Travel and Explore Montgomery, AL!

Montgomery, AL Montgomery is the capital of Alabama and was named for a Revolutionary War hero, General Richard Montgomery and was founded in 1819. During the Civil War Alabama seceded from the Union and Jefferson Davis became the president of the new Confederate States of America. And the orders to attack Fort Sumter and signal the begiining of the Civil War was sent from Montgomery. For a short time, Montgomery was the headquarters for the Confederacy. After the war, Montgomery had the countrys, first electric streetcar and the first school for flights and Aviation Heros Orville and Wilbur Wright conducted the first night flights here in 1910. The site of the aviation history is now Maxwell Air Force Base. Dr. Martin Luther King began his career here and assumed the leading role in the Civil Rights movement. The area is rich in Civil War history and contains the first "White House of the Confederacy" and contains many items that belonged to Jefferson Davis and many Civil War artifacts and also the Civil Rights Memorial with many things relateing to Martin Luther King. Before the Civil War Montgomery was a cotton market and a transportation center. Today, it is one of the largest livestock markets and dairy centers in the southeast. The development of hydroelectric power has speeded up manufacturing growth in the city. One of the main product amnufactired here is Victorian Style furniture. Main attractions also include the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the Alabam Judicial Building, the Alabama Science Center, Alabama War Memorial, Jasmine Hill Gardens & Outdoor Museum, the Montgomery Zoo and many other attractions relating to Cival War Era and Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. There are also a number of art galleries and museums and many festivals are held here each year. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival season runs mid November to late August with evening performances held Tuesday through Thursday and weekend matinees are also held. There are also many fine malls and restaraunts and lodging available. Among annual activities include the AUMfest welcomes students bac to campus in the fall with a day of picnicing, and the world-famous Mardi Gras includes the "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler," complete with fireworks, food, music and children's amusements. The Theatre AUM is a season of productions to include drama to musical comedy. The Hank Williams Memorial is the final resting place of the famous singer Hank Williams complete with a life-size statue. The Montgomery Motor Speedway is a place where local, state and regional drivers compete in NASCAR stockcar racing; The Montgomery Motorsports Park offers year-round drag racing for racing fans; Music lovers can enjoy the Montgomery Symphony Orgestra that presents a classical, holiday and pop concerts as well as children's programs and outdoor pop concerts. For ballet lovers, the Mongomery Ballet is central Alabama's combination of professional ballet company and youth instruction, with annual performances that include the famous "Performance on the Green", and the famous" Nutcracker." A fall concert is also held called "Ballet and Beasts" at the Montgomery Zoo. There are also some 80 city parks to enjoy. The famous Montgomery Musuem of Fine Arts include artists such as John Singer Sargent and Robert Henry, James McNeill Whistler and Thomas Hart Benton as well as European artists from the 15th to 18th centuries. The Montgomery Zoo includes over 600 birds, mammels and reptile from all over the world, including endangered species. There is a little something for everyone's taste in this city, rich in Civil War and Civil Rights Movements artifacts and history.  Alabama Shakespeare Festival  State Theatre, 1 festival Dr.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334)271-5353 or (800)841-4273  The festival offers classical and contemporary plays performed by professionals in two theaters.  Alabama State Capitol  Capitol (Goat) Hill, end of Dexter Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334)242-3935 or (800)252-2262  The capitol dates back to 1851 and resembles the U.S. Capitol.  Alabama War Memorial  corner of Jackson and Monroe Sts.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 262-6638  The memorial is dedicated to the Alabamians who fought in American wars.  Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church  454 Dexter Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 263-3970  The church had Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for its pastor from 1954 to 1960.  First White House of the Confederacy  664 Washington Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 242-1861  The house was home to Jefferson Davis and his family when Montgomery was the Confederate capital.  Jasmine Hall Gardens and Outdoor Museum  Jasmine Hill Rd., following signs  Montgomery  Alabama  (334)567-6463 or 263-1440  The center has flowers bloom all year around in the 17-acre garden and there is art all around.  Montgomery Area Chamber of commerce  401 Madison Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 240-9455    Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts  Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, off Woodmere Blvd.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 244-5700  The art museum focuses on an art collection of American art.  Montgomery Zoo  North Blvd.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 240-4900  The zoo contains about 600 animals from around the world.  Old Alabama Town  310 N. Hull St.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 240-4500  The town is a collection of various 19th-century buildings.  Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum  919 Felder Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 264-4222  The museum contains some of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's things and there is a videotape presentation of their lives.  St. John's Episcopal Church  113 Madison Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 262-1937  This 1834 church is the oldest Episcopal church in the city.  State Archives and History Museum  624 Washington Ave.  Montgomery  Alabama  (334) 242-4363  The museum presents the development of Alabama through American Indian and pioneer artifacts.