleship

Mobile plays home to the USS Alabama Battleship and you can journey into America’s military past at one of the top South Alabama attractions.

Dating back to 1940, the USS Alabama (“Mighty A”) began her World War II adventures in the North Atlantic in 1943, then later that year went to the South Pacific seas.

She ended up in Mobile, Alabama as a National Historic Landmark and memorial to millions. Alabama played a key role in several battles and is one BIG ship.

You can do a self-guided tour of Alabama following a coded map. It was my first time on a battleship for us, and it was so interesting to see all the working parts that make up a warship.

And our kids really enjoyed exploring all the different nooks and crannies of the ship – what a different playground it was for them!

Sitting beside her in Mobile Bay is the National Historic Landmark WWII submarine USS DRUM (SS-228). The DRUM is the oldest American submarine on public display.

You can also tour the Aircraft Pavilion, Tanks & Artillery, and Park Memorials.

Fun Facts:

• USS ALABAMA earned 9 battle stars
• Nicknamed the “Mighty A”
• The ship was used in the film USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage starring Nicolas Cage.

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is open every day except Christmas Day.

3. Gulf Coast Ducks

Looking for fun things to do in Mobile Al with kids? Our kids always love going on these duck tours which are a combination of sightseeing on land and water.

They’re a fun and informative way to learn about a destination with passionate tour guides and the kids just love the novelty of splashing into the bay.

On a tour with Gulf Coast Ducks, you’ll hear stories about all things Mobile including the USS Alabama, Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile Bay, the Port of Mobile, and the city of Mobile.

And, if your duck gets held up entering the bay by a goods train, like ours did, you’ll get to see historic parts of the city not normally on the tour!

4. Oakleigh Garden Historic District

Seven National Register Historic Districts make up what is known as downtown and midtown Mobile.

There’s Church Street, Lower Dauphin (LODA), Old Dauphin Way, Leinkauf, Ashland Place, De Tonti Square, and of course Oakleigh Garden Historic District.

We love driving and walking around Historic Districts, we have one here in Raleigh, and loved exploring the Garden District in New Orleans.

Mobile’s Oakleigh Garden Historic District was certainly impressive and we spent an hour or so cruising around checking out all the beautiful and large historic southern homes.

5. The Richards DAR House Museum

We first came upon the Richards DAR House (Daughters of the American Revolution House Museum) during our diverted duck tour. It sounded and looked fascinating, so we returned on our own for a tour. It’s meant to be haunted so we were hoping to make some new friends.

As you can see from the outside, its striking cast-iron facade is from the Italianate style and this beautiful townhouse tells the story of Mobile during its antebellum period.

The house was built in 1860 by Captain Charles Richards, a steamboat captain, and remained in their family until 1946.

The Ideal Cement Company purchased the house from Richards’ descendants in 1946. After being turned over to the city of Mobile in 1973, it was leased to the DAR for operation as a museum.

It is said to be haunted, and little Savannah was hesitant to enter at first, but we didn’t see or hear anything, lol.

6. The Carnival Museum

After experiencing Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans just a few weeks before visiting Mobile, our Carnival spirit was still on a high.

Even if you can’t visit Mobile or New Orleans during Mardi Gras, the Mobile Carnival Museum is open all year and is totally dedicated to Mardi Gras. Here you can see some of the costumes worn in the parade in their permanent collection, as well as see former floats.

It opened in 2005 and is only $5 for adults and $2 for kids.

The museum offers 14 gallery rooms, a pictorial hallway, theater, a den (social gathering area), and a gift shop. In addition, the home is registered as a historic building.

We immersed ourselves more into the rich history and traditions of carnival, and looked at the intricate designs and artistry of majestic crowns and robes of Mardi Gras monarchs.

And our kids enjoyed dressing up and pretending they were on a Mardi Gras float.

7. Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

Here’s a place our kids had a chance to get creative, curious, and play for a few hours.

Considering we were homeschooling our kids, any chance we get for interactive and hands-on learning we jump at it.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum has been voted one of the top Alabama attractions and is a fun place for families.

It provides hands on educational opportunities in a fun learning environment with permanent and special exhibits, and an IMAX.

Plus there’s an onsite cafe and unique gift shop.

8. Eat Breakfast and Beignets at Panini Petes!

Our kids fell in love with beignets in New Orleans, so they were super excited to start one of our days in Mobile with beignets at Panini Petes Cafe & Market on Dauphin Street.

Our kids rank the beignets here second only to the ones we ate at Cafe Du Monde in NOLA, so grab yourself a few hot beignets.

But Panini Pete’s offers more, and was recently named the best sandwich shop in Alabama serving up creative sandwiches, Angus beef burgers, hot dogs, hand-cut fries and more!

9. Eat Dinner at Wintzell’s Oyster House

Eating oysters seems to be one of those things to do in Alabama, and being from Australia and growing up surrounded by fresh seafood, we love that!

We had our first taste of the famous Wintzell’s Oyster House in Montgomery and enjoyed another night in Mobile dining at Wintzell’s, a historic landmark on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile.

It’s one of the most popular places to eat in Mobile and they’re known for their “Oysters-fried, stewed or nude”.

The interior decor is cool with lots of witty sayings, and even if you don’t like oysters in particular, there’s a wide range of other seafood options, even steaks and pasta.

10. Try Seafood at Felix Fish Camp

Another top seafood joint in Mobile is Felix Fish Camp Restaurant which serves up delicious, fresh, Gulf seafood and USDA certified steaks.

They serve up some of Mobile’s classic recipes, including their famous Gumbo, and don’t miss their crab claws.

Not only is the food delicious and fresh, but the location is impressive too.

Unfortunately we arrived after sunset so couldn’t take in the beautiful views of being situated on one of the most scenic parts of Mobile Bay, so maybe book your dinner for sunset, or even take in a lunchtime view!

Another delight is the service  – super friendly and impeccable. I know, it’s what we’ve come to expect in the South but they took it to another level.

11. Try Craft Beers at Loda Bier Garten

This place seemed like a real local’s favorite during our lunchtime visit.

Taking up prime position in the heart of Dauphin Street, Loda Bier Garten has a huge tap collection (over 100 different beers) and large screen TVs for watching sports, and are well known for their burgers – that’s my kinda place right there!

We sat outside and enjoyed our wings, hot dogs, and chicken salad, and yes I can confirm the burgers are GOOD!

12. Get Healthy at Fountain of Youth FOY

Being gluten-free and embracing healthy living, we seek out healthy and nutritious places to eat wherever we travel and were happy to stumble upon Fountain of Youth (FOY).

Also positioned on Dauphin Street, FOY calls themselves Mobile’s first fresh-pressed juices and superfood bar and we enjoyed their offerings so much we went back twice in one day!

On the menu are energy bowls, healthy smoothies, wellness shots, super tacos, and of course fresh pressed juices. The winner for me was their Power Paleo Pancakes!

Other places to eat in Mobile suggested by others that we didn’t get too:

• Moe’s BBQ – Apparently the BEST BBQ you’ll ever taste!
• OK Bicycle Shop – possibly the most interesting Mexican restaurant you’ll ever go to!
• MoonPie General Store – Food, ice cream and of course, a general store!
• Callaghan’s Irish Social Club  – Known for their burgers!
• Dumbwaiter Restaurant – Southern classics with a modern twist!

Looking for coffee in Mobile?

Oh, and if you’re looking for good coffee our go too place was Serda’s Coffee Company.

13. Mobile Museum of Art

The Mobile Museum of Art is the best place to visit in Mobile for art lovers and creative types. It has an extensive art collection from all over the world, including non-western art pieces.

In its permanent collection, it has 6,400 works of fine art, sculptures, photographs, drawings, prints, and paintings. The whole collection is not on display, and the pieces are rotated, so visitors see something different each time they visit.

Some of the most popular works in the collection are 19th-century American landscapes and realist paintings from the WPA era.

14. Mobile Botanical Gardens

Wandering around the Mobile Botanical Gardens is one of the most relaxing things to do in Mobile. They were founded in 1974 and spans over 100 acres of woodlands, walks, and small gardens.

The land that the gardens lie on was historically a vast longleaf pine forest but was mostly logged in the 1900s. The idea was to return this area back to a space of nature, which is why 35 acres of the gardens are a forested conservation area.

Make sure to check out the lake in Langan Park, which used to be Mobile’s water supply until the 1950s.

