Few cities have played as pivotal a role in U.S. history as Montgomery, Ala.
From its time as the first capital city of the Confederacy to being the center of crucial protests in the Civil Rights Movement, this southern destination has hosted many of the country’s meaningful moments. While history buffs will get more than their fill of thoughtfully curated museums and monuments, Montgomery is also appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and art afficionados. Above all, the city is a must for travelers looking to expand their understanding of the foundations of the U.S.
Where to Eat in Montgomery
Stop for a meal at Chris' Famous Hotdogs, one of Montgomery’s oldest eateries. Opened by Greek immigrants in 1917, this old-school diner has welcomed everyone from writer F. Scott Fitzgerald to musician Elvis Presley for burgers and dogs with special sauce. Filet & Vine is another favorite, perfect for a quick and hearty breakfast. This restaurant looks like a wine store and mini market (because it is), but you’ll also find a buffet of southern breakfast foods, including biscuits and Conecuh sausage, a local favorite.
Meanwhile, Capitol Oyster Bar is one of the city’s best-kept secrets, serving up fresh seafood with views of the Alabama River. For upscale dining, Central has a rotating menu that uses local and seasonal ingredients to put a sophisticated spin on comfort food. Think crab fried rice and hot honey chicken, prepared in an open kitchen.
Springhill Suites Montgomery Downtown has an urban-chic vibe.
Credit: 2021 Springhill Suites by Marriott Montgomery DowntownBook a Stay at the Springhill Suites by Marriott Montgomery Downtown
In historic downtown, Springhill Suites by Marriott Montgomery Downtown taps into its location inside an early 1900s warehouse. Renovations kept the high vaulted ceilings, iron beams and exposed brick of the original structure, adding modern lighting and other touches that accentuate the hotel’s unique charm.
In the atrium, guests will also find artifacts on display, telling the story of the building’s humble beginnings and decades of use as a furniture store. Each of the 105 accommodations at this all-suite property has a different layout, but clients can expect soaring ceilings, large windows letting in the natural light and more exposed brick in this urban-chic setting.
An exhibit at the Rosa Parks Museum
Credit: 2021 Montgomery Area Chamber of CommerceExplore Montgomery's History and the Great Outdoors
At the Rosa Parks Museum, a series of engaging multimedia exhibits tell the story of how the icon sparked a 381-day bus boycott. Meanwhile, the Freedom Rides Museum offers a thought-provoking experience with just the colors of its floor tiles, marking the two sides of this once segregated former Greyhound bus station.
One of Montgomery’s newest attractions is perhaps its most powerful: The Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. This solemn memorial commemorates the more than 4,000 documented victims of lynching throughout the U.S., while the interactive museum details the connections between slavery and modern mass incarceration.
For a break from history, clients can visit the expansive Blount Cultural Park, where there are walking trails, duck ponds, a professional performing arts theater and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Outdoor enthusiasts can rent pontoon boats for a self-guided trip down the Alabama River or hop on a Sip-n-Cycle tour for drinking and bike pedaling, while someone else pilots the boat.
