7 Things to Do in Calera That You Shouldn't Miss

November 8, 2017 Phylicia Berquist

Calera is a city in Shelby and Chilton counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the location of the Shelby County Airport. Calera's population was 3,158 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Calera

1. Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

1919 9th Street, Calera, AL 35040 +1 205-668-3435
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum provides railroad fun for all ages! Come view our displays in our depot museum, see our working signal display, and take a ride on our vintage rail cars!

Reviewed By MJGoldfarb - Tarpon Springs

Unfortunately I visited the museum on a Sunday - it was closed. However I was able to walk the grounds & get photographs of the equipment. I was very happy to see the Birmingham Southern ALCo under cover (a rare piece). Condition of the equipment ranges from "like new" to almost derelict (BUT it is saved from the scrapper.) The various types of different equipment was a pleasant surprise - and much of it is marked with an information plaque. I would like to ride the excursion if I am in the area again.
For the rail fan - there is a small SCX yard about a mile from the museum and the CSX mainline runs though town,

2. Orr Park

Park Drive, Montevallo, AL 35115 +1 205-665-9205
Excellent
68%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Orr Park

Reviewed By CWH3 - Philadelphia

This was something I saw on roadsideamerica.com, and decided to make it a stopping point on my drive from Montgomery, Alabama, to Nashville, Tennessee. I was glad I made the trip! It wasn't terribly far from the highway, and the carvings are quite interesting and well preserved. The artist knew how to turn lemons into lemonade, so to speak. It looks like a nice park for the family, including a playground and restrooms.

3. Ozan Winery & Cellars

173 Highway 301, Calera, AL 35040-5440 +1 205-668-6926
Excellent
55%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 45 reviews

Ozan Winery & Cellars

"If you're pressed for time and can only visit one winery in Alabama, Ozan is a good choice." - WineTrailsUSA Ozan is Alabama's Destination Winery featuring wine tasting and tours at I-65 Exit 228 - A relaxed Alabama winery near many Birmingham attractions and a perfect Alabama wine stop! With an expanded food menu. And don't forget the wine and train excursions!

Reviewed By photogirl70 - Alabama

Rude people. Me and my friend arrived about ten minutes early and apparently there were not ready. They were still trying to get stuff set up I just told us to go have a seat at the table and wait. Very unorganized and unprofessional. We spoke to the man that owns the place and asked him a question as to where else in the state of Alabama is the wine sold in stores and he would never answer us. We asked three times and he went around and around the question without an answer. When we finally did get a chance to sample the wine there were so much sediment in the bottom it was sour. He apologized but it wasn't a very good first impression on their wine. Not to mention the fact that I have been to 90% of the vineyards on the Alabama wine trail and this is the only place that charged you to taste the wine . I will not be going back. Too many other reputable family vineyards in Alabama to support.

4. American Village Citizenship Trust

3727 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL 35115
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 31 reviews

