Black AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Black, Alabama.
1. 16th Street Baptist Church
HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS LANDMARK
The 16th Street Baptist Church is a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and the site of a tragic 1963 bombing that killed four young girls. The church continues to serve as both an active place of worship and a significant historical landmark that attracts visitors from around the world. Its stunning architecture and powerful exhibits tell the story of resilience and the struggle for equality.
2. Edmund Pettus Bridge
BLOODY SUNDAY HISTORIC SITE
The Edmund Pettus Bridge was the site of the infamous 'Bloody Sunday' march in 1965, a pivotal moment in voting rights history. Visitors can walk across this National Historic Landmark that served as the backdrop for one of the most significant demonstrations of the Civil Rights Movement. The annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee held each March commemorates the historic Selma to Montgomery marches.
3. Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
PIONEERING BLACK AVIATORS
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site honors the first Black military pilots in the United States who served during World War II. The site features Hangar One with flight simulators, original uniforms, and interpretive presentations that tell the story of these brave men who fought discrimination while serving their country. Their legacy of excellence and determination helped pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military.
4. Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site
EDUCATIONAL LEGACY LANDMARK
The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site preserves the legacy of Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver on the campus of the historic Black university. Visitors can tour The Oaks, Booker T. Washington's home, and explore the Carver Museum showcasing the scientist's groundbreaking agricultural innovations. The sprawling campus continues Washington's vision of providing quality education to African Americans while celebrating Black achievement and self-sufficiency.
5. Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
MOVEMENT'S PIVOTAL BATTLEGROUND
The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument encompasses several sites central to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Designated by President Obama in 2017, this national monument preserves locations where demonstrations, bombings, and pivotal moments in the fight for equality took place. The site tells the story of ordinary citizens who faced violence and persecution while standing up for basic human rights.
6. Freedom Riders National Monument
INTEGRATION JOURNEY MEMORIAL
The Freedom Riders National Monument commemorates the courageous activists who challenged segregation on interstate bus travel in 1961. The monument includes the former Greyhound Bus Station where a mob attacked the Freedom Riders and the site where their bus was firebombed outside of town. This powerful historic site tells the story of non-violent resistance in the face of brutal opposition during the Civil Rights Movement.
7. Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
DR. KING'S FIRST PULPIT
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church served as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s first pastorate and the planning headquarters for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The historic church, located just steps from the Alabama State Capitol, offers guided tours featuring the office where Dr. King worked and the pulpit where he delivered powerful sermons. Visitors can experience the authentic setting where crucial strategies for non-violent resistance were developed during the Civil Rights Movement.
8. Holt Street Baptist Church Museum
BOYCOTT'S BIRTHPLACE SITE
The Holt Street Baptist Church Museum preserves the location where the Montgomery Bus Boycott was launched on December 5, 1955. In this historic church, Dr. King delivered his first speech as the leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association, igniting a 381-day boycott that would change American history. The museum now houses artifacts and exhibits documenting this pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights and equality.
9. Civil Rights Memorial Center
HONORING MOVEMENT'S MARTYRS
The Civil Rights Memorial Center, created by the Southern Poverty Law Center, honors those who lost their lives during the Civil Rights Movement. The centerpiece is Maya Lin's striking memorial featuring a circular black granite table with water flowing over names of martyrs of the movement. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits that connect historic struggles to contemporary human rights issues while reflecting on the sacrifices made in the fight for equality.
10. Alabama Shakespeare Festival
CULTURAL ARTS DESTINATION
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is one of the largest Shakespeare festivals in the world and presents diverse productions including works by Black playwrights and actors. Set in the beautiful 250-acre Blount Cultural Park, this professional theater company offers everything from classical works to contemporary plays highlighting African American experiences. The festival frequently incorporates stories examining Southern culture and racial reconciliation, making it an important cultural destination in the region.
11. Eagle's Restaurant
SOUL FOOD INSTITUTION
Eagle's Restaurant has been serving authentic soul food in Birmingham's industrial district since 1951. This beloved institution offers daily-changing menus featuring Southern classics like oxtails, neck bones, fried chicken, and a renowned selection of vegetables prepared according to traditional recipes. The unpretentious eatery has received national attention, including being featured on Anthony Bourdain's show, while maintaining its status as a gathering place for the local community.
12. Kimbrough's Fine Soul Food
AUTHENTIC SOUTHERN COOKING
Kimbrough's Fine Soul Food offers authentic Southern cuisine in the historic town of Tuskegee. Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes like catfish, collard greens, and cornbread in a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the region's culinary heritage. The restaurant serves as both a dining destination and a community gathering space where the flavors of Black Southern cooking traditions are preserved and celebrated.
13. The Legacy Museum
FROM ENSLAVEMENT TO MASS INCARCERATION
The Legacy Museum, created by the Equal Justice Initiative, traces the history of racial injustice from slavery through Jim Crow to mass incarceration. Located on the site of a former warehouse where enslaved people were held, the museum uses interactive media, exhibits, and first-person narratives to create an immersive educational experience. The powerful presentations connect historical racial violence to contemporary issues facing African American communities today.
14. National Memorial for Peace and Justice
LYNCHING VICTIMS MEMORIAL
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is the nation's first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people and those terrorized by lynching and racial segregation. The six-acre site features over 800 steel monuments representing counties where racial terror lynchings took place, with the names of over 4,000 victims engraved on them. This profound memorial creates space for reflection on America's history of racial injustice while advocating for a more peaceful and just future.
15. Reed Books Museum of African American Artifacts
BLACK HISTORY COLLECTION
Reed Books Museum of African American Artifacts houses an extraordinary collection of Black history memorabilia, rare books, and civil rights documents. The eclectic bookstore and museum contains everything from Jim Crow-era signs to first editions by Black authors and hard-to-find civil rights movement ephemera. Owner Jim Reed curates this unique space where visitors can browse, purchase items, and gain deeper understanding of African American history through authentic artifacts.