15 Things to Do in Montgomery, AL: The Heart of the Deep South

Near the amphitheater in Riverwalk Park is the Harriott II, a 19th-century riverboat that offers eating, dancing, and live entertainment.

The Harriott II, which is 96 feet long and three decks high, has a capacity of 350 passengers. The riverboat was built in 1981 and was entirely refurbished in 2009 when it arrived at its new home on Montgomery’s Riverwalk. The Harriott II is named after the historically significant Harriott, which was the first paddlewheel boat to steam from Mobile to Montgomery to pick up shipments of cotton in 1821.

The Rosa Parks Museum is located in Montgomery, Alabama, on the Troy University at Montgomery satellite campus. It displays memorabilia, artifacts, and remnants from the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. It is the only Rosa Parks Museum in the United States, and it is located in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, on the spot where Mrs. Parks was arrested.

Mrs. Parks’ original fingerprint arrest record, a 1950s-era Montgomery city bus, original works of art such as statuary and quilts, court documents and police reports, and a restored 1955 station wagon (known as a “rolling church”) used to transport protesters are among the museum’s historically significant artifacts. The museum aims to honor Rosa Parks’ legacy and the boycott by providing a place for intellectual debate, civic participation, and positive social change.

There is no better place to view Hank Williams’ memorabilia than the Hank Williams Museum. A visit to the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery is a voyage into the past. For decades, fans of the legendary country artist have come to this location. Here, Montgomery and Alabama pay tribute to Hank Williams, one of the most influential men in music history. In this place, the guy who made an indelible impression on the world of music will also make a lasting impression on you!

Troy University manages the W.A. Gayle Planetarium for the city of Montgomery, Alabama. It offers public tours and displays on astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. This amazing station located in historic Oak Park is one of the biggest in the southeast United States and has been connecting people with the universe for almost 50 years. Not only can they mimic the night sky with their full-dome digital projection system, which includes a 25,000-watt surround sound system, but they can also launch off Earth and take spectators on a virtual tour across our solar system, beyond our galaxy, and to the end of the known universe.

They provide a mix of visually spectacular and engaging videos about the newest astronomical discoveries, as well as conventional live tours of what’s up in the night sky, in their 159-seat theater. They also welcome you to visit their exhibit space, which has a scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope, a collection of breathtaking cosmic photos, and an artistic portrayal of astronomy’s history. Their technology allows the audience to experience the Planetarium through the study of Earth using constantly updated satellite information of our planet’s land, ocean, atmosphere, and temperature.

From 1955 until his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist clergyman and activist who became the most recognizable voice and leader in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King, Jr. resided in this clapboard parsonage in the 1950s, and it now houses Civil Rights exhibitions.

The refurbished parsonage of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church looks just like it did when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived here from 1954 to 1960. During the civil rights movement, the parsonage was bombed multiple times. Luckily, no one was hurt. So, take a moment to check out the Dexter Parsonage Museum – Dr. Martin Luther King home.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the state’s theater, creates community by engaging, entertaining, and inspiring audiences via transformative dramatic productions and enticing educational community programs. They hope to expand their influence throughout the state and beyond, as well as improve public participation and support as the region’s most regarded arts leader and community resource. Since its start, ASF has been a leader in the performing arts throughout the state, region, and country. They have supported education initiatives for about one million children each year. Each year, SchoolFest, a student-matinee event, gives high-quality theatrical experiences to around 35,000 pupils.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is one of the top 10 Shakespeare festivals in the world. The festival is permanently hosted in the Carolyn Blount Theatre in Montgomery, Alabama. Every year, ASF stages 6-9 plays, three of which are written by William Shakespeare. The performers, musicians, and set design are on par with anything seen on Broadway. There is a restaurant on-site, as well as easy access to parking. This is a wonderful jewel in the heart of the Deep South.

The Freedom Rides began in 1947 when CORE and the Fellowship of Reconciliation arranged an interracial bus excursion across state borders to put to the test a Supreme Court judgment that deemed interstate bus segregation illegal.

The Freedom Rides Museum is located at 210 South Court Street in Montgomery, Alabama, in the former Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station. During the Civil Rights Movement, it was the site of a horrific attack on Freedom Ride participants in 1961. This museum, along with more than 100 other institutions in 14 states, has been designated as an official stop on the United States Civil Rights Trail. This renovated bus station has been restored to its original 1961 appearance.

