I cannot say enough about this gift and souvenir shop. Look no further for anything Alabama. Valerie is a wonderful host in a wonderful shop. However, the phone number listed on Yelp may be incorrect. I called the store direct by dialing 334-549-9322. The address of the gift shop is 353 South Jackson. Please do yourself a favor and stop by and see Miss Valerie. She is a most accomplished lady. read more

Stopping here will positively impact your visit to Montgomery. There is so much information here, that you have to come in and get all the brochures you can. Not only that, but the staff is very knowledgeable and they will propose a route that will touch on all your interests. For a small city, this state capital is massively huge in terms of history and landmarks. There is so much history going on, and things that you had no idea ever happened (or had forgotten), that your stop at this visitor center is almost necessary. And I don't think other visitor centers among tourist areas are as important as this one. Bathrooms, shops, benches, all inside. Sign says it opens at 9 am, but the staff is ready to go before that official time. Walk in. read more

I highly recommend everyone and anyone visiting Montgomery Alabama to start their day at the Visitor Center at the OLD UNION TRAIN STATION on the riverfront. If you go on Saturday, the parking is FREE here and every where downtown even the meters, so that is good to know. We parked and went inside. It opens at 9am and closes at 5pm. This building is the old UNION STATION and also the Train Shed for the Electric Street cars. There is a lot of history in the beautiful old building. The inside is lovely. It is full of brochures and ideas of what to visit. There is a brief video to watch, bathrooms, information and gift shop. So definitely stop. The two ladies inside was very helpful and gave us a really detailed map for walking or you can catch a bus for $3 and get off and on all you need to.. History of the Union Station building: Union Station, also known as Montgomery Union Station or Montgomery Union Station and Trainshed, in Montgomery, Alabama was built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and opened in 1898. Erected of brick and limestone on a high bluff along the Alabama River, the station also served passenger trains of Atlantic Coast Line, Western Railway of Alabama, Seaboard Air Line, Central of Georgia, and Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The station had six tracks under a 600 foot shed, with a coach yard on the south end of the station as well as a Railway Express Agency facility. The station's design segregated passengers by race and incorporated Romanesque Revival elements The number of passenger trains using Union Station declined during the 1950s and 1960s. When Amtrak came into existence in 1971, it continued passenger service through Montgomery with a single train (the South Wind, later renamed the Floridian), operating between Chicago and Miami. However, this train was terminated in 1979 and Union Station was closed. After a period of disuse, Union Station was renovated for commercial tenants. The train shed still stands, although tracks under it have been replaced by asphalt parking. Declared National Historic Site in 1976 Amtrak returned to Montgomery in 1989 with an extension of the Crescent called the Gulf Breeze from Birmingham to Mobile; but Union Station was not used. Instead, Amtrak contracted with a travel agent who occupied a former grain silo near Union Station. This Amtrak service was terminated in 1995, and Montgomery has had no passenger rail service since. Among other tenants, Union Station currently hosts the Montgomery Area Visitor Center. read more

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STOP HERE FIRST! When visiting the city of Montgomery, it is very important to stop by the Visitor's Center to get your maps and parking pass. Although the major landmark sites tend to be very close together, the maps are great for helping you to make the most efficient use of your time. My husband handled the maps and I managed the itinerary so we were able to keep a tight schedule and stay on task. The station receptionist was very helpful in answering our questions and making sure we had the lay of the land. We received a parking pass that allowed us free parking right next to the capitol where we were also able to walk to other sites. When visiting the center, you will need to park in the structure that is just across the street. It is very affordable and only cost us a dollar. This office is located in the Old Union Station building which is beautiful so take time to look around and check out the antique train car out back. From this spot, you can also walk down to the river and see the Harriot II (cruise boat) and enjoy the quiet, peaceful surroundings. They now open at 8:30 so that you can easily stop here before starting your tour. There are public restrooms inside for your convenience. read more

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The staff here are all very friendly, helpful and informative. The trolley tour that leaves from the visitor center is narrated and full of interesting information about the history and sights of the city. The tour is 45 minutes long round trip but the tour is a hop on hop off ride making it a very convenient way to get around the city. read more

This is a beautiful building on the Riverwalk . I walked past many times on my morning walk but only got to visit briefly almost at closing time. This visitor centre is very informative, yet modern . I will return. read more

They are friendly, knowledgable, and do a great job at helping you explore the wonderful city of Montgomery. I agree with Melissa B's review! read more

The Visitor Centre was exceptionally helpful to us during our stay at Montgomery. The staff was so good and friendly in nature. They guide us with proper information about the history and sights of the city. That was a delightful building along the riverside. I was totally satisfied with the services served by the staff of the visitor center. read more