I do love a free museum and I love beautiful artworks, so stopping at the Montgomery Museum of Fine…read moreArts felt like an easy yes as we were passing through Alabama, especially since the museum offers free entry and free parking and keeps generous hours most days of the week . The building sits inside the Blount Cultural Park, and once you step inside you realize how much there is to see here, from American paintings to regional art to a wide range of decorative works drawn from a collection of more than 4,000 pieces. We ended up spending about two hours wandering through the galleries, which felt just right for a relaxed visit before getting back on the road. The museum's layout makes it easy to move from one gallery to the next without feeling rushed, and the mix of sculptures, paintings, and glasswork keeps things interesting, especially when you turn a corner and find something completely different in tone or scale. The Caddell Sculpture Garden adds another dimension to the experience, offering an outdoor space designed for reflection and seasonal change. Accessibility is clearly a priority here, with elevators to all floors, seating throughout the galleries, accessible restrooms, and even EnChroma glasses available for color‑blind visitors upon request . Free Wi‑Fi is available indoors and outdoors, and the museum shop has been recently renovated to highlight work by regional artists, which makes it a pleasant final stop before heading out again though they were only accepting cash today as the credit card machine was broken. All in all, it's the kind of museum that rewards both a quick visit and a longer stay, and it's absolutely worth the stop if you're anywhere near Montgomery. [Review 306 of 2026 - 287 in Alabama - 25494 overall]

The grounds are wonderfully beautiful. the art collection is diverse. it has a lake and outside…read moresculpture gardens. the people are friendly and there are lots of benches to rest your weary bones. when we were entering the car park we got stopped by a flock of geese and a couple ducks. the grass here looks like a soft bed. looks like you stepped into an old masters painting on the grounds. to me this is so much easier to get to than the high museum in GA.

I visit this treasure of a museum every time I'm in Auburn. I've been here at different time to…read morecapture it's beauty and also attended an evening event a few months ago. The Jule Collins Smith is not large, so it allows you to take your time walking the galleries. Upon entering look up at the Chantilly chandelier in the lobby. Admission is free, however a donation of $5 is a suggestion. There is a gift shop and cafe up front. Visitors can see unique wood art known to the area as "wood turning". A special collection from the 1930's Alabama state fair stored for 70 years was displayed during my visit. The museum is owned and operated in conjunction with Auburn University. If you have and hour or so I would recommend a tour. Although the museum closes in the late afternoon its lighting in the evening is spectacular.

Sure, it's not the Met, but for this college town, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is…read morepretty dandy. I will admit to being in love with the museum building itself and the grounds. They'd be a perfect setting for a wedding or some such event. It's a modern spacious building that gets lots of light and overlooks a pond next to College Street. The small size works to its advantage. Sometimes extremely massive museums can be overwhelming. Since the Smith Museum isn't that large, you can see it all in a reasonable timeframe. Just a heads up that the museum is often closed during school breaks and holidays. So check the website or call before you head over if it's during those times. But all is not lost if the museum isn't open; you can stroll around the property which includes fountains, gardens, and outdoor art. The current exhibit outside is called Out of the Box, and it is really cool. Highly recommended and Instagram-able. The little gift shop is worth a quick peek. There is lots of parking. And best of all, it's free! Pop in for your dose of culture and class.

Okay, this is deeply weird, but a must-see roadside attraction. The museum, which consists of art…read moreand artifacts in cargo containers with windows, is free to drive or walk through. Exhibits include the world's largest gallstone, an old airplane frame, and lots and lots of bones. Yeah, it gives off horror movie vibes. Check it out.

After hiking Providence Canyon, I wasn't sure what to do with the rest of my day until this place…read morewas recommended at my campsites visitor center. I was staying at Florence marina state park and it was only about a 30 minute drive. It was SO worth it. The exhibits were extremely interesting and wacky. This is definitely worth it if you are in the area and want a fun side adventure.

