ISSUE 06 • 2013
What, Where & Who’s Cool
Montgomery Area
Chamber of Commerce
President
Randall L. George
Montgomery Area
Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitor Bureau
Vice President
Dawn Hathcock
Publisher
Pam Mashburn
Editor
Jina Clark
Managing Editor
Jennifer Kornegay
Assistant Editor
Morgan Berney
Art Director
Bryan Carter
Design
Heather Cooper
Photography
Carter Photography & Design
Alabama Tourism Department
Mark Dauber
Robert Fouts
Josh Moates
Ellen Dutton
LWT
Sales Team
Pam Mashburn
Stacie Berry
The Montgomery & River Region
Visitor Guide 2013 is published by
exploreMedia for the
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitor Bureau.
All information is subject to change.
For the most current information and events, please check
www.VisitingMontgomery.com
facebook.com/MontgomeryCapitalCool
8 Capital Cool
38 Get Out There & Go
9 What’s To Love
40 Cool For Kids
A few of our favorite annual events
So many reasons to love Montgomery
12 Taste of Montgomery
Take a bite of our diverse culinary scene
30 Energy Alley
Alive after 5:00
Actively explore the area
Loads of fun for kids and families
52 We Love Our Biscuits
10th season in full swing
74 The River Region
Wetumpka, Pike Road, Prattville,
Tallassee & Selma
The Guide
23 Culinary Cool
48 Navigate Montgomery
32 Play
54 Shop
47 Navigate Downtown
64 Stay
Details on dining out
Attractions: Art, History, Shopping, more...
Detailed map for getting around
Detailed map for getting around
Shopping fun starts here
Details on hotel options
For advertising information,
questions or comments, contact:
exploreMedia
7956 Vaughn Rd #331
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 201.8787
[email protected]
© Copyright 2013 exploreMedia and
the Montgomery Area Chamber of
Commerce and Convention &
Visitor Bureau. All rights reserved.
For additional visitor information, contact:
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitor Bureau
300 Water St. Suite 200A, Montgomery AL 36104
334-261-1100 • 800-240-9452
Cover Photography by
Carter Photography & Design
If you haven’t seen Montgomery lately, you need to look again. The capital
city’s restaurants, attractions and more are so hot, they’re cool. Watch for
the Cool Factors and Cool Spots designated throughout the Guide to find
the “must see and do” things that’ll make your visit a cool one you won’t
soon forget. Look for the Capital Cool Spot stickers at places all over town.
What to Love in MGM
The reasons to love Montgomery are many and varied, but since we can’t list them all, here are some of the very best.
n Heritage Hotspots: Walk in the footsteps
of world-changing events. Montgomery
was the cradle of the Confederacy and,
a century later, the impetus of the
Civil Rights Movement.
n Flavors: Eat your fill of Southern-fried
favorites and upscale culinary creations at
Montgomery’s diverse restaurants.
n Treasure Hunts: Shop for treasures of
yesterday and today at stylish independent
boutiques, eclectic gift shops, art galleries,
antique stores and large national retailers.
n Fabulous Firsts: Montgomery was the
site of the Wright Brothers’ first civilian
flying school and boasted the first electric
streetcar system in the country.
n Cool Cocktails: Don a faux fur coat and
throw back an ice-cold shot in the frozen
shot room at The AlleyBAR downtown.
n Hot Dog!: Take a bite of history at Chris’
Hot Dogs, a local favorite that’s been
serving tasty dogs smothered in a signature
sauce since 1917.
n Warm Welcomes: The friendly smiles
of Montgomery’s genuine people underscore the fact that manners matter here.
