Bon Air AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bon Air, Alabama.
1. Majestic Caverns
EXPLORE UNDERGROUND WONDERS
Majestic Caverns offers visitors a stunning underground adventure through ancient limestone formations. Guided tours take explorers through illuminated chambers featuring impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and flowing underground streams. The cave maintains a constant cool temperature year-round, making it a perfect escape during Alabama's hot summer months.
2. Kymulga Grist Mill & Covered Bridge
HISTORIC WATERSIDE LANDMARK
Kymulga Grist Mill & Covered Bridge is a well-preserved 19th-century mill complex showcasing historical engineering and architecture. The site features a working grist mill powered by Talladega Creek and one of Alabama's few remaining covered bridges. Visitors can explore the grounds, learn about traditional milling processes, and purchase freshly ground cornmeal and grits.
3. Comer Museum & Arts Center
LOCAL ART AND HISTORY
The Comer Museum & Arts Center celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Sylacauga area through diverse exhibits and collections. Housed in a historic building, the museum features local art, historical artifacts, and special exhibits highlighting the region's marble industry. The center also hosts regular cultural events, art classes, and community programs throughout the year.
4. Blue Bell Creamery
BELOVED ICE CREAM FACTORY
Blue Bell Creamery offers visitors a delightful behind-the-scenes look at the ice cream production process. The tour allows guests to watch the creation of their favorite frozen treats while learning about the company's century-long history. After the tour, visitors can enjoy complimentary samples of freshly made ice cream in the tasting room.
5. Talladega National Forest
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Talladega National Forest encompasses over 390,000 acres of diverse wilderness just five miles southeast of Bon Air. The forest offers extensive recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing across varied terrain. Popular attractions within the forest include the Pinhoti Trail, Cheaha Mountain (Alabama's highest point), and several scenic overlooks with breathtaking views.
6. Talladega Gran Prix Raceway
THRILLING MOTORSPORTS ACTION
Talladega Gran Prix Raceway delivers high-speed excitement for motorsports enthusiasts near Bon Air. The facility hosts various racing events throughout the year, including motorcycle competitions, car races, and driving schools. Spectators can enjoy the adrenaline-pumping action from comfortable viewing areas while experiencing the thunderous sounds of engines at full throttle.
7. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark preserves an important piece of America's industrial revolution in Birmingham, a short drive from Bon Air. Once one of the largest manufacturers of pig iron in the world, the site now serves as an interpretive museum of industry and hosts cultural events. The imposing blast furnaces, pipes, and machinery create a dramatic backdrop for learning about Alabama's industrial past and the workers who powered it.
8. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
WORLD-CLASS MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest collection of vintage and modern motorcycles in a stunning five-story facility. Founded by George Barber in 1994, the museum displays over 1,600 motorcycles and racing cars spanning more than 100 years of production. The museum is situated within Barber Motorsports Park, which includes a renowned road racing track that hosts international competitions throughout the year.
9. Bon Air Historic Mill Houses
COMPANY TOWN HERITAGE
Bon Air Historic Mill Houses offer a glimpse into the past of this classic company town established by the Danville Spinning Mill in 1914. Many of the original 70 houses and duplexes built to accommodate mill workers still stand today, showcasing the architectural style typical of early 20th-century industrial communities. Visitors can drive through the town to observe these historic structures that represent an important chapter in Alabama's textile manufacturing history.
10. Bon Air Town Hall
COMMUNITY HISTORIC CENTER
Bon Air Town Hall serves as the civic center of this small community with its rich textile manufacturing history. The building stands as a testament to the town's incorporation in 1932 and its continued resilience despite the closure of its founding mill. Visitors interested in local history can view this landmark that represents the heart of Bon Air's municipal identity.
11. FAME Recording Studios
LEGENDARY MUSIC LANDMARK
FAME Recording Studios stands as one of Alabama's most significant cultural landmarks where countless hit records have been created since 1959. Founded by Rick Hall, the studio gained international recognition after Aretha Franklin recorded her breakthrough hit there, attracting numerous other legendary artists to capture the distinctive 'Muscle Shoals sound.' Today, visitors can tour this working studio where music history continues to be made while viewing memorabilia from its illustrious past.
12. Morgan Creek Vineyards
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Morgan Creek Vineyards offers visitors a taste of Alabama's growing wine culture in a picturesque setting not far from Bon Air. The family-owned winery produces a variety of wines from muscadine grapes and other varietals grown on their property. Guests can enjoy tastings in their rustic tasting room, tour the production facilities, and attend seasonal events including harvest festivals and summer concert series.
13. DeSoto Caverns
ANCIENT UNDERGROUND ATTRACTION
DeSoto Caverns features a massive onyx-marble cave with a cathedral-sized main room adorned with spectacular formations. The family park surrounding the caverns includes various attractions such as mini-golf, gem panning, and a maze to complement the cave tour experience. Archaeological evidence indicates the caverns have been used by humans for over 10,000 years, making it a site of significant historical importance.
14. Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR'S FASTEST TRACK
Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR's longest oval track and one of the most famous motorsports venues in the world, located a short drive from Bon Air. The 2.66-mile tri-oval is known for high-speed racing, with cars reaching speeds over 200 mph during major events including two annual NASCAR Cup Series races. Visitors can tour the track's facilities, visit the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on the grounds, or experience the ultimate thrill by participating in a driving experience program.
15. Cheaha State Park
ALABAMA'S HIGHEST POINT
Cheaha State Park encompasses Cheaha Mountain, the highest natural point in Alabama at 2,413 feet above sea level, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Talladega National Forest. The park features rustic cabins, a lodge, camping facilities, hiking trails, and a historic stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities including swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and bird watching while experiencing the diverse ecosystems of Alabama's Appalachian highlands.