Location: Selma
Top Things to do in Selma
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Top 8 Budget-friendly Things to do in Selma, Alabama (AL)
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, in the Black Belt region of south central Alabama and extending to the west. Located on the banks of the Alabama River, the city has a population of 20,756 as of the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Selma
1. Brown Chapel AME Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Headquarters for the 1965 voting rights marches.
Reviewed By luv2travel19941953 - San Diego, United States
Given the history of this church in the Voting Rights Movement in the 1960s, it is incredibly moving just to stand there and look at it then sit on the steps, and feel the presence of MLK and so many brave and determined souls.
2. Old Depot Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
This museum documents the history of the region from before the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement.
Reviewed By JulieL994 - New Orleans, United States
I arrived to the Old Depot Museum without my credit card! The last store I was at in Selma was the "Queen City Market" and realized I must have left it at the register. Beth at the Old Depot Museum quickly called the store (she had the owners cell phone number) and her boyfriend Randy offered to go pick it up for me since I had a baby and stroller that takes awhile to load/unload. I browsed the museum and chatted with Beth while Randy went to pick up my credit card. The museum was wonderful and I highly recommend it, but the kindness that both Beth and Randy showed me today was remarkable. Talking to Beth was like chatting with a friend and I cannot express how much their help and kindness meant to me. The museum itself was well laid out with a local emphasis on Selma and Alabama, from the Civil War up to the more recent Civil Rights movements (a perfect way to spend MLK Day). I look forward to going back to this fabulous museum in the future and I hope you go to this museum the next time you're in Selma!
3. Selma to Montgomery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
It was on this stretch of U.S. 80 that protestors led by Martin Luther King marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, United States
Enjoyed driving the route from Selma interpretative center, walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and visiting the camp sites, the Lowndes County Interpretive Center, and to Montgomery. Don't miss some of the campsite stops in-between the two cities to keep the full story and experience.
4. Edmund Pettus Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Site of "Bloody Sunday" where more than 600 civil rights marchers on March 7, 1965 were attacked by state and local lawmen.
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, United States
We walked the bridge from the Selma side to honor the history of those that marched for civil rights. The bridge path itself is moderately wide, however, cars travel fast across it and exiting the bridge on the opposite side of the river is very narrow and tight next to the road. We paired it with a visit to the Selma interpretative center for the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and the civil rights park on the opposite side of the river.
5. Old Live Oak Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Gran7
How beautiful and serene is this cemetery draped in Spanish moss. This is one of the loveliest old cemeteries we have seen. It is worth a stroll through this gorgeous spot to convene with nature and history.
6. Selma Interpretive Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Trail767088 - Indianapolis, United States
The interpretive center is part of America’s National Park Service. The staff was really great here. Lots of history and information at your fingertips. Great book store/gift shop. We visited in 2/2021 and unfortunately exhibits were closed due to covid restrictions. Hope to go back in the future for the full experience.
7. National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Philip_Trewen - Shipley, United Kingdom
Most people have heard of and seen footage of the Civil Rights march from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL, and been horrified by the images of marchers being violently attacked with batons and tear gas. However, it is quite another thing to actually visit the site of the start of the protest. It was a blazing hot day, and we were greeted by a wonderful young man called Columbus, who is the curator of the Museum, and whose uncle was one of the marchers. Columbus told us that his uncle, who was injured during the clashes, only passed eight months ago. He then introduced us to George Sallie, who is 90, and was one of the marchers. He was injured during the violence, but has forgiven those who hurt him and his fellow protesters. The Museum is situated at the far end of the Edmund Pettus bridge and contains several displays paying tribute to the leaders of the march and another details the history of lynchings in Selma. It was a very moving experience and the National Voting Rights Museum is somewhere everyone should visit.
8. Museum of Slavery and Civil Rights
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By 280sylvesterj - Atlanta, United States
Every person must visit Awesome to see and read history Exhibits are wonderful If you're close to Selma, definitely worth the extra miles