15. See Historic Mansions: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion & Bellingrath Mansion

The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a Greek revival-style mansion that was the former home of Judge John Bragg and was built in 1855. Today, it is a museum and one of the most photographed buildings in the city.

The 13,000-square-foot home was built as a holiday residence for the Bragg family during Thanksgiving through Mardi Gras.

When Judge Bragg died in 1878, four families owned the home since, the last being A.S. Mitchell who owned the house since 1931. He lived here until 1965 and took loving care of the home since by this time it had become an iconic building in the city.

The house was donated to the Explore Center in the late 1970s and was restored to the grandeur you see today.

The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Another historic home worth visiting in Mobile is the Bellingrath Gardens Museum and Home. The home belonged to Walter and Bessie Bellingrath as their weekend home and was built in 1934. Since it was built, the couple has opened their 15-room, 10,500-square-foot home to the public.

The home is another example of grand, extravagance in Mobile. The gardens are particularly impressive.

16. Take a Trip to Meaher State Park

The Meaher State Park is a huge 1,327-acre wetland located in north Mobile Bay. It’s a scenic area known for being a hot spot for picnics, camping, and boating.

You can go fishing at the fishing pier or walk along the boardwalk and take in the stunning views.

After visiting the park, you can find more outdoor adventures in the nearby Mobile-Tensaw. This is a popular place for seeing wildlife viewing and has a theater, gift shop, and canoe or kayak rentals. 

17. History Museum of Mobile

I mentioned earlier that Mobile has a long history, and if you want to learn more about Mobile history, there’s no better place than at the History Museum of Mobile.

Located in the Old City Hall, the museum itself is a big part of Mobile history. It contains artifacts and hands-on exhibits that help bring Mobile’s history to life.

Even if you don’t enter the museum, it’s worth passing by to see the stunning architecture of this 19th-century building, which was designed in an Italianate style.

18. Visit Colonial Fort Conde and Fort Morgan

Being a coastal city, Mobile was the first point of defense and has a few major forts and battlegrounds worth checking out. The first is Colonial Fort Conde, which was built by French explorers in 1723.

You can see the remnants of the original fort in Mardi Gras Park, facing Church Street.

A replica of the fort opened in 1976, and about one-third of the Fort has been reconstructed.

Another fort worth checking out is Fort Morgan, also known as Fort Bowyer. This is located on the west of Mobile Point, on the historic Fort Morgan peninsula, on a barrier island called Dauphin Island.

The fort was built in 1834 and is now a historic military site and National Historic Landmark.

This fort had an important role during the Civil War era and was where the famous Battle of Mobile Bay took place. It was here that Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to attack the heavily mined bay on August 5, 1864.

19. Gulfquest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

Given its coastal location and gigantic port, you can bet that Mobile has an extensive maritime history. The best place to learn all about it is at the Gulfquest National Maritime Museum.

It was completed in 2015 and was created as an educational resource, specializing in hands-on experiences to help its visitors understand and appreciate the heritage of the Gulf of Mexico.

The museum is unique in that it does not have a permanent collection of artifacts, but it has temporary exhibits showing maritime artifacts, ensuring every visitor sees something unique each time they visit.

It has 90 exhibits, theaters, and simulators, that offer a unique perspective of the Gulf’s maritime past.

Where to Stay in Mobile

We stayed in the heart of downtown Mobile at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel which is at 64 South Water Street.

This hotel is stylish and elegant without being too over the top for us and our kids and we had a lovely sunset view from our room.

It was right near the start of Dauphin Street and an easy stroll to all the spots mentioned above, including a short 5 minute walk to Bienville Square, Serda’s Coffee is a 2 minute walk away, the Exploreum Science Center is across the street and the Duck Tours is a stroll away.

Besides walking everywhere, we could easily drive to the other Alabama attractions, including a 5 minute drive to the USS Alabama.

And if you’re in town for a convention, there’s a direct connection to Mobile Convention Center via a skybridge.

It came with all our necessities including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 24 hour fitness center and pool.

Before You Go

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It’s known as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement as it’s where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and began the boycott movement. It was here where the flame for the African American people was ignited, and brought about change to make the world a better place.

It’s also where Dr. Martin Luther King rose as a leader of that movement.

Today, Alabama’s capital is reemerging as a destination offering a unique and diverse culture, family-friendly attractions, cool nightlife, and contemporary eating.

Montgomery is slow paced and you may wonder where all the people are. But don’t let that fool you, there are tons of cool things to do in Montgomery AL with kids.

Enjoy the space and take time to look at the ginormous government buildings – I’ve never seen anything like it before!

Getting Around Montgomery

Montgomery is a really easy city to get around. Most of the Montgomery attractions are within walking distance of downtown.

For those who don’t like walking, there is a Lightning Route Trolley that connects most of the attractions in downtown. It was the first electric trolley system in the U.S. and was built in 1886, so riding the trolley is an attraction in itself!

If you plan to stay outside downtown, there Montgomery Area Transit System is a bus route that services most destinations in the city and surrounding areas.

If you’re planning on visiting other parts of Alabama, consider renting a car. Rentalcars.com is a great resource for finding car rentals since it compares all the top car rental companies. Parking in downtown is notoriously difficult so be mindful of this if you are visiting by car.

Things to Do in Montgomery AL

Now you know how to get around Montgomery, it’s time to take a look at the top attractions in Montgomery. Let’s get started…

1. Freedom Rides Museum

The Freedom Rides Museum gives an excellent insight into the brave peaceful protest of the Freedom Riders and is told through a series of artworks, displays, and biographies of key leaders and players within the movement.

This Montgomery attraction is on the site of the original Greyhound bus station and is the site of the attack on the Freedom Riders.

The Freedom Riders were a group of blacks and whites who decided to peacefully ride the buses together from Washington DC to New Orleans in protest against the segregation that was happening on interstate bus rides.

This rehabilitated bus station has been restored to how it looked in 1961 and is the site of the attack on Freedom Riders when they arrived at the station on May 20, 1961.

They were prepared to meet mob violence with non-violence and courage. They prepared farewell letters and wills.

Their goal was to help end racial segregation in public transportation.

They were attacked once they reached the Greyhound bus station in Montgomery and then only made it as far as Jackson before they were arrested and sent to prison for 40 days for breaking segregation laws.

Our guide, Dorothy, was extremely passionate about the museum. Her stories helped us understand more of what happened during this period of the Civil Rights Movement.

I thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the museum.

They also have a scavenger hunt for the kids to help them better understand the museum.

• Hours: Tues – Sat. Noon to 3pm
• Tickets: $5 adults, $3 children 6-18 years

2. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

Our tour of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church has been one of our favorite tours so far on our US road trip.

The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church was built in 1883 and quickly became an important worship and meeting place for the African community.

The old red brick building with views out to the State Capitol feels very symbolic when you consider what the community within this church was able to achieve in the city that was known to be the Cradle of the Confederacy, born from those Capitol steps the Church overlooks.

The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is where Martin Luther King Jr. had his first and only pastor experience from 1954 to 1959.

It was where he was recognized in the community as an enigmatic leader and was chosen to lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which launched him as a Civil Rights leader.

The tour is fantastic, mostly due to our guide, Wanda who shared the spirit of King and the movement through her songs, and words of love and joy, peace and unity.

It was a moving experience and definitely an attraction to put on your things to do in Montgomery, AL with kids.

Our girls loved it.

Inside the Church, you get to see Dr. King’s office where he wrote many of his speeches and sermons and stand behind the exact pulpit he stood behind when he gave his famous How Long Not Long speech.

You can worship with the congregation on Sundays at 10:30. I’d love to experience it. I can only imagine the love, hope and sense of community that lives within that church service.

• Tours hourly from 10am – 3pm. except for noon.

3. Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum

Do you want to see the home that Dr. Martin Luther King and his family lived in during his years as a pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church?

This modest but cute clapboard cottage is in Centennial Hill, which was once a vibrant middle-class African suburb.

The Dexter Parsonage Museum is where previous pastors of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church used to reside. It’s also where Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived between 1954 and 1960.

You’ll get to see the crater in the porch left over from when his house was bombed and experience the stories of his life within the walls where they happened.

A most poignant part of the tour is the kitchen where Dr King received guidance from within not to quit on the dream when we were most afraid and troubled over it, but to keep standing up for justice.

The permanent collection in the Interpretive Center of the museum contains photos and a timeline of the 12 Dexter pastors who lived here as well as inspiring quotes from their Pastoral Wisdom.

You can also see unpublished photographs of Dr. King and former members of the Montgomery ministers who were active in the bus boycott movement.

