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Summer fun at no cost: Eight free things to do in Montgomery
Does the idea of a fun day out and about sound great, right up until it hits your wallet? Worry not. The Montgomery Advertiser is offering eight free or cheap fun things for adults to do in the Montgomery area this summer.
Where: 1 Museum Drive
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Info: The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, located in Blount Cultural Park, is absolutely free to get in and view a variety of masterpieces — though they'll gladly accept a donation. The museum's permanent collection includes 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts. The museum offers tours, has a cafe, and frequently hosts live performances. Summer months ahead include several workshops and camps.
Online:
Contact: 334-625-4333
More: Summer festivals & fun in Montgomery that you've got to experience
While you're at MMFA, there's a gorgeous spot to enjoy a picnic lunch outdoor in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden.
Blount Cultural Park, including the area around nearby Alabama Shakespeare Festival, is also bursting with scenic picnic opportunities.
There are many more beautiful locations across the city as well where it's free to set up and enjoy a meal. You can see a big list of park areas online at
Montgomery is just packed with outdoor art displays, many of which reflect the people and history of the city.
One must-see is the Civil Rights Memorial, a granite fountain with the names of people who were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. It's in downtown Montgomery at 400 Washington Ave.
There are at least 24 murals to be seen downtown, midtown, and on the west side. A map to them is available at
There are statues across the city, including life size versions of Hank Williams, Rosa Parks, and many more.
If nature's your thing, Montgomery has. lot to offer on walking trails. There are at least 22 trails available to walkers in Montgomery's public parks. You can find them online at
Another amazing venue for this is Montgomery Whitewater. It's free to visit, and has multi-use trails set up for walking, running, and mountain biking. On the not-free side, if you want, you can book whitewater rafting adventures there or take to the trees in the ropes and zipline course. See more online at
More: Summer pool hours: Splash pads and swimming spots in the Montgomery area
Country legend Hank Williams was a young man on Montgomery's streets. He died at age 29 on New Year's Day 1953 in the back seat of his 1952 Cadillac while headed from Tennessee to a scheduled concert in Canton, Ohio. His all-too-short life created a legacy of country western music.
The city will celebrate what would have been Hank's 102nd birthday this summer with a music celebration on Sept. 13, 3 p.m. at the Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St. Tickets are on sale through the Hank Williams Museum — $35 for general admission, and $45 for VIP.
Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St.: This museum is dedicated to all things Hank, and along with a lot of memorabilia and imagery, it even has his blue Cadillac. You do have to get tickets to get in here: $15 for ages 18 and up, $5 for ages 15-17, $3 for ages 5-14, and ages 4 and younger are free.
But Montgomery is full of places you can visit to see where and how Hank lived — and most are free to go look at. How many places can you visit in a day?
Hank Williams statue, 216 Commerce St.: The 6-foot-2 bronze statue of Hank Williams stands at the intersection with Tallapoosa Street in front of the tunnel to Riverfront Park.
Empire Theater, 234 Montgomery St.: This is where a young Hank won a singing contest in 1937. The Empire is gone, and the Rosa Park Library and Museum sits where the theater once stood.
Jefferson Davis Hotel, WSFA radio, 344 Montgomery St.: When Hank was just a "singing kid" of around 13, he landed a gig singing live on WSFA radio (With the South's Finest Airport). It's a job he and his Drifting Cowboys would have there for several years,
Sidney Lanier High School, 1756 S. Court St.: This school, which closed down in 2024, is where 16-year-old Hank dropped out of school in October 1939 after a brief enrollment, opting to focus on his blossoming music career with the Drifting Cowboys.
Chris' Hot Dogs, 138 Dexter Ave.: This famous downtown hotdog and burger restaurant — which opened in 1917 and still operates today — is where Williams was known to frequent on late nights after gigs to sober up in a back booth.
Elite Café, 121 Montgomery St.: This is where Hank sang publicly for the last time on Dec. 28, 1952, while attending an American Federation of Musicians holiday party.
Municipal auditorium, 103 N. Perry St.: Where the City Council meets now is where thousands paid their final respects Sunday, Jan. 4, 1953, to Hank. They were inside and outside what was then called Municipal Auditorium.
Hank Williams Memorial & Gravesite, 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road in Oakwood Cemetery Annex: Hank's gravesite is a must-see for visiting Hank Fans. It's also the gravesite of Hank's first wife, Audrey − the mother of Hank Williams Jr.
Take a tour of the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Ave. It's a working museum of state history and politics, with offices for the governor and executive branch officers. Areas open to the public include the House of Representatives, Senate Chamber, Old Supreme Court Chamber and Library, and the Rotunda.
When: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Just across Adams Avenue at the Department of Archives and History you can dig into the state's past at the Museum of Alabama.
When: The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Admission for self-guided tours is free.
There's music playing nightly at spots across Montgomery. One of the most active places is The Exchange at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, 201 Tallapoosa St. They have music going 7 days a week, and most nights feature two music acts on their outdoor stage.
There are many bars, restaurants and other venues that host live music — though some may have a door charge. You can find them at
Another amazing source for live music that's absolutely free is Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Boulevard, which frequently hosts live music concerts. See what music is ahead this summer online at
One of the jewels of Montgomery is the stretch of the Alabama River at Riverfront Park, 355 Commerce St. The area includes Riverwalk Amphitheater, and hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. It's also home to the Harriott II Riverboat. It's a great place to visit toward the evening to watch a stunning sunset reflected on the water.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: See our picks for eight free things to do in Montgomery this summer
