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Montgomery, Alabama is nicely price a cease on a Deep South street journey due to its essential and provoking Civil Rights Historical past.
It’s generally known as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Motion because it’s the place Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat and started the boycott motion. It was right here the place the flame for the African American folks was ignited, and led to change to make the world a greater place.
It’s additionally the place Dr. Martin Luther King rose as a frontrunner of that motion.
At present, Alabama’s capital is reemerging as a vacation spot providing a novel and numerous tradition, family-friendly sights, cool nightlife, and modern consuming.
Montgomery is sluggish paced and chances are you’ll marvel the place all of the individuals are. However don’t let that idiot you, there are tons of cool issues to do in Montgomery AL with youngsters.
Benefit from the house and take time to have a look at the ginormous authorities buildings – I’ve by no means seen something prefer it earlier than!
Getting Round Montgomery
Montgomery is a very easy metropolis to get round. Many of the Montgomery sights are inside strolling distance of downtown.
For many who don’t like strolling, there’s a Lightning Route Trolley that connects a lot of the sights in downtown. It was the primary electrical trolley system within the U.S. and was in-built 1886, so using the trolley is an attraction in itself!
When you plan to remain exterior downtown, there Montgomery Space Transit System is a bus route that companies most locations within the metropolis and surrounding areas.
When you’re planning on visiting different components of Alabama, think about renting a automotive. Rentalcars.com is a good useful resource for locating automotive leases because it compares all the highest automotive rental firms. Parking in downtown is notoriously tough so be aware of this in case you are visiting by automotive.
Wish to get monetary savings on sights in Montgomery? Then try the 3-day metropolis move, which grants you entry to seven sights in Montgomery!
Issues to Do in Montgomery AL
Now you understand how to get round Montgomery, it’s time to check out the highest sights in Montgomery. Let’s get began…
1. Freedom Rides Museum
The Freedom Rides Museum provides a wonderful perception into the courageous peaceable protest of the Freedom Riders and is instructed by a sequence of artworks, shows, and biographies of key leaders and gamers inside the motion.
This Montgomery attraction is on the location of the unique Greyhound bus station and is the location of the assault on the Freedom Riders.
The Freedom Riders had been a gaggle of blacks and whites who determined to peacefully experience the buses collectively from Washington DC to New Orleans in protest towards the segregation that was taking place on interstate bus rides.
This rehabilitated bus station has been restored to the way it seemed in 1961 and is the location of the assault on Freedom Riders after they arrived on the station on Might 20, 1961.
They had been ready to fulfill mob violence with non-violence and braveness. They ready farewell letters and wills.
Their purpose was to assist finish racial segregation in public transportation.
They had been attacked as soon as they reached the Greyhound bus station in Montgomery after which solely made it so far as Jackson earlier than they had been arrested and despatched to jail for 40 days for breaking segregation legal guidelines.
Our information, Dorothy, was extraordinarily passionate concerning the museum. Her tales helped us perceive extra of what occurred throughout this era of the Civil Rights Motion.
I totally loved her tour of the museum.
In addition they have a scavenger hunt for the youngsters to assist them higher perceive the museum.
- Hours: Tues – Sat. Midday to 3pm
- Tickets: $5 adults, $3 kids 6-18 years
2. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Our tour of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church has been one among our favourite excursions up to now on our US street journey.
The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church was in-built 1883 and shortly grew to become an essential worship and assembly place for the African neighborhood.
The previous purple brick constructing with views out to the State Capitol feels very symbolic when you think about what the neighborhood inside this church was capable of obtain within the metropolis that was recognized to be the Cradle of the Confederacy, born from these Capitol steps the Church overlooks.
The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is the place Martin Luther King Jr. had his first and solely pastor expertise from 1954 to 1959.
It was the place he was acknowledged in the neighborhood as an enigmatic chief and was chosen to guide the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which launched him as a Civil Rights chief.
The tour is unbelievable, principally on account of our information, Wanda who shared the spirit of King and the motion by her songs, and phrases of affection and pleasure, peace and unity.
It was a transferring expertise and positively an attraction to place in your issues to do in Montgomery, AL with youngsters.
Our women cherished it.
Contained in the Church, you get to see Dr. King’s workplace the place he wrote lots of his speeches and sermons and stand behind the precise pulpit he stood behind when he gave his well-known How Lengthy Not Lengthy speech.