There’s also the Kings-John garden, which you can use as reflection on what you’ve learned from the museum.

• Tours of the Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum Hours: Tuesday through Friday: 10am – 3pm, every hour, excluding noon to 1pm, Saturday: 10 – 1pm every hour.

4. Civil Rights Memorial Center

The Civil Rights Memorial is the best place to visit after you have seen the other Civil Rights Trail experiences.

There is a beautiful memorial out the front, designed by Maya Lin, the same designer of Washington’s Vietnam memorial.

A circular black granite table records the names of the martyrs and chronicles the history of the movement in lines that radiate like the hands of a clock.

Water flows out the center and across the top of the etched names.

On a curved black granite wall behind the table is engraved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known paraphrase of Amos 5:24 –

We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

It’s a place to reflect and consider how injustices continue today and what you can do to help correct them.

Visit the Wall of Tolerance inside where you can add your name to the wall and take the pledge to stand for justice, peace and love.

By placing my name on the Wall of Tolerance, I pledge to take a stand against hate, injustice and intolerance. I will work in my daily life for justice, equality and human rights – the ideals for which the Civil Rights martyrs died.

5. Rosa Parks Library and Museum

See where the Civil Rights Movement began at the Rosa Parks Museum.

They bring the story alive through an interactive display, 3D re-enactments, and gospel music setting the scene.

The Museum is located in the spot where Rosa Park was arrested.

There is also a children’s annex which has an interactive bus taking kids into the past and through the experience making it a worthy stop on your list of things to do in Montgomery, AL with kids. There’s also a station wagon belonging to one of the protestors.

The Rosa Parks Museum is very well put together with artifacts and is not too overwhelming with information, you get a great sense of what happened and why.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-3pm
• Admission Fee: $7.50 Adults; $5.50 Children 12 & under; $1

6. Museum of Alabama

The Alabama Museum tells the story of Alabama’s past from prehistory to the present through award winning and interacting exhibits and programs.

It is located at the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), a stunning building, and the nation’s oldest state-funded, independent archival and historical agency.

Interactive and educational displays and areas for kids are in the Hands-On-Gallery and Grandma’s Attic where you can dress in period costumes, play with toys from bygone eras, make crafts, listen to stories, and do more.

My girls enjoyed using the typewriter, old telephones, and creating sequined Mardi Gras masks for our trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. (Yes you can do Mardi Gras with kids, here’s how).

This is one of the best things to do in Montgomery Al with Kids.

• Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:30 am -4:30 pm.
• Admission is FREE

7. Court Square Fountain

For a beautiful view and photo, that many from our community said made Montgomery look European, stand at the bottom right corner of the fountain roundabout and look up towards Dexter Avenue and the State Capitol.

This beautiful fountain is topped by a statue of Hebe, Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Gods and was built in 1885 over an existing artesian basin.

There are quite a few significant historical markers around this fountain.

It’s where the slave market once used to be and is also the spot where Rosa Parks boarded the bus on the day she was arrested.

On the corner is the Winter Building where the orders to fire the first shot for the Civil War were given.

8. State Capitol Tour

We had done so many museums and tours during our Montgomery trip and the girls were getting really tired so we sacrificed a tour of the State Capitol.

I hope you have time to make it one of your things to do on Montgomery, AL as I would have liked to have done it.

It’s a grandiose building built in 1850 in the Greek Revival style with perfect proportions and creamy exterior, which would sparkle against a clear blue sky.

It’s noted as a national historic landmark and included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Confederacy began here in 1861 and a little over a century later the Voting Rights march ended in 1965.

Out the front of the State Capitol is where the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights march ended and there Martin Luther King gave his famous speech, “How Long, Not Long!” after the Selma to Montgomery March.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday Guided Tours Only at 9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm
• Admission is FREE

9. Montgomery Riverfront

If you visit during the warmer months, then the Riverfront is possibly a place for you to spend some time.

Be sure to check whether there are any local festivals or concerts on.

There are also river boat rides and a small amphitheater which looks lovely and often has concerts and events. You can bring your cooler, picnic basket, and blanket to enjoy them.

We had rainy weather on our visit to Montgomery so didn’t get to do much at the Riverfront. The Visitor Center is worth a look and it is close to Downtown and the Alley.

10. Fly at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Not a festival as such but a theater located in Blount Cultural Park.

If the weather is kind to you (it was raining for us) arrive early with a picnic and enjoy the 300 acres of ground that will remind you a little of the English countryside.

The Shakespeare Theater is a fully professional regional theater that produces around ten productions each season.

While Shakespeare plays are at the artistic core of the company, Broadway musicals, children’s productions, American classics, and world premieres are also put on.

We attended an afternoon show of Fly, which tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, who trained at nearby Morton Field during World War II, and gained fame during World War II for their bravery.

Their flying skills equaled those of the whites – dying stereotypes and helped lead to the decision to desegregate the American Military in 1946.

Fly was funny, sad, and told the story of the pilots in such a moving and mesmerizing way.

I enjoyed it far more than I though I would. The acting was brilliant. The girls even giggled and enjoyed it despite it being slightly above their age level.

I love them receiving a cultural education like this.

Hopefully, Fly is still playing when you visit Montgomery, Al. If not, have a look to see what is playing as the venue is intimate and it could be one of the fun things to do in Montgomery, Al.

11. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is in the same expansive Blount Cultural Park as the Shakespeare Theater.

This Montgomery attraction for kids is in one impressive building.

Unfortunately, one section was closed off to us for a private party, but we could look over it from above and see some of the more modern pieces.

For things to do in Montgomery AL with kids, don’t miss the giant wooden donut and ARTWORKS, the art gallery and studio for kids which has interactive displays and opportunities for the kids to create and engage with art.

Admission is free.

12. Explore Historical Cloverdale

Stroll through the tree-shaded streets of the historical Cloverdale to see charming bungalows and stately columned mansions.

It’s a quiet, gorgeous area with brick paved roads, historic churches and homes, boutique stores and trendy restaurants (see Vintage Year below).

13. National Memorial for Peace and Justice

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened in 2018 and was the first memorial in the U.S. to be made in memory of the African Americans who have been affected by slavery, lynchings, and injustice.

The six acre memorial is most famous for its field of 800 monuments, each representing a county where lynchings took place. Each of these monuments contains engravings of the names of people who had been affected by the lynchings.

There are also sculptures and artwork that honor important figures in the Civil Rights movement.

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday – Sunday

14. Legacy Museum

The Legacy Museum is another museum that focuses on preserving the history of racial injustice to light. It was built on the site where thousands of slaves were warehoused and forced to labor in chains.

The museum tells the story of slavery to mass incarceration and is also located just blocks from one of the most prominent slave auction spaces in America.

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday – Sunday

15. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were considered “the first American flappers” and were prominent figures in the Jazz Age. Scott was a writer, who rose to fame after his first novel, The Side of Paradise, which was published in 1920, acquainted him with high society in Montgomery.

Zelda was noted for her beauty, but she also suffered from mental health issues which was made increasingly worse by the pairs wild drinking and partying.

The pair were living a Great Gatsby lifestyle in Montgomery and you can learn about their life at the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, the only museum dedicated to the couple.

This is probably an attraction in Montgomery for adults to enjoy more than kids.

• Hours: 10am-3pm, Thursday – Sunday

16. Alley Entertainment District

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Montgomery at night, then a trip to the Alley Entertainment District is where you need to be. Known as the entertainment and nightlife district, this is where you’ll find bars playing country music. You’ll also see theatres and entertainment venues where you can watch live bands play.

It’s also where you’ll find the Riverwalk Stadium, a baseball field. The stadium has picnic areas and a playpark for kids, if they find a baseball game uninteresting!

It’s also just a short walk from the riverfront park which sits next to the Gun Island Chute, which connects to the Alabama River. In the evening, you can find live music and entertainment here, and kids will love playing on the splash pad. You can also take riverboat cruises from the park, including the Harriott II Riverboat.

17. First White House of the Confederacy

The First White House of the Confederacy was the former home of Jefferson Davis and where he lived during the Civil War.

Today, it’s a museum, showcasing the home in which he lived. You can walk through rooms where he ate, slept and worked. It’s free to enter, which makes it one of the best free things to do in Montgomery.

Just down the road, you’ll find the Alabama State Capitol building, a 19th century building that started the Confederacy in the Capital of Alabama.

