24 Best & Fun Things to Do in Gadsden (AL)

Looking for the best and fun things to do in Gadsden, AL?

Gadsden is located in Etowah County and lies on the banks of the Coosa River. This city features many beautiful spots starting from the attractive environment, lakes, gardens, and parks.

This is a fantastic place to spend time with your family and friends, having beautiful surroundings for picnics and other outdoor activities.

Visiting Gadsden, do not fail to explore Gadsden AL attractions such as Noccalula Falls Park, Gadsden Museum of Art, Noccalula Waterfall, James D. Martin Wildlife Park, Merry-Go-Round Skate Center, and other fun Gadsden attractions.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Gadsden, AL.

Things to Do in Gadsden

1. Noccalula Falls Park

Noccalula Falls Park
Credits: photosounds / Shutterstock
Noccalula Falls Park

One of the top fun things to do in Gadsden, AL,  is spending some quality time at Noccalula Falls Park. Noccalula Falls Park is the best place to have fun and an awesome time with family and friends.

This park features about two hundred and fifty (250) acres of land. With so many beautiful and fascinating features, it also features an incredible waterfall.

They have sites for those who want to camp and have a great adventure. This park is surrounded by beautiful flowers and shrubs, which gives the environment an impressive and amazing look.

You can also decide to take a trip on the Park’s train, go for long walks or even jog. However, you want to spend your leisure time.

They also have a petting zoo, one of the most exciting places, especially for kids. It also contains a historic pioneer village and a miniature golf course.

Noccalula Falls Park is a good place for weddings and other events, and It is a renowned park known for its exceptional beauty.

Address:1500 Noccalula Road Gadsden, AL 35904

2. Back Forty Beer Co.

Back Forty Beer Co.
Credits:Nitr / Shutterstock

If you’re in search of a place that serves tasty and refreshing beer, then you should visit Back Forty Beer Co.

They also offer samples of award-winning craft beer. This Brewery was given its name due to the high fertility of its soil.

They also serve delicious meals and snacks to suit your taste with a calm environment to enable you to enjoy your meals.

Just be sure to have a wonderful time with your family and friends while enjoying their fantastic beer and dishes.

Address:200 N 6th St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States

3. Merry-Go-Round Skate Center

Merry-Go-Round Skate Center
Credits:LightField Studios / Shutterstock

Merry-Go-Round Skate Center is one of the best things to do in Gadsden, AL. This Center is all about fun and enjoyment.

This is the number one place to visit to have a wonderful roller skating experience. And it’s open for both adults and kids as well.

They also host colorful and exciting events like the pizza party, Glow night, and the lady’s night.

They are open from Friday to Tuesday. Do well to add Merry-Go-Round Skate Center to your places to visit list. Your list isn’t complete without it.

Address:6494 Whorton Bend Road Gadsden, AL 35901

4. Neely Henry Lake

Neely Henry Lake
Credits: racy Burroughs Brown / Shutterstock
Neely Henry Lake

Neely Henry Lake is the true definition of beautiful, it is also known as Gadsden’s best kept secret, and no one can dispute that.

This lake has about eleven thousand, two hundred acres of water (11,200) and a shoreline of about three hundred and thirty-nine (339).

If you love fishing, this is the best place for you. They have fishes of different species like the catfish, bass, plus, and others.

You can also visit the Newly Henry Dam, which was built in 1966, and it generates hydroelectric power for Gadsden.

You may come across other animals like prairie Warblers, purple Martins, Bald Eagles, and much more.

You can also opt for the mountain bike for a much cooler experience to run along the water edge through the forest trails.

This is a very nice place to spend with your family for picnics or a family reunion.

Address: Calhoun / Etowah / St. Clair counties, Alabama, US

5. James D. Martin Wildlife Park

James D. Martin Wildlife Park
Credits:JGA/ Shutterstock

James D. Martin Wildlife Park is a place with several amazing and exciting features in the city of Gadsden.

James D. Martin Wildlife Park became active in 1991, 15th of October. It was built in honor of a commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as at that time called James D. Martin.

There is a path for walking, for those who would love taking long walks, and for those who may want to go biking as well.

James D. Martin Wildlife Park is surrounded by a lake, the Newly Henry Lake. The walking trail gives a fascinating view of the lake and other nearby islands.

This makes what to do in Dodge City for some exploration, quite a perfect addition to your bucket list of fun things to do in Dodge City.

Address:829 Old S 4th Street Gadsden, AL 35901

6. Chestnut Station

Chestnut Station
Credits:DisobeyArt/ Shutterstock
Chestnut Station

Chestnut Station is one of the most exciting places to visit in Gadsden with your family and friends and have a wonderful experience.

