Andalusia Area Destinations & Things to Do
Take a HIKE!
Conecuh National Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/alabama/districts/conecuhRD
Ranger District Office
24481 Alabama 55
Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 222-2555
Open Year Round
The Conecuh National Forest, located in Covington County is a nature lover’s paradise. The rich ecological backdrop provides setting for a wide variety of recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, backpacking, picnicking, bicycling, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, and nature study. The Conecuh Trail will take you through carnivorous plant bogs, red cockaded woodpecker reserves, the Alabama Birding Trail, and the largest span of longleaf forest left in the world. Open Pond Recreation Area has 65 developed campsites and 9 primitive campsites and serves as the hub for recreational activities on the Conecuh.
Get DIRTY!
Boggs & Boulders Off Road Adventure Park and Campground
20133 Brooklyn Road
Andalusia, AL 36421
(251) 578-4333
Open Year Round
Where Southern Hospitality meets the mud! Boggs and Boulders encompasses over 1,000 acres and has over 160 miles of ATV trails, from twists and turns to mud holes and rock hills to climb. During the summer, you can cool off in the natural spring fed "Cool Pool. It holds a constant temperature of 65 degrees and overflows year-round. Larger than 3 Olympic pools, the water is crystal clear and surrounded by white sandy beaches. Plan to stay the weekend at the 30 AMP Campground with water and electricity or take advantage of the camper or bunkhouse rentals. Boggs and Boulders has mild rolling hills mixed with timberland and pastures (even cattle and buffalo at large in places). You will find slick red hills, sand hills, rocky hills, steep rock bluffs for the rock crawling crowd (all natural, not man made), and acres and acres of all natural black mud flats. Concerts, competitions, and Jeep Jamborees are held throughout the year, check the website for details. Admission per day for adults is $10, kids 6-12 $5, and under 5 are free. Reservations for the campsites are recommended.
Catch a Flick!
Clark Theater
101 Court Square
Andalusia, AL 36420
Showtimes: (334) 347-2531
Built in 1940 in the shell of the burnt-out Paramount Theatre. The former Martin Theatre was reopened in 1998 as a triplex called Clark Cinemas. In 2017, the theater was completely renovated to include electric reclining seats, state of the art electronics, and upscale vending options. See the latest Hollywood thrillers in style at the brand new yet historic Clark Theater.
Cook up some fun with Brenda Gantt!
Cottle House Bed and Breakfast
27388 Straughn School Rd,
Andalusia, AL 36421
https://www.facebook.com/thecottlehouse/
For Reservations text: (334) 343-6192
Constructed in 1905 and beautifully restored, The Cottle House Bed & Breakfast provides a one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast experience in south central Alabama. Three queen-size bedrooms and two full-size bathrooms await you in the main house, along with a kitchen, dining room, and entertainment room. For a more personal setting, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is available next to the main house. If you’re lucky enough to get a stay, enjoy one of Brenda Gantt’s breakfasts, antique-filled rooms, wrap-around porch, walking trails, and catch-and-release fishing. Perfect for a honeymoon, weekend getaway, or extended vacation, let The Cottle House be your choice for your bed and breakfast experience.
Go Glamping!
The Oaks Family RV Park and Campground
13421 Brooklyn Road
Andalusia, AL
Tel: 334-804-CAMP (2267)
Email: reservations@oaksfamilyrv.com
The park offers concrete and gravel RV pads; RV rentals; family cabins; glamping tents; and primitive camping. Amenities include fishing, a bath house with private rooms, a children’s playground complete with zip line, and golf cart rentals for getting back and forth to the spring-fed pond. Visitors will have access to wi-fi in most of the camp.
Make a SPLASH!
City of Andalusia Splash Pad
Entrance of Johnson Park
706 Carson Street
Andalusia, AL
(334) 222-2714
Hours are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.,
Tuesday through Sunday.
A 4,500 square-foot splash pad that is handicap-accessible and has areas for children ages toddler to 12. The splash pad area also has shade structures for parents, as well as restrooms for changing.
