Gump Favorites
The Museum of Alabama
Across the street from Alabama's State Capitol, the Alabama Department of Archives & History presents a fascinating account of the history of the State of Alabama and the people who have shaped it. This is an underrated destination that we frequently recommend to out-of-town guests!
Montgomery Zoo
We love spending an afternoon walking around the zoo in the spring! The Montgomery Zoo cares for a wide variety of wildlife. Be sure to say hello to some of our favorite residents: the elephants, the pygmy hippos, the anteaters, and the capybaras.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Blount Cultural Park
The MMFA boasts a diverse collection of American art from the 18th Century to today. It is located at one corner of the Blount Cultural Park, a beautiful area where we often walk with Ruby on the weekends (and that was the site for our engagement photos)!
Capri Theatre
This movie theater in the heart of Montgomery's Old Cloverdale neighborhood first opened its doors in 1941. The Capri, now independently run, is Alabama's longest continually operating movie theater and an oasis for film nerds.
Civil Rights History in Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama was the site of many struggles, triumphs, and remarkable acts of heroism in the Civil Rights Movement. This history can be experienced throughout the City: - Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church: Dr. King preached here from 1954 to 1960, just steps from the State Capitol. -Rosa Parks Statute and Museum: A statue of Parks on Court Square commemorates the spot where she boarded a city bus on December 1, 1955. A few blocks down the road, at the site of her arrest for refusing to give up her seat, a museum honors her and documents the history of the Montgomery bus boycott. -Freedom Rides Museum: The Freedom Riders stopped at this bus station in May of 1961, confronting violent protesters with courage, in their efforts to make integrated public transportation a reality. -The Legacy Sites: The Equal Justice Initiative hosts museums, monuments, and art installations that commemorate valiance displayed, and violence confronted, in the fight for racial equality.
Historic Sites in Tuskegee
Located about 40 minutes from Montgomery, Tuskegee is a city that figures prominently in American and Southern history. Be sure to check out Moton Field, the site where the Tuskegee Airmen trained to fly during WWII.
Jordan-Hare Stadium
This living monument to mediocrity in sport sits less than an hour from Montgomery. For fine dining close-by, we recommend the Buc-ee's off of Exit 50. RTR ;-)