They have a studio to showcase your karaoke skills and also have a friendly competition between your family and friends.

They also have a full bar with different drinks for you to choose from, with a very lively musical spot.

The musical spot is very lively and active, where you can enjoy listening to music and show off your dancing step on the stage.

Just imagine enjoying your drink with some mini corn dogs or southern buffalo wings, which were prepared by deep frying and great music. Yeah! That feeling is divine.

They are open on Monday to Friday from 4pm-2am, on Saturday from 2pm-2am, they are closed on Sunday.

Address:410 Chestnut St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States

7. Noccalula Waterfall

Noccalula Falls Park has an incredible waterfall known as the Noccalula Falls. It is a very beautiful spot, with a refreshing environment.

Noccalula Waterfall, it’s always beautiful, all year round regardless of the time or season. It is also known as the tallest Waterfall in Alabama.

Noccalula Waterfall was named after a Cherokee princess reportedly said to have killed herself by jumping into the waterfall in 1975.

After this incident, Noccalula Waterfall became more popular and was called Black Creek Falls. It is also a wonderful center for hiking, especially under the waterfall.

Noccalula waterfall is a great place not just for hiking but also for meditation. This is a cool place to spend with your family while relaxing and enjoying its serene environment.

Address:1500 Noccalula Road Gadsden, AL 35904

8. Tigers for Tomorrow

Tigers for Tomorrow
Credits:ArtMediaFactory/ Shutterstock
Tigers for Tomorrow

Tiger For Tomorrow is another fun place to visit in Gadsden, especially for the animal lovers, kids inclusive.

It has about one hundred and forty (140) acres of land space, filled with many animals of different species.

Tigers for Tomorrow has about a hundred and seventy(170) tigers, bears, and lions, particularly from Africa.

This is a non-profit facility whose main purpose is to try and bring humans closer to animals. Here you’re educated about the animals and also given tours.

During your tour, you will also find other animals like cougars, wolves and many others. Their staff are very friendly and always ready to answer your questions.

Address:708 Co Rd 345, Attalla, AL 35954, United States

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9. Gadsden Museum of Art

Gadsden Museum of Art
Credits: Joanna Poe / Flickr
Gadsden Museum of Art

Gadsden Museum Of Art is an educational and interesting place to visit, with plenty of artwork on display. It was initially opened in 1965.

They host group shows, solo artists’ shows, and exhibit different artworks. They also help to educate people about the history of Gadsden.

Gadsden Museum of Art is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Friday, and Saturdays from 11am-3pm, on Thursday from 10am-7pm, they are closed on Monday and Sunday.

Don’t fail to visit this museum whenever you visit Gadsden as your experience is not yet complete until you visit Gadsden Museum of Art.

Exploring this Gadsden Museum of Art is one of the unique things to do in Gadsden with the family.

Address:515 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States

10. Chief Ladiga Trail

Chief Ladiga Trail
Credits: Wayne Ruple[CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Chief Ladiga Trail
Chief Ladiga Trail is one of the most beautiful places in the area, where lots of recreational activities are carried out.

Chief Ladiga Trail is the best center to have fun, especially for those who love jogging and hiking as well.

Here, you can also go for inline skating or cycling, all these activities are extremely exciting, coupled with the nice environment.

They also have a wonderful site for picnics, for you and your family to just have fun and enjoy your time together.

You’re also allowed to go for a walk through the forest and take a closer look at nature and its wildlife.

Address: 700 Pelham Rd N, Jacksonville, AL, US 36265

11. Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts
Credits: Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts / Facebook
Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts is one of the fun centers in Gadsden that was built purposely to display the cultural values of Gadsden.

Mary G. Hardin center is located in the downtown area in Broad street, inside a newly renovated store, eventually opened in 1990.

They have loads of performances, visual displays, and traveling arts on showcase. It is a non-profit organization. They are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm, but are closed on Sunday.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the fun and exciting events in Mary G. Hardin center whenever you visit Gadsden.

A visit here will open you to the art world, definitely one of the top things to do in Gadsden for art lovers.

Address:501 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States

12. Mort Glosser Amphitheatre

Mort Glosser Amphitheatre
Credits: Who is Danny/ Shutterstock
Mort Glosser Amphitheatre

Mort Glosser Amphitheatre is one of the oldest Amphitheatre in Gadsden, and it’s fully equipped as well.

A sandstone gotten from the northeast side of Alabama, precisely from the lookout Mountain, was used to build Mort Glosser Amphitheatre in 1935.

During the Second World War, the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre was converted to a center for entertainment for the servicemen, whose camps aren’t far away.