• Hours: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

18. Learn About the Cattle Industry at the Mooseum

The Mooseum is a children’s education center in Montgomery and is one of the best things to do in Montgomery with kids.

It’s a place to learn about Alabama’s beef cattle industry and has interactive exhibits on how beef goes from farm to plate.

You can also learn about the byproducts that come from beef cattle.

Kids can dress up like a cowboy and play in the Rodeo Arena and learn all about cows. It’s certainly one of the most unique attractions in Montgomery.

• Hours: 8.00am – 12.00pm, 1.00pm – 4.30pm Monday – Friday

19. Hank Williams Museum

Another top museum in Montgomery worth a visit is the Hank Williams Museum. Hank Williams was a country music superstar, and you can learn all about his life and music from this museum.

As you wander through the museum, listen to the sound of his guitars on vinyl records and see his 1952 Baby Blue Cadillac.

You’ll also see his suits, boots, and ties, and so much more memorabilia from Hank Williams.

• Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday, 1.00pm – 4.00pm Sunday

20. Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum

If you’re visiting Montgomery with kids, you cannot miss the zoo! Montgomery Zoo is where you’ll see African elephants, giraffes, and many more amazing animals.

There’s also a petting zoo and reptile house, as well as a stingray tank and parakeet cove.

If you’re ever short of things to do in Montgomery with kids, a trip to the zoo is always a crowd pleaser.

• Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm daily

21. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Another attraction in Montgomery for adults is the Museum of Fine Arts. The collection features works from the 19th and 20th century, and some notable artists include Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent.

There’s also a sculpture garden, and a gallery where you can purchase fine art to take home.

The museum sits next to a lake with a manicured garden surrounding it. It’s the perfect place to sit and have a picnic under the warm Alabama sun.

• Hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday – Sunday

Places to Eat in Montgomery

After all these Montgomery attractions to visit, you’re going to need something to eat! Here are some places we loved to eat at in Montgomery.

22. Chris’ Hot Dog

If you’re a lover of tradition and hot dogs, then you’ll love Chris’Hot Dogs.

Situated on Dexter Avenue, it’s been around since 1917.

Yep, that’s over 100 years of selling hot dogs and their signature sauce. It’s super cheap as well, so perfect for families traveling on a budget.

Chris’ Hot Dogs is run by second and third generations of the founding family.

Hot Dog all the Way is the signature dish which s drenched in Chris’s secret sauce, onions and kraut. It makes the list of things to do in Montgomery, AL for it’s nostalgic value!

23. Prevail Union Coffee Montgomery

Looking for the best coffee in Montgomery, Alabama?

We weren’t sure we were going to find any in Montgomery, but a local pointed us down the street to Prevail Union Montgomery, a craft coffee roaster.

This is located next to the vintage hipster Chop Shop Barber.

The café space is decorated with local art and a few lounge chairs to sit and relax with the views out to the fountain and Dexter Avenue.

The coffee is good. And the barista was Australian!! Can you believe it? An Australian barista in Montgomery Alabama.

I love life’s little random surprises and anomalies.

24. Central Restaurant

For those looking for something a little more elegant and upmarket, you can’t go past Central in The Alley region.

Sophisticated, yet laid-back, Central is housed in an 1890’s grocery warehouse. Its rustic décor, low lighting and open air kitchen provide a welcoming and homely atmosphere.

Central’s food is fresh, seasonal and regional, artfully presented and simply Delicious.

It was by far the best steak (filet mignon) I’ve had in the US. Don’t miss the fried brussel sprouts with dried cranberries, preserved lemon vinaigrette, mozzarella curds.

25. Dreamland BBQ

For cheap and delicious BBQ, head to Dreamland BBQ. Good news parents – kids eat free on select days.

Famous for its succulent ribs and homemade sauce. Grab some hickory-fired bbq, ribs and chicken, and a serving of baked potatoes, beans, and mac and cheese

Save room for the famous Banana pudding as it’s the desert not to miss with vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, creamy pudding, and whipped cream, and a secret sauce over the top.

26. Wintzell’s Oyster House

This seafood restaurant has been serving up fresh Gulf Seafood for over 75 years.

Get your oysters any way you like, or try the signature Oyster sampler with Rockefeller (spinach lovers), Bienville (shrimp, crabmeat, parmesan cream sauce) Chargrilled (over an open flame and smothered with pepper butter and cheese).

You may want to schedule out a bit of time here so you can peruse all the funny quotes and sayings that completely cover every wall.

27. Sunday Brunch at Vintage Year

I love how the South does brunch.

You won’t be disappointed with the class and sophistication of brunch at Vintage Year. Kir Royayle champagne cocktail are a must of course!

It’s Montgomery.

The food at Vintage Year is innovative and delicious. We went for the daily special of salmon with local blue stone grits and a creole cajun sauce. Wow. Bursting with creamy deliciousness.

Vintage Year is a fine dining restaurant dishing up elegance on a plate for over a quarter of a century.

They aspire to serve simple, local, fresh food that rocks with flavor and style.

It’s a don’t miss foodie things to do in Montgomery, Al.

Where to stay in Montgomery Alabama

The Hampton Inn

In the heart of the historic downtown area and within minutes’ walk to The Alley, the premier and revitalized restaurant and nightlife area – think cobblestone alleyways and trendy eating spots is the Hampton Inn Downtown.

We loved the prime location and the room was large, which is always welcome with kids.

There was a separate sitting area and a small kitchen. The bathroom was small with a vanity area outside.

If that was a little smaller and the bathroom a little bigger, it would be perfect. Other than that, it’s in a great location and the service was excellent.

Breakfast is also supplied, which was perfect for the girls – they love bagels and sausages – but Craig and I skipped on it. We’re gluten-free and don’t like buffet breakfasts.

Other places to stay in downtown Montgomery include The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Embassy Suites. Check out more places to stay in Montgomery here.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are 28 things to do in Montgomery and as you can see, there’s a lot of history to explore and learn about here.

But there’s also plenty of places to relax, sit back and listen to country music, enjoy good food and warm hospitality.

We hope this guide helped you plan your visit to Montgomery and give you some attractions to add to your itinerary.

Need More Tips for Alabama?

Looking at visiting other places in Alabama? These resources might help!

• Best things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
• Fun and Interesting things to do in Mobile

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We were pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed our three day beach vacation here, and down below we share our tips on the fun things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, including where to eat and drink, and where to stay!

“I didn’t even know Alabama had beaches. It reminds me so much of the Gold Coast in Australia.” We heard this comment more than once from our Australian friends and followers.

To be honest, it was a long time before I realized Alabama had beaches too. And even though I knew it was on the Gulf Shores and close to Pensacola in Florida, I still didn’t believe the beaches would be any good.

Boy was I wrong.

In fact, Alabama has 32 miles of white sand beaches. And it turns out that the best things to do in Gulf Shores, and best things to do in Orange Beach Alabama, revolve around the water!

Alabama is a state that has surprised me on many levels. I have enjoyed the experiences we’ve had so far and the people we’ve met.

It’s a unique state and it’s hard to describe but they do lifestyle and entertainment things with such creative and fun flair.

There is all the cool space in Huntsville (they are currently celebrating 50 years of the Apollo in Huntsville), plus it has some of the coolest nightlife spots I’ve discovered.

Mobile is a city similar to New Orleans, that French sophistication and revelry on a smaller scale, and then you have the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Gorgeous beaches, wonderful weather, laid back and unpretentious vibe.

Mind you, we visited in the quiet season (February) so found it to be magical. It is probably a different story when the crowds come in the middle of summer.

But, still we found ourselves saying many times, “let’s come back here and rent a beach house for a couple of weeks and just chill.”

Things to do in Gulf Shores

Hang out on the beach

We know you’re here for a family beach vacation, so pack your lounge chairs, towels, and beach toys and find a spot on the miles of wide open Gulf Shores beaches and Orange Beach, Alabama.

We actually stayed in Orange Beach, and had a lovely section of soft white sand out the front of our beach cottage, but the main Gulf Shores beach area is very inviting too! (See some Alabama Gulf Shores beach cottages here on Booking.com and here on Airbnb.com

Gulf Shores, Alabama has a slogan, Leave Only Footprints which encourages people to make sure they have removed all their beach gear by one hour after sunset each day.

It’s made a huge difference in cleaning up the beaches.

The rule was created to keep the Gulf beaches pristine but also to protect the nesting turtles who may lose their way due to a beach umbrella being in the way.

And it’s very kid-friendly here, with a cool toy box on the sand.