Old Alabama Town is made up of original buildings dating back to the 19th century that has been carefully restored to be shown to the public who want to know what life was like in that region of Alabama.  Inside the town, you will see how the people of the time made their living, including cotton processing places, tailor shops, boutiques, blacksmiths, and grocery stores. In addition, you will be able to see up close how the people’s houses were made and what the schools and churches were like in those times.

At the beginning of each tour, a person will give you a brief introduction of what you will see, and then you will be free to do the tour on your own time.

The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, which serves as the downtown entertainment hub, is a cutting-edge venue large enough for first-run Broadway musicals while being small enough with 1,800 seats to accommodate a diverse range of concerts, opera, comedy, dance, and children’s events. MPAC will only honor tickets bought through Ticketmaster.

Seating for clients with special needs is accessible through the MPAC Box Office on request. Local and touring performers grace the stage at the Renaissance Hotel’s sleek auditorium. It is part of the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center complex, which is located in the center of downtown Montgomery. The acoustics are amazing, and the lobby offers snacks. On busy nights valet parking is also available!

Common Bond, an open brick-and-beam bar, located in Montgomery’s renovated downtown entertainment and business center, is happy to sell artisan beer. Whether you’re new to craft beer or a seasoned pro, you’re sure to discover something you like or learn something new.

They intended to design something that would help individuals connect with one another and with their community, inspired by the way friendships are formed over a few shared drinks. They believe the brewery will play an important part in the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. The bar is devoted to engaging with local farmers, suppliers, and vendors in order to provide tri-county residents with a beer to call their own as well as a space for the community to participate. They believe that great beer can help people connect — so stop by, linger over a pint, and share a Common Bond.

The Alabama State Capitol building served in 1861 as the capital of the then Confederation of the States of America. Little more than a century later, in front of that capital, the march of Martin Luther King, Jr. was consummated during the March for Voters’ Rights. A photograph from the street across the street will make an excellent postcard.

Riverfront Park is an entertainment venue on the banks of the Alabama River. Among the activities of this riverbank estate are riverboat excursions, concerts, baseball, and boating. Anchored by the Amphitheatre is the Harriott II Riverboat. You can also find the historic Union Station Train Shed here. This park is also a great spot for some chow! Here you can find hits such as Dreamland BBQ and the famed delight by all Central. This beautiful local has a lot to offer, including picnic tables and a splash pad for children to have a bit of fun in.

Visitors will enjoy a beautiful view of the river and its environs while strolling down the riverwalk, in addition to the park’s various amenities. 355 Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 is the address of Riverfront Park. So, catch a sunset in this magnificent park while you visit Montgomery.

Check out the mall! They offer 60,000 square feet of space and over 300 dealers selling a variety of memorabilia. Whatever you’re searching for, from furniture and glassware to that missing piece of Grandmother’s china, you’re sure to find it here. Eastbrook Flea Market and Antique Mall is beyond wonderful. Take a trip back in time to view all of the wonderful décors you might have had in your home in years past.

Eastbrook has something for everyone, whether you’re searching for something old or something new. Take it from them, they know what they’re doing. You see, they’ve been in business for almost 26 years and have three levels of unique and vintage stuff. This contains items such as collectibles, antiques, furniture, comic books, albums, glassware, oil paintings, and so much more. Take a trip back in time at the Eastbrook Mall.

Montgomery Zoo is a 40-acre zoo on the city’s north side. The Montgomery Area Zoological Society contributes to the zoo’s funding as an autonomous city body. It is home to around 750 animals of 140 different species. It is a short walk from the state capital and the historic center.

This popular family location is home to various animals from five continents, including the well-known Bengal tiger. A train journey around the park gives you an overview of the area and allows you to decide where you wish to go later for a closer look. Some of the animals have made artwork. These pieces of art also include a photo of the animal that painted it when it was painting that specific piece, which is available in the gift shop. With food vendors and plenty of rest locations – this zoo is sure to delight any with the desire to take a walk on the wild side.

The Legacy Museum: From Slavery to Mass Incarceration chronicles the history of slavery and racism in America. Enslavement of African-Americans, lynchings, segregation, and racial intolerance are all used as examples of this.

This museum offers visitors a broad history of the United States, with an emphasis on the legacy of slavery. It includes displays and information on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a thorough discussion of Reconstruction, and an enhanced collection of exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which opened to the public in April 2018, is the country’s first memorial to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynchings, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary guilt presumptions and police violence.

Both as a physical site and as an outreach program, the museum acts as a medium for education about the legacy of racial injustice, as well as truth and reconciliation that leads to meaningful solutions to present concerns. Tickets are only $5.50 for adults and offer entry into both the museum and memorial.