Get ready to hear plenty of “thank you,”
“ma’am” and “please.”
n Crooner’s Caddy: See the car in which
iconic country music superstar Hank
Williams took his final ride at The Hank
Williams Museum. It also houses the
largest collection of Hank memorabilia
found anywhere.
n Nightlife: Pick up the pace with the
excitement of The Alley, the city’s
entertainment district, right across from
the Montgomery Convention Center.
n Cheesy Chow: Do your taste buds a favor
and fill up on a good-n-greasy cheeseburger
from Hamburger King downtown.
n Miles of Smiles: The entire family will
have a ball (and maybe learn a bit too!)
exploring our family friendly attractions,
places like Old Alabama Town, ArtWorks and
more.
n River Rides: Roll on down the Alabama
River aboard the city’s very own riverboat,
The Harriott II.
n Park Places: Take a walk, fly a kite or just
relax with a book at one of Montgomery’s
multiple green spaces like Blount Cultural
Park or Vaughn Road Park.
n Great Outdoors: Our mild weather means
you can eat, drink and be merry alfresco
at many of Montgomery’s restaurants and
bars. Try Capitol Oyster Bar at the Marina,
Pine Bar and The Tipping Point.
n Plain Nuts: Enjoy Montgomery’s Tucker
Pecans. They taste great right out of the shell
but even better smothered in chocolate.
n Shakespeare, Y’all: Take in a play at one
of the country’s most celebrated theatres,
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. And
every season offers more than Will’s works.
Popular contemporary plays, including
musicals, take the stage too.
n Pass the Biscuits: Catch a Montgomery
Biscuits baseball game and a flying biscuit
too at historic Riverwalk Stadium.
n Sweet Treats: Get a mouthful of sugary
goodness at Louisa’s Bakery tucked away
in Old Cloverdale and indulge in a peanut
butter cupcake.
n Otter Nonsense: Go wild at The
Montgomery Zoo, with hundreds of animal
species. Don’t miss the tigers, the elephants
or the playful otters.
n Local Talent: We’re over-run with artists.
Check out M. Bagwell’s colorful pottery
creations, or the fine art photography and
paintings at galleries like Stonehenge,
Dauber Gallery and SAC’s Gallery.
n World-Class Entertainment: The capital
city continually draws big-name performers
and shows with major star appeal, including
musicians like Elton John.
For information 800-240-9452
9
Energy Alley
Thanks to the hard work of city and community leaders and private/public
partnerships, downtown Montgomery is “alive after 5:00” once again.
drawing not only crowds, but other
businesses to The Alley.
It’s basic anatomy. With a heart that’s
barely beating, a body can’t function
properly. The same is true for places. In
every city that’s healthy, vibrant and alive,
its downtown area is thriving. A decade
ago in Montgomery, the city’s heart
was on life-support; after 5 p.m. and on
weekends, downtown was dead.
Then, in 2004, the Montgomery
Biscuits, the city’s new AA minor league
baseball team, played their first game.
At the same time, development of an
amphitheater and walkway along the
Alabama River at downtown’s edge
was well underway. The home run hit
by the baseball team helped bring the
Renaissance Hotel, and convention
center complex that opened in 2008.
But it was The Alley, a creative reuse of
30
an abandoned stretch of space between
buildings, that provided the burst of energy
that brought the city’s center back to life.
In its former life, The Alley was just
what its name says, an alley used
to transport goods from the nearby
railroad to a row of grocery warehouses.
Architect Mike Watson had purchased
a building on Commerce Street in 1982
right in the middle of those that frame
the wide lane. When the city asked him
to transform it into a pedestrian-only
space for shops, restaurants and bars,
he was more than ready and anchored
the design with his own establishment,
opening AlleyBAR on the ground floor
of his building in 2009. AlleyBAR
quickly became a major hot spot,
Upcoming events visitingmontgomery.com
Today, at The Alley’s main entrance, a
neon-lit, antique water tower welcomes
people from all over and of all ages to an
area that’s buzzing with activity morning,
noon and night. Jerry Kyser, another local
developer who had long owned property
downtown, brought Dreamland BBQ
and Central, a fine-dining restaurant to
the Alley area. Other Alley eateries serve
pizza, sandwiches and Mexican favorites.
Nightlife options, an art gallery, special
event venues and loft apartments round out
the mix. And there’s much more to come.
From a humble back road to the capital
city’s entertainment hub, The Alley
has come a long way, and it’s bringing
Montgomery right along with it.
PLAY
IT
COOL
What You Want To Do
Montgomery has almost limitless ways to entertain. Explore it all!
