Dothan is a city located in southeastern Alabama right at the corner where Alabama, Georgia, and Florida meet. It has a population of around 68,000 people and serves as the county seat of Houston County. Dothan was founded in 1885 as a hub for the cotton production and railway transportation in the region.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Landmark Park | Alabama’s official agricultural museum, offering a glimpse into the 1890s Wiregrass Region with historical buildings, farm animals, and antique carousel. |
| Dothan Opera House | A historic theater offering tours, musical performances, comedy shows, and a variety of cultural events. |
| Peanut Monument | A unique landmark celebrating Dothan’s peanut industry, featuring five giant peanut sculptures. |
| Poplar Head Farmers Market | A local market offering fresh, locally-grown produce, meats, baked goods, and more from regional farmers. |
| Westgate Park | A 70-acre park with natural scenery, walking trails, fishing ponds, playgrounds, and picnic areas. |
| Wiregrass Museum of Art | Southeastern Alabama’s art museum showcasing a range of visual arts, with exhibits, interactive studios, and educational programs. |
| Adventureland Theme Park | A family-friendly amusement park with rides, arcade games, mini-golf, and a splash pad. |
| Downtown Historic District | An area featuring preserved buildings, unique architecture, and historical sites from the late 1800s and early 1900s. |
| Foster Fest | An annual street festival celebrating art, music, food, and community, with vendors, performances, and activities. |
| McClelland Farm Trail | A nature trail offering a peaceful outdoor experience through fields, woodlands, and wetlands showcasing local flora and fauna. |
| Dothan Area Botanical Gardens | A 110-acre garden with diverse plant species, thematic gardens, and nature trails, emphasizing conservation and education. |
| The Flowers School of Music | A music institution providing performances, workshops, and educational programs, fostering Dothan’s musical heritage. |
While it may seem like a small southern town at first glance, Dothan actually has a surprising amount to see and do. From unique museums and cultural attractions to family activities and outdoor recreation, there are attractions in Dothan to appeal to all interests and ages. Many of these attractions revolve around celebrating and preserving the history, culture, and natural landscapes that make the Dothan area special.
If you’re planning a trip to Dothan or live nearby in southeastern Alabama or southwestern Georgia, make sure to check out some of these top attractions that offer fun and discovery for visitors:
Landmark Park
Name and Location: Landmark Park is a 135-acre open-air museum located at 430 Landmark Drive in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Established in 1976, Landmark Park preserves the agricultural history of southeast Alabama with historic buildings and demonstrations of traditional skills like blacksmithing, basketweaving and butterchurning.
What to Expect: Guests can visit an 1890s town, farmstead, and nature center showcasing local history. Interpretive exhibits, gardens, trails and resident animals provide family-friendly learning.
Visitor Information: Landmark Park is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-5pm. Admission charges apply. More details at landmarkparkdothan.com or 334-794-3452.
As Alabama’s official agricultural museum, Landmark Park serves as a over 100-acre open-air museum and cyclical farm that allows visitors to experience what life was like in the Wiregrass