Things to Do With One Day in Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama, is an essential piece of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. This is a powerful place, and visits here reward those who take an honest approach to travel in the region. 

When we educate ourselves about our history, that’s when we can honestly learn from it.  

For us, this was one of the most moving places we visited on our travels in the South. If you only have one day in Montgomery, that’s enough to get a feel for the Alabama town and why it’s become a pilgrimage for so many.

It’s also a lively place, family-friendly, with delicious food to boot. 

Is Montgomery worth visiting?

Montgomery is worth visiting as a center of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The city does an excellent job of confronting its past and presenting visitors with opportunities to learn about a difficult history.

It also has a high level of Southern hospitality that will make anyone feel welcome here. 

How to Spend One Day in Montgomery

You can spend a day in Montgomery like this:

• Tour The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration.
• Learn more at the Rosa Parks Museum.
• Take a somber walk through The National Memorial for Peace and Justice.
• Eat lunch at Dreamland Bar-B-Que. 
• Stroll Riverfront Park.
• Tour The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum.
• Visit the Alabama State Capitol.
• Pause at the memorial at the Civil Rights Memorial Center.
• Stop by the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.
• Grab dinner at Central.

One Day in Montgomery

As you plan your day in Montgomery, pay attention to museum hours. We missed out on a few things due to a lack of planning as if I was trying to prove that I’m truly regular. You may just be better than that.

Stop 1: The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration

We’ve visited numerous sites dedicated to the plight of Black people in the United States. This museum, an effort from the Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative, is by far both the most extensive and the most honest. 

Note: Even its placement is purposeful. The museum sits just blocks away from what was once a large slave auction space.

The Legacy Museum is a comprehensive history of slavery and its ramifications. You’ll see exhibits on the transatlantic slave trade, the domestic slave trade, the Reconstruction era, and Jim Crow laws. 

You’ll be taken to the modern day with exhibits that show the over-incarceration of Black people in this country, barriers to voting rights, and continued racial segregation.

You could easily spend three hours or more at this place, and despite the heavy content, it’s meant to be interactive. 

Stations throughout offer testimony from enslaved individuals and incarcerated men and women. Several theaters throughout play footage from the time periods described. You’ll certainly learn things that may shock you.

For example, it wasn’t until the year 2000 that Alabama finally got rid of its laws against interracial marriage. It was the last state to do so.

A reflection room at the end of your visit is dedicated to people who have fought for the cause of Black rights. Many of these activists gave their lives to that cause. It’s a powerful statement.

Tickets are available online ahead of your visit if you’re visiting during a busy travel time, but we had no trouble walking up and purchasing passes upon arrival. 

Stop 2: Rosa Parks Library and Museum

This museum at downtown Montgomery’s Troy University sits at the site where Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white bus rider in 1955. 

Artifacts include her original arrest record, a city bus from that era, and a restored station wagon used to transport protestors to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

Fun fact: You can make a quick visit to the Rosa Parks Bus Stop while you’re here. While there, read a historical marker that details not only where she boarded, but the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Pre-bookings aren’t required for your visit, but check the website before you go. This one closes down sometimes due to persistent staffing shortages. Free parking is available at any of the nearby Troy University lots.

Alternative Stop 2: Dexter Parsonage Museum

This one was also closed during our visit, but you can visit the site from the outside on a quick stop. This is where Martin Luther King, Jr., lived in the 1950s.

You can still see obvious bomb damage on the porch from several attempts at his life during that time period.

Hours are limited at this one. If it’s a priority for you, move some things around in your Montgomery itinerary to make a tour happen. During our stay, it was only open from 10am-4pm on Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment only on other days. 

Unfortunately, I never got a response to my appointment request to make it happen for us, so give yourself some lead time if your trip ideas include this one.

READ MORE: Planning a road trip in the region? Use my guide to the American South to make it happen.

