ONE OF A KIND
The Town of Mooresville, in Limestone County, is older than the state of Alabama. Often referred to as “Alabama’s Williamsburg,” the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic sites include the Church of Christ, where President James Garfield once preached; the Brick Church; the Post Office; and the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern.
Mooresville also is home to 1818 Farms, which takes its name from the year the town was incorporated. The three-acre working farm is known for its handmade bath and beauty products and offers a variety of workshops, events and tours throughout the year.
The Cook Museum of Natural Science, in downtown Decatur, lets children explore, interact with and learn about nature through a variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Highlights include a walk-in cave, a 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a 600-gallon freshwater aquarium, live animals and a hands-on Kinetic sand table.
HISTORY
The Old Decatur and Albany Historic districts include a house used by both Union and Confederate Civil War troops, the Carnegie Library and examples of Queen Anne, Victorian and Colonial Revival architectures. Walking and driving tours are available, and an annual Christmas tour showcases the interiors of select homes.
Limestone County’s historic districts include the Athens Courthouse Square Commercial Historic District, the Athens State College Historic District and the Limestone County Antebellum Trail. There’s also the carefully restored 1933 Prairie-style Newby Gulf Station, which was one of the first full-service stations in Alabama.
The Fort Henderson/Trinity School Historic Site, in Athens, tells the story of the Civil War fort built by runaway slaves who joined the Union Army. Later the site became a school to teach former slaves to read and write.
MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES
In Athens, the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives displays artifacts from the Revolutionary War to the present day and features guided tours by local veterans. Completed in 1851, the Donnell House is a living history museum and event space. The Houston Memorial Library and Museum, located in the restored residence of two-time Alabama Governor and U.S. Senator George S. Houston, serves as a public library and museum.
Established in 1980, the Limestone County Archives collection includes the county’s government records as well as historical and genealogical materials. The Morgan County Archives houses a treasure trove of Alabama history, from original Civil War artifacts and photos to court records from the infamous 1933 Scottsboro Boys trial.
The Decatur Historic Union Railroad Depot was built in 1905 and operated as a passenger train station until 1979. Today, visitors can tour the depot, view railroad memorabilia and a model train display and wave from the viewing platform as live trains pass by.
While the interior of the Old State Bank in Decatur is currently closed for renovation, visitors can still admire the exterior of the oldest bank building in Alabama and its blend of federal and Greek-Revival architecture.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
With its distinct art deco style, the Princess Theatre is one of Decatur’s most historic landmarks. The 650-seat performance venue has operated for more than 100 years and hosts a variety of events, including concerts, theater performances, movie screenings and community events.
The historic Carnegie Library in Decatur was transformed into The Carnegie Visual Arts Center in 2003 and since then has supported local and national touring exhibits and offered classes, workshops, lectures and camps for all ages to the community.
The Alabama Center for the Arts is a partnership between Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. The facility offers nearly 100,000 square feet of visual and performing arts spaces, a 250-seat recital hall, 300-seat studio theater and a gallery featuring student and local art.
Located in the heart of Athens, Merchants Alley is a place for people to gather, dine, enjoy art and listen to live music. Each spring, the Athens Main Street Merchants Alley Happy Hour Music Series offers patrons live music while they shop and dine.
PARKS & RECREATION
The 700-acre Point Mallard Park features an 18-hole golf course, a 25-acre wooded campground, a seasonal 35-acre water park, a three-mile recreational trail, multiple green spaces and pavilion areas and a driving range. It also hosts family-friendly events and festivals throughout the year.
Also in Decatur, Delano Park’s 28 acres include a walking track, splash pad, accessible playground, tennis courts and a rose garden. Rhodes Ferry Park offers scenic views of the Tennessee River and has multiple pavilions. Founders Park, located in front of the Old State Bank, provides green space for the adjacent historic downtown and historic residential neighborhoods and is home to the Daikin Amphitheater.
Located along the Tennessee River in Limestone County, Cowford Campground offers swimming, fishing, boating and has 52 campsites.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Located on 35,000 acres along the Tennessee River, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is home to Alabama’s largest wintering duck and sandhill crane population as well as rare and endangered whooping cranes that also migrate to the area. A remodeled visitor center and observation building feature interactive displays and spotting scopes for birdwatching.
Ingalls Harbor Pavilion and Boat Launch, off Highway 20, offers easy access to the Tennessee River and has become a popular spot for fishing tournaments, including Bassmaster events. The pavilion is available for wedding receptions and community events.
HIT THE TRAILS
In Limestone County, the 10.2-mile Richard Martin Rails to Trails is a back-to-nature greenway that supports a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding and bird watching. The 21.9-mile Canoe and Kayak Trail along the Elk River starts just north of Elkmont and offers five easy in and out sites. The Noah Bike Trail is an 89-mile circular loop suitable for the avid cyclist that winds through the Appalachian foothills. Shorter, more leisurely trails like the Marbut Bend Trail, the Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk and the Swan Creek Greenway Trail are all excellent options for enjoying nature.
In Morgan County, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is home to five established nature trails. Flint Creek Canoe Trail provides access to the interior of the refuge and is great for bird watching. The 14.7-mile Bill Sims Bike Trail winds through Decatur and includes scenic river views as well as some of the city’s top tourist attractions. Check off a list of the county’s must-see murals along the MoCo Mural Trail or locate all 10 of the bronze turtles in the Decatur Downtown Turtle Trail and learn about the places and events that have shaped the area along the way.
JUST FOR FUN
Located between Hartselle and Priceville, GoFAR USA Park is an outdoor adventure park featuring zip lines, obstacle courses, a climbing wall, paintball, a three-acre petting zoo and four miles of running and biking trails.
This article appears in the August 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
