The city of Montgomery, Alabama’s capital, is a short drive away from Birmingham. Because of its proximity, it makes a wonderful choice for a day trip with the family! Montgomery offers a lot of history, fun activities, and great places to eat. Read on for more about what makes this city great for families to visit.
Where is Montgomery, Alabama?
Located approximately 90 miles south of Birmingham on I-65, Montgomery is about one and a half hours away. This short travel time ensures the drive will be relatively easy to make with no stops necessary. So, load up the family and hit the road for a day of fun!
What activities are in Montgomery?
Between museums, hands-on kid activities, restaurants, and more, a trip to Montgomery delivers fun and education for all ages simultaneously.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is a free activity for the whole family to enjoy. This museum not only has visual art on display, but it also has a kids area with art activities, puppets, toys, and more that will provide entertainment for a long period of time. So, whether you enjoy viewing fine art or need a hands-on area for the kids to explore their creative side, this museum is the perfect place to visit on a family trip!
Alabama Department of Archives and History
The State Department of Archives houses a wonderful education spot called Grandma’s Attic. Here, a child can dress in period clothing, create, and learn through games and puzzles. They can also learn more about influential Alabama native Helen Keller. Between dressing up and creative play, this free and fun activity is always a favorite for littles!
Old Alabama Town
Visitors can learn about how people worked and lived in the 19th and early 20th century at Old Alabama Town. This activity is a small cost for adults with, and each paid adult can bring someone 12 or younger for free. There are both guided and self-guided tours to choose between as you explore.
Riverfront Activities
The Montgomery Riverfront offers several areas to enjoy. Between riverboat rides, a splashpad, riverwalk, amphitheater, and more, every family will find something to do here. Another great place to visit at the riverfront is the Riverwalk Stadium, home to the Montgomery Biscuits, a Double-A Affiliate baseball team. (Our own Birmingham Barons often play at this stadium, so maybe you can visit during a game featuring our hometown team!)
SweetCreek Farm Market
A short distance from the heart of Montgomery is SweetCreek Farm Market. Here you can play on the playground, observe different animals mingling with the guests (including peacocks!), and eat some great food. Don’t forget to enjoy their homemade ice cream! SweetCreek also offers local and fresh produce, so take advantage of the many varieties of food for purchase.
Montgomery Zoo
As always, the zoo is a fun activity for the entire family. The Montgomery Zoo admits members of the Birmingham Zoo at half the regular cost and offers many different activities. Their offerings include an opportunity to pet stingrays, feed koi fish, visit a petting zoo, ride a skylift, and more! Also located at the zoo, and included in the ticket price, is The Mann Museum. This natural history museum boasts 28,000 square feet devoted to wildlife conservation through education.
Play Areas
Newtopia Fun Park is an indoor playground that boasts many different activities for kids of all ages. So, take time out of the heat and get out some energy on their slides, climbing wall, and toddler areas. (Also located in different areas of Montgomery are various splashpad and playground options for the kids to all enjoy.)
Other Museums & Activities:
- The Mooseum
- Rosa Parks Library and Museum
- Civil Rights Memorial Center
- Alabama State Capitol (a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail)
- W.A. Gayle Planetarium
- Equal Justice Initiative– The Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice
- The Fitzgerald Museum
- Dexter Parsonage Museum (home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1954-1960)
- Governor’s Mansion
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Other Places to Visit Nearby
About 20 minutes south of Montgomery, in Hope Hull, is the Alabama Safari Park. Zebras, camels, llamas, and more roam free throughout the park. Families are encouraged to drive through and experience these animals up close. Also, visitors may purchase buckets of food to feed the animals from their vehicles. After driving through, take some time to visit the walk-about area featuring lemurs, anteaters, and sloths.
Twenty-five minutes north of Montgomery is Wetumpka, Alabama. This little town holds a lot of history and is located on the Coosa River. Fort Toulouse – Fort Jackson is located in this area and is a great place for learning about our state’s history. Wetumpka also holds the distinction of being featured on the HGTV show Home Town Takeover. There are some great local eating spots here, too. While in Wetumpka, stop by the Coosa Cleaver, Copper House Deli, or Giusseppi’s Italia Cucina for great food and atmosphere.
A day trip to Montgomery, Alabama offers many opportunities for people of all ages. Whether visiting a historical site or taking in sights at the zoo, every visitor will enjoy their time in our state’s capital city. Let us know what you enjoy the most after your visit!
If you enjoyed this post, check out another quick trip from Birmingham:
Experience Atlanta, Georgia :: Quick Getaways from Birmingham
