New Site AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near New Site, Alabama.
1. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD SITE
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park commemorates the decisive battle that ended the Creek War in 1814. The park preserves the site where General Andrew Jackson's forces defeated the Red Stick Creek warriors, resulting in the cession of 23 million acres of land to the United States. Visitors can explore the battlefield through interpretive trails, visit the museum with exhibits about the battle, and learn about this significant moment in American history.
2. Wind Creek State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Wind Creek State Park offers over 1,440 acres of natural beauty along the shores of Lake Martin, just a short drive from New Site. The park features one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the United States with modern facilities and access to swimming, boating, and fishing on the 41,000-acre lake. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and a marina where boats can be rented for a day on the water.
3. USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
HISTORIC MILITARY VESSEL
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park showcases the impressive World War II battleship along with other military artifacts. Visitors can explore the 680-foot battleship, which earned nine battle stars during its service, along with a submarine, aircraft collection, and military equipment displays. The park serves as a tribute to all Alabama veterans and offers a unique opportunity to experience military history firsthand.
4. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
WORLD-CLASS MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest collection of vintage and contemporary motorcycles with over 1,600 bikes from 200 manufacturers spanning 100 years of production. The five-story, 144,000-square-foot facility displays hundreds of motorcycles at a time in a unique and artistic manner that has earned international acclaim. The museum is situated on the grounds of Barber Motorsports Park, which includes a world-class 2.38-mile racing circuit that hosts various motorsport events throughout the year.
5. Vulcan Park and Museum
ICONIC CITY SYMBOL
Vulcan Park and Museum features the world's largest cast iron statue, a 56-foot-tall representation of the Roman god of fire and forge that symbolizes Birmingham's industrial heritage. The statue stands atop Red Mountain and offers panoramic views of the Birmingham metropolitan area from its observation platform. The museum below tells the story of Birmingham's industrial and cultural development through interactive exhibits and artifacts.
6. Moundville Archaeological Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN COMPLEX
Moundville Archaeological Site preserves 29 ancient earthen mounds built by the Mississippian culture between 1000 and 1450 AD. The site features a reconstructed prehistoric village and a museum displaying artifacts that illustrate the sophisticated society that once thrived here. Visitors can climb the 60-foot Temple Mound and learn about the religious ceremonies and daily lives of the Native Americans who created this impressive complex.
7. Fort Morgan State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR COASTAL FORTRESS
Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a masonry fort that has stood as guardian of Mobile Bay since 1834 and played a significant role in five wars. The 479-acre National Historic Landmark contains the massive fort constructed with over 40 million bricks, concrete artillery batteries, and historic military buildings dating from 1899 to 1910. A museum displays weapons, uniforms, letters, photographs, and personal items of soldiers who served at the fort, allowing visitors to explore American military history from 1814 to 1945.
8. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
SPACE EXPLORATION MUSEUM
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center serves as the official NASA visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center and showcases the United States' achievements in space exploration. The center displays an impressive collection of rockets, spacecraft, simulators, and artifacts, including a Saturn V rocket and the Space Shuttle Pathfinder. Visitors can experience astronaut training simulators, attend Space Camp programs, and explore interactive exhibits that bring the wonders of space exploration to life.
9. Little River Canyon National Preserve
NATURAL WONDER GETAWAY
Little River Canyon National Preserve protects what is often described as the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi, carved by the Little River which flows atop Lookout Mountain. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views from several overlooks along the scenic drive, hike trails leading to waterfalls and along the canyon rim, or engage in activities like kayaking, swimming, and rock climbing. The preserve's visitor center provides information about the area's unique geological features and diverse ecosystems that support rare plant and animal species.
10. Cheaha State Park
ALABAMA'S HIGHEST POINT
Cheaha State Park encompasses Alabama's highest point at 2,407 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains. The park features rustic CCC-built stone facilities, including a lodge, restaurant, cabins, and an observation tower that provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding wilderness. Visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails, including connections to the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, along with camping, swimming, and wildlife viewing opportunities in this mountain retreat.
11. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
LEGENDARY MUSIC LANDMARK
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is a historic recording studio where legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded iconic albums during the 1970s. This unassuming building housed the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as The Swampers) who created the distinctive Muscle Shoals sound that influenced American popular music. Today, the restored studio operates as a museum where visitors can take guided tours to see original instruments and equipment while hearing stories about the famous recording sessions that took place there.
12. Jesse Owens Museum
OLYMPIC HERO TRIBUTE
The Jesse Owens Museum honors the four-time Olympic gold medalist who overcame racial barriers when he competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The museum is located near Owens' birthplace and features artifacts, memorabilia, and interactive displays that tell the story of his remarkable life and athletic achievements. Visitors can explore the replica of Owens' childhood home, a broad jump pit, and the 1936 torch monument that celebrates his legacy as one of America's greatest athletes and civil rights figures.
13. Cathedral Caverns State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Cathedral Caverns State Park features one of the most spectacular cave systems in the United States, with an entrance measuring 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Inside the caverns, visitors can marvel at stunning formations including Goliath—one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Guided tours lead through the illuminated passages to see frozen waterfalls, a stalagmite forest, and a flowing underground stream in this remarkable subterranean environment.
14. Cook Museum of Natural Science
INTERACTIVE NATURE EXPLORATION
The Cook Museum of Natural Science is a state-of-the-art facility that brings the natural world to life through immersive, interactive exhibits covering topics from geology and habitats to insects and wildlife. The museum features live animal exhibits including a 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a walk-through cave system, and collections of minerals, insects, and mounted wildlife specimens. Children and adults alike can engage in hands-on learning experiences in the discovery areas, attend educational programs, and explore the butterfly garden in this family-friendly attraction.
15. Lake Martin
SCENIC RECREATIONAL WATERS
Lake Martin is a 44,000-acre reservoir with over 750 miles of wooded shoreline that serves as a popular recreational destination near New Site. The lake offers excellent fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish, along with numerous coves and islands perfect for swimming, boating, and water sports. Visitors can enjoy lakeside dining at waterfront restaurants, attend summer concerts at The AMP outdoor venue, or simply relax on the sandy beaches while taking in views of the pristine waters surrounded by pine forests.