There are several museums to visit in Montgomery, including the Fine Arts Museum! Photo by Zoe Hall for The Bama Buzz.

While the days are warming up, one of the best ways to stay cool and spend the day solo or with friends and family is to visit some of the museums available in Montgomery. Here are some of our favorites to visit:

1. Legacy Museum/EJI

Museum Slavery Evolved Wall Home 0 — The Legacy Museum in Montgomery. Photo courtesy of EJI website.

Since it opened in 2018, The Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery has been a powerful reminder of the country’s history with slavery and racial injustice. Built on the site of a former warehouse where enslaved people were imprisoned, the 11,000-square-foot museum traverses the history of racial inequality in America, from the enslavement of African-Americans to racial terror lynchings and more.

The Legacy Museum exists in conjunction with the National Memorial to Peace and Justice, a memorial that includes 805 hanging steel rectangles—a visual reminder representing each county in the United States with a documented lynching.

Address: 115 Coosa St. Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: 334.386.9100 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

2. Museum of Fine Arts

Img 6370 2 Copy — Ceramics gallery at MMFA. Photo by Zoe Hall for The Bama Buzz.

Founded in 1930, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts houses several art collections, including 19th and 20th century American paintings and sculptures, regional art, Old Master Prints and decorative arts.

The outdoor garden or large lake make for great lunch side scenery with your friends or family on your day off, or you can enjoy one of their several events. MMFA holds several events, including the upcoming ArtTalk on April 29, as well as programs for kids and adults alike. One of these programs is called Garden Fun and allows participants to enjoy outdoor games. It will continue each Thursday through Saturday until May 30.

Address: 1 Museum Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117
Contact: 334.625.4333 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

3. Fitzgerald House

Zeldamantle — Zelda on the mantel. Photo courtesy of the Fitzgerald Museum website.

As a literary fan I was so excited to visit the historical Jazz Age family home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda. The Fitzgeralds lived in the home from 1931 until 1932, and even wrote portions of their novels “Save Me the Waltz” and “Tender is the Night” during their time in Montgomery. Now, it is the only museum in the world dedicated to their legacies, containing art and books.

Their current hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Address: 919 Felder Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106
Contact: 334.264.4222 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

4. Rosa Parks Museum

Al Montgomery Rosaparksmuseum 1 — Rosa Parks Museum Entrance. Photo courtesy of Civil Rights Trail website.

Troy University’s houses the memorial to civil rights icon Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Located in downtown Montgomery where Parks was arrested, the museum exhibits a number of artifacts including the original arrest record of Parks, a Montgomery city bus, even a “rolling church” that was used to transport protestors. Virtual tours are also available.

Address: 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: 334.241.8615 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

5. Freedom Riders Museum

35392511086 50E06F663C O 2 — Freedom Rides opening exhibit. Photo courtesy of Freedom Riders Museum website.

This museum is at the site of the attack on participants of the 1961 Freedom Ride, which was the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station. Now, it holds a historic marker and artifacts of this events.

As one of the sites on the Civil Rights Trail, the museum holds award winning exhibits about the Riders’ journey throughout the south, as well as images and voices from Riders, those who supported and opposed the Riders and witnesses to the attack at Greyhound Bus Station.

Address: 210 S Court St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: 334.414.8647 | Website | Facebook

6. Hank Williams Museum

173935300 4275993059087292 8441153615306543555 N 1 — Hank Williams Museum entrance. Photo courtesy of Hank Williams Museum Facebook.

Experience the life of Hank Williams, country singer turned music superstar, at the Hank Williams Museum. Inside, you’ll find a complete collection of Hank Williams memorabilia. Some of what is showcased at the museum that you can see while visiting is Hank’s one-of-a-kind 1952 baby blue Cadillac and over a dozen of his iconic suits.

Address: 118 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: 334.262.3600 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

7. Museum of Alabama

Content Image Plan — View of Museum of Alabama. Photo courtesy of Museum of Alabama’s website.

With more than 800 artifacts, the Museum of Alabama is the only museum explores Alabama’s full history, from the 1700s to the 21st century. It also holds the nation’s oldest archival and historical agency. Some of the exhibits include The Land of Alabama, and the newest addition called Alabama Voices.

Address: 142-158 S Union St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: 334.242.4435 | Website | Facebook | Twitter

These are just a few of the museums to visit while you’re in Montgomery that are incredibly enriching in their experience and culture. For more great museums in Alabama, check out these in Mobile.