You may worship with the congregation on Sundays at 10:30. I’d like to expertise it. I can solely think about the love, hope and sense of neighborhood that lives inside that church service.
- Excursions hourly from 10am – 3pm. aside from midday.
3. Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum
Do you need to see the house that Dr. Martin Luther King and his household lived in throughout his years as a pastor on the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church?
This modest however cute clapboard cottage is in Centennial Hill, which was as soon as a vibrant middle-class African suburb.
The Dexter Parsonage Museum is the place earlier pastors of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church used to reside. It’s additionally the place Martin Luther King Jr. and his household lived between 1954 and 1960.
You’ll get to see the crater within the porch left over from when his home was bombed and expertise the tales of his life inside the partitions the place they occurred.
A most poignant a part of the tour is the kitchen the place Dr King obtained steering from inside to not stop on the dream once we had been most afraid and troubled over it, however to maintain standing up for justice.
The everlasting assortment within the Interpretive Heart of the museum incorporates photographs and a timeline of the 12 Dexter pastors who lived right here in addition to inspiring quotes from their Pastoral Knowledge.
You may as well see unpublished pictures of Dr. King and former members of the Montgomery ministers who had been lively within the bus boycott motion.
There’s additionally the Kings-John backyard, which you should use as reflection on what you’ve discovered from the museum.
- Excursions of the Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum Hours: Tuesday by Friday: 10am – 3pm, each hour, excluding midday to 1pm, Saturday: 10 – 1pm each hour.
4. Civil Rights Memorial Heart
The Civil Rights Memorial is one of the best place to go to after you’ve gotten seen the opposite Civil Rights Path experiences.
There’s a lovely memorial out the entrance, designed by Maya Lin, the identical designer of Washington’s Vietnam memorial.
A round black granite desk information the names of the martyrs and chronicles the historical past of the motion in traces that radiate just like the arms of a clock.
Water flows out the middle and throughout the highest of the etched names.
On a curved black granite wall behind the desk is engraved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known paraphrase of Amos 5:24 –
We won’t be happy till justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
It’s a spot to mirror and think about how injustices proceed at present and what you are able to do to assist right them.
Go to the Wall of Tolerance inside the place you possibly can add your title to the wall and take the pledge to face for justice, peace and love.
By putting my title on the Wall of Tolerance, I pledge to take a stand towards hate, injustice and intolerance. I’ll work in my every day life for justice, equality and human rights – the beliefs for which the Civil Rights martyrs died.
5. Rosa Parks Library and Museum
See the place the Civil Rights Motion started on the Rosa Parks Museum.
They create the story alive by an interactive show, 3D re-enactments, and gospel music setting the scene.
The Museum is positioned within the spot the place Rosa Park was arrested.
There may be additionally a kids’s annex which has an interactive bus taking youngsters into the previous and thru the expertise making it a worthy cease in your listing of issues to do in Montgomery, AL with youngsters. There’s additionally a station wagon belonging to one of many protestors.
The Rosa Parks Museum could be very nicely put along with artifacts and isn’t too overwhelming with info, you get an important sense of what occurred and why.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-3pm
- Admission Charge: $7.50 Adults; $5.50 Kids 12 & underneath; $1
6. Museum of Alabama
The Alabama Museum tells the story of Alabama’s previous from prehistory to the current by award successful and interacting reveals and applications.
It’s positioned on the Alabama Division of Archives and Historical past (ADAH), a surprising constructing, and the nation’s oldest state-funded, unbiased archival and historic company.
Interactive and academic shows and areas for youths are within the Fingers-On-Gallery and Grandma’s Attic the place you can costume in interval costumes, play with toys from bygone eras, make crafts, take heed to tales, and do extra.
My women loved utilizing the typewriter, previous telephones, and creating sequined Mardi Gras masks for our journey to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. (Sure you are able to do Mardi Gras with youngsters, right here’s how).
This is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Montgomery Al with Youngsters.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:30 am -4:30 pm.
- Admission is FREE
7. Courtroom Sq. Fountain
For a phenomenal view and photograph, that many from our neighborhood stated made Montgomery look European, stand on the backside proper nook of the fountain roundabout and lookup in direction of Dexter Avenue and the State Capitol.
This lovely fountain is topped by a statue of Hebe, Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Gods and was in-built 1885 over an current artesian basin.
There are fairly a number of vital historic markers round this fountain.
It’s the place the slave market as soon as was once and can be the spot the place Rosa Parks boarded the bus on the day she was arrested.
