Things to do in Montgomery Al must dominate your thoughts if you plan to visit Montgomery. Take a guided tour and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, and experience their culture, food, and shopping while on your visit there.
History museums, historic sites, historic places, fine arts, and not to forget the great Martin Luther King make it a place for history buffs to visit and get to know more about the history that defines Montgomery, Alabama.
Montgomery is a good place for a weekend getaway or a holiday with all the other attractions. There is something for everyone there, and you can be assured that you will return home with a bag full of wonderful memories.
Montgomery Al
Montgomery is the capital of Alabama State and is beside the Alabama River. The city is steeped in history, beginning with the Creek Indian Tribes, and then takes you to some of the significant moments of the Civil Rights Movement.
Montgomery Al is the second largest city in the state of Alabama, and the major Civil Rights Movements, Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Selma to Montgomery march happened here.
The first famous black American TV star to host a variety of TV shows on national television, Nat King Cole, was from Montgomery, and he was also a respected jazz pianist. He has been brought back to life by two artists by painting the Nat King Cole mural on the side of a building in downtown Montgomery Al.
Things To Do In Montgomery Al
Planning to visit Montgomery Al? There are many things to do in Montgomery, Al which gives it a pleasant vibe, and a weekend getaway in Montgomery will be the much-needed break you are looking for. The beautiful parks, nature, museums, and zoo will make your visit worthwhile.
Their art scene is brimming with many shows and concerts, and the things to do in Montgomery Al give you an idea about the city’s important role in American history. Plan your day trip, weekend getaway, family get-together, or romantic weekend and soak in the beauty, culture, and history of Montgomery and Alabama.
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Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery Al
Looking for things to do in Montgomery, Al? The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is famous and listed among the world’s ten largest Shakespeare festivals. Housed permanently at the Carolyn Blount Theatre, Montgomery Al there are around three productions of William Shakespeare annually. Apart from that, there are Broadway Musicals, children’s productions, world premieres, American classics, and a variety of entertainment.
Though the focus is more on Shakespeare’s plays, they also have shows featuring George Bernard, Tennessee Williams, and others. The Shakespeare Garden also has some of the plants and flowers featured in the shows and is located in the Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery, Al.
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Alabama State Archives and History Museum, Montgomery Al
The Alabama State Archives and History Museum, Montgomery, Alabama, is for history lovers and one of the history museums you can add to your list of things to do in Montgomery, Al. This museum is the best place to know more about Alabama’s history, and visitors get to see the exhibits, attend museum events, and access the museum’s educational programs.
The museum building is impressive and a fine work of art and architecture, and one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al.
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Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery Al
The Alabama State Capitol is a National historic landmark of Montgomery, and this working Museum underwent a major restoration in 1992. It is also the State Capitol Building for Alabama, giving expansive views of downtown Montgomery from its hilltop location.
It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the First Confederate Capitol. This Museum of State History and Politics atop Goat Hill, Montgomery, is one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al, if you are on a visit there.
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Alley Entertainment District, Montgomery Al
Situated near downtown Montgomery, Ball Field, and Alabama Riverfront, Alley Entertainment District is full of life. It is the perfect place if you are looking to celebrate any special event of your life. The apartments here are chic and urban. If one of the things to do in Montgomery Al is to celebrate an event or hold a business meeting, then head to Alley Entertainment District, you will get all you want.
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Alabama Judicial Building, Montgomery Al
The building is home to the Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Court of Civil Appeal, and Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. This is one of the things you can add to your list of things to do in Montgomery, Al, along with the Montgomery History Museums, if you are visiting the city.
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Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery Al
Visiting Montgomery and looking for things to do in Montgomery, Al – visiting the Blount Cultural Park is a good choice. You get to see the home of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, and Hannah Daye Riding Bark Park. This 175-acre park is scenic with walking trails, an amphitheater, a dog park, fountains, and gazebos.
The Blount Cultural Park was donated to the city by Wynton M Blount in memory of his wife and houses two theaters that hold many theatrical performances and piano concerts all year round.
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Civil Rights Memorial Center, Montgomery Al
Your visit to Montgomery and Alabama state will be incomplete if you do not visit the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement Memorial, Montgomery Al is located near the church where Martin Luther King was the pastor during the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Alabama Capitol Steps.
The Memorial designed by Maya Lin has one of the lines from Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, ‘ until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream’ inscribed.
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Court Square Fountain, Montgomery Al
It was built in 1885 over an existing Artesian Basin, and the Court Square Fountain has the statue of Hebe, the Goddess of Youth. The best way to see the Court Square Fountain is by taking a walking tour. The fountain is said to be in a location where the two communities from Alabama and New Philadelphia grew together and formed Montgomery, Al. This area became the central location of the Montgomery slave trade later.
