20 Things To Do In Montgomery AL

Montgomery is Alabama’s capital city and the former capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War. Founded in 1813, the city is the cultural capital of the state and the launching pad from which Civil Rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks paved the way for the South’s Civil Rights uprising during the ’50s and ’60s.

Today, this central Alabama city is a melting pot of different cultures and ranging from the First White House of the Confederacy to the Civil Rights Monument, the city treats travellers to some of the South’s most impressive attractions. From the Alabama State Capitol to the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, the city of Montgomery has so much to see and do for all ages and backgrounds, making it one of the best places to visit in the country. Here are some of the best things to do in Montgomery.

Montgomery, Alabama

Save money and skip the lines by getting a Montgomery Attractions Ticket for entry to seven of the city’s top attractions. Or explore Selma, Tuskegee and Montgomery on one ticket that will allow you to explore 10 places.

20 Things To Do In Montgomery AL

1- Explore the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park

The scenic and sprawling 350-acre (142 ha) Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park is one of Montgomery’s top attractions and is home to the annual Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

The park covers about 77 acres (31 ha) and is filled with beautiful nature trails and greenery, which visitors are free to enjoy.

The park’s maze of ponds, waterways and wide array of wildlife makes the park a favourite setting for artists and photographers.

It’s a fun and enjoyable attraction for a relaxing day out and about Montgomery.

Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park is at 1 Festival Dr, Montgomery, AL 36117.

2- Enjoy an Afternoon at the Riverfront Park

Sandwiched between the Riverfront Stadium and the banks of the Alabama River, the Riverfront Park is a wonderful Montgomery attraction where visitors enjoy fun and entertaining activities free of charge.

Riverfront Park has a sizeable amphitheatre that hosts live, open-air concerts and performances throughout the year, many free.

The nearby Rotary Dog Park is a fun place to bring your four-legged companions, and the park’s splash pad is a great place to cool off.

Riverfront Park is at 355 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

3- Tour the Rosa Parks Library and Museum

The expansive Rosa Parks Library and Museum is one of Alabama and the South’s most culturally significant landmarks, retelling the historical impact of the infamous bus incident of 1955.

The museum’s wide collection of exhibits and displays covers all things related to the South’s Civil Rights movement of the 20th century and segregation in the South.

Catering to both adults and children, the fascinating Rosa Parks Library and Museum is one of Alabama’s best places to visit and always worth stopping by when in Montgomery.

Rosa Parks Library and Museum is at 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104. The Montgomery attractions ticket will get you into Rosa Parks and six other places.

4- See the Alabama State Capitol

Reconstructed in 1850 after a fire destroyed the original capitol, the Greek revival-style Alabama State Capitol is the seat of power in the state and a site that has seen several historic moments in the state’s rich history.

Two of the most memorable moments in the capitol’s history were when Jefferson Davis took his oath as the President of the Confederate States, and Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech from the capitol’s steps.

The capitol building is open to tour for the public and is one of the best places to visit in Montgomery.

Alabama State Capitol is at 600 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104. Save money with the Montgomery Attractions Ticket.

5- Tour the Majestic Caverns

Situated about an hour’s drive from Downtown Montgomery, the Majestic Caverns is one of Alabama’s best outdoor attractions and is open seven days a week.

Taking visitors on guided tours of its many natural features, including the onyx room, a waterfall, and a healing room, the Majestic Caverns is a great place to bring the whole family.

The caverns have the largest single source of onyx in the United States, making the caverns a sight to behold.

The caverns also host live performances, ranging from magic shows and fire juggling to bubble shows and forge demonstrations.

Majestic Caverns is at 5181 Desoto Caverns Pkwy, Childersburg, AL 35044.

6- Enjoy a meal aboard the Harriott II Riverboat

The perfectly preserved 19th-century Harriott II Riverboat is one of Montgomery’s top attractions, whisking passengers from the Riverfront Park up and down the Alabama River on sightseeing trips and dinner cruises.

This floating restaurant, live music venue and bar is operational throughout the day, offering lunch and dinner cruises, as well as private functions for special events.

One of the best times to board the Harriott II is during its sunset cruise when the ship’s romantic aura makes it an excellent attraction for couples.

Harriott II Riverboat is at 200 Coosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

7- Attend the Dragon Boat Festival

Taking place at the Riverfront Park around June, Montgomery’s Dragon Boat Festival draws over 70 teams and thousands of spectators to the shores of the Alabama River annually.

The festival sees teams in costumes battle it out for the top spot in colourful dragon boats with a 2,000+ year legacy.

The festival includes live music, food stalls, art exhibits and many more things, including the races themselves, making the festival a great place to visit in Montgomery.

Dragon Boat Festival is at 355 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

8- Visit the Montgomery Zoo

The scenic Montgomery Zoo is home to over 800 animals and 140 different species across its 40 acres of space in the heart of Downtown Montgomery.

The zoo’s wide range of animals includes species from South America, Asia, Africa, and North America, all housed in exhibits suited to their natural biomes.

The zoo’s perfectly manicured lawns, trees, and shrubbery make touring a delightful experience.

The zoo’s many interactive exhibits, such as its koi pond and petting zoo, make the venue a great place for families with kids too.

Montgomery Zoo is at 2301 Coliseum Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36110. The Montgomery Attractions Ticket will get you into the zoo and other top attractions in the city.

9- See the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

The sizeable Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts houses an impressive array of 19th and 20th-century art, including paintings, sculptures, master prints, and decorative arts under one roof.

The museum’s free entrance and parking make it one of Montgomery’s best places to visit on a budget.

The museum’s on-site café and its scenic sculpture garden make touring the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts a delightful experience that’s always fun and engaging.

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is at 1 Museum Dr, Montgomery, AL 36117.