Gantt Lake
Cypress Landing RV Park
32249 Riverland Drive
Dozier, AL
1-334-388-1008
Open Year Round
The River Falls Power Company constructed Gantt Dam in the 1920s, but it is now operated by PowerSouth for hydropower generation. Gantt Lake covers a reservoir with a surface area of about 2747 acres and 21 miles of shoreline. You can travel up the north end of the lake and enjoy the beautiful cypress trees to the Conecuh River. There are 2 public boat ramps. Fishing, duck hunting and watersports abound at Gantt Lake. Camping is available is Cypress Landing RV Park. Rentals available for pedal boats and kayaks and concerts and special events occur throughout the year.
Find pre-historic SHARK TEETH!
The Sepulga River
http://www.usgulfcoaststatesgeotourism.com/content/sepulga-river-canoe-trail/gul3F53C891E208081C3
Self-guided tour, warm weather and river conditions permitting
The Sepulga River Canoe Trail is becoming increasingly popular with nature lovers in Alabama. With deep water, limestone walls, and a few Class 1 rapids for fun, Sepulga offers a wilderness kayaking/canoe experience unique to South Alabama.
One of the biggest attractions of paddling the Sepulga River is the possibility of finding fossils, such as shark teeth. There are also numerous waterfalls along the way, as well as caves, limestone shelves, and places to picnic and swim. For a 8 mile float, take the Bull Slough Bridge to Bottle Creek portion of the trail.
Bull Slough Bridge: This old iron bridge is located NE of the community of Brooklyn, AL on Bull Slough Road approximately 1.4 miles east of the intersection of Bull Slough Road and CR-43. Bottle Creek: From Brooklyn, at intersection of Conecuh County Road 6 and 42, travel east 0.3 miles to ramp.
Take the Art and History and Heritage Walking Tour!
Mural Trail, Veteran’s Memorial, Art Gallery and Museum
https://www.andalusiachamber.com/murals/
Court Square
Andalusia, AL
Open Year Round – Self-guided tour
Downtown Andalusia boasts beautiful historic pieces of art to help tell of the rich history of this area, painted on the city’s largest canvases, her historic buildings. These murals were created by artist, Wes Hardin. A map can be found at https://www.andalusiachamber.com/community-map/ showing the location of each of the 7 murals, as well as other nearby landmarks, an easily walkable self-guided tour. Along the way, you can stop in the Lower Alabama Arts Coalition (LAAC) gallery, located at 209 E 3 Notch St, a venue for art exhibitions and receptions. Across the street, you will see the historic marker noting the site where Hank Williams and Audrey Sheppard were married. Just around the corner on historic Central Street, find the Three Notch Museum, located in the old Central of Georgia Railway Depot building. The building itself was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Items from the various Wars, scrapbooks of early photographs, a bottle collection and hundreds of other relics of the past are located inside the museum. Outside, you will find a large Norfolk Southern Caboose, a small motor car from CSX, and another smaller L & N bay window type caboose. Kids will enjoy the Tommy the Tank layout for little children. It is very elaborate, and the smaller children have staged birthday parties beside the layout. Joining the Railcars are the completely restored River Falls Post Office, The Clark Family Pioneer Log Cabin, and the Henry B. Little Country Store. Shopping, dining, and a boutique theater are also found in this area. Continue down to 505 E. Three Notch Street you will find Andalusia City Hall, located in the 100-year-old East Three Notch School building. Adjacent to City Hall, pause for reflection at the Covington Veteran’s Memorial, featuring a 42-foot-tall stainless-steel obelisk mounted on a black granite pedestal. The pedestal is engraved with the names of soldiers who lost their lives defending the nation in various wars and conflicts. Brick pavers honoring veterans with ties to Covington County surround the obelisk. A five-pointed star representing the five branches of military service surrounds the brick pavers. A lovely picnic area exists nearby on the lawn of the public Springdale Estate
Come see Snow in South Alabama!
