Free Attractions in Sweet Home Alabama
March 2021
From immersing yourself in the arts to diving into history, there are plenty of things to do in Sweet Home Alabama that won’t cost you a dime. Check out some of the state’s top free attractions.
Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment
Artist studios, independent businesses, restaurants, performance venues, and a mixed-use classroom come together under one roof at Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment, the nation’s largest privately-owned arts facility. This facility provides the perfect space for its visitors to interact with visual artists, who share their creative process for disciplines in every area of visual art from drawing and painting to textiles, pottery, and more. While you’re here, indulge in one of the many culinary offerings located throughout the facility including specialty sandwiches, vegetarian fare, pizza and other delectable dishes.
Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center
Located near the Bankhead National Forest, the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center shares the treasures and remnants of Native American hunting grounds. The park preserves and protects artifacts that date back to 10,000 B.C. and ancient geological evidence of the settlement of the five historic tribes that lived in the Oakville area. The site houses several mounds, including the Oakwood Ceremonial Woodland Mound which covers 1.5 acres of land and towers 27 feet high. Visitors are welcome to Oakville year round, and the park and museum have free admission.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Visit Alabama's largest living museum, which features more than 12,000 different plants on 67 acres. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens houses more than 30 thematic gardens each one classified into one of three types: Gardens of Collections, Gardens of Nature and Gardens of Culture. As you venture through the gardens, you are transported into a new world with every step you take. From the impressive conservatory to the koi-filled Japanese gardens, there’s a garden that everyone in the family can enjoy.
U.S. Army Aviation Museum
See the largest collection of military airplanes and helicopters in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum. Although there are approximately 50 aircraft on display in the public galleries, the museum maintains a collection of over 160 airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft. It also houses a variety of exhibits that provide its visitors with a chance to take a step back in time including its Super 68 exhibit, which showcases one of three Blackhawk helicopters to be shot down during the incident known as The Battle of Mogadishu and its “Bravo Blues” exhibit which depicts a well-publicized photograph from the Vietnam Conflict.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is home to more than 4,000 works of art. The collections consist primarily of works from American artists from the 18th through the 21st centuries. Pieces include American paintings, sculptures, folk art, historical porcelain and old master prints. The museum also houses the Caddell Sculpture Garden, which allows guests to experience art in a natural landscape. The museum is located in Blount Cultural Park, so after your visit, spend some time in the great outdoors surrounded by ponds, miles of walking trails, a natural amphitheater and picturesque scenery.
For a complete list of Alabama's top 10 free attractions along with other helpful travel tips, click here.