On the nook is the Winter Constructing the place the orders to fireside the primary shot for the Civil Conflict got.
8. State Capitol Tour
We had performed so many museums and excursions throughout our Montgomery journey and the women had been getting actually drained so we sacrificed a tour of the State Capitol.
I hope you’ve gotten time to make it one among your issues to do on Montgomery, AL as I’d have preferred to have performed it.
It’s a grandiose constructing in-built 1850 within the Greek Revival type with good proportions and creamy exterior, which might sparkle towards a transparent blue sky.
It’s famous as a nationwide historic landmark and included on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
The Confederacy started right here in 1861 and a little bit over a century later the Voting Rights march resulted in 1965.
Out the entrance of the State Capitol is the place the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights march ended and there Martin Luther King gave his well-known speech, “How Lengthy, Not Lengthy!” after the Selma to Montgomery March.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday Guided Excursions Solely at 9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm
- Admission is FREE
9. Montgomery Riverfront
When you go to through the hotter months, then the Riverfront is presumably a spot so that you can spend a while.
You should definitely examine whether or not there are any native festivals or live shows on.
There are additionally river boat rides and a small amphitheater which seems to be pretty and sometimes has live shows and occasions. You may deliver your cooler, picnic basket, and blanket to get pleasure from them.
We had wet climate on our go to to Montgomery so didn’t get to do a lot on the Riverfront. The Customer Heart is price a glance and it’s near Downtown and the Alley.
10. Fly on the Alabama Shakespeare Pageant
Not a pageant as such however a theater positioned in Blount Cultural Park.
If the climate is sort to you (it was raining for us) arrive early with a picnic and benefit from the 300 acres of floor that may remind you a little bit of the English countryside.
The Shakespeare Theater is a totally skilled regional theater that produces round ten productions every season.
Whereas Shakespeare performs are on the creative core of the corporate, Broadway musicals, kids’s productions, American classics, and world premieres are additionally placed on.
We attended a day present of Fly, which tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, who educated at close by Morton Area throughout World Conflict II, and gained fame throughout World Conflict II for his or her bravery.
Their flying expertise equaled these of the whites – dying stereotypes and helped result in the choice to desegregate the American Army in 1946.
Fly was humorous, unhappy, and instructed the story of the pilots in such a transferring and mesmerizing manner.
I loved it excess of I although I’d. The appearing was sensible. The women even giggled and loved it regardless of it being barely above their age stage.
I really like them receiving a cultural training like this.
Hopefully, Fly is nonetheless enjoying whenever you go to Montgomery, Al. If not, take a look to see what’s enjoying because the venue is intimate and it may very well be one of many enjoyable issues to do in Montgomery, Al.
11. Montgomery Museum of Advantageous Arts
The Montgomery Museum of Advantageous Arts is in the identical expansive Blount Cultural Park because the Shakespeare Theater.
This Montgomery attraction for youths is in a single spectacular constructing.
Sadly, one part was closed off to us for a personal social gathering, however we might look over it from above and see a number of the extra fashionable items.
For issues to do in Montgomery AL with youngsters, don’t miss the large wood donut and ARTWORKS, the artwork gallery and studio for youths which has interactive shows and alternatives for the youngsters to create and have interaction with artwork.
Admission is free.
12. Discover Historic Cloverdale
Stroll by the tree-shaded streets of the historic Cloverdale to see charming bungalows and stately columned mansions.
It’s a quiet, beautiful space with brick paved roads, historic church buildings and houses, boutique shops and classy eating places (see Classic 12 months beneath).
The Viator Thriller Tour connects 16 historic websites in downtown Montgomery that performed pivotal roles within the Civil Rights Motion, Civil Conflict, and the invention of Alabama Music and Folklore Artists. E-book your tour right here
13. Nationwide Memorial for Peace and Justice
The Nationwide Memorial for Peace and Justice opened in 2018 and was the primary memorial within the U.S. to be made in reminiscence of the African People who’ve been affected by slavery, lynchings, and injustice.
The six acre memorial is most well-known for its subject of 800 monuments, every representing a county the place lynchings happened. Every of those monuments incorporates engravings of the names of people that had been affected by the lynchings.
There are additionally sculptures and art work that honor essential figures within the Civil Rights motion.
- Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday – Sunday
14. Legacy Museum
The Legacy Museum is one other museum that focuses on preserving the historical past of racial injustice to mild. It was constructed on the location the place hundreds of slaves had been warehoused and compelled to labor in chains.
The museum tells the story of slavery to mass incarceration and can be positioned simply blocks from one of the vital outstanding slave public sale areas in America.
- Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday – Sunday
15. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald had been thought of “the primary American flappers” and had been outstanding figures within the Jazz Age. Scott was a author, who rose to fame after his first novel, The Facet of Paradise, which was printed in 1920, acquainted him with excessive society in Montgomery.
Zelda was famous for her magnificence, however she additionally suffered from psychological well being points which was made more and more worse by the pairs wild consuming and partying.
The pair had been residing a Nice Gatsby life-style in Montgomery and you may study their life on the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, the one museum devoted to the couple.
That is most likely an attraction in Montgomery for adults to get pleasure from greater than youngsters.
- Hours: 10am-3pm, Thursday – Sunday
16. Alley Leisure District
When you’re searching for enjoyable issues to do in Montgomery at evening, then a visit to the Alley Leisure District is the place it’s essential to be. Often called the leisure and nightlife district, that is the place you’ll discover bars enjoying nation music. You’ll additionally see theatres and leisure venues the place you possibly can watch dwell bands play.
It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the Riverwalk Stadium, a baseball subject. The stadium has picnic areas and a playpark for youths, in the event that they discover a baseball recreation uninteresting!
It’s additionally only a quick stroll from the riverfront park which sits subsequent to the Gun Island Chute, which connects to the Alabama River. Within the night, yow will discover dwell music and leisure right here, and youngsters will love enjoying on the splash pad. You may as well take riverboat cruises from the park, together with the Harriott II Riverboat.
17. First White Home of the Confederacy
The First White Home of the Confederacy was the previous residence of Jefferson Davis and the place he lived through the Civil Conflict.
At present, it’s a museum, showcasing the house by which he lived. You may stroll by rooms the place he ate, slept and labored. It’s free to enter, which makes it probably the greatest free issues to do in Montgomery.
Simply down the street, you’ll discover the Alabama State Capitol constructing, a nineteenth century constructing that began the Confederacy within the Capital of Alabama.
- Hours: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
18. Be taught In regards to the Cattle Trade on the Mooseum
The Mooseum is a kids’s training heart in Montgomery and is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Montgomery with youngsters.
It’s a spot to study Alabama’s beef cattle trade and has interactive reveals on how beef goes from farm to plate.
You may as well be taught concerning the byproducts that come from beef cattle.
Youngsters can costume up like a cowboy and play within the Rodeo Enviornment and be taught all about cows. It’s definitely one of the vital distinctive sights in Montgomery.
- Hours: 8.00am – 12.00pm, 1.00pm – 4.30pm Monday – Friday
19. Hank Williams Museum
One other high museum in Montgomery price a go to is the Hank Williams Museum. Hank Williams was a rustic music famous person, and you may be taught all about his life and music from this museum.
As you wander by the museum, take heed to the sound of his guitars on vinyl information and see his 1952 Child Blue Cadillac.
You’ll additionally see his fits, boots, and ties, and a lot extra 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 Studying Museum
When you’re visiting Montgomery with youngsters, you can’t miss the zoo! Montgomery Zoo is the place you’ll see African elephants, giraffes, and plenty of extra superb animals.
There’s additionally a petting zoo and reptile home, in addition to a stingray tank and parakeet cove.
When you’re ever in need of issues to do in Montgomery with youngsters, a visit to the zoo is at all times a crowd pleaser.
- Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm every day
21. Montgomery Museum of Advantageous Arts
One other attraction in Montgomery for adults is the Museum of Advantageous Arts. The gathering options works from the nineteenth and twentieth century, and a few notable artists embody Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent.
There’s additionally a sculpture backyard, and a gallery the place you should purchase fantastic artwork to take residence.
The museum sits subsequent to a lake with a manicured backyard surrounding it. It’s the proper place to take a seat and have a picnic underneath the nice and cozy Alabama solar.
- Hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday – Sunday
Locations to Eat in Montgomery
In any case these Montgomery sights to go to, you’re going to wish one thing to eat! Listed here are some locations we cherished to eat at in Montgomery.
22. Chris’ Scorching Canine
When you’re a lover of custom and sizzling canines, you then’ll love Chris’Scorching Canines.
Located on Dexter Avenue, it’s been round since 1917.
