Hollywood AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hollywood, Alabama.
1. Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station
HISTORIC UNFINISHED POWER PLANT
The Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station is a never-completed Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear power plant located in Hollywood. This historic site was sold by TVA and as of 2018 is slated for private development. Visitors interested in industrial history and energy infrastructure find this landmark fascinating.
2. Scottsboro Boys Museum
CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY
The Scottsboro Boys Museum documents one of the most significant legal cases in American civil rights history. With a stellar 4.8 rating, this museum offers visitors a powerful educational experience about the historic Scottsboro trials. The museum preserves the legacy of nine young African American men falsely accused in 1931.
3. Unclaimed Baggage Center
UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Unclaimed Baggage Center is a one-of-a-kind retail store where visitors can purchase items from lost luggage that airlines were unable to reunite with their owners. This popular attraction boasts a 4.2 rating and draws over 2,000 reviewers, making it a must-visit shopping destination. Treasure hunters can find everything from clothing and electronics to jewelry and unique souvenirs.
4. Southern Grace Boutique
LOCAL FASHION DESTINATION
Southern Grace Boutique offers visitors a taste of local fashion and gifts with its 4.6-star rating. The boutique specializes in Southern-inspired clothing, accessories, and home decor. Shoppers appreciate the friendly service and unique selection of items not found in chain stores.
5. Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center
LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center preserves and showcases the rich history of Jackson County and its communities. Housed in a historic building, this 3.9-rated museum features exhibits on pioneer life, Native American history, and local development. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of this region's past.
6. Cathedral Caverns State Park
NATURAL UNDERGROUND WONDER
Cathedral Caverns State Park features one of the most spectacular cave systems in the United States with its massive entrance measuring 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Inside the caverns, visitors marvel at dramatic formations including "Goliath" - one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Guided tours take visitors through the illuminated pathways to experience the breathtaking underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
7. Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
BAT VIEWING DESTINATION
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200,000 endangered gray and Indiana bats, creating one of the most spectacular bat emergences in the Southeast. Visitors gather at dusk during summer months to witness the amazing sight of thousands of bats streaming out of the cave entrance. The refuge protects critical habitat while offering a unique wildlife viewing opportunity just a short drive from Hollywood.
8. Blakeley State Park
HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD PARK
Blakeley State Park preserves the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, which occurred after Lee's surrender but before word reached the troops. The 2,100-acre park combines historic sites with natural beauty, featuring hiking trails, a campground, and river access. Visitors can explore the remains of the once-thriving town of Blakeley and learn about its significance in Alabama history.
9. Alabama Music Hall Of Fame
CELEBRATING MUSICAL HERITAGE
The Alabama Music Hall Of Fame honors the state's rich musical legacy and the artists who shaped American music. Exhibits showcase memorabilia from Alabama natives including Nat King Cole, Hank Williams, and the band Alabama. Visitors can explore interactive displays, see iconic instruments, and even record their own songs in the studio experience.
10. Lake Guntersville State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Guntersville State Park spans 6,000 acres of natural woodlands along the shores of Alabama's largest lake. The park offers diverse recreation options including hiking trails, a beach, golf course, fishing, and eagle watching opportunities throughout the year. Visitors can stay at the park's lodge, chalets, or campground while enjoying panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
11. International Motorsports Hall of Fame
RACING HISTORY SHOWCASE
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame celebrates the legends of motorsports with an impressive collection of vehicles, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits. Located adjacent to the famous Talladega Superspeedway, the museum houses race cars driven by champions like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty. Visitors can explore the evolution of racing technology and hear stories about the daring drivers who made motorsports history.
12. Jesse Owens Museum
OLYMPIC HERO TRIBUTE
The Jesse Owens Museum honors the life and legacy of the four-time Olympic gold medalist who was born in Oakville. Exhibits trace Owens' journey from his humble beginnings in Alabama to his triumph at the 1936 Berlin Olympics where he shattered Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy. The museum includes Owens' childhood home, a replica Olympic torch, and interactive displays celebrating his athletic achievements and humanitarian contributions.
13. Lake Lurleen State Park
SERENE LAKESIDE RETREAT
Lake Lurleen State Park centers around a 250-acre lake perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating in a tranquil setting. Over 23 miles of multi-use trails wind through the park's forests, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The park provides modern campgrounds, picnic areas, and beach access, making it an ideal destination for outdoor recreation near Hollywood.
14. Belle Mont Mansion
ANTEBELLUM ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Belle Mont Mansion stands as one of the finest examples of Jeffersonian Palladian architecture in the American South, constructed between 1828 and 1832. The historic plantation home features distinctive details including a double-height portico, symmetrical wings, and period furnishings that transport visitors to the antebellum era. Tours of the mansion provide insights into southern plantation life, architecture, and the complex history of the region.
15. Russell Cave National Monument
PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Russell Cave National Monument protects one of the most complete archaeological records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years. The cave's large entrance provided shelter for generations of Native Americans from the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods. Visitors can explore the museum, take guided tours of the cave entrance, and walk nature trails while learning about the daily lives of early inhabitants.