American Village Citizenship Trust

The American Village builds good citizens on the cornerstone of liberty. The American Village is a nationally-pioneering classroom and American history and civics education center that engages and inspires 35,000-40,000 students annually from Alabama and Southeastern states in experience-based academic programs related to American history, civics and government. Students “step into history” and discover the power and drama of America’s journey for independence, liberty, and self-government. The American Village is embarked on a journey to expand the number of students served on-campus to 100,000 each year, drawing school and youth groups from throughout the Nation. On the cornerstone of liberty, the American Village educates and inspires young people to: Know America’s history — the stories of our country’s legacy of liberty and those in every generation who have secured it Cherish the ideals of liberty — the founding principles on which our Nation, the Constitution, institutions of American self-government, and our civic responsibilities are based Serve our country as good citizens and leaders — all as stewards of liberty Remembering the Price of Liberty The timeless lesson of liberty is that freedom is not free. The American Village tells the compelling stories of not only America’s legacy of liberty, but of those in every generation who have served and sacrificed for that cause. Adjoining the hallowed ground of the Alabama National Cemetary, which will become the final resting place for almost 200,000 veterans, the American Village has been designated by public law as the Veterans Living Legacy. This campus is dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and their service and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. The American Village is preparing to engage and inspire 150,000 visitors each year to remember and honor our veterans and active military. The National Veterans Shrine uses multimedia to engage visitors in the stories of liberty and sacrifice, from generation to generation. It houses the Veterans Register of Honor which presents the names, photographs, and biographies of tens of thousands of veterans, living and dead, who have served our country. The Freedom Trail includes a replica of Concord's Old North Bridge, evoking the "shot heard 'round the world" and will include a Field of Honor representing soils taken from the blood-stained battlefields where brave Americans have served their country and the cause of freedom. The Trail will enable young and old alike to experience America’s journey for independence and freedom, especially remembering the cost of liberty. It will serve as an interpretive gateway adjoining the 490-acre National Veterans Cemetery, truly transforming these consecrated places into the “Arlington of the Southeast.” Cherishing the Constitution and America’s Charters of Freedom Our country faces growing national amnesia of the constitutional foundations of our freedom and self-government. On most school days at the American Village students step into roles as delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. They discover a remarkable document that begins with the words "We the People..." They gaze at the "Rising Sun Chair" and perhaps realize that individually as citizens and leaders they will help decide whether the sun is still a rising sun for our country. The American Village aims to broaden and enhance the impact of its programs based on the Constitution and America's Charters of Freedom. The centerpiece of this facility and educational program expansion will be Independence Hall and Congress Hall Classrooms. Inspired by America's Independence Hall and adjoining Congress Hall of Philadelphia, the American Village's expansion will be an extraordinary setting for both student and public programs with a compelling focus on America's great Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence The United States Constitution The Bill of Rights These documents are more than historic relics on old parchment. They represent what Jefferson called "the creed of our political faith; the text of civic instruction." They remain our Nation's fundamental principles that "secure the blessings of liberty" to this and future generations.

Reviewed By kilr0ywashere - Georgetown, Florida

The American Village is an interesting sort of project, built to ensure school children around the region have a place to go to learn first-hand about the foundations of American democracy. It's the sort of field trip elementary school children could take to Williamsburg, Virginia,...MoreThank you for your kind review! We hope you come back soon. Don't miss our Independence Day 1776 event on July 4th - it's the biggest red, white and blue birthday party in Alabama!

5. Alabama National Cemetery

3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115-8632 +1 205-665-9039
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Alabama National Cemetery

Reviewed By Anne M - Hendersonville, North Carolina

I have seen pictures of National Cemeteries at Christmastime, but so glad we could visit one at this special time of year to see a wreath placed at every grave. It is a beautiful.

6. Limestone Park

2400 Us-31, Alabaster, AL 35007
Excellent
25%
Good
75%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Limestone Park

Reviewed By JustAnotherPhotog - Alabama

A hidden biodiversity hot spot. Part of the Alabama Birding Trails system, Limestone Park is a mixed use facility on the edge of a water tupelo swamp. When you first drive in it looks like a lot of nothing but slow down and take a moment and you'll start to see what is there.

Over 288 species of animal and plant life have been catalogued so far at the park, including locally rare species like Bald Eagle, Osprey, Sandhill Crane, and Anhinga.

There is a wheelchair accessible birding platform to the right side of the park and a road that you can take to two marsh areas on the left (this is near the police firing range so do not be alarmed if you hear a gunshot when they are training). On the far side of the central pond is an RC airplane airfield.

7. Hillsboro Trail

Shelby County, at Montevallo, Helena, AL
Excellent
25%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 4 reviews

Hillsboro Trail

Reviewed By PennyW5 - Helena, Alabama

If you want a wonderful shaded walk, travel to Hillsboro Trail. It is worth the walk or bicycle ride! You won't be disappointed.

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