Yep, that’s over 100 years of promoting sizzling canines and their signature sauce. It’s tremendous low-cost as nicely, so good for households touring on a price range.
Chris’ Scorching Canines is run by second and third generations of the founding household.
Scorching Canine all of the Manner is the signature dish which s drenched in Chris’s secret sauce, onions and kraut. It makes the listing of issues to do in Montgomery, AL for it’s nostalgic worth!
23. Prevail Union Espresso Montgomery
In search of one of the best espresso in Montgomery, Alabama?
We weren’t positive we had been going to seek out any in Montgomery, however a neighborhood pointed us down the road to Prevail Union Montgomery, a craft espresso roaster.
That is positioned subsequent to the classic hipster Chop Store Barber.
The café house is adorned with native artwork and some lounge chairs to take a seat and chill out with the views out to the fountain and Dexter Avenue.
The espresso is sweet. And the barista was Australian!! Are you able to imagine it? An Australian barista in Montgomery Alabama.
I really like life’s little random surprises and anomalies.
24. Central Restaurant
For these searching for one thing a little bit extra elegant and upmarket, you possibly can’t go previous Central in The Alley area.
Subtle, but laid-back, Central is housed in an 1890’s grocery warehouse. Its rustic décor, low lighting and open air kitchen present a welcoming and homely ambiance.
Central’s meals is recent, seasonal and regional, artfully offered and easily Scrumptious.
It was by far one of the best steak (filet mignon) I’ve had within the US. Don’t miss the fried brussel sprouts with dried cranberries, preserved lemon French dressing, mozzarella curds.
25. Dreamland BBQ
For reasonable and scrumptious BBQ, head to Dreamland BBQ. Excellent news mother and father – youngsters eat free on choose days.
Well-known for its succulent ribs and home made sauce. Seize some hickory-fired bbq, ribs and hen, and a serving of baked potatoes, beans, and mac and cheese
Save room for the well-known Banana pudding because it’s the desert to not miss with vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, creamy pudding, and whipped cream, and a secret sauce excessive.
26. Wintzell’s Oyster Home
This seafood restaurant has been serving up recent Gulf Seafood for over 75 years.
Get your oysters any manner you want, or attempt 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).
It’s possible you’ll need to schedule out a little bit of time right here so you possibly can peruse all of the humorous quotes and sayings that utterly cowl each wall.
27. Sunday Brunch at Classic 12 months
I really like how the South does brunch.
You gained’t be upset with the category and class of brunch at Classic 12 months. Kir Royayle champagne cocktail are a should in fact!
It’s Montgomery.
The meals at Classic 12 months is progressive and scrumptious. We went for the every day particular of salmon with native blue stone grits and a creole cajun sauce. Wow. Bursting with creamy deliciousness.
Classic 12 months is a fantastic eating restaurant dishing up class on a plate for over 1 / 4 of a century.
They aspire to serve easy, native, recent meals that rocks with taste and elegance.
It’s a don’t miss foodie issues to do in Montgomery, Al.
The place to remain in Montgomery Alabama
The Hampton Inn
Within the coronary heart of the historic downtown space and inside minutes’ stroll to The Alley, the premier and revitalized restaurant and nightlife space – assume cobblestone alleyways and classy consuming spots is the Hampton Inn Downtown.
We cherished the prime location and the room was giant, which is at all times welcome with youngsters.
There was a separate sitting space and a small kitchen. The toilet was small with an arrogance space exterior.
If that was a little bit smaller and the lavatory a little bit larger, it could be good. Aside from that, it’s in an important location and the service was wonderful.
Breakfast can be provided, which was good for the women – they love bagels and sausages – however Craig and I skipped on it. We’re gluten-free and don’t like buffet breakfasts.
Different locations to remain in downtown Montgomery embody The Renaissance Montgomery Resort and Embassy Suites. Take a look at extra locations to remain in Montgomery right here.
Earlier than You Go
So there you’ve gotten it, these are 28 issues to do in Montgomery and as you possibly can see, there’s a whole lot of historical past to discover and study right here.
However there’s additionally loads of locations to chill out, sit again and take heed to nation music, get pleasure from good meals and heat hospitality.
We hope this information helped you intend your go to to Montgomery and provide you with some sights so as to add to your itinerary.
Our go to to Montgomery was hosted by Candy Dwelling Alabama Tourism. All opinions are our personal.
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