Riverwalk
Amphitheater
OMT
www.funontheriver.net
On My Trip is a cool new feature on
visitingmontgomery.com. While exploring the website
and all the city offers, OMT lets you easily bookmark
attractions, restaurants and more that you want to check out
once you get here. It’s a simple way to plan ahead and make
sure you get the most out of your time in Montgomery!
Coosa St, 36104
|355
334-625-2100
The Amphitheater, a sprawling
grassy area on the banks of the
Alabama River, is perfect for
picnics, concerts, movies,
plays, productions and more.
The Splash Pad offers a fountain of water for children to
play in and the surround sound
system provides crystal clear
quality for each event. Call for
schedule. Open Mon – Sun
dawn to dusk. D
Alabama Artists Gallery
Monroe St #110, 36104
|201
334-242-4076
www.arts.alabama.gov
This gallery provides an ongoing
showcase of the work of Alabama
artists in all media. Free admission.
Open Mon – Fri. D
Alabama Shakespeare
Festival
F. Scott and Zelda
Fitzgerald Museum
Felder Ave, 36106
|919
334-264-4222
www.fitzgeraldmuseum.net
Tour the home of literary legends F.
Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, where
they lived from October 1931
through April 1932. Admission
charge. Open Wed – Sun.
|
1045 E Fairview Ave, 36106 334-262-4858 Faulkner University
Dinner Theatre
Atlanta Hwy, 36109
|5345
334-386-7190
www.faulkner.edu/campuslife/dinnertheatre.asp
Enjoy Broadway-style family
entertainment in a Christian-based
atmosphere. Call or go online to
view upcoming shows and prices.
Call for schedule. Admission charge.
www.capritheatre.org
The Capri was built in 1941
and was Montgomery’s first
neighborhood theatre. It is located
in historic Old Cloverdale and
serves as Montgomery’s only
independent cinema. Admission
charge. Call for schedule.
32
Montgomery Performing
Arts Centre
Tallapoosa St, 36104
|201
334-481-5100
www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com
www.mpaconline.org
This popular attraction pays tribute
to one of the most revered and
loved country music writers and
performers. Most of Williams’
personal belongings are on display,
including the baby blue 1952 Cadillac in which Hank took his last ride.
September 2013 would have been
his 90th birthday. Admission charge.
Open Mon–Sun. D
Located in the heart of downtown as a part of the Renaissance
Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the
Convention Center complex, this
1,800-seat, state-of-the-art facility is
large enough for first-run Broadway shows, yet intimate enough
to view a wide variety of concerts,
operas, comedy acts, kids shows as
well as performances by local arts
groups. Admission charge. Call for
schedule. D
Hill Plaza, N Perry St, 36104
|Lister
A life-size statue of the famed
www.asf.net
Capri Theatre Commerce St, 36104
|118
334-262-3600
Hank Williams Statue
Festival Dr, 36117
|One
1-800-841-4ASF or 334-271-5353
Ranked one of the Top Ten largest
Shakespeare Theatres in the world,
this internationally acclaimed
theatre offers so much more, which
may be why it draws over 300,000
visitors from all over the globe each
year. ASF puts on a wide variety of
productions that all share one thing:
they are world-class. Admission
charge. Call for schedule. Open
Mon – Sun and performance nights.
Hank Williams
Museum
Hank Williams Memorial
Upper Wetumpka Rd, 36104
|1304
Legendary country music singer
Hank Williams’ final resting place
is located in Oakwood Cemetery
Annex. Free admission. Open Mon
– Sun dawn to dusk. D
Upcoming events visitingmontgomery.com
country music legend Hank
Williams stands across from the old
city auditorium, the site of many
of his performances as well as his
funeral. Free admission. Open
Mon – Sun dawn to dusk. D
Montgomery Museum
of Fine Arts
Museum Dr, 36117
|One
334-240-4333
www.mmfa.org
Its collection includes 19th and 20th
century American paintings,
Southern regional art, Old Master
prints and decorative art. It also
houses an interactive gallery
for children, ARTWORKS.
Free admission. Open Tue–Sun.
