Autauga and Elmore counties are neighboring regions north of Montgomery that offer an abundance of attractions to satisfy almost everyone, from history buffs and lovers of the theater to hunters, anglers, kayakers, golfers, hikers and team sport fanatics.
Autauga County
The Fountain of Youth may be a myth, but “The Fountain City” — well, that’s a real thing. It’s the nickname for Prattville, the county seat of Autauga County.
Prattville earned its nickname for the many artesian wells that exist across the community. Today, residents are still able to collect fresh, clear water from several public wells, including those at the Doster Road Artesian Wellhouse, in Heritage Park near Autauga Creek, and behind the Prattaugan Museum and Visitor Center.
The Prattaugan Museum in Prattville lies inside a Greek Revival home constructed in the 1840s. The museum tells the story of the city’s founder, the cotton gin manufacturer Daniel Pratt.
You can also tour the Daniel Pratt Historic District, encompassing more than 200 restored historic homes and commercial, institutional and industrial buildings downtown that were constructed between 1840 and 1930. Many of the industrial buildings are now loft apartments. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors can take a guided walking tour, shop and dine at a restaurant.
In fact, the district is the place for music and art festivals and other cultural events in Prattville. Such events include Prattville CityFest and the annual Wilson Pickett Music & Arts Festival that celebrates the life and legacy of Prattville native, singer and songwriter Wilson Pickett.
Performing arts enthusiasts can see live theater and dance at Prattville Cultural Arts Center or the Way Off Broadway Theatre in Prattville.
Another attraction is Buena Vista. Once called, “The Montgomery Place,” Buena Vista is a Greek-Revival-style home built in the 1840s. The home is often used today for tours, weddings, receptions and other events.
Autauga County also has several golf courses, including three championship courses at Capitol Hill, a premier stop on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Golf fans also can check out the course at the Prattville Country Club.
Those who love the outdoors can enjoy the wonder of Autauga Creek Canoe Trail in downtown Prattville. This waterway is a favorite among those who enjoy canoeing, kayaking and tubing.
Prattville has an extensive park system that includes Cooter’s Pond, a park along the Alabama River with amenities that include a riverwalk, docks, boat ramps and pavilions. Other parks in the city include Pratt Park Splash Pad and the Wilderness Park with its towering bamboo forest and diverse plant species.
Meanwhile, attractions like the Autauga Bluebird Trail, the seasonal Sunflower Field in Autaugaville, the Autauga Creekwalk and Prattvillage Garden are places to walk and observe the indigenous plants and wildlife.
And for those looking to shop, options range from the national retailers to a variety of antique and flea markets.
Elmore County
One of the biggest draws to Elmore County is the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Wetumpka. Wind Creek features a casino floor with more than 2,000 games, plus a hotel, restaurants, live performances, spa, pool and fitness center.
The county also is home to 17 Springs, a sports complex in the city of Millbrook that features a football stadium, turf fields for baseball and softball, a multi-purpose grass field for sports like soccer, tennis and pickleball courts, a picnic pavilion, field house and concession stand.
Elmore County also is an angler’s dream. The county has hosted a number of national fishing tournaments over the years. That is because Elmore County is home to Lake Martin, Lake Jordan, Yates Lake, Jackson Lake and several smaller lakes.
The island in Jackson Lake near Millbrook once served as a movie set for the Hollywood film “Big Fish.”
In addition, three rivers run through Elmore County: the Tallapoosa River runs along the eastern edge of the county, the Alabama River meanders along the county’s western edge, and the Coosa River flows along the county’s northwest border.
The Coosa River regularly attracts kayakers and canoers looking for adventure. And, they and other lovers of the great outdoors can spend a weekend at Camp Sherrye on the Coosa, a campground and RV park on the banks of the Coosa River in Wetumpka. Other local campgrounds include K&K Camping Center in Millbrook and the Swayback Campground and Thornhill Ridge in Wetumpka.
Elmore County also is an ideal place for those who love to hike and bike.
The John B. Scott Trail along the Tallapoosa and the Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad Trail are options as well as the two-mile Wetumpka Riverwalk along the Coosa River, and the Swayback Bridge Trail, which is an eight-mile trek.
In addition, the county is part of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and bird watchers can visit locations like the Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook, Gold Star Park in Wetumpka and the Yates Lake Forever Wild Tract in Tallassee to catch a glimpse of feathered fowl like the great crested flycatchers, wood thrushes, hooded warblers and Carolina chickadees.
One trail to explore in Autauga and Elmore counties that is a bit more cosmopolitan is the Alabama Mural Trail. The trail features artists’ colorful and whimsical works displayed on the sides of downtown buildings in Wetumpka, Millbrook and Prattville.
Another tourist attraction is the Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery and Visitor Center. At that site, approximately 85 million years ago, a 1,000-foot asteroid smashed into the ground in Wetumpka, leaving a five-mile-wide crater. Visitors can tour the crater today to see and learn about the geological formations that resulted from this phenomenal event.
For youngsters, Blue Ribbon Dairy is a fun and educational destination. Located in Tallassee, this family-owned farm is a place where visitors can take a tour, bottle feed a calf and learn how milk goes from the cow to the grocery store.
In Wetumpka, history lovers can visit the Black History Museum with its many artifacts and materials that tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement and the local individuals who fought for equality.
Other Elmore County attractions include The Pines Golf Club, a public 18-hole course owned by the city of Millbrook. And the Wetumpka Sportsplex offers space to play whatever sport you love — football, baseball, softball, soccer fields, tennis and pickleball facilities share space with a splash pad and an arena for rodeos and other sporting events.
Elmore County also offers several venues for those who enjoy a night at the theater. The Wetumpka Depot Players perform throughout the year. In 2025, they debuted a tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett, “Escape to Margaritaville.” Meanwhile, the Millbrook Community Players have a 2026 season that will include plays, musicals and a show by comedian Lee Hardin.
Events & Festivities:
Prattville Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration – Jan. 31, 2026. The party will include a parade, music, food and arts and crafts.
Alabama Cotton Festival – The annual event in October, in downtown Eclectic in Elmore County, includes exhibits on the cotton industry, arts and crafts, classic car show and parade and live music.
This article appears in the January 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
