SPECIAL TREATS
Christmas Pyramid and Christkindlmarkt in Cullman celebrate the season. Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman features a hillside of hand-crafted replicas of famous religious buildings throughout the world. In Walker County, the 50-Mule Team Project honors the mule for its hard work and contributions to the county’s coal mining past.
WONDERS OF NATURE
In Winston County, visit the Natural Bridge — at 122 feet, the longest east of the Rockies — accessible to the public in Natural Bridge Park. Clear Creek Recreation Area in Walker County offers 425 acres along Smith Lake with waterfalls, bluffs and sandy beaches — plus boating, fishing and camping.
HISTORY ABOUNDS
Cullman County Museum, a replica of Col. Johann Gottfried Cullmann’s original home, showcases early Cullman. Crooked Creek Civil War Museum features hands-on displays of memorabilia and a cabin that functions as a bed and breakfast. The Houston Historic Jail, circa 1868, is the oldest structure of its kind in the state. Bankhead House & Heritage Center in Walker County was built in 1925 by William Brockman Bankhead, once speaker of the house and father of actress Tallulah.
SPLASH
Waterfalls abound in the region. Get your camera ready for Kinlock, Turkey Foot, Shangri-La, Sougahoagdee, Mize Mill and White Creek Falls in Winston County.
CATCH A SHOW
Looney’s Amphitheater is a new venue offering concerts and plays in Winston County.
FUN AND GAMES
WildWater in Cullman features a wave pool, drift river, thrill rides and kids’ areas. Memorial Park Complex in Jasper offers ball fields, indoor and outdoor pools and more. Sportsman Lake Park in Cullman has miniature golf, a small train, camping, trails and more. Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center offers aquatics, track and more. Heritage Park in Cullman has ball fields, trails, splash pad and more.
GO FISH
Toss a line in one of the area’s prime fishing lakes — Smith Lake, Sipsey Fork or Walker County Lake.
JUMP!
Skydive Alabama in Vinemont allows beginners and experienced skydivers a chance to try this thrilling activity.
CAMP OUT
Palomino RV Resort in Cullman has fishing, kayaking, canoeing, basketball, pickleball, hiking trails and a dog park.
TAKE A HIKE
If you hanker for hiking, try Hurricane Creek Park, Horse Creek Trail in Dora or the 90 miles of trails in Bankhead National Forest.
CROSS THE BRIDGE
Clarkson Covered Bridge, a 270-foot structure built in 1904, now sits on the banks of Crooked Creek in Cullman.
FORE!
Swing a club at Terri Pines in Cullman County, or you can play tennis and swim there.
BE REVERENT
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, in Hanceville, was inspired by the Franciscan churches of 13th century Assisi, Italy, and features inlaid Italian marble floors, a vaulted ceiling, and artisan-crafted stained-glass windows.
GET OFF THE ROAD
Stony Lonesome OHV Park features trails for ATVs, rock crawlers, dirt bikes, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers.
SIP IT
Sipsey Vineyard and Winery in Double Springs crafts its wines in wooden barrels. It’s tasting room is set to open this fall in Cullman.
ENJOY THE ARTS
The Evelyn Burrow Museum houses an array of art exhibits on the campus of Wallace State Community College.
This article appears in the November 2024 issue of Business Alabama.