The surf was a little rough when we visited so we didn’t swim. But we were told it’s typically calmer and great for swimming.

Check out more of our fun family beach getaway to Gulf Shores Alabama in this video:

Learn How to Build Sandcastles at Sand Castle University

While you’re at the beach, why not finally learn how to make a real sandcastle?

I’ve always wondered how my sandcastles ended up looking like the ancient crumbling ruins of a lost city. There’s just a few simple techniques to becoming a sandcastle King!

We spent an hour with Janel from Sand Castle University learning those techniques. She was an engaging teacher and wonderful with the girls.

I loved hearing about how she has created a business around something she loves.

There are so many people doing cool things around the world.

If you think you can’t build a business around what you love, then just remember Janel who creates sandcastles every day, in the glorious office of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The girls had a blast building sandcastles. Definitely put this on your list of things to do in Gulf Shores with kids!

I’ll be expecting great things from them this summer. Now that we know the techniques, our sandcastles will be attracting beach goers with their cameras near and far.

Bike Riding in Gulf State Park

Just across the road from the beach is the gorgeous Gulf State Park, which adds to the feeling that Gulf Shores is a relaxed beachside area focused on nature.

It reminded me so much of Australia.

We grabbed rental bikes from Mark at Beach Bike Rentals to explore one of the Back Country Trails.

Mark was great at showing us the bike trail and pointing out various points of interest to see along the way like the osprey Nest and Lefty the alligator.

Lefty is not one-legged. She has all four legs, but one of her front feet is deformed (I believe it is her right foot, which is why she is called Lefty).

Unfortunately, I was not too great at following the map directions and somehow led us on the shorter trail that cut through the park instead of the longer one that took us around the lake – the best feature of the park!!

I still can’t figure out how I messed up.

I’m usually great at following maps and I really felt like I followed it right. It’s the map’s fault right?

But, the diversion led us onto the wooden boardwalk which was where we saw an alligator hiding the weeds.

It was the only one we saw on the trail. No I tell a lie. We saw Lefty the alligator babies basking on the rocks. Lefty, was no where to be seen.

The Gulf Shores State Park is a tranquil place to spend a few hours. It quickly became one of our favorite things to do in Gulf Shores.

I particularly loved the section that has gorgeous, overhanging moss trees like you’d see in Savannah.

Make Bath Bombs

If you want to take a break from the beach and engage in a fun learning activity with your kids, head to Harmony Creek Farm for a bath bomb making lesson.

Part of what makes our travel so special (and we intentionally do this) is to participate in activities where we learn new things together or pursue family interests like biking, hiking and stand up paddle boarding.

We loved learning how to make bath bombs together. Even Craig enjoyed it and I thought he’d just check out and just film it. But he got right into making the bath bombs.

It’s not as difficult as you think and, they’re all natural as well which makes it fantastic to use in the bath.

Ruta, co-owner, was a great teacher, taking us through step by step and making it easy to understand.

With an organic chemist father and a creative mother, Ruta has the perfect combination of science and art to create wonderful soaps and bath bombs.

We were able to choose our own scents, colors and herbs or glitter in our custom made soap.

The girls absolutely loved it and were ecstatic to pick them up the next day after they were dried.

Soap making and bath bomb classes last from 1-2 hours and are available for private groups and parties. Why not take home an Alabama souvenir made from your own hands that smells fresh like the ocean you just walked out of.

Consider this another activity to put on your list of things to do in Orange Beach, with or even without, kids.

Places to Eat & Drink

The Gulf

Coming in at our favorite beach bar so far on our US road trip is The Gulf on Orange Beach.

The Guff has fused together everything that makes a beach bar great from the countries around the world who do them great.

The menu has a Mexican flair with fresh and locally caught seafood – their fish burger is a winner! 

It has an Asian and Australian flavor with different seating areas and chilled out couches, palm trees, tiki flames, and fire pits. And just a good time US vibe and innovation.

The Gulf is a series of shipping containers reclaimed, recycled and salvaged building materials that contrast with the natural setting. 

Cool tunes playing, incredible views of Alabama Point, and friendly service.

We went for diner one night and immediately connected to the vibe even in the dark and vowed to return the next day to take daylight photos.

We couldn’t help ourselves but to sit down with the views and a few glasses of wine. We could have stayed there all evening.

Definitely one of the best casual places to eat in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and when we return to rent a beach house for a couple of weeks, the Gulf will be my evening event.

The Hangout

Another cool beach hangout, is The Hangout on Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores and co-incidentally is owned by the same people who own The Gulf.

Do they have style or what?

It reminded me of having lunch at one of our Surf Clubs on the beach back in Australia, and is one of the most popular Gulf Shores restaurants for the views, and seafood!

The Hangout inspiration came from the old boardwalk hangout that was here in the 50’s. You can see a photograph of it hanging on the wall.

It’s also where the annual Hangout Music Fest in May was created which now draws 50,000+ people. Previous artists include The Foo Fighters, and this year The Killers headline!

I want to come back to this music festival. Rent my beach cottage and hang out at The Gulf in between.

Lulu’s

For a quieter spot away from the beach and on the river, head to Lulu’s.

I loved the vibe of this place.

There’s an outdoor sand area with toys for the kids and in the seasonal months, a high ropes course, making it one of the best places to eat in Gulf Shores with kids!

There’s also a sand volleyball court and boat slips for boat-friendly dining.

Parents you can definitely come relax here with a few tacos and margaritas and know that your kids are having a great time – there’s live, nightly music.

Lulu’s is owned by Jimmy Buffets sister so except that tropical vibe.

Ruby Slipper Cafe

If you love eggs bennedict, go here!

We started off one morning with breakfast at the Ruby Slipper Cafe who are well known for their eggs bennie.

We ordered a serving of their hot smoked salmon bennie made on giant, fluffy southern-style biscuits!

And our kids enjoyed their French toast sticks, fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar served with bacon – they look like a game of Jenga.

The Ruby Slipper Cafe is family owned and originated in New Orleans.

“The Ruby Slipper Café was inspired by a powerful sense of homecoming when we returned to New Orleans after Katrina to be back with family and friends again.”

They have since expanded across the Southern Gulf Region since opening in 2008.

Hog Wild Barbecue

Love barbecue? How about Southern barbecue with a beachy twist!

Hog Wild rank in the Top 10 BBQ restaurants in Alabama, and Top 5 for wings.

We can vouch for their wings, some of the best wings we’ve had in the US – finger licking good!

City Donuts

Ok, we don’t normally allow our kids to have donuts for breakfast, but we were on vacation, at the beach!

We’re typically health conscious with what we eat, especially breakfast, but of course we allow our kids a treat here and there.

So one morning we headed straight for City Donut, another family-owned local business who have been serving donuts, and espresso for breakfast since 2013.

Be warned, as a fresh bakery, they make all their donuts just hours before opening and they do sell out for the day, so don’t sleep in too late!

I know you’re on vacation, but once they sell out for the day, they close up shop!

Put this on your list of things to do in Gulf Shores with kids. They, and probably you, will love it.

Cobalt

We were hoping to catch a sunset here during dinner on our first night in Orange Beach, but we were late arriving from our previous destination.

Cobalt Restaurant has prime position under the Perdido Bay Bridge, with undoubtedly spectacular views of the bay.

Unfortunately it was dark once we arrived so we couldn’t appreciate their full-potential, but just sitting outside again by the water was enough!

Cobalt is one of the best Orange Beach Restaurants that offers fresh local seafood, caught daily, in an open air dining room.

Flora-Bama

Our friends from New Orleans first told us about Flora-Bama. They said it’s an experience you just have to have in Orange Beach and the Gulf Shores region.

And they couldn’t stop raving about their specialty drink, a Bushwacker.

They said,

“You just have to get bushwhacked with a Bushwhacker drink at the Flora-Bama beach bar on the Florida-Alabama border!

Geez it’s strong. We settled for one bushwacker!

What’s in this drink? Five liquors in one frozen drink:

• white rum
• dark rum
• amoretto
• dark creme de cacao
• kahlua.

And this bar is crazy interesting, I could imagine the crowds in peak season at sunset, as it’s one of the most famous beach bars in the USA.

Other places to eat on the Alabama Gulf Shores

Where to Stay at Gulf Shores

Rent a Beach Cottage

There are plenty of Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals and Orange Beach Rentals – and condos too.

Although the stretch of them isn’t overbearing like you’d find in other US beach towns.

