Maytown AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Maytown, Alabama.
1. USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
HISTORIC NAVAL VESSEL
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park offers visitors the chance to explore a genuine WWII-era battleship that has been preserved as a memorial. Visitors can tour the massive vessel's decks, quarters, and gun emplacements while learning about its service history. The park also features other military vehicles and aircraft on display.
2. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
CLASSIC AUTOMOTIVE COLLECTION
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of vintage motorcycles and rare automobiles. The museum features over 1,600 motorcycles spanning more than 100 years of production. Visitors can admire the five-story display space where vehicles are artfully arranged in a gallery-like setting.
3. Vulcan Park and Museum
ICONIC CITY SYMBOL
Vulcan Park and Museum features the world's largest cast iron statue, standing as Birmingham's city symbol since 1904. The 56-foot statue depicts Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, paying homage to the city's industrial heritage. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the observation platform and explore interactive exhibits about Birmingham's history.
4. Civil Rights Memorial
SOCIAL JUSTICE MONUMENT
The Civil Rights Memorial honors those who died in the struggle for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement. The memorial features a circular black granite table with water flowing over the names and a timeline of key events. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Civil Rights Memorial Center with exhibits on the movement and contemporary social justice issues.
5. Old Alabama Town
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Old Alabama Town consists of more than 50 restored historic buildings in downtown Montgomery that showcase 19th and early 20th-century Alabama life. The centerpiece is the Ordeman House, which visitors can tour with a guide while exploring the authentically furnished properties. Interpreters throughout the neighborhood provide historical context and answer questions about daily life in historic Alabama.
6. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
ART AND CULTURE
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts houses an impressive collection of American paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum features a renowned collection of works by regional artists and Southern material culture. Visitors can also enjoy the interactive ARTWORKS gallery designed especially for children and families.
7. Rosa Parks Library and Museum
CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY
Rosa Parks Library and Museum commemorates the spot where Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat in 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The museum features interactive exhibits, historical documents, and a replica of the bus where the arrest occurred. Visitors can follow the timeline of events that catalyzed the modern Civil Rights Movement.
8. The MOOseum
CATTLE INDUSTRY EDUCATION
The MOOseum offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Alabama's cattle industry from its beginning in 1495 to present day through interactive exhibits. Children can dress up as cowboys and cowgirls in the play arena or learn about beef and food safety in Slim's Kitchen. The museum's popular 'Beef Wagon' provides a favorite photo opportunity for families visiting this educational attraction.
9. Moundville Archaeological Site
ANCIENT NATIVE CIVILIZATION
Moundville Archaeological Site preserves 29 earthen mounds built by the Mississippian culture between 1000 and 1450 AD. The site features Temple Mound, which stands over 60 feet tall, alongside other ceremonial and burial structures. Visitors can explore a reconstructed prehistoric village to learn about daily life of the ancient mound builders.
10. Historic Maytown Churches
COMMUNITY SPIRITUAL HERITAGE
Historic Maytown Churches have stood for generations as pillars of the local community. These small houses of worship showcase traditional Southern religious architecture and community gathering spaces. Visitors can appreciate the historical significance and continued importance of these landmarks to Maytown residents.
11. Cook Museum of Natural Science
INTERACTIVE NATURE EXPLORATION
Cook Museum of Natural Science offers immersive exhibits on biodiversity, geology, and natural environments. The museum features live animal displays, interactive learning stations, and stunning dioramas of various ecosystems. Visitors of all ages can engage with hands-on science activities while exploring the wonders of the natural world.
12. Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts
HISTORIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts has been a north Alabama landmark for more than a century, beginning as a livery stable in 1887 before becoming a silent film and vaudeville playhouse in 1919. The theater was purchased by the City of Decatur in 1978 and transformed into the beloved performing arts center it is today. Visitors can enjoy a variety of performances in this beautifully restored historic venue that continues to be a cultural centerpiece.
13. Old State Bank
HISTORIC FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Old State Bank is one of the few pre-Civil War buildings remaining in Decatur and served as a hospital during the conflict. The Greek Revival structure was built in 1833 as a branch of the state bank and survived the Civil War destruction of much of the city. Visitors can tour the historic building to learn about early banking practices and the structure's role in local history.
14. Historic Depot and Railroad Museum
TRANSPORTATION HERITAGE CENTER
Historic Depot and Railroad Museum showcases Decatur's rich railroad history through extensive model train layouts and rare train collections. Visitors can watch active train lines from the outdoor viewing platform while learning about the impact of rail transportation on the region. The museum preserves the story of how railways shaped the development of northern Alabama.
15. Civil War and Scottsboro Boys Exhibits
REGIONAL JUSTICE HISTORY
Civil War and Scottsboro Boys Exhibits at Morgan County Archives document crucial historical events that shaped the region's history. The collection includes artifacts and documents relating to Morgan County's role in the Civil War alongside materials from the infamous 1930s trials. Visitors can learn about the nine Black teenagers who were falsely accused of rape, a case that helped spark important legal reforms in the American justice system.