The sitting spot of the theater takes the actual shape of a half-hexagon. They also have a club room for premium fun and a Stone arch and timber frame.

Mort Glosser Amphitheatre was renowned for organizing exciting activities like boxing matches, musical shows, rallies, and summer play.

Address: 90 Walnut St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States

13. Etowah Memorial Bridge

 Etowah Memorial Bridge
Credits: Boston Public Library / Flickr
Etowah Memorial Bridge

You can get a very wide and wonderful view of the city by standing on Etowah Memorial Bridge.

Etowah Memorial Bridge is a bridge built as a form of remembrance to honor the memories and the lives of soldiers.

For soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for the country during World War 1, this bridge stands as a form of remembrance so that their selflessness won’t be forgotten.

Etowah Memorial Bridge was built by Kershaw G. Charles contraction company, which is in Birmingham, in 1927.

It is also called the Coosa River Bridge. You should pay a visit to the bridge whenever you visit Gadsden.

Address: Gadsden, AL 35901, USA

14. Black Stone Pub & Eatery

Black Stone Pub & Eatery
Credits:V. Matthiesen/ Shutterstock
Black Stone Pub & Eatery

Suppose you’re searching for a center that gives you good food, quality drink, and great music. Then pay Blackstone Pub & Eatery a visit. They opened in 2002.

They offer delicious delicacies like their famous White Cheese Dip served with toasted french bread and tortilla chips, Hippie Nachos, Grilled Chicken Nacho, Philly Chicken, and so much more.

Black Stone pub & eatery serves the best pizzas with different types of toppings depending on what you want.

According to your preference, they offer about one hundred and fifty (150) different beer collections to choose from.

They also have a venue for live performances that showcases great musical talents. What else can you possibly ask for?

This answers what to do in Gadsden, AL for a fun time, do add to your bucket list of things to do in Gadsden.

Address:525 Broad Street Gadsden, AL 35901

15. Banks Park

Banks Park
Credits:Ivana P. Nikolic/ Shutterstock
Banks Park

For fun lovers, one of the fun things to do in Gadsden, AL, is a visit to Banks Park.

This is a community park with a community center for rentals, they also have so many other fields.

They have sites for picnics, and for those who would like to have a picnic with their family and friends, picnic pavilions are up for rentals.

They also have a wonderful playground for kids, fully equipped and very attractive.

For the sports lovers, they have a volleyball court, baseball fields, basketball court, and tennis court, which are open for beginners and professionals, respectively.

Banks park also serves as a center for holding events like birthday parties, church gatherings, weddings, and many others. They have a site that can contain about seventy(70) people.

Address:1604-1798 Central Avenue Gadsden, AL 35904

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16. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Credits:Bohbeh/ Shutterstock
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Golf is one of the most amazing and competitive games to play, and it is hundred percent fun-filled.

Its surroundings are a great sight to behold in the wetlands and forest grassland through the wonderful landscape.

It is also surrounded by a lake known as Lee’s lake. They have different taking courses like a backbreaker, The short course, Heartbreaker, and the Mindbreaker.

Having a total of about thirty- six (36) holes to play, you can also go for a little tour to check out the beautiful surroundings with lots of exciting facilities in it.

This makes what to do in Gadsden, AL, for golf lovers, quite a recommended addition to your bucket list of things to do in Gadsden for fun.

Address:1 Sunbelt Pkwy, Gadsden, AL 35905, United States

17. Dub Parker Park

Dub Parker Park
Credits:Halay Alex/ Shutterstock
Dub Parker Park/center>

Dub Parker Park compliments that Gadsden is indeed a city filled with great beauty.

They have a very beautiful environment for picnics, for you and your family to have a magical outdoor experience. Picnic tables are provided for you, together with a pavilion.

They are a gigantic playground for children, and it comprises different playground equipment. Kids may even get confused about the equipment to start with.

They also offer a boat launch. The safety of everyone is their utmost priority, and that is why security guards are always around to protect you all.

They are always closed on Monday and Tuesday but are open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am-5pm.

For fun things to do in Gadsden, add this to your checklist of places to visit in Gadsden, AL.

Address:369 Riverside Drive Gadsden, AL 35903

18. Downtown Gadsden

Downtown Gadsden
Credits: David Lawson / Flickr
Downtown Gadsden

Downtown Gadsden is a fun center to visit with your family and friends, consisting of many exciting sites.

They have a site for shopping authentic local artworks, which may also serve as souvenirs and a special gift to someone.

Downtown Gadsden also has a very nice Museum, which has lots of cultural items of Gadsden on display.