We only had three nights, and I wish it were longer. We stayed at the Cottages at Romar Beach which are managed by Kaiser by Wyndham Vacation Rentals

I want a beach cottage exactly like the one we stayed in.

I’m not sure if Kalyra or I said it first, but we definitely are in alignment with our home style and vision. (And yes we have been looking for beach style homes in Raleigh since!!)

Nothing beats the casual comfort, and practicality, of a beach vacation home.

This cottage was in a enclave of Orange Beach Vacation Rentals in between a couple of high rise condos.

It was so lovely to be a one minute walk to the beach – although they have some larger beach homes right on the beach front for rent as well.

It was cozy and comfortable and so stylish. We seriously did not spend enough time there to fully appreciate it.

And for those moments you don’t want to hit the sand, there was a pool too.

More Places to Stay in Gulf Shores (and Orange Beach)

• Booking.com has over 1,000 properties for rent in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
• Trip Advisor also has over 1,000 properties in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
• Airbnb has over 300 unique and comfortable homestays. Click here to find your perfect one.

Planning a Trip to Gulf Shores

We visited the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach region as guests of Gulf Shores tourism.

We know we will be back!

More Alabama Travel Posts

You may like these beach vacation ideas:

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of U.S. Civil Rights Trail for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

“It was the beginning of a flame that would go across America” Joe Azbell, Montgomery Advertiser Reporter

Joe Azbell was reporting on the gathering of nearly 5000 blacks in the Holt St Baptist Church in Montgomery to decide on what they’d do in regards to the arrest of Rosa Parks, a quiet courageous lady who decided she would not give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger, as was demanded of her.

Jo Ann Robinson, a professor and the Alabama college, quickly got the message into the hands of 55,000 blacks that now was the time for them to boycott the buses in protest against the segregation. She suggested the new enigmatic leader of her church: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be the leader of the movement.

5000 people gathered in the Holt Street Baptist Church to enthusiastically and unanimously decide YES to the Montgomery Boycott and to hear King’s stirring speech advocating action without violence.

The boycott was meant to last for one day, but it turned into 13 months. The people rallied together to hello transport one another around the city to their places of work. It as an incredible achievement and eventually the won to have the segregation law removed by the US Supreme court.

It as incredible to move throughout the city to learn more about the story and how the march for equality continues today.

Montgomery Alabama is really the birthplace of Civil Rights. I would not have understood the significance of Montgomery in the US Civil Rights movement unless I visited Montgomery and spent time experiencing the stories and places that gave rise to the movement and created change.

I knew a lot already, having been a fan of Dr. Martin Luther King for many many years. I also used to teach about Civil Rights a little when I taught in North Carolina. I knew of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, but other than that many of the events, dates and names were just records in a text book.

Visiting Montgomery helped me to piece the significant events of the US Civil Rights movement all together and understand just how much was achieved on its buses, streets, homes and churches.

Montgomery Alabama is a significant stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail

1. Rosa Parks Museum

The Rosa Parks Museum is situated in the place where she was arrested on the bus in 1955. Before arriving to the museum stop a couple of blocks back at the fountain on Court Square so you can see where she boarded the bus.

I like the way the story of the bus boycott and Rosa Parks arrest was told within the museum. You begin with a video explaining what was happening at the time and why the bus segregation laws were the most humiliating for the black people in Montgomery.

You then walk into a room which shows a reenactment of her arrest, and then with gospel music playing, you walk through the doors of the Holt Church to learn more about hat happened after that – the 13 month long non-violent bus boycott and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.

There is also a children’s annex which has an interactive bus taking kids into the past and through the experience. We did not have time to do that.

The Museum is very well put together and is not too overwhelming with information, you get a great sense of what happened and why and it is very relatable for children. Kalyra really understood what happened and was horrified when she saw the section on the bombing of Dr. King’s house.

Why would they do that?

While there is still so much work to be done, I’m so grateful she lives in a world where she naturally feels this is just so absurd.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-3pm

Admission Fee: $7.50 Adults; $5.50 Children 12 & under; $1

2. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church was built in 1883 and quickly became an important worship and meeting place of the African community.

The old red brick building with views out to the State Capitol feels very symbolic when you consider what the community within this church was able to achieve in the city that was known to be the Cradle of the Confederacy, born from those Capitol steps the Church overlooks.

The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is now known as the Dexter Avenue Memorial Baptist Church. It is a National Historic Landmark and is a World Heritage Site nominee because of its status as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement.

It is the only church were Martin Luther King Jr served as a senior pastor from 1954 to 1959 before he moved into a more national Civil Rights leadership role.

Amazing experience yesterday in Montgomery, Alabama. We did a tour of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther KIng Jr was a pastor at age 25. We stood behind his pulpit, stood in his office, and listened to songs and stories from our amazing tour guide Wanda!!! She made many people cry and cried herself. What a powerful message and experience. And so educational for our kids! Do this when in Montgomery! #Montgomery #Alabama . . . . . #martinlutherkingjr #MLK #Bama #CivilRights #drmartinlutherkingjr #civilrightstrail @alabamatravel #usaroadtrip#roadtripusa #visittheusa #TheSouth #DeepSouth #church #AmericanHistory #Ihaveadream #alabamalife #visitalabama #alabamatrip #alabamabound #familytravel #Americaunplugged #travelwithkids

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Our tour guide, Wanda, greeted us a warm hug when we arrived. She was full of love and joy and gave that to everyone present. If Dr. King had half of her enthusiasm, love and joy then I can see how they were able to move mountains in such peaceful ways.

It’s at the core of their spirit, and we were welcomed into that church like family, not just by Wanda but the other wonderful women working in the Church. They bestowed kisses on the girls foreheads and even cuddles and attention for their American Girl Dolls.

The tour starts in the basement of the Church, which is where the meeting to launch the Bus Boycott was held in 1955. A large mural on the wall of the basement depicts the struggles of the movement nd the landmark moments in King’s life from Montgomery to Memphis.

After a short video, we went into Dr. Martin Luther King’s office and the office of all of the church’s pastor and saw the office where we wrote many of his sermons and speeches. She gathered us around and has each of us introduce ourselves and share one thing we loved about ourselves.

As you can imagine, all of us had trouble doing this. She was so wonderful in encouraging us to love ourselves and spread that love and joy out into the world. The girls were too shy to share but we had them tell us that evening over dinner.

We stood behind the simple wooden pulpit where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. first preached his message of hope and brotherhood. It was where he stood after the long walk from Selma to Montgomery and said his famous words,

“How long? Not long!”

Wanda had us all stand behind to utter proclaim the same hopeful words.

Wanda had a captivating voice and sang to us many times, the most stirring in the second floor sanctuary, where King preached to his congregations. We gathered around and a tour member jumped on the piano and she sang “Let it Shine”.

Singalong at Dexter Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor here. And Wanda is amazing! #Montgomery #Alabama . . . . . . . #montgomeryal #Bama #MLK @alabamatravel #BaptistChurch #familytravel #visitalabama #alabamatrip #alabamabound #visitheusa #letitshine

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We then stood in a circle together holding hands singing “We shall overcome,” to finish the tour. There were hugs and tears all around.

Wanda was overcome with emotion that we were there to help spread the message about the Civil Rights movement and help remind all of you that there is still work to be done and we can all continue the march by speaking love, peace and joy.

I’m so grateful and honored to have somehow landed in this place where I can do that. We want to do more than just share amazing travel destinations!

You can worship with the congregation on Sundays at 10:30. Id’ love to experience it. I can only imagine the love, hope and sense of community that lives within that church service.

Tours hourly from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. except for noon.

3. Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum

A few blocks from the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is the the actual residence where Dr. King and his young gamily lived between 1954 and 1960. The Dexter Avenue Parsonage is a cute clapboard cottage in Centennial Hill, which was once a vibrant middle-class African suburb.

After laying dormant for ten years, it was recognized for its value to the legacy of the Civil Rights and Montgomery’s rich history and was restored to its appearance when Dr. King lived there.

Tours of the Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum  begin next door in the interpretative Center where you can see videos and photos of King and various congregation members. These are photos nave been released to the public before. You can only see them here. Our tour guide, 88 year old Mrs. Marguerite Foley, was a retired school teacher and member of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church when King was a pastor.

She took us on a tour through the different rooms of the house: the bedrooms, living room, parlor room, dinging room, office and kitchen. Much of the furniture in the house was actually used by the King family.

Many meetings were held here in regards to the US Civil Rights Movement, but there were also many church social gatherings as well. The Parsonage was bombed one day when Mrs. King and baby, Yolanda, were in the house, but thankfully no one was injured.

