Visitors can explore several levels of Alabama history in the state's capitol building, which jukes between Greek revival and beaux-arts influences. The free, self-guided tour is quietly educational, if a little underwhelming. Be on the lookout for an enormous, gaudy Confederate memorial on the north side of the capitol building; after spending a day visiting sites seminal to the Civil Rights movement, the dichotomy of viewing this structure is a little jarring.
Alabama State Capitol
Alabama
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
National Memorial for Peace & Justice
0.81 MILES
Stark and harrowing in its simplicity, this memorial stands in honor of 4400 African American victims of lynching. Great rectangular steel slabs, each the…
0.42 MILES
The home of Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King has been frozen in time, a snapshot of a mid-century home complete with Mad Men–era furniture,…
0.6 MILES
This museum, a companion to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, artfully explains the roots of institutionalized racism in the USA, and…
0.19 MILES
With its circular design crafted by Maya Lin, this haunting memorial focuses on 40 martyrs of the Civil Rights movement. Some cases remain unsolved…
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church
0.13 MILES
Martin Luther King Jr had only recently presided over the congregation at this church when he was chosen to lead the Montgomery bus boycott – precisely…
0.64 MILES
In 1955, activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the whites only section of a public bus. This museum, set in front of the bus stop where Mrs…
Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
1.41 MILES
The writers' home from 1931 to 1932 now houses first editions, translations and original artwork by Zelda from her sad last days when she was committed to…
Lowndes County Interpretive Center
26.13 MILES
Marking the rough halfway point on the marching route between Selma and Montgomery, this center presents small, solid exhibitions that delve into the…
Nearby Alabama attractions
1. Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church
0.13 MILES
Martin Luther King Jr had only recently presided over the congregation at this church when he was chosen to lead the Montgomery bus boycott – precisely…
2. Civil Rights Memorial Center
0.19 MILES
With its circular design crafted by Maya Lin, this haunting memorial focuses on 40 martyrs of the Civil Rights movement. Some cases remain unsolved…
0.42 MILES
The home of Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King has been frozen in time, a snapshot of a mid-century home complete with Mad Men–era furniture,…
0.6 MILES
This museum, a companion to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, artfully explains the roots of institutionalized racism in the USA, and…
0.61 MILES
Few artists have influenced a genre like Hank Williams has impacted country music. This small museum, located in the heart of downtown Montgomery, is…
0.64 MILES
In 1955, activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the whites only section of a public bus. This museum, set in front of the bus stop where Mrs…
0.78 MILES
Montgomery's pleasant Riverfront park area consists of an extended plaza along a bend in the river with a natural amphitheater and a riverboat dock. It's…
8. National Memorial for Peace & Justice
0.81 MILES
Stark and harrowing in its simplicity, this memorial stands in honor of 4400 African American victims of lynching. Great rectangular steel slabs, each the…