Christmas in Candyland
Springdale Estate & Park
521 E. Three Notch Street
Andalusia, AL
Open Dec.1 - Jan. 1
This beautiful city park and estate comes to life during the month of December with a magical Christmas village complete with an ice-skating rink, dozens of imaginative play cottages built just for kids, a trackless steam locomotive ride, and daily snow shows. Expect regular visits from Santa Claus, carolers, ice princesses, and other holiday favorites. The Candyland Cottages are masterfully created playhouses, all with a different theme, and inspire creativity and wonder in kids of all ages. The park is open year-round for strolling and is a favorite location for wedding receptions, festivals, and other community events. Thursday nights in July the park is home to JulyJamz, a summer concert series showcasing local musicians and a giant foam canon for kids.
Experience the Art of Dance!
Andalusia Ballet
420 Church Street
Andalusia, AL
(334) 222-6620
The Andalusia Ballet, located in the historic Church Street Cultural Arts Center, under the direction of Meryane Murphy, focuses on quality technical training in classical ballet and related dance forms. The Andalusia Ballet masterfully presents 4 productions a year at the Dixon Center for Performing Arts, including The Nutcracker, always performed the second weekend in December. World class guest dancers and teachers join the staff and students at the Andalusia Ballet from all over the world bringing far reaching cultures and techniques to their performances. Check their event calendar for production dates.
Rattle some Bones!
Andalusia Rotary Club’s World Championship Domino Tournament
Second Weekend in July
Kiwanis Community Center
Andalusia, Alabama
Nearly $1 million has been awarded since this tournament began over 40 years ago. A project of the Andalusia Rotary Club, the World Championship Domino Tournament brings the world’s top domino players together to battle over the bones. Held the second weekend of July each year, singles and doubles tournaments are available for children and adults.
Check out a Different Kind of Rodeo!
Rattlesnake Rodeo
First weekend in April
Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes have been rattling since the dawn of time, but they have been a main attraction in Opp, Alabama for the past 54 years. Mr. J.P. Jones was the mastermind behind this small-town, community event. He, along with the Opp Jaycees, first organized this event as a fun-filled, family friendly weekend with snake shows, arts and crafts, and good food.
After several years, the rodeo has grown to include other activities such as beauty pageants, the Rattlin' 100 car race held at the South Alabama Speedway, snake races, buck-dancing contests, children's activities, karaoke contests, musical entertainment throughout the day and the most popular Rattlin' Country Concert featuring Nashville Country Music Artists and Bands, as well as local groups. The Rattlin' country concert is held on Saturday evening. With all the activities scheduled throughout each day, we are certain The Rattlesnake Rodeo has something for everyone.
Have a Picnic with a Scarecrow!
Frank Jackson State Park
100 Jerry Adams Drive
Opp, AL 36467
http://www.alapark.com/frank-jackson-state-park
Open Daily
6am to 7pm
This 2,050-acre park located near Opp, Alabama is a hot spot for anglers thanks to its main attraction, the 1,000-acre Lake Jackson. In addition to outstanding fishing, the park also features picnic areas, lakefront RV camping with cable TV hookups, a modern bathhouse, a boardwalk leading to an island in the lake, and more than three miles of walking trails. Each October through November, local businesses and organizations line the walking trails with individually themed, artistically created scarecrows for the Scarecrows in the Park trail. A unique pedestrian bridge spanning a section of Lake Frank Jackson eases the trip between the playground and campground areas; as well as serves as a wetland wildlife viewing area.
Spend a Day at the Lake!
Florala City Park - Lake Jackson
439 Victoria Lane
Florala, AL 36442
Open Daily
8am to 5pm
(334) 858-3612
http://www.alapark.com/florala-city-park
Stretching along the shores of the beautiful 500-acre Lake Jackson, this compact 40-acre park offers swimming, a bike path and walking trail, excellent fishing, a scene picnic area, and a modern lakeside campground. Water skiing and personal watercraft are also allowed on the lake. Considered one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in Alabama, visitors can spend an entire day swimming, boating, and fishing. The lake is inviting year-round for campers seeking to avoid those harsh winter months up north. The park is also a perfect spot for area day-cationers who want the white sands and crystal-clear waters of the Gulf without the long drive. Florala City Park is also a stop on Alabama’s Wiregrass birding trail. Waterfowl, songbirds and raptors including osprey and Bald eagles are common sites in the park.