Troy University’s
Davis Theatre for the
Performing Arts
Montgomery St, 36104
|251
334-241-9567
http://montgomery.troy.edu/davistheatre/
The Davis Theatre has been
completely restored to its original
1930s look when it was the Paramount Movie House. Now affiliated
with Troy University, the annual
Subscriber Series is comprised of
touring productions of Broadway
shows to concerts. Admission
charge. Call for schedule. D
At The
Center of It All
Uncover the capital city’s pivotal role in two major moments in American history.
Photo by Jim Pepper
Photo Courtesy Alabama Department of Archives
Cradle of the Confederacy
Change Born of Courage
In the late 1850s, turmoil was brewing around slavery and states’
rights culminating in the Civil War. And it all officially began
in Montgomery. When the city was still only decades old, the
orders to fire the first shot and embark on the largest armed
conflict on American soil were signed and sent from the Winter
Building on Dexter Avenue. There’s no better place to delve into
Civil War history than in the city where Jefferson Davis, first and
only President of the Confederacy, was sworn in and resided.
One hundred years later, Montgomery’s story came full
circle. Proving a simple act can transform the world, Rosa
Parks’ display of quiet courage sparked the Bus Boycott
giving impetus to the Civil Rights Movement and making
Montgomery the epicenter of a groundbreaking societal
shift that would change our entire nation for the better.
The struggle reached its positive resolution when, in
1965, following a brutal attack that stopped a prior march,
marchers led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. set off from
Selma and marched along U.S. Hwy. 80 to the capital city.
They covered the 54 miles between Selma and Montgomery
in four days and gathered without incident in front of the
State Capitol. Not long after, President Lyndon Johnson
signed the Voting Rights Act
into law.
Home Base for Heritage
Montgomery makes a great home base for
exploring many important Civil Rights sites.
Montgomery to Selma: Much of the Civil Rights story
can be revisited in Montgomery. But even more can be
found along the National Civil Rights Trail, which links
Montgomery to nearby Selma. Once in Selma, tour
compelling sites like the National Voting Rights Museum
and Institute, the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church & King
Monument and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Montgomery to Tuskegee: A daytrip to Tuskegee offers a
glimpse of heroism at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Educational accomplishments are also honored
in Tuskegee at “The Oaks,” home of Booker T. Washington,
and at the George Washington Carver Museum.
Listen & Learn
Take advantage of The Civil Rights Audio Tour, a selfguided walking or driving tour of Montgomery’s Civil
Rights sites. The program includes information about
the places and people, featuring their voices. Visit the
Montgomery Area Visitor Center for tour information.
For information 800-240-9452
37
Downtown Map: Things to See & Do
17
15
COLUMBUS
DECATUR
19
HULL
A
OS
CO
A
OS
PO
MADISON
CE
ER
LA
L
TA
MADISON
13
14
EXIT CLAY ST.
TO DOWNTOWN
1
Montgomery Catering
AL Activity Center
MONROE
ON
LT
MO
MAXWELL BLVD.
Tucker
Pecan
JEFFERSON
T.
RS
E
AT
W
COURT
A
BAM
ALA
P5
R
RIVE
MM
CO
I-65 TO BIRMINGHAM
16
E
LE
PELHAM
BAINBRIDGE
HULL
PERRY
COURT
9
SAYRE
HALCOMBE
CAROLINE
GOLDTHWAITE
LAWRENCE
SCOTT
E
IL
OB
2
ALABAMA
SCOTT
M
First White House
of the Confederacy
ADAMS
ADAMS
ALABAMA
CLAYTON
10
HALL
11
3
HILLIARD
N
SO
IN
CH
UR
CH
MARTHA
6
JACKSON
ILK
20
WASHINGTON
MCDONOUGH
M
UNION
MA
TO
CA
OM
TG
8
RIPLEY
4
Y
ER
ON
5
DEXTER
W
HERRON ST.
7
18
DECATUR
BB
BI
CLAY ST.
I-65 TO MOBILE
HIGH
MILDRED
GROVE
12
SOUTH ST.
N
W
DAUBER
GALLERY
E
COURT ST. EXIT
MUSEUM
The Alley
Entertainment
District
UN
IO
NS
T. E
X
IT
I-85 TO ATLANTA
ARBA ST.
S
M
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Montgomery Area Visitor Center
Alabama Artist Gallery
Alabama Cattlemen’s
Association MOOseum
Alabama Department of
Archives & History
Alabama Judicial Building
Alabama State Capitol
Civil Rights Memorial & Center
Court Square Fountain
Dexter Avenue King
Memorial Baptist Church
Dexter Parsonage Museum
10. First White House of the Confederacy
11. Freedom Rides Museum
12. Hank Williams Museum
13. Hank Williams Statue
14. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre
15. Old Alabama Town
16. Riverboat – Harriott II
17. Riverwalk Amphitheater
18. Rosa Parks Library and Museum
19. St. John’s Episcopal Church
300 Water Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
334-261-1100 • VisitingMontgomery.com
Public Parking
Parks
20. Troy University’s Davis Theatre
For information 800-240-9452
47
Take Your
Trip Home
Fill your shopping bags with a few of these Montgomery-made items.
Berdeux’s specialty sauces,
available at The Stop at
Union Station
“Angel” paintings by artist
Donnie Sasser, available at
Two Blessings and The Stop
at Union Station
Wickles Pickles,
available at The Stop
at Union Station
Wicks ‘N Willow candles,
available at The Stop at
Union Station
“Alabama”
paintings by
artist Jamie
Mitchell,
available at
Two Blessings
Tucker Pecans,
available at Tucker
Pecans and The
Stop at Union
Station
Handmade Jenny Johnson jewelry,
available at hue studio, inc.
Custom-scented
Governors’ Mansion
candles, available
at The Governors’
Mansion Gift Shop
Handmade Anchor
and Daisy jewelry,
available at hue
studio, inc.
“Alabama Clay” pieces, available
at The Stop at Union Station
hue studio, inc., 501 Cloverdale Rd, 334-239-8884
The Stop at Union Station, 300 Water St, 334-261-1121 D
Tucker Pecans, 350 N McDonough St, 334-262-4470 D
The Governor’s Mansion Gift Shop, 30 Finley Ave, 334-241-8824
Two Blessings, 8127 Vaughn Rd, 334-647-1745
D - Downtown
56
Upcoming events visitingmontgomery.com
STAY
Cool
Southern Hospitality
Full-Service Hotels Meeting Your Needs
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel
& Spa at the Convention Center
201 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104 • 334-481-5000
www.renaissancemontgomery.com
The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa and the
adjacent Convention Center have brought much more
to downtown Montgomery than an impressive new
shadow on the skyline. Contemporary styling married with classic Southern hospitality combine with
the hotel’s long list of amenities. With 342 rooms,
ample and flexible meeting spaces, a European spa,
a restaurant, fitness center and more all in one place,
this AAA Four Diamond property is quickly becoming the premier destination for both business and
leisure travelers. The hotel offers a 14,000-squarefoot Grand Ballroom on the main level and provides
meeting space with 18 breakout rooms that total
14,000 square feet. The Convention Center has over
73,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space.
Embassy Suites Hotel
and Montgomery
Conference Center
300 Tallapoosa St
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-269-5055
www.embassysuitesmontgomery.com
Located in downtown Montgomery, Embassy Suites
Hotel and Montgomery Conference Center combines
an upscale, full-service, all-suite hotel with stellar
service and a diverse array of amenities. It is right
next to the Montgomery Area Visitor Center and the
Montgomery Convention Center. Only nine miles from
the Montgomery Regional Airport, Embassy Suites
offers complementary airport shuttles. Embassy Suites
has 15,000 square feet of meeting space including a
ballroom and breakout rooms. Celebrate a special event
or meeting for up to 1,000 guests in one of the hotel’s
versatile meeting rooms. Embassy Suites offers a fully
equipped BusinessLink™ business center. Enjoy all the
additional amenities including 2 room suites, and free
cook-to-order breakfast.
64
Upcoming events visitingmontgomery.com