I brought a birthday cake for my birthday and when we checked in for my reservation the staff…read morebasically took the cake out of my hands saying "we'll bring it to you it's no problem!" and I said thank you and we were sat. At the end of our meals, the cake was brought out, no knife, no plates. He asked after I blew out the candles (that my mom brought) if we wanted the cake cut and he would take it to the back to have it sliced. I said no I want to cut it myself and that was fine with him. When we got our check, a $25 fee was added to our bill for the cake. We were not made aware of the add on whatsoever. I think if they would've mentioned from the get go that we had to pay for my cake to be brought out we would've declined and kept the cake with us.

This is a beautiful welll kept garden that has been around for a long time and is part of the…read moreCalloway Legacy. We went in September and there was much green but very little blooming. The Calloway house is beautiful and is well kept. There are many original pieces in the house from 1916. The tour was excellent and the guide answered all your questions. You could not take pictures in the house. There are 3 stories in the house and do not expect elevators. This is not a place To take young children.

The Super Bloom at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was such a beautiful sight and happy I got to see…read moreit. Tickets run about $26.95 for standard adult admission, with slight variations depending on the day and if purchased online or in person. Given the sheer scale of the grounds, it feels like a fair value. I went on a weekday, which I highly recommend. Parking is incredibly straightforward, you park right on-site at the SAGE Parking Facility. It starts at $3 per hour, but keep in mind that the garage is entirely cashless, so you will need a card. Also if there is an event at Piedmont Park, parking may be impacted. Check-in was quick, and while there were visitors, it never felt crowded or overwhelming. The entire experience flowed smoothly from start to finish. This is perfect for a solo adventure. They were celebrating their 50th anniversary with the Super Bloom display, and it showed. There were over 200,000 tulips and spring bulbs throughout the garden. When I reached the Great Lawn, it opened up into a full sea of color. The visual texture of so many layered, vibrant petals blooming all at once was stunning. Each section felt different. One moment I was surrounded by vibrant florals, the next I was walking through lush greenery that felt almost like a rainforest and the air was so clean. It naturally slowed me down in the best way. The Orchid Daze exhibit was a highlight for me. It was calm, lightly fragrant, and tucked away enough to feel like a quiet escape. I ended up staying longer than expected. It would have been nice, if they had more dedicated seating areas. There weren't many spaces designed for just sitting and being, closer to the flowers especially if you wanted to relax without being in the middle of foot traffic. The grounds were clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed. There were also great spots for photography, I saw everything from casual photos to full-on portrait sessions. On-site Dining If you plan to stay for a while there is a restaurant on-site, which is convenient. The menu was simple, light bites, sandwiches, and seasonal options. Pricing was about what you'd expect for a major attraction, averaging around $25 to $40 per person for a casual lunch. Overall: A way to slow down and take things in. Peaceful, beautiful, and worth the visit. I'm already curious to see how it will transform for summer.

My experience at this botanical garden was pretty mid. Not worth the $35 paid in my opinion…read more The garden overall was pretty neat and clean. A good place to walk around. However, the variety of plants and exhibits weren't very impressive. It was also disappointing to see the lady flower landmark not fully ingrained with flowers around late April. The most impressive part to me were the greenhouse plant exhibits. There was a good variety of plants there from different corners of the world. The outdoor exhibits were just not that interesting. Parking is an additional charge, so my friend and I did free street parking nearby and just walked to the entrance. They also have a couple food options within the gardens. My friend and I got some popsicles for $5 which was nice since it was pretty humid at the time we went. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend, but I didn't have a terrible time here.

Very nice collection of paintings from well known artists and interesting touring exhibitions…read moredisplayed in a spacious, attractive museum. And they only ask for a voluntary donation for admission. It was surprisingly fine for a city this size, illustrating the support offered by the local community.

Free to get in, donations accepted. Photos, paintings and all kinds of other art. Three floors…read moreloaded so you find what interests you or see it all. Would say it's about 2-3 hour visit to see everything if you take your time. Very nice and clean building. Some things will make you stop and think, others you can just enjoy. Highly recommended.

