McKenzie AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near McKenzie, Alabama.
1. Hank Williams Boyhood Home and Museum
COUNTRY MUSIC LEGACY SITE
The Hank Williams Boyhood Home and Museum preserves the early life and heritage of the legendary country music star who spent his formative years in this modest house. Visitors can explore personal artifacts, rare photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of Williams' rise to fame before his untimely death at age 29. The museum hosts an annual festival celebrating his musical legacy and impact on country music history.
2. Cambrian Ridge Golf Course
PREMIER GOLF EXPERIENCE
Cambrian Ridge Golf Course is part of Alabama's renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail featuring dramatic elevation changes and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. The course offers 27 challenging holes divided into three distinct 9-hole courses - the Sherling, Canyon, and Loblolly - each with its own character and difficulty level. Golf Digest has consistently ranked it among the top public courses in America, making it a must-play destination for golf enthusiasts.
3. Frank Jackson State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Frank Jackson State Park offers 2,050 acres of natural beauty centered around Lake Jackson, a 1,000-acre fishing paradise. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a modern campground with both primitive and improved sites. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing for bass and bream, wildlife viewing, and the park's annual Independence Day celebration with spectacular fireworks over the lake.
4. Festival Park
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
Festival Park serves as McKenzie's primary community gathering space located in the east-central part of town. The park hosts various town events throughout the year, including the popular Sand in My Boots Festival. Visitors can enjoy green spaces, picnic areas, and recreational facilities that bring together locals and tourists alike.
5. McKenzie High School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL LANDMARK
McKenzie High School is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, representing an important piece of the town's educational history. The historic structure showcases architectural elements typical of early 20th century school buildings in rural Alabama. Visitors interested in local history often stop to appreciate this significant landmark that has shaped generations of McKenzie residents.
6. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
THE LITTLE ZOO THAT COULD
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo houses over 600 animals representing 199 species in a spacious 25-acre facility. Known as 'The Little Zoo That Could' after surviving multiple hurricanes, the zoo offers interactive animal encounters including kangaroos, sloths, and lemurs. Visitors can enjoy the zoo's giraffe feeding station, reptile house, aviary, and seasonal events throughout the year.
7. Alligator Alley
WILDLIFE ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE
Alligator Alley provides visitors with an up-close experience with over 450 alligators in their natural habitat, from hatchlings to mature adults exceeding 13 feet. Guests can walk along elevated boardwalks through a cypress swamp where alligators swim, sun, and nest below. The facility includes educational shows, feeding demonstrations, and opportunities to hold a baby alligator under staff supervision.
8. Baldwin County Heritage Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Baldwin County Heritage Museum preserves and celebrates the rich agricultural and cultural history of Alabama's largest county through extensive exhibits and historical artifacts. The museum features restored buildings, antique farm equipment, household items, and tools that demonstrate rural life from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can explore the museum's grounds which include a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, and pioneer cabin that bring the area's heritage to life.
9. Barber Marina Dinosaurs in the Woods
QUIRKY ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Barber Marina Dinosaurs in the Woods features massive metal dinosaur sculptures hidden among the trees in a secluded wooded area near the marina. Created by artist Mark Cline, these surprising prehistoric creatures include a family of four dinosaurs and a massive spider that delight visitors who discover them. The unusual attraction has become a popular photo opportunity and scavenger hunt destination for families exploring the Alabama Gulf Coast region.
10. Sand in My Boots Festival
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Sand in My Boots Festival is McKenzie's signature annual event celebrating local culture, music, and community spirit. The festival features live performances, arts and crafts vendors, food stalls serving Southern specialties, and activities for all ages. Visitors and locals alike gather to enjoy this quintessential small-town Alabama celebration that showcases the warmth and hospitality of McKenzie.
11. Owassa Lakeside RV
TRANQUIL OUTDOOR RETREAT
Owassa Lakeside RV offers a peaceful camping experience on the shores of a scenic lake just minutes from McKenzie. The campground provides full hookup sites, fishing opportunities, and boat rentals for exploring the tranquil waters. Visitors appreciate the facility's clean amenities, friendly atmosphere, and the natural beauty of south Alabama's countryside.
12. Alabama Gulf Coast Music Hall
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Alabama Gulf Coast Music Hall hosts a variety of musical performances ranging from country and bluegrass to rock and gospel in a comfortable indoor venue. The hall features state-of-the-art sound systems, spacious seating, and a dance floor for guests to enjoy shows by both local talents and touring acts. Visitors can experience authentic Southern entertainment in this popular destination that has become a cultural cornerstone of the region's music scene.
13. Historic Downtown McKenzie
SMALL TOWN CHARM
Historic Downtown McKenzie preserves the small-town atmosphere of this railroad community founded in 1899. Visitors can stroll through streets lined with historic buildings that once housed the town's early businesses including general stores, a cotton gin, and a drugstore. The downtown area offers a glimpse into the past while showcasing the resilient spirit of this south Alabama community that spans both Butler and Conecuh counties.
14. Red Hills Salamander Habitat
RARE SPECIES CONSERVATION AREA
The Red Hills Salamander Habitat near McKenzie is significant as the location where the first specimen of this endangered species was discovered. This rare amphibian is Alabama's official state amphibian and is found only in a small region of south-central Alabama. Nature enthusiasts can learn about conservation efforts to protect this unique creature that has inhabited the steep slopes and ravines of the area for millions of years.
15. Cotton Bayou Beach Access
GULF COAST PARADISE
Cotton Bayou Beach Access provides a gateway to the stunning white-sand beaches of Alabama's Gulf Coast just a short drive from McKenzie. The public access point features parking, restroom facilities, and a boardwalk leading to the emerald waters and sugar-white sands that make this coastline famous. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and spectacular sunsets at this popular beach destination that showcases the natural beauty of Alabama's shoreline.