You can see the crater still in the front porch. An angry crowd gathered outside, and Dr. King calmly spoke to them to remember the non-violent movement and to go home quietly and drop their desire for revenge.

There is a small garden at the back of the house. The King-Johns Garden for Reflection. Due to wet weather we didn’t get to experience it. But In the serenity of this garden, you are invited to reflect upon six timeless themes about which Rev. Johns and Dr. King often preached, lectured, and wrote:

Equality, Forgiveness, Hope, Peace, Understanding, Unity

We ended the tour in the small kitchen, which was pivotal in the direction of the Civil Rights Movement. It was here in a moment of vulnerability and fear, Dr. King contemplated quitting as the Civil Rights Leader. He had received yet another death threat and he worried about the harm that possibly lay waiting for his wife and child.

Marguerite played part of one of his speeches he gave in Chicago describing the event. A few sobs were heard in the room as he spoke of his torture at midnight in that small kitchen and how he heard a strong voice within commanding him to stand up for justice, righteousness and truth and to do what is right. It renewed his faith and courage and he continued to lead the non-violent movement.

Kalyra asked me why the lady was crying, and I said,

“Who knows what kind of pain she has experienced due to the state of inequality and injustice in the world. She was probably crying tears of pain and tears of gratitude that this great great man did not falter and continued to work tirelessly for his dream that one day all people will judged, not by their color (religion or life choices) but by the content of their character.

Tours of the Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum

Tuesday thru Friday: 10- 3pm, every hour, excluding noon to 1pm

Saturday: 10 – 1pm every hour.

4. The Freedom Rider Museum

The Freedom Riders were a group of blacks and whites who decided to peacefully ride the buses together from Washington DC to New Orleans in protest against the segregation that was happening on interstate bus rides.

Despite the city buses in Montgomery eliminating segregation, thanks to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery buys boycott, they had failed to follow the laws that said segregation was no longer allowed.

The buses with the CORE were attacked by mobs in Anniston and Birmingham. The police escorts mysteriously disappeared. A bus was set afire with terrified passengers inside; the mob holding the doors so they could not escape. They heard a pop and fearing the fuel tank bursting they ran and so the people were able to escape.

The National Guards were sent down to protect the riders an they were flown to NOLA instead of continuing the journey on the bus.

A group of students from Nashville who were inspired by various leaders with the Black community decided the peaceful movement for equality on the bus had to be finished so they rode buses from Nashville, intending to reach New Orleans.

Freedom Riders, black and white, male and female, none of them older than 22, stepped off a bus at the Montgomery Greyhound Station on May 20, 1961. They were prepared to meet mob violence with non-violence and courage. They prepared farewell letters and wills. Their goal was to help end racial segregation in public transportation. They were attacked once they reached the Greyhound bus station in Montgomery and then only made it as far as Jackson before they were arrested and sent to prison for 40 days for breaking segregation laws.

The Freedom Rides Museum is only 6 years old and the story is told through a series of art works, displays and biographies of key leaders and players within the movement. It’s in the site of the original Greyhound bus station and is the site of the attack on the freedom Riders.

This rehabilitated bus station has been restored to how it looked in 1961 and is the site of the attack on Freedom Riders when they arrived at the station You can also see the old colored only doorway that had been uncovered when the museum was built.

Once the laws changed it was quickly covered over with bricks. You get a sense of what it must have been like as a black person to walk through a door that ran along the buses outside to walk all the way out the back to the small, poorly maintained black section which was often locked.

Despite paying the same ticket prices, white people however had a lovely open spacious areas with well maintained facilities and always heated or cooled and never locked.

Freedom Riders often come to visit the museum to speak to various groups on different aspects of the movement and the strategy behind creating peaceful change. It’s something I’d love to attend one day.

Our guide, Dorothy, was extremely passionate about the museum. Her stories helped us understand more of what happened during this period of the Civil Rights Movement. I thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the museum. They also have a scavenger hunt for the kids to help them better understand the museum.

Open Tues – Sat. Noon to 3pm

Tickets: $5 adults, $3 children 6-18 years

5. Civil Rights Memorial Center

After you have finished visiting the US Civil Rights Trail attractions in Montgomery end at the Civil Rights Memorial Center. It’s a place to reflect on all you’ve learned about the struggle for equality. It’s a space to honor the martyrs of the movement and all those who sacrificed so all men and women would be considered equal.

There is a beautiful memorial out the front, designed by Maya Lin, the same designer of Washington’s Vietnam memorial. A circular black granite table records the names of the martyrs and chronicles the history of the movement in lines that radiate like the hands of a clock. Water flows out the center and across the top of the etched names.

On a curved black granite wall behind the table is engraved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known paraphrase of Amos 5:24 –

We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

It’s a place to reflect and consider how injustices continue today and what you can do to help correct it.

I encourage you to go inside the memorial center to learn more about the stories of the martyrs, to contemplate the journey to come, and to visit the Wall of Tolerance where you can take the pledge to stand for justice, peace and love.

Add your name to the wall.

By placing my name on the Wall of Tolerance, I pledge to take a stand against hate, injustice and intolerance. I will work in my daily life for justice, equality and human rights – the ideals for which the Civil Rights martyrs died.

The Memorial is just around the corner from the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

I’ve always had the belief that not having equality for any reason let alone the color of your skin is total madness; it may be one reason I’m drawn to follow the Civil Rights Trail with my girls. I want them to see first hand how the world they live in was created due to the sacrifices of so many brave men and women who passionately believed in something and peacefully fought for it.

I want them to see that “What happened here changed the world.”;and how great change can come from peace, and that the world still needs a lot of freedom fighters bringing about peace and equality for all.

Thanks to the US Civil Rights Movement so much change has occurred, yet there is still so much more to be done.

I am inspired by the stories of those who walked from Selma to Montgomery, for those who boycotted buses, those who traveled on interstate buses to protest segregation and were beaten by mobs for doing so, who were tortured in prisons and sit ins, and yet through all of this remained stoic in non-violent protest and did not allow bitterness and anger into their hearts.

I take the courage and sacrifices of their stories and their souls into mine and just hope I can use a little of that each day to be better.

You too can walk in the footsteps of these heroic foot soldiers and learn what life was like for those as they overcame adversity, made history, and created a better world for all.

The US Civil Rights Trail was established in 2018; and is a collection of over 100 attractions across 14 states;including 100 churches, courthouses, schools, museums, and other landmarks in the Southern states and beyond that played a pivotal role in advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960’s.

The US Civil Rights Trail makes it easy for you to plan your travels around the the Civil Rights attractions. I highly recommend it. I feel so much connected to the story now and it’s power and plan to continue to incorporate Civil Rights attractions into our travels. It’s travel that nourishes you and your children’s’ soul and reminds you that we are not alone nor here for us alone.

Stand for love, peace and equality for all.

Civil Rights Trail is included in our best USA road trip ideas list!

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I hesitate to write those words, in part because of the religious connotations of it, but also from wariness that it comes across as if I have been favoured over others.

A favouring to be blessed is not the truth, more so, the ability of one to see their own blessings.

It’s up to us to awaken to what the blessings are and live humbly through them with gratitude and the desire to pass it on.

I’ve recently spent a few days in Huntsville Alabama for the TBEX travel blogging conference. (Actually, it was last month. It’s taken me awhile to finish this post!!)

As Samantha Brown said in her TBEX keynote, something I have always considered to be the truth about travel and life,

“it’s rarely about the destination or the sights, but more about the people you meet along the way.”

I love these deep connections with others, hearing their stories, celebrating their triumphs and helping to boost their spirits and confidence when they many be feeling down.Even if we feel our life is not blessed, it is simple things like an outpouring of genuine kindness that can raise up.

I was surrounded by that kindness at the TBEX conference. I learned a couple of new things, but mostly I loved the conversations and laughs I had in the conference hallways and the bars in the evening.

I loved finally meeting many people I’d chatted with on the online space for years, and meeting some new ultra cool people as well. The blogging and entrepreneur community can be so uplifting and supportive and a lot of fun to hang around.

Brett Love and I chatted about the up days and downs of the blogging journey and life in general.

“I don’t feel I have bad days. I sometimes just have bad moments within the day. I can balance out those moments with good things so the day is not a complete waste. “

Each day can be great, despite the difficulties, if you learn to see the blessings. I think TBEX helped me refocus on that as did the wonderful destination of Huntsville, Alabama.