The High Museum of Art is always such an amazing experience! I love how they showcase artists I've…read morenever heard of before. My friend and I went on a free Sunday and even ran into some other friends while we were there. We got to watch a youth dance performance featuring all different styles--from kids dancing in suits to a Mary Poppins-themed routine it was so incredibly cute! The art itself really spoke to me. I got to see cultural pieces from my home country that I rarely ever see elsewhere, and it honestly brought tears to my eyes. They were also highlighting a Black woman's art that day; hearing her story and seeing the way she painted up until her passing, alongside works from other Black artists, was profoundly beautiful. This was my second time visiting the High, and I absolutely hope to go more often whenever I have the time!

I spent about 2 hours exploring the High Museum. The museum is large enough to feel like a full…read moreouting but not so overwhelming that you're exhausted by the end. I especially enjoyed the mix of contemporary and classic works, and the building itself is beautiful with plenty of natural light. We visited on a weekend afternoon and found it busy but still comfortable to navigate. There were plenty of benches throughout for taking a break and really appreciating the artwork. I'd recommend this for a date, solo afternoon, or when you have visitors in town. My biggest tip would be to check the special exhibitions before your visit since they can be a major highlight. Definitely one of Atlanta's gems.

Abner's in Good Hands -- Champ's Clocks is a Treasure…read more Some businesses are more than just a service -- they're a tradition. Champ's Clocks is exactly that. I first met Nick in 2021 when my grandfather clock stopped working. When the same clock needed attention again recently, reaching out to Champ's Clocks was an easy call. Nick worked me into the schedule without hesitation, and what followed reminded me why small businesses like this one are so special. Nick's father joined him on the second visit, and the experience became something far more meaningful than a simple repair. He shared the rich history of the business -- how the craft was passed down from his own father, and how they've been serving their community with this rare and deeply respected knowledge for quite some time. Listening to him explain the parts and the mechanics of a clock that has been in my family since 1984 was genuinely fascinating. I also had the privilege of experiencing their annual event, held the day before we spring forward, where the chimes ring out in celebration. It was a wonderful moment that perfectly captured how Champ's Clocks has become a true staple of their local community -- a business that genuinely appreciates the people it serves. During the event, we also had the chance to browse their inventory -- which was incredible -- and found the perfect clock for an upcoming milestone birthday. It was a reminder that Champ's Clocks isn't just a repair shop; it's a destination. Most recently, the pendulum became detached. I sent a photo of the part, and Nick not only had it on hand but came out the very next day. I had a scheduling conflict and couldn't be there -- no problem. They came in, completed the repair, sent a photo of the finished work, left the invoice, and had the clock set to the correct time before they left. That kind of trust and professionalism is rare. What also speaks to their integrity is that they could have easily recommended a full rebuild -- but instead they focused on preserving what I have, replacing only the parts that made sense to do together rather than attempting a repair that wouldn't serve me long term. They have always been mindful of cost and genuinely have my best interest at heart. That kind of honesty is everything when you're entrusting someone with something irreplaceable. Our grandfather clock -- named Abner, after my great-grandfather -- is the heartbeat of our home. Its rhythm, its chime, its presence through life's most meaningful moments makes it irreplaceable. Knowing it's in the hands of Nick and his father gives me tremendous peace of mind. In a world increasingly defined by technology and disposability, Champ's Clocks is a reminder that some things are worth preserving -- and that the people who dedicate their lives to that preservation deserve our deepest appreciation. Thank you, Nick, and thank you to your father and the entire Champion family.

WOW!!! What an amazing experience. Andy and Chevy gave us a tour of the store and were very…read moreknowledgeable about all of the inventory. We happened to be there at the top of the hour when all of the chimes went off...GOOSEBUMPS! We took [pictures and have been showing them to everyone who will look at them. If they do not have the clock for you, then you don't need a clock. We left our clock for repair and we were told up front that it may be several months before they could complete the work. We were OK with that. Thanks Andy and Chevy for a great experience.