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Dexter Parsonage Museum, Montgomery Al
Experience the actual residence where Martin Luther King and his family lived between 1954 and 1960 during Dr. Martin Luther King’s pastorate and delve into the history a bit by also visiting the Interpretive Center and King Johns Garden for Reflection. Dr. Martin Luther King and his family used much of the furniture in the Dexter Parsonage Museum while living there.
If you are interested in the Civil Rights Movement, this is one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al, while visiting the place. Go back in time and experience and read insightful quotes, eyewitness accounts of that period, and unpublished photographs.
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Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery Al
The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama, is a National Historic Landmark because of its importance in the Civil Rights Movement, and visitors get to see the office of Dr. Martin Luther King. This church has a long history of community service, and much of Montgomery’s civil rights activities under Dr. Martin Luther King were flagged from here.
The Church is a reflection of America’s long journey for equality that began in Montgomery Al under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King.
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First White House of the Confederacy, Montgomery Al
The First White House of the Confederacy was the first house of Jefferson Davis and his family when Montgomery Al was the capital of the Confederates States of America. This is one of the historical homes in Montgomery, Alabama, and has been listed on the National Register of Historical Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage from 2012 onward.
Built by William, this house is a large two-storied wooden frame house painted in white and green. The doorways have been built in Greek revival style, and this Italianate-style house is open to the public for a visit.
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Freedom Rides Museum, Montgomery, Alabama
This museum at Montgomery Al throws light on how 21 college students arrived from Nashville at the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station and, using non-violence changed the country’s history by removing racial segregation in public rides. They met the mob with non-violence and changed the unjust laws against the Black people once and for all.
Alabama Historical Commission manages Freedom Rides Museum. Getting to know the art, personal stories, and architecture by adding Freedom Rides Museum to one of the things to do in Mongomery Al.
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Governor’s Mansion, Montgomery Al
The 107-year-old home is a fine example of neoclassical architecture. The tour takes you through each floor of the Mansion, and after the tour ends, you are invited to the Governor’s Mansion gift shop to enjoy the complimentary cookies.
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Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery Al
The Alabama Agricultural Center at Montgomery, Alabama, is situated 3 miles Northeast of downtown Montgomery and boasts of the world-famous Garret Coliseum. The center is also a multi-purpose complex and has hosted some popular entertainers like Elvis Presley and Elton John.
Check if there are any events happenings there during the time of your visit and take part in them if they interest you.
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Hank Williams Museum, Montgomery Al
The Hank Williams Museum on Commerce Street is one of the things to do in Montgomery Al if you are a music lover and especially if you are a fan of Hank Williams. The Hank Williams Museum houses 17 of his stage suits, custom boots, tie collection, awards, and a 1952 baby blue Cadillac.
A trip around Hank Williams Museum, Montgomery Al, will take you into the life of the country’s first country music superstar. You can also visit Hank Williams Memorial and Gravesite, the final resting place of the superstar, which is at the Oakwood Annex Cemetery.
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Jackson Lake Island, Montgomery Al
Looking to spend some time in the quietude of nature while visiting Montgomery? Then a trip to Jackson Lake Island, a 20-minute drive from Montgomery, Al, is one of the things you can add to the list of things to do in Montgomery, Al, while on your trip there. The place is perfect if you like boating and fishing; the island is spacious and perfect for outdoor activities.
Jackson Lake Island became famous after the movie Big Fish was filmed there. The movie’s town, Spectre, remains on the East bank. The environment here is quiet, peaceful, and a good place for nature lovers.
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Legacy Museum, Montgomery, Alabama
Located a few steps from the Alabama Dock and Rail Station, the Legacy Museum gives insights into the slavery history of the United States. It is situated exactly where the Black people were forced into slavery. There is one entire wing in the Legacy Museum, Montgomery Al, that focuses on the violence of slavery, the history and slavery and racism in America, sexual violence against enslaved Black women, and how the enslaved people stayed in touch with their families and loved ones.
Visiting this Museum is one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al. There is also a Reflection Space in the Museum dedicated to the people who worked throughout their lives to challenge racial injustice.
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Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Al
Explore the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and soak in the art and creativity of Alabama State. The museum’s permanent art collection includes works of Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt, Cassatt, and Edward Hopper. This museum at Montgomery Al is one of its kind in the State, and it collects, preserves, and exhibits art for the public’s enjoyment.
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Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery Al
The Montgomery zoo is one of the things to do on your visit or weekend getaway to the city. The zoo boasts 500 animals from five continents, putting them in barrier-free habitats. The Montgomery zoo, Montgomery Al, is a popular fishing destination. You can go around the zoo by taking a stroll or riding on their miniature train.
