Fun Things To Do in Montgomery Alabama

Montgomery AL Attractions Include Historic Sites and a Zoo

Nov 30, 2008

What do Hank Williams, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Jefferson Davis and F. Scott Fitzgerald have in Common? They all lived in Montgomery, Alabama.

It was at different times, of course, but the things they did in Montgomery influenced the world in a variety of ways for years to come.

As the First Capital of the Confederacy, the Birthplace of Civil Rights and Alabama’s state capital, Montgomery has played a significant role in many historical events. Visitors to Montgomery will find a wide range of historic sites, museums and art galleries, as well as outdoor activities, restaurants and shopping.

Start at the Montgomery Area Visitor Center to get a perspective of city attractions. It is located in a former Victorian era railroad station with a soaring beamed ceiling, richly carved wooden balcony and stained glass windows. The friendly folks there have maps, brochures and trolley schedules and are a wealth of information about the city, area history, where to go and what to do.

Montgomery Trolley

Two trolley lines serve the historic downtown and both stop outside the doors at Union Station. In 1885, Montgomery instituted a mule-drawn trolley system for the city. In 1886, tracks were laid and the lines electrified and Montgomery became the first city in the nation with an electric streetcar, dubbed the “Lightening Route.” Adult fares are 25-cents per each boarding or $1 per day.

Country music legend Hank Williams, known for such songs as Your Cheatin’ Heart and Jambalaya, lived in Montgomery and launched his career playing guitar on the sidewalk outside of the WSFA radio studios. The museum houses many of his custom designed suits, memorabilia and the powder-blue 1952 Cadillac in which he died. A life sized statue of Hank Williams is located at Lister Hill Plaza on North Perry Street. Hank and his wife Audrey are buried in nearby Oakwood Cemetery Annex.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church - 454 Dexter Avenue, (334) 263-3970

This was the only church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr served as the senior pastor. In 1955, meetings held in the church basement led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement. The church is now a National Historic Landmark. See Montgomery Alabama and the Civil Rights Movement for more Civil Rights historic sites.

Begun in 1850, the Alabama State Capitol is one of the few state Capitols designated a National Historic Landmark. Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as President of the Confederacy on the Capitol steps and some 100 years later, Dr. King delivered a historic speech at the end of the 1965 Voting Rights March. Free admission

First White House of the Confederacy - 644 Washington Avenue, (334) 242-1861

Across the street from the Capitol, the house served as Jefferson Davis’ home while he was in Montgomery. It is filled with period furnishings and many of Davis’ personal belonging. Free admission

Novelists F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, and his wife Zelda, author of Save me the Waltz, met at Montgomery Country Club and lived briefly in Montgomery from 1931 to 1932. Fans of Fitzgerald and the “Lost Generation” will want to see the first home he and Zelda shared, a portion of which is a small museum filled with Zelda’s art and personal letters and memorabilia. Free admission, donations accepted

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum - Off Northern Boulevard between Coliseum and Lower Wetumpka Road, (334) 240-4900

More than 40 acres of natural habitat enclosures house over 700 species of animals from all over the world. A miniature train travels past most of the exhibits and the Overlook Café offers light meals and snacks. The adjacent Mann Museum lets visitors get up close and personal with a variety of North American wildlife in realistic settings.

This starter list is only a sampling of the many things to do in Montgomery. For more ideas, see What to do in Montgomery Alabama or contact the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor Bureau, 300-A Water Street, (334) 261-1100 or (800) 240-9452.

The copyright of the article Fun Things To Do in Montgomery Alabama in Alabama Travel is owned by Pamela Watson. Permission to republish Fun Things To Do in Montgomery Alabama in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.