Visit the Museums
Where 431 splits from Hwy 21, you’ll find beautiful Lagarde Park, and
if you meander through the park, you’ll find two treasures, the Berman Museum
and Anniston Museum of Natural History.
Explore the wilds of Africa, the wonders of the North American
wilderness and the mysteries of 2,300 year old Egyptian Mummies in the Anniston
Museum of Natural History. More than 2,000 natural history items are on
display, and children can get “hands on” with nature in the discovery room and
animal shows. For more information,
visit www.annistonmuseum.org.
At the Berman, you’ll explore Greece to Asia, Hitler to Napoleon. See Colonel
Berman’s incredible and fascinating collection of weapons, like a flute that
shoots, and thousands of objects like bronzes by Remington and Russell, Asian
Art, Winchesters, Civil War artifacts, and a Greek helmet, more than 2,000
years old. For more information, visit www.bermanmuseum.org.
Go for a swim
Ohatchee is home to Neely Henry Dam, and a great location for fishing
and fun for the whole family. From Piedmont to Jacksonville, Anniston and
Oxford, area municipalities have open swimming pools this summer, splash pads,
and more! Families can also enjoy floating Choccolocco and Terrapin Creeks,
picnicking along the banks, stopping for a swim or just relaxing for the day!
For more information, check www.VisitCalhounCounty.com.
Enjoy a Movie
This summer, several municipalities are hosting outdoor movie nights
and concerts, and AmStar of Oxford is hosting a summer movie series. Summer
Kids’ flicks are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Quintard Mall.
Only $3.50, these flicks also include a box of popcorn and kid’s soda! For more information, visit www.amstarcinemas.com.
See a Show
“Once upon a time, in a far off kingdom, there lay a small village at
the edge of the woods…” Don’t miss this production of Into the Woods at the Oxford Performing
Arts Center, presented by the JSU Drama Department and Jacksonville Opera
Theatre, June 5 through 6 and 12 through 14. For more information, visit www.oxfordpac.org.
Regionally, Characters of Gadsden is also presenting Big Fish, and the
Dugger Mountain Music Hall will feature local acts like the Rattlesnake
Rattlers. Check out www.charactersentertainment.com
and www.DuggerMountainMusic.com
for more information.
Shop til you Drop
Live local, eat local, play local, shop local! Calhoun County is home
to great shopping, from department stores to one-of-a-kind boutiques, we’ve got
it all. When visitors and residents shop local, everyone benefits, our schools,
our public services, and the businesses themselves, who in turn support local
teams and organizations. Download the Visit Calhoun County App for more
information or check out www.VisitCalhounCounty.com.
Hit the Trails
Peddle, peddle, peddle!
We’ve got bike trails at Cheaha, in Coldwater, in Choccolocco, in Jacksonville
and along Ladiga! Grap a bike and get going. For area maps and more
information, check out www.VisitCalhounCounty.com.
Take a Hike
From the Pinhoti to Cheaha and nearby Desoto State Park, pack a picnic
lunch and plan a hike. Take plenty of water and go explore the beautiful
scenery and views in your backyard! For trail information, browse www.VisitCalhounCounty.com and
“Plan Your Trip.” Families can also stretch their legs and stroll along Oxford
Lake. Take a picnic, check out the Coldwater Covered Bridge and play on the
playground.
Work on your Game
Weather you’re interested in tennis or golf, we have plenty of courses
and courts to keep you occupied. From Golden Springs to Jacksonville, go serve
it up. From Cider Ridge, Stoney Brook, Indian Oaks, Pine Hill, Cane Creek, and
nearby Silver Lakes, tee it up and hit them straight. You’ve got all summer to
perfect your game and get ready for the pros. For a list of area courses, browse
www.VisitCalhounCounty.com
“Sports and Recreation.”
Read a book
It’s no wonder that authors like Beth Duke and Pulitzer Prize winning
Rick Bragg felt drawn to capture the settings, history and stories of this
region in their work. Check out books from local authors this summer and see
how many settings you recognize.
Then, make your own memories and stories to share. Visit Northeast
Alabama where adventures are abound. It’s just natural to relax and enjoy the
scenery, the food, and the people.
Check out Community Events
From festivals to events like the annual Woodstock 5K, Calhoun County
is busy this summer. Don’t forget the municipal freedom festivals and Fourth of
July fireworks. For a complete list of community events, browse our event
calendar at www.VisitCalhounCounty.com,
and if you’d like to submit an event, check out www.CalhounChamber.com.
Take an Exercise Class
Take the summer to try new things. From Yoga, “Pound” class, Pilates
and spin, area gyms like the community centers, local gyms and YMCAs, each day
offers a new opportunity. For a list of locations, check out and browse our
online Membership Directory.
www.CalhounChamber.com
Take a train ride
Calhoun County is blessed with access to train, major highways, a greyhound
station and bike trails. It’s a short trip from everywhere. Located on West 4th
Street in Anniston, the AmTrack Cresent passenger train runs between New York
and New Orleans and stops daily in Anniston. The historically rich train
station, built in 1925, is perfect to accommodate any weekend getaway. Follow
the tracks!
Take a Wine Tour
Did you know Calhoun County is in the center of the North Alabama Wine
Trail? With local spots like beautiful White Oak Vineyards, home to Southern
Oak Wines, nearby Fruithurst Winery and High Country Cellars, these spots
produce local fruit wines, from blueberry to muscadine and more! Plan your tour
at www.NorthAlabamaWineTrail.com.
Local spots like Tyson Fine Wine and Things also host tastings on a weekly
basis.
Explore local history
From Janney Furnace, John Pelham, Civil Rights, “LickSkillet,” and “The
Model City,” Calhoun County is rich with history. Stop by the Chamber and
Visitors Center office at 1330 Quintard Avenue in Anniston and pick up a
historic driving tour. Our hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m.
Eat Local
Did you know 2015 is the year of Barbeque in
Alabama? Have you celebrated? We could come up with 100 dishes to eat in
Calhoun County before you die because we have the best burgers, barbeque,
shrimp and grits, ribs, pizza, and vegetables around. The list goes on and on,
but you can browse for yourself at www.VisitCalhounCounty.com
“Where to Eat.”
Spend
time with Family
Memories are made at home or taking an
adventure. Pull out the board games and tell family stories around a camp-fire
with s’mores. Life is made of little moments. Seize the day!
Other Explorations Nearby
Desoto Caverns
Talladega Superspeedway
International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Noccalula Falls
Cherokee Rock Village
Little River Canyon
Weiss Lake
JSU Canyon and Mountain Centers
Lake Wedowee
Loyd Owens Canoe Trail
Lake Chinnabee
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