Their dining place is unbeatable when it comes to serving visitors delicious meals.

In Downtown Gadsden, a special event is usually organized. People living in the city come out in masses with live music to enjoy the moment.

This happens every first Friday of the month, and the arena usually has lots of market stalls and street food vendors.

Make sure you include Downtown Gadsden on your visit list. You will be glad you did.

Address: 500 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States.

19. Anniston Museum of Natural History

 Anniston Museum of Natural History
Credits: geopungo / Flickr
Anniston Museum of Natural History

Anniston Museum of Natural History is an incredible Museum filled with many historical collections.

This Museum was built in 1930 and has been very active ever since, gathering so much historical data.

This museum serves as an eye-opener, for they teach you about history you might not have come across, and they also show you virtual data to back it up.

This is a very educational place for children to be, widening their knowledge and discovering new things.

They will also educate you about the power of weather, fossils, minerals, and many others focused on the planet and how it was formed.

Animals that have lived for thousands of years are displayed, these were animals captured by a single businessman who went around the world hunting.

Address:800 Museum Drive Anniston, AL 36206

20. Berman Museum

Berman Museum
Credits: Berman Museum/ Facebook
Berman Museum

Berman Museum is a museum for all ages, including adults and children. This place comprises many educational schemes that have to do with nature.

The Berman Museum showcases about eight thousand local and international artifacts.

This Museum showcases books of Remington bronzes, oil paintings, Jada sculptures including ancient and modern weapons, and so much more.

A German businessman gathered all these artifacts. They also educate people about the history of the colonization of the American West.

Address:840 Museum Drive Anniston, AL 36206

21. Premiere Cinema 1

Premiere Cinema 1
Credits: Stock-Asso / Shutterstock

Amongst the top fun things to do in Gadsden for a fun movie experience is a visit to Premiere Cinema 1

Premiere Cinema 1 is by far the best in Gadsden if you want to have a wonderful movie experience.

Gadsden Mall has a beautiful and large cinema, the Premiere Cinema 1, which has a very conducive environment.

It is fully equipped with a great digital sound and a wide television which makes watching movies fun.

They provide comfortable seats and a neat environment to help you relax while watching the latest Hollywood movie.

Address:1001 Rainbow Dr Ste 4 Gadsden, AL 35901

22. Imagination Place Children’s Museum

Imagination Place Children's Museum
Credits: Anton Gvozdikov/ Shutterstock
Imagination Place Children’s Museum

Imagination Place Children’s Museum is a place that gives children a chance to explore and enjoy themselves.

It is filled with several items which are very attractive to kids and can easily get their undivided attention.

Imagination Place Children’s Museum is a very educational place that allows kids to feel free and learn and ask questions about things they find interesting.

This place was built for kids from the ages of two (2) to ten (10) years, with lots of exciting activities.

It features an imagination express train, sailing on a sunken pirate ship, and a grocery store to God shopping.

Visit Imagination Place Children’s Museum on your visit to Gadsden, and your children will continue to thank you for a lifetime to come

Address:501 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States.

23. Central Carver Legacy Museum

Central Carver Legacy Museum was built as a high school before being shut down in 1971 and renovated into a museum.

This Museum comprises 26 different classrooms, a gymnasium, a lunchroom with other new sections or stations.

This Museum was named after George Carver Washington, a very popular botanist. They help showcase different artwork of the African American community. As a result of this enlighten the students about the African American history

Carver High School served African-American students of Gadsden until it was closed in 1971. It was named in honor of George Washington Carver, the famous American botanist, and inventor.

This is a very educational place and a beautiful place filled with different sections, trying to impact other lives one way or the other.

Address: 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave, Gadsden, AL 35901, United States.

24. Town Creek Fishing Center

PTown Creek Fishing Center
Credits: Rocksweeper/ Shutterstock
PTown Creek Fishing Center

Town Creek Fishing Center comprises many exciting outdoor activities carried out on a Lake known as Lake Huntersville.

They have camping sites, and they also ensure that all the equipment needed during camping is put in place and good condition.

You can also go fishing, as they provide fishing boats for rentals and canoes and pontoons. Town Creek Fishing Center is a beautiful place with a serene environment and moderate noise.

Address: Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL 35976

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Plan Your Trip to Gadsden

Gadsden is a fun city renowned for its beauty and exciting activities.

Visiting Gadsden, do well to visit places such as The Merry-Go-Round Skate Center, Noccalula Falls Park, Anniston Museum of Natural History, Central Carver Legacy Museum, Gadsden Museum of Art, James D. Martin Wildlife Park, and others.

Have a fun vacation in Gadsden, AL!