Huntsville Surprises

If someone were to ask me a word to describe Huntsville, Alabama it would be surprising.

I am grateful I had the opportunity to visit because of TBEX. My visit to Huntsville was the spirit of America Unplugged defined –

Allowing the locals to shape our experiences and uncover the hidden surprises of the destination.

From the outside, Huntsville doesn’t look like it has much to offer the traveler. There’s a space camp here and a rocket museum, which is pretty awesome, yet at the same time wouldn’t inspire me to visit just on that alone.

As my time in Huntsville opened up so did my appreciation of it. It’s a culture rich with arts and tech, possibly the only place in America where those two worlds meet and thrive.

The city is nicknamed “The Rocket City” for its close history with U.S. space missions. Huntsville has been important in developing space technology since the 1950s.

It also has the second largest research park in the country with over 300 companies of engineers, doctors, students or creatives, making Huntsville a pretty intelligent place to hang out.

Huntsville local rocket engineer, Destin Sandlin is evidence of that.

He’s the Founder of the YouTube channel Smarter Every Day, with over 4.9 million subscribers he spoke at TBEX and I have now subscribed daily viewing of his show to the girls as part of their homeschooling routine!

My first Huntsville experience upon arrival was when I was walking down the street and a car drove slow beside me and a man drawled, “Well ain’t you a pretty little thing walking on the street.”

“Well thank you, sir. I’m gonna keep walking my way and you keep going yours.”

“Welcome to Alabama,” I told Craig on the phone later. “I’m not sure if I’m going to like it here.”

I was so wrong.

The unexpected moments are the ones we cherish most.

The most fascinating man in America so far

Okay, so maybe he leans more to the British side than American, but he is now a Huntsville local artisan with a fascinating career.

Meeting David Nuttall, the founder of Artimaps, showed me how a different world can be opened up to you just by engaging in curious conversation. It was also a reminder that anyone can create a thriving business around their passion.

I heard rumblings of the Map Guy in the Lowe Mill Art and Entertainment space on the night of our speaker’s party.

“Did you see the map guy? He was pretty cool.”

How cool could one be drawing maps? I didn’t pay much attention until David joined our table for dinner the next night and explained to me what he did.

He draws fictional maps – visual representations of someone’s life, generally on their naked body, and then photographs them.

“Like fully naked?”

I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to do this, but after talking at length with David about this over the remainder of the conference, I offered up my arm one day for him to draw a map on me.

David says his subjects find it quite a cathartic experience.

They come to him with wounds, scars on the outside from car crashes, or ones on the inside that run much deeper.

In drawing the maps of their stories on them, and talking about it with him, it helps them let go. Through the vulnerable experience, they find their strength and confidence.

He doesn’t just draw maps on naked bodies. These maps can be created on a variety of mediums, including wood, board and canvas.

He was recently commissioned to draw fictional islands on a piano and chairs that will be on display at one of the downtown bike stations in Huntsville for the Relax Play Ride event.

I told ya – fascinating!

When you visit Huntsville make sure you stop in at the Lowe Mill to say hi and learn more about his craft. You might even want to offer up a body part or two for some good storytelling.

Post it to our Facebook page if you do! I promise I’ll show you the one on my arm when we meet again!

You can also follow David’s current projects on his Instagram channel. 

The largest privately owned art space in the US

Our speaker’s dinner was held in Lowe Mill Art & Entertainment. We first entered into a spacious warehouse and dove straight into drinks and conversations.

The greeting speeches than let us know there was actually more to this area, and as we walked to explore, we discovered that more was not an adequate description – it was gigantic.

This huge historic factory building has been redeveloped into three levels of 148 working studios for over 200 artists and makers, including 6 fine art galleries, a multi-use theater, and performance venues.

Lowe Mill is the largest privately owned arts facility in the United States. It serves as a space where the artists can create, learn and collaborate. I loved the vibrant, colorful, creative atmosphere.

We wandered the halls lined with studios, tasting delicious southern dishes, watching artists at work and looking at their amazing designers.

I grabbed these cool screen-printed T-Shirts for the girls. It’s a quote I want them growing up remembering so they can live a life reaching for the stars.

As a visitor, you can visit at any time to see the artists at work, enjoy a coffee, perhaps some whiskey tasting, and enjoy some of the food on after.

It is the culinary arts after all!

US Space and Rocket Centre – largest space museum in the world

The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia on display anywhere in the world.

A visit here will take you through America’s Space Race, the space shuttle program and give you a glimpse into future space explorations. Hello, Mars!

In the main hall is an authentic Saturn V rocket – one of only three in the world. We were lucky to dine underneath it on the first evening of the conference. The dinner party on the second evening of the conference was held at the Space and Rocket Center.

The Center is also famous for its annual Space Camps, drawing future rocket scientists from around the world to spend a week learning how to push the boundaries of human exploration.

The center is open to guests seven days a week.

Read More: Best Space Museums & Space Centers in the USA

The most unique nightlife spaces in the US

A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard

What do you get when you combine a mismatched and ill cared collection of buildings with a bit of imagination and innovation?

One of the most eclectic and thriving entertainment districts you’ll ever see.

I had several conversations with different people at the opening night party all saying the same thing – imagine how much fun this would be on a regular Saturday night when you were twenty?

A.M Booth’s Lumberyard has multiple personalities and it’s easy to find one that suits you no matter the time of day. If you have multiple personality syndrome, you can just bounce around all night and be very happy.

There are four stages, large patios, multiple bars with its own personality,  a large 1924 Pullman train car decorated with unique treasures, and an outdoor games area in Booth’s Alley.

Each bar had different beers and live music.

We spent a good amount of time in the Tap Room, which is usually the dining room. The barman here were great at keeping the energy up with constant calls of Roll Tide and bar slapping.

Roll Tide is an Alabama football thing! The live music in The Tap Room was awesome – Gotta love a bit of acoustic Chili Peppers.

I could go back to Huntsville just for a night out here again!

Campus 805

Ring the bell. Saturday School’s in sesh and it has never been so much fun.

Campus 805 was once Stone Middle School until developer Randy Schrimsher purchased it  in 2014, five years after it has shut down. With a bit of vision and innovation, he transformed the school into a dynamic entertainment venue while maintaining the middle school building structure and vibe.

Yes, those old classrooms are now bars, breweries, restaurants, and retail spaces!

It’s called 805 (the last three digits of the zip code) to pay homage to memories held by all that once studied in the classrooms and played in the halls.

It’s brilliant.

Take your pick from the East or West Wing or just roam from bar to bar.

Make sure you find the Speakeasy. It’s located somewhere near the lockers. I had all intents of having a drink in there but got caught in the Yellowhammer Brewery bar having a fun time chatting with all my new friends.

And I totally missed the Fringe Salon- my only awareness of it was after it was closed and seeing friends walk in with 80’s fringe hairdos. Apparently, you can just pop in while you party for a makeover. (Not sure if that was just a TBEX thing though!)

Check out Lillie’s’ hairdo.

By the way, Lillie from Teaching Traveling is one of the coolest people from the online world I’ve met. She’s great fun, super nice and so easy to get along with.

We did wander the halls at midnight to find the late night bar The Lone Goose Saloon by way of the games arcade.If you follow my Insta stories you would have seen that random surprise.

We rocked on to the live music until after 1 am – way past the departure of the last school bus. The kinda place you always dreamed school would be like.

I told you, Huntsville is way cool!

The best acai bowl and coffee in the US (so far)

I loved stumbling upon Honest Coffee in Downtown Huntsville. I visited more than once as I fell in love with their acai bowls and their coffee. I eat a lot of acai bowls and make them myself. The acai bowls at Honest Café were outstanding.

The café had only just opened that week and was doing a roaring trade. Cuba coffees were the rage. Every second person seemed to be ordering one. I settled for my cappuccino and was not disappointed. I even ordered another to go as I knew it would be some time before I had one that good.

I still haven’t had one to beat it yet.

I also had delicious nachos at Taco Mama.

Update: I LOVED Huntsville so much, I took Craig and the girls back in the second week of our RV trip across the US with Goldie and the Beast. I found it just as wonderful the first time. Check out the post here of what we did – Christmas related events included.

Where to stay in Huntsville

I stayed at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott which was comfortable and easy walking distance to downtown. Book your stay there here.
Check out other places to stay in Huntsville here.

Booking.com

Other South East Destinations to consider

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How has a destination surprised you before? Can you add any other tips for my next trip to Hunstville, Alabama?