The Montgomery Zoo has its own museum and holds programs such as Animal Paintings and Animal Encounters to make your visit interactive and exciting.
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Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Montgomery Al
This 1,800-seat-capacity performing arts center is perfect for seeing various shows, concerts, opera, dance, comedy shows, and children’s programs. Located downtown Montgomery Al, it is a part of the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. It is one of the things to do in Montgomery if you love live music, shows, and concerts.
The theater supports a wide range of art and artists. Visit the website to know if anything exciting is happening during your time in Montgomery, Al.
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National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Montgomery Al
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice gives tribute to the Blacks who lost their lives during the lynching. It is also known as the National Lynching Memorial. This is the first memorial dedicated to African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, the legacy of the Black people, and people terrorized by lynching.
Take a guided tour of this Memorial and read quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King, Toni Morrison, and Elizabeth Alexander. This National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Montgomery Al, sits on six acres and contextualizes racial terror using art, design, and sculpture. The tickets to the Memorials and Museums can be from the respective visitor centers depending on when you want to visit.
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Old Alabama Town, Montgomery Al
One of the things to do in Montgomery is to visit Old Alabama Town, as it is the best way to understand how the Alabamians lived in the 19th and 20th centuries. The buildings in Old Alabama Town at Montgomery, Al, have been restored and saved from demolishing.
They have preserved it as a history museum; take a nostalgic trip through the one-room schoolhouse, a slave dwelling, a grist mill, and the oldest surviving building in the country, the Lucas Tavern.
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Rosa Parks Library and Museum, Montgomery Al
Montgomery was the town where a bold Black woman refused to get up and give her bus seat to a white man. Her name was Rosa Parks, an era when the seats inside buses were segregated for blacks and whites.
It was a life-changing event, and you can learn more about this incident by visiting the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, Montgomery Al. Once you tour the Rosa Parks Library and Rosa Parks Museum, you can take a walk and go to the bus stop where the incident happened.
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Riverfront Park, Montgomery Al
Looking for fun and outdoor activities to make your trip to Montgomery exciting? Then visiting the Riverfront Park on the banks of the Alabama River is one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al. Boat rides, concerts, and events add to the attraction of this park and is a good place for people from all age brackets to visit.
Book yourself on the Harriet II Riverboat Cruise and soak in the wonderful views of the Alabama River. Take a trip back in time and enjoy the live entertainment, dinner, and dancing while cruising along the waters in the 19th-century riverboat. Tickets can be bought from the Harriot II website 48 hours before the cruise.
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Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery Al
The Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery Al, can accommodate up to 7,000 people and is the home of Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League, a minor league baseball park. The stadium, also known as the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Stadium, is a converted train shed near the Alabama River.
The Riverwalk Amphitheater is nearby, and the stadium hosts events, concerts, and various shows. Have a blast watching the Montgomery Biscuits at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium if you are a fan.
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The National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture, Montgomery Al
Established in 1997, the National Center provides information about the important role played by Montgomery Al in the modern Civil Rights Movement. The center also shares the history of African Americans, and there are guest lectures, events, and art collections that make the place one of the things to do in Montgomery, Al. Their website will give you more details of the events that will be held and the visiting hours.
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The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery, Alabama
The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery Al throws light on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda and is a tribute to their lives and legacies. The couple dominated the country’s literary scene for a while till they got pulled into alcohol and mental health issues and had an untimely ending.
Together Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda created incredible pieces of literature, and their love story always fascinated many for its talent, creativity, romance, drama, failure, and darkness. A visit to the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is one of the things to do in Montgomery Al if you love literature, as this is the home where they worked on their individual novels, Tender is the Night and Save Me the Waltz.
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Union Station Train Shed, Montgomery Al
This landmark building has been declared one of the National Historic Sites and is one of the things to do in Montgomery Al while visiting the place. The Union Station is known for its train shed and was built in 1898 by the Louis and Nashville Railroad.
It illustrates the adaptation of bridge-building techniques to shelter structures and covers four tracks. This 600-feet long shed at Montgomery Al is an ideal venue for concerts, festivals, and other events.
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W.A.Gayle Planetarium, Montgomery Al
Operated by Troy University, the Montgomery City Planetarium has interesting exhibits on space exploration, planetary science, and educational and informative exhibits on astronomy. The Planetarium facilities are designed to project the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial objects in the sky. It welcomes visitors from all over Alabama State and its neighboring towns.
Closing Thoughts
There are innumerable things to do in Montgomery, Al, if you plan your trip to that city. Montgomery has a lot of history attached to it, and you should not go back home without picking up souvenirs from a gift shop to make you remember your visit to this city always. Whether regional art, history, or nature, Montgomery Al will always be etched in your memories.
