Lockhart AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lockhart, Alabama.
1. Florala State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Florala State Park is a popular recreational area located near Lockhart, offering visitors access to Lake Jackson which straddles the Alabama-Florida state line. The park features camping facilities, picnic areas, and opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Nature enthusiasts can explore hiking trails while enjoying the serene atmosphere of this Alabama state park.
2. Timber Creek Distillery
LOCAL SPIRITS CRAFTED
Timber Creek Distillery is a highly-rated craft distillery in the area near Lockhart that produces handcrafted spirits using traditional methods. Visitors can take tours to learn about the distillation process and sample a variety of spirits produced on-site. The distillery has earned a stellar 4.8 rating, making it a must-visit attraction for those interested in craft beverages.
3. Panhandle Opry
LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC VENUE
The Panhandle Opry is a beloved music venue near Lockhart that showcases traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel music performances. With its impressive 4.9 rating, this venue attracts both locals and tourists looking to experience authentic Southern musical culture. The Opry features regular weekend shows with talented local musicians in a family-friendly atmosphere.
4. Britton Hill at Lakewood Park
FLORIDA'S HIGHEST POINT
Britton Hill at Lakewood Park has the distinction of being Florida's highest natural point at 345 feet above sea level. The park features a monument marking this geographical highlight, along with picnic facilities and short walking trails. Visitors enjoy this unique landmark for its historical significance and the bragging rights of standing at the highest elevation in Florida.
5. Emerald Coast Zoo
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Emerald Coast Zoo offers an intimate wildlife experience with a variety of exotic and native animals in a setting near Lockhart. Visitors can enjoy up-close animal encounters, feeding opportunities, and educational presentations about wildlife conservation. The zoo's smaller size creates a more personal experience than larger facilities, making it perfect for families with young children.
6. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
EARTH'S LARGEST SPACE MUSEUM
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabama's top paid tourist attraction and is often referred to as Earth's largest space museum. Visitors can explore the impressive collection of space artifacts, experience interactive exhibits about space exploration, and learn about NASA's contributions to science and technology. The center is also home to Space Camp, where aspiring astronauts can train in simulated space environments.
7. Noccalula Falls Park
MAJESTIC NATURAL WONDER
Noccalula Falls Park features a stunning 90-foot waterfall that cascades dramatically into a lush ravine below. The park includes botanical gardens, hiking trails, camping facilities, and a pioneer village that recreates 19th-century life in the area. Visitors are often captivated by the famous statue of Noccalula, which depicts the legendary Cherokee maiden who, according to local folklore, leapt from the falls rather than marry someone she didn't love.
8. National Memorial for Peace and Justice
POWERFUL CIVIL RIGHTS MONUMENT
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a profound memorial dedicated to the victims of racial terror lynchings and those who suffered from racial inequality in America. The site features over 800 steel monuments representing counties where racial terror lynchings took place, creating a powerful visual representation of this dark chapter in American history. Visitors describe the experience as deeply moving and educational, making it one of Alabama's most significant landmarks for understanding civil rights history.
9. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
WORLD'S LARGEST MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest collection of vintage and modern motorcycles, with over 1,600 motorcycles spanning more than 100 years of production. The five-story, state-of-the-art facility displays hundreds of motorcycles at any given time in a breathtaking architectural setting that enhances the viewing experience. Adjacent to the museum is the Barber Motorsports Park featuring a world-class 2.38-mile road racing track that hosts various motorsport events throughout the year.
10. Dexter Parsonage Museum
DR. KING'S HISTORIC HOME
The Dexter Parsonage Museum preserves the home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived with his family from 1954 to 1960 during his time as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The restored 1912 parsonage contains period furnishings and personal artifacts that provide insight into Dr. King's daily life during the formative years of the Civil Rights Movement. Guided tours offer visitors a powerful connection to history as they walk through the rooms where Dr. King planned civil rights strategies and survived a bombing attempt in 1956.
11. Frank Jackson State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Frank Jackson State Park centers around the 1,000-acre Lake Jackson, offering excellent fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities near Lockhart. The park features modern campgrounds, picnic facilities, hiking trails, and a beach area for swimming during warmer months. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the park's wildlife observation areas and the annual Scarecrow Festival held each fall.
12. Henderson Beach State Park
PRISTINE GULF COAST BEACH
Henderson Beach State Park preserves over a mile of pristine white sand shoreline along the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and nature watching in this protected natural area featuring 30-foot white sand dunes. The park offers boardwalks, picnic pavilions, a playground, and a nature trail that winds through a coastal ecosystem supporting a diverse array of wildlife.
13. Three Notch Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Three Notch Museum showcases the rich history of Andalusia and Covington County through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits housed in the historic Central of Georgia Railroad depot. Visitors can explore several on-site historic buildings including a pioneer log cabin, a country store, and a CSX caboose that have been preserved to reflect early life in the area. The museum derives its name from the historic Three Notch Trail, an important transportation route marked by three notches on trees that helped guide travelers through the region in the early 19th century.
14. Destin Harbor Boardwalk
VIBRANT WATERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT
The Destin Harbor Boardwalk serves as the bustling heart of Destin's waterfront, offering spectacular views of the harbor filled with fishing vessels and pleasure boats. Visitors can explore numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues while watching fishing charters return with their daily catches, a tradition that has earned Destin the nickname 'The World's Luckiest Fishing Village.' The boardwalk comes alive especially during sunset and evening hours with street performers, live music, and the opportunity to book various water activities from parasailing to dolphin cruises.
15. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
MARINE LIFE UP CLOSE
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park offers visitors interactive experiences with marine life through shows, exhibits, and animal encounters on Florida's Gulf Coast. Guests can observe dolphins, sea lions, penguins, alligators, and various marine species in naturalistic habitats while learning about marine conservation efforts. The park's location directly on the Gulf of Mexico provides a scenic backdrop for educational programs that have been entertaining and informing visitors since 1955.