130. Montgomery, Alabama USA

Why

Montgomery, Alabama is at the root of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. It’s a place where you laugh and cry all at the same time. The South is not the same South you’ve read about it. Take  moment to visit and see for yourself.

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Court Square Fountain

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Court Square Fountain

 

Montgomery, Alabama USA - City sunset

Montgomery, Alabama USA – City sunset

Where

Montgomery, Alabama is located in the souther part of the U.S. state of Alabama, just south of Birmingham. It’s the capital of the state.

 

 

How To Get Here

By Train

There is no commercial train service to Montgomery, AL, but there is service to Birmingham which is provided by Amtrak. From here you can rent a car.

By Bus

The city is served by Greyhound, just outside the city’s downtown.

By Plane

The closest major airport to Montgomery, Alabama is Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM).

The following airlines serve the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM):

American Airlines (AA) and Delta Air Lines (DL).

By Car

If you are already in the region you can take the drive. Just use a service like Google Maps for directions.

By Ferry

No.

 

Where To Stay

The city already has fine places to stay and over the next two years, you will have more choices. I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance at the Riverfront. There’s also the Embassy Suites by Hilton and the Hampton Inn within walking distance. There are also Holiday Inns, Days Inn and Super 8s to name a few.

Montgomery, Alabama USA Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

Montgomery, Alabama USA Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

 

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Embassy Suites (Hilton)

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Embassy Suites (Hilton)

 

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Hampton Inn

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Hampton Inn

==>> You can find a list of hotels from TripAdvisor here.

 

Where To Eat

It’s the South, so everything, well almost everything is fried and fried to perfection. Here is a culinary journey that I took when I visited, knowing that there are many more places to eat in Montgomery; don’t drool too much though.

The Aviator Bar – Lots of aviation memorabilia is in this bar including a fighter jet seat.

Montgomery, Alabama USA - The Aviator Bar

Montgomery, Alabama USA – The Aviator Bar

Capitol Oyster Bar – popular on Sundays after church and they usually have  band playing. Plus you have a good view of the Alabama River and if you have a boat you can pull up in a boat as well since its right on the Marina.

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Capitol Oyster Bar

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Capitol Oyster Bar

Central – Located in the Alley; its perfect for lunch or dinner. Great staff and great atmosphere.

 

Chawba House – A place with organic foods from local farmers

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Biscuits and homemade jam

Chris’ Hot Dog – Family-owned for over 100 years

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Chris' Hot Dog

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Chris’ Hot Dog

D’road Café – Venezuelan cuisine cooked by Janet; its like your mom cooking for you

Montgomery, Alabama USA D'road Cafe

Montgomery, Alabama USA D’road Cafe

– Leroy – An after hours joint with good beer and atmosphere in the Old Cloverdale area.

Vintage Year – A classy restaurant in the Old Cloverdale area.

==>> You can find a list of restaurants from TripAdvisor here.

 

What To Do

Surprisingly, there’s quite a bit to do. I say surprisingly, as its a small town, so the number of activities it has is not as expected, however, its downtown is growing and as such, there are many things to do and more are coming online. My best suggestion here is to visit the Conventions and Visitors Bureau which is located in the old Union Station right on the riverfront. One they have all the information you will need and two they are located in an old train station :-).
– Alabama Archives – Here you learn all about the history of the state from the days of slavery to present. It’s done in a very respectful way as well.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival – This is an effort to bring Shakespeare and other plays to the local children and citizens
Montgomery, Alabama USA - Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Alabama State Capitol

Montgomery, Alabama – Alabama State Capitol

Blake’s Segway Tours – Cheryl is such a sweetheart; she carefully trains you on how to ride a Segway, then takes you on a tour of the city. You will love it.
Montgomery, Alabama USA - Blake Segway Tours

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Blake Segway Tours

Civil Rights Memorial Center

– Court Square Fountain – Meant to be the center of town
Montgomery, Alabama USA - Court Square Fountain

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Court Square Fountain

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church – The Tour Guide here; Wanda is pretty amazing. She takes you high and low and in between. Such an amazing person.

EATsouth – An organic garden in the heart of the city

– Escapology – A new experience where you use clues to escape a room.
Equal Justice Initiative – A Group dedicated to helping people who are wrongly incarcerated. They have an amazing museum with lots of very moving history.
Hank Williams Museum – Here you walk through his life and hear his music. There’s also a statue of him on the Riverwalk and you can go visit his grave; its better at night apparently and don’t forget to bring him a cold one and have a sip with him.
Montgomery, Alabama USA - Hank Williams Monument

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Hank Williams Monument

– Montgomery Zoo

– Riverwalk Stadium – Home of the Montgomery Biscuits an AA baseball team
Montgomery, Alabama USA - RiverwalkStadium Home of the Biscuits

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Riverwalk Stadium Home of the Biscuits

Rosa Parks Library and Museum – here you are taken through a re-enactment of the event as well as an explanation of the Civil Rights Movement and the part Mrs. Parks played in it.

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Rosa Parks

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Rosa Parks

– The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
Take a Riverboat Cruise on the Harriott II
Montgomery, Alabama USA - The Harriott II Riverboat

Montgomery, Alabama USA – The Harriott II Riverboat

 

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Montgomery Moon

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Montgomery Moon

==>> Here is a list of things to do from Trip Advisor.

==>> Check out some tours from Viator in the state of Alabama.

==>> Lonely Planet has some additional information.

==>> Trip.com has some additional information.

 

Additional Information

Language: English

Currency: US Dollar (USD)

Visit Montgomery

Love MGM

Montgomery Chamber of Commerce

Visit Alabama

Instagram (City of Montgomery, Alabama)

Instagram (Capital Cool Montgomery CVB)

Facebook (City of Montgomery, Alabama)

Facebook (Montgomery Capital Cool)

Facebook (Montgomery Chamber of Commerce)

Twitter (City of Montgomery, Alabama)

Twitter (Montgomery Capital Cool)

Montgomery, Alabama USA - Thank you come again

Montgomery, Alabama USA – Thank you come again

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7 Responses

  1. Lynda S says:

    I love your post and pictures! I worked in Montgomery for several years, many moons ago. It’s interesting to “re-visit” it through the eyes of another. 🙂

  2. Anna Marie says:

    This makes me want to visit Montgomery! Beautiful pics!

  3. I was so torn by all the great post-conference trips. This one and the one to Mobile were high on my list. I hope to return at a later date. There is so much to Alabama that I must see!

    P.S. I went to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach…

    • kerwin says:

      I agree Margarita. Thanks for stopping by.
      I was in the same boat; now I have to go visit the others on my own and really want to do so. How was the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?

      Kerwin.

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