Stop 3: The National Memorial for Peace and Justice

Use the same ticket you purchased for The Legacy Museum to see this moving memorial. Walk through a display of pillars for every county in the country with a documented lynching. Read about the victims who lost their lives to racism. 

Think about how far we’ve come since then but also how far we have yet to go. 

Stop 4: Lunch

Return to where you started at the Legacy Museum and the Alley entertainment district for lunch at Dreamland Bar-B-Que. 

Fun fact: The Southern chain was started in Tuscaloosa by “Big Daddy” John Bishop, a born-and-raised Alabaman who worked as a brick mason before opening his first rib joint.

While it’s a franchise today, it’s still one of the best spots for ribs, smoked meats, and banana pudding in the region. This is Southern living at its finest.

The spot near the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium is the most popular in Montgomery, but there’s another location on Vaughn Road if you want less of a wait.

READ MORE: If you love barbecue, you’ll want to put Memphis at the top of your list!

Not interested in barbecue? I’m sorry. You’re not out of luck, though. Here are a few more delicious spots in town:

• Capitol Oyster Bar: This waterfront eatery thankfully serves up more than oysters. (I like to call them “boogers of the sea.”) Fish platters, fried shrimp, and frog legs await on their seafood-heavy menu. They also host live music at dinner.
• Chappy’s Deli: If you’re limited in time and don’t need a sit-down meal, Reubens are always good. Their Perry Hill location is the most popular, but there are additional delis on Vaughn Road and South Boulevard. 
• Sushi Cafe: I promise you can get good sushi in Montgomery. It’s likely more affordable than big-city sushi, too. Order any of their generous lunch specials to see what I mean.

Stop 5: Riverfront Park

Walk off that grub a bit at the Montgomery Riverfront Park, a hub for activity in the city. If you’re here for more than a day, this is where you’d catch the Harriott II Riverboat.

Sunny weekends might mean live music, too, but the Riverwalk itself is a nice place to get some steps in. 

If you love a great open space, Blount Cultural Park is one of the most scenic places in Montgomery. The open space close to the fine arts museum offers a little change of pace for Montgomery visitors. If you’re visiting with your pup, check out the dog park here.

Stop 6: The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

Visit The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum for a glimpse into the home they lived in together for a year in the 1930s. Despite that limited history, the museum is the only surviving home they shared. 

It’s dedicated to memorabilia, their art, and a modest exhibit that includes suits worn by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby. Visits are free, although they suggest a modest donation per person.

The top two apartments are listed on Airbnb if you’re feeling spendy. 

Note: If you’re a big Fitzgerald fan and worried about the limited hours at this one, it may make more sense to start your day here. On days of operation, the museum closes at 3pm. It’s not a long visit, but you don’t want to be shut out if it’s something you’ve looked forward to.

Stop 7: Alabama State Capitol

Visit Alabama’s capitol building for its impressive dome and manicured green spaces. You can visit inside for free during operating hours. Guided tours are only available for groups of 15 or more.

You’ll be close to the First White House of the Confederacy while you’re exploring the Alabama State Capitol area. I’d recommend a quick look if only to smile about how modest it was. 

I hope Jefferson Davis can hear me somehow, to be honest.

With more time, you’re also close to the Alabama Department of Archives and History from here. This is the home of the Alabama state archives (obviously) and the Alabama Museum.

Visit for an overview of Alabama history and exhibits about The First Alabamians. Say that 10 times fast.

Stop 8: Civil Rights Memorial Center

The center itself was closed when we were there, but I’m including it here for the memorial out front.

Pause for a few minutes to read through a timeline of important Civil Rights Movement moments, including information about those who died for the cause.

Stop 9: Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church

This church served as a meeting place and planning hub for the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) during the civil rights movement. This was also the first place Martin Luther King, Jr., served as pastor. A plaque out front is worth a look.

You can spend a full day just looking at the historical markers in Montgomery, honestly. 

We caught the birthplace of Nat King Cole across from the Alabama State University football stadium entirely by accident.

The Alabama Historical Commission does a great job of updating historical markers throughout the city for visitors interested in self-guided tours of the area. 

Stop 10: Dinner

Montgomery is a great eating town. Reward yourself for a busy day with another delicious meal at one of the city’s best restaurants. Here are a few:

• Central: This one bills itself as “upscale casual,” but prices lean more toward special occasion dining. Expect regionally sourced plates like crispy skin duck and seared scallops with seasonal flavors. Reservations are recommended via Resy.
• SaZa Serious Italian Food: It wouldn’t be a food list around here without pizza. This is your best bet for ‘za in the city. They have a full pasta menu, too, but that’d mean you’re not trying Grandma’s Pizza.
• Vintage Year: This is another fancy option for date nights. If you’re here on a Tuesday, they host a burger night featuring ingredients like wagyu beef, herbed goat cheese, and peppered bacon. Make reservations online.

With More Time in Montgomery

One day is enough for everything I’ve mentioned here if you dedicate a full day to Montgomery, but there’s certainly more to do here with more time. Here are a few alternatives if you’re here for the weekend or more:

• Hank Williams Museum: See a comprehensive collection of items that belonged to Hank Williams. You’ll also learn a detailed history of his trajectory from his first song to becoming a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry.
• Freedom Rides Museum: This was closed during our trip. Visit the revamped Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station to learn more about the Freedom Riders and the attack on participants at this site in 1961.
• Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts: This art museum is modest but completely free. Enjoy over 4,000 works of art by American artists from the 18th to 21st centuries. Don’t miss the sculpture garden outside if it’s a nice day.
• Wright Brothers Park: See a full-scale replica of the Wright Flyer, the first airplane invented (and flown!) by Orville and Wilbur Wright. Enjoy views of the Alabama River while you’re there.
• Old Alabama Town: This is one of those living history experiences that allows you to see how Alabamians lived back in the day. Visit Thursday-Saturday to see buildings that include the Lucas Tavern, the oldest building in Montgomery.
• Montgomery Performing Arts Centre: If you’re not here for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (more on that in a minute), this venue is your hub for live theater in Montgomery.
• Alabama Shakespeare Festival: This festival is one of the largest Shakespeare fests in the entire world. You don’t need to visit during a specific time, either. The festival hosts anywhere from six to nine productions each year.
• Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum: If you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Montgomery, the zoo should top your list. It’s also open daily, which I can’t say about much else in this town.
• The MOOseum: This one just isn’t up my alley, but if you’re traveling with the littles they may be into it. You’ll learn about cattle farming and cowboy heritage and how beef gets onto your plate. Nope, not joking!

If you’re here to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, I’d also highly recommend a trip to nearby Selma while you’re here. You can get there in less than an hour. Use my Selma guide to help you plan your day.

Safety in Montgomery

As with most American cities, Montgomery has a mix of safe areas and neighborhoods with higher crime rates. That said, it doesn’t even crack the top ten most dangerous cities in Alabama. (You can read into that if you’d like. I won’t here.)

Generally, downtown Montgomery and areas around the more popular attractions are considered safe, but common-sense precautions apply. Don’t flash valuables and leave things out of sight in your rental car. After dark, stick to well-populated, well-lit areas.

If you’re staying overnight, choose accommodations close to things you’d like to do.

Where to Stay in Montgomery

There are a variety of hotels in Montgomery across all price points if you want to call the city home for a few days.

We stayed at the Drury Inn & Suites Montgomery on a quick trip there. It boasts a great location and a comfy price that makes this one a good option for budget travelers like us.

Use the map below to check out more options:

Montgomery is an important place to visit.

Montgomery museums offer an honest portrayal of not only the Civil Rights Movement but the lasting struggles of people of color in this country.

I’d highly recommend that everyone experience Montgomery as an essential stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. That’s especially true if you have questions about what happened in America during that time.

The things I’ve read on reviews of Montgomery attractions suggests we have so much learning to do.

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