Top Things to do in Alabama Mountain Lakes
Top Hotels in Alabama Mountain Lakes
- 1. Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville at the Space & Rocket Center
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Huntsville Research Park Area
- 3. Hampton Inn Decatur
- 4. Sleep Inn & Suites Huntsville Near U.S. Space & Rocket Center
- 5. Hampton Inn & Suites Athens-I-65 (Huntsville Area)
- 6. Hyatt Place Huntsville/Research Park
- 7. Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
- 8. Hampton Inn Huntsville / Village of Providence
- 9. Best Western Athens Inn
- 10. Hilton Garden Inn Huntsville/Space Center
Countries
10 Specialty Museums in Alabama Mountain Lakes That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Alabama Mountain Lakes, United States including Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, The Weeden House Museum and Garden, Denise Onwere Gallery, Historic Railroad Depot, Earl Peanutt Montgomery Music Museum, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library, Pope's Tavern, Fort Payne Depot Museum, Indian Mound & Museum.
Restaurants in Alabama Mountain Lakes
1. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 222 reviews
Our iconic recording studio opened in 1969 when studio musicians now known as The Swampers - David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett and Roger Hawkins - left FAME Studio and started their own operation. Fully restored to it's 1969 look thanks to a grant from Beats Electronics, the studio is open for tours and is once again a fully functioning recording studio at night. A wide array of merchandise is also available in store and online with new designs and the classic duds worn by Mick Jagger, Bog Seger, Willie Nelson, Linda Rondstadt, Rod Stewart etc. Tour guides start in the basement where the publishing offices were, proceed to the main studio and end in the gift shop of course! There are numerous Swamper sightings! Group tour rates are available and the studio is open to requests for special events and occasions like weddings and birthday bashes. We are not your typical hands-off museum. We encourage people to play the piano where Old Time Rock and Roll was recorded!
Reviewed By Robsski - Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
This studio has been turned into a much more tourist-friendly studio than FAME which is still very much as it was when Rick Hall set it up in the 60s. This is where the four session musicians known as The Swampers broke away from FAME & set up their own operation in 1969, creating a track for Cher and then many for record company chief Jerry Wexler. Over the years, true greats have recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio such as The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Simon, Bob Seger & Rod Stewart. The tour is well done with excerpts from the Muscle Shoals movie and plenty of pictures of the stones cutting Brown Sugar & Wild Horses. Truly memorable. Now go listen to all that music before you visit!
2. The Weeden House Museum and Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Built in 1819 (the same year Alabama became a state) the home is not only a source of fine 19th Century furnishings and Federal style architecture, but is also the home of poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. Howard Weeden was born in the house in 1846. Except for the Civil War years when Federal officers occupied the home, Howard spent her entire life in the home. She is known as being one of the first artists to paint African Americans true to life during the years following the Civil War. Guests enjoy a guided history tour which transports them to a bygone era learning about architecture, Weeden art and life in the Antebellum South. Since the home is furnished with antiques and original art that is accessible to visitors,tours are guided tours and last around an hour and 15 minutes. Tours are offered Wednesday-Saturday beginning at 10:30 AM or by appointment. Information at weedenhousemuseum.com
3. Denise Onwere Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
4. Historic Railroad Depot
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
This 1905 railroad depot has undergone a $2.5M restoration. Today one-half of the depot is a police station and the other half is a train museum containing original railroad materials as well as model electric trains(HO, O, and G Scale). An HO model train layout contains scale replicas of many Decatur facilities. A true gem.
Reviewed By F4738QCmiker - Madison, United States
The model railroads at the Decatur Union Depot have all been upgraded. New scale models of Decatur buildings/homes have been installed on the digital HO layout located in the old ticket office. A new outdoor G-Scale loop has been installed on the former passenger loading platform and a the Children's Christmas Layout now has two levels running O-Scale, G-Scale, and S-Scale trains that visiting children can run. The most recent addition to the Children's Layout is a third level running the Disney World Monorail.
5. Earl Peanutt Montgomery Music Museum
6. Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Museum honoring Alabama natives inducted into the Music Hall of Fame.
Reviewed By meaganb849
This museum was nicely laid out and very kid friendly. The woman working the front desk was very friendly and helpful. They had a scavenger hunt for the kids to do. There was a good variety of musicians and items on display. I think we were there maybe 2 hours doing the scavenger hunt and browsing the gift shop. I highly recommend.
7. W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Birthplace of the Father of the Blues.
Reviewed By SID1952 - Florence, United States
It is a very interesting museum with the unique history of W.C.Handy and the history of the blues singer. Clean and well kept museum
8. Pope's Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By joannep319
Pope’s Tavern ha been around for many years. It was a place for travelers to rest when headed west to Natchez or east to Nashville. It also served as a hospital during the Civil War. Today it is a museum showing the soldiers uniforms, both North and South, many artifacts of the war and some of the Indians living in this area many years ago. During the Spring one can visit on Frontier Day. AT this event they have weavers, dulcimer musicians, basket weaving, and other crafts to view and purchase. Great for kids of all ages!
9. Fort Payne Depot Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By bmclaren2011 - Fort Payne, United States
This is a piece of history. The structure is beautiful in design and the cooper roof is sweet. Much of Fort Payne's history is found inside this little gem and there is an old red caboose to tour.
10. Indian Mound & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is dedicated to the interpretation of the prehistoric culture of the Shoals area.
Reviewed By whitewater4 - Lookout Mountain, United States
Thank goodness the people of Florence saved this mound. The museum is fantastic with drawers full of Native American artifacts to view. Great, short film about the mound and the Native American in the area. The museum is new and plans to expand the exhibit. Walk to the top (quite a few steps to climb) and feel the presence of our ancestors.
