Attractions Nearby Montgomery, Day Trips and Excursions

(Montgomery, Alabama - AL, USA)

Well-placed to explore the attractions of southern Alabama, the city of Montgomery lies a little to the south of the state's central region. Worth considering are day trips to the surrounding towns, cities and state parks, such as the Paul M. Grist State Park to the northwest.

Excursions are made all the more easy thanks to the presence of several prominent interstates and highways. If you are in Montgomery and have invested in a hire car for the duration of your vacation, then consider trips to Birmingham to the north, Atlanta to the northeast and Columbus to the east.

The attractions of Birmingham are easy to reach in just over an hour and a half, with Interstate I-65 leading all the way to this sizeable city - the biggest in the whole of Alabama. Day trippers can expect plenty for all the family, with highlights including the animals at Birmingham Zoo, the water slides at the Visionland Theme Land and the plentiful masterpieces at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

General Information

Atlanta is rather further afield, at just over 160 miles / 257 km to the northeast of Montgomery, and is reached by taking Interstate I-85. Best suited to longer excursions and weekend breaks, Atlanta is brimming with must-see attractions, such as the Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum of Art, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park, the World of Coca-Cola and Zoo Atlanta, amongst many others.

Much closer to home, the small town of Selma is located just over an hour to the west of Montgomery and lies along the banks of the Alabama River. It is the town's rich history that makes a visit interesting, with its Civil Rights movement in the 1960s being remembered, especially the Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965 (Bloody Sunday).

There are a few interesting sights to see and attractions to enjoy in Selma, with the Brown Chapel A. M. E. Church being worth looking out for and now listed as a National Historic Monument. Visits to both the National Voting Rights Museum and the Sturdivant Hall are recommended, as is joining the Martin Luther King Jr. Street Historic Walking Tour and strolling around the beautiful historic district.

The small town of Greenville is a little more than 40 miles / 64 km to the southwest of Montgomery. Also often referred to as Camellia City, Greenville was established in 1819 and is known for its attractive buildings. The Sherling Lake Park and Campground offers numerous waterfront camping sites, while the Ritz Theater stages local community plays. Interestingly, Greenville was used as a prominent setting for the 2002 hit movie Sweet Home Alabama, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Head further south of Montgomery and you will reach the sunny northern portion of Florida. Coastal attractions here are just over three hours away and include Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Pensacola and Santa Rosa Beach.