10- Tour the First White House of the Confederacy

The First White House of the Confederacy served as the home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, during the American Civil War.

Montgomery was once the capital of the Confederacy during the 19th century and the First White House of the Confederacy is furnished and restored much like it was during the 1800s.

The venue is a great place to tour to get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Jefferson Davis’s life during the Civil War, with several exhibits and artefacts depicting life in the South during the 1800s.

Offering guided tours of the entire building, the First White House of the Confederacy is one of Montgomery’s top places to visit and a must for anyone interested in the city’s rich history.

The First White House of the Confederacy is at 644 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36130.

11- Hang Out in the Alley Entertainment District

Modelled after the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Alley Entertainment District is Montgomery’s number one dining, shopping, and entertainment venue and is a hive with visitors day or night.

The district is where many of Montgomery’s best bars and clubs are, as well as live music venues that come alive as soon as the sun sets.

During the day, the district is more family-friendly, with the district’s many shops and eateries drawing the crowds.

A fun place to visit day or night, the Alley Entertainment District is one of Downtown Montgomery’s best places to visit.

Alley Entertainment District is at 133 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

12- See the Governor’s Mansion

The Governor’s Mansion is a stunning 107-year-old neoclassical building that has been the home of the governors of Alabama and their families since the 1950s.

It was originally located elsewhere before being moved to its current location during the mid-20th century.

Today, parts of the building are open to tour to the public and the mansion’s gift shop, which gives guests complimentary cookies when visiting, makes the Governor’s Mansion one of Montgomery’s best places to visit.

Governor’s Mansion is at 1142 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

13- Tour the Hank Williams Museum

The Hank Williams Museum is dedicated to one of Montgomery’s most famous citizens, country music star and actor Hank Williams.

Open Monday to Sunday, the museum houses several artefacts and memorabilia of Williams detailing the life and times of this iconic Montgomery native.

Some of the museum’s exhibits include Hank Williams’ 1952 Cadillac, costumes he wore during shows, his high school yearbook and some of his personal instruments.

The Hank Williams Museum is a great place to visit in Montgomery, especially if you’re a fan of country music.

Hank Williams Museum is at 118 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

14- Visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church

The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is one of the most significant historic sites in the South and a beacon of the US Civil Rights movement of the mid-20th century.

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1974, the church was where former pastor, Martin Luther King Jr., worked between 1954 and 1960 before becoming the spokesman for the South’s Civil Rights movement.

The church is fully operational and still holds sermons every Sunday, and it is one of Montgomery’s most revered landmarks to visit.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is at 454 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104.

15- Tour the Dexter Parsonage Museum

The Dexter Parsonage Museum is right next door to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and is where Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived as pastors between 1954 and 1960.

Bombed numerous times during the height of the Civil Rights movement, the Dexter Parsonage Museum and its inhabitants fortunately survived and are today one of Montgomery’s most visited attractions.

Complete with an adjacent gift shop and housing several exhibits, the Dexter Parsonage Museum is one of Montgomery’s top-rated attractions and a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in the Civil Rights movement.

Dexter Parsonage Museum is at 309 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

16- Explore the Alabama State Archives and History Museum

The sprawling Alabama State Archives and History Museum offers historians a glimpse into the complete history of the state of Alabama like no other venue in the state.

Opened in 1901, the Alabama State Archives and History Museum’s records, archives and exhibits stretch from Alabama under American Indian occupation to the present day.

The Alabama State Archives and History Museum is an eye-opening place to visit and tour the oldest state-funded archives in the United States.

It’s one of the best places in Alabama to learn about the state’s history.

Alabama State Archives and History Museum is at 624 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104.

17- Visit the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

The historic home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is the only museum of its kind celebrating the life and impact made by the artistic duo.

Built in 1910, the home is preserved much like it was back when the couple lived in the house.

The museum’s exhibitions include artefacts, newspaper clippings, hundreds of photographs, written correspondence and documents related to the pair, making the museum a fantastic Montgomery landmark to visit and tour.

Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is at 919 Felder Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106. Explore Montgomery, Selma and Tuskegee with one ticket that offers entry to 10 places.

18- See the Old Alabama Town

The stunningly detailed Old Alabama Town, situated on the outskirts of Downtown Montgomery, is a significant landmark preserving a historically accurate 19th and 20th century Montgomery neighbourhood.

The landmark preserves and retells the lives of the men and women who were integral in building up central Alabama and is open to the public for tours over weekends.

Comprising four city blocks in total, Old Alabama Town and its structures provide visitors with an unforgettable insight into 19th-century life in Alabama like no other venue in the state can.

Old Alabama Town is at 301 Columbus St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

19- Geek out at the W.A. Gayle Planetarium

The W.A. Gayle Planetarium is Alabama’s premier astronomical education facility, dedicated to teaching adults and children about all things related to the stars, the sun, galaxies, and planets.

Owned and operated by Troy University, the W.A. Gayle Planetarium received a state-of-the-art installation in 2014, which makes the planetarium the first full-colour single-lens digital planetarium in the world.

The W.A. Gayle Planetarium is a great spot to visit from Monday to Sunday, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

W.A. Gayle Planetarium is at 1010 Forest Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106.

20- Stop by the Civil Rights Memorial

The low-key yet incredibly moving Civil Rights Memorial commemorates all the lives lost during the Civil Rights movement of the 20th century and is situated right next to the Civil Rights Memorial Center.

The memorial features an inspirational quote from Martin Luther King Jr: “until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” on a black granite slab below all the names of the people who lost their lives.

This memorial is free to visit and is one of the best places to visit in Montgomery.

Civil Rights Memorial is at 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104. If civil rights is your beat, check out this private ‘civil rights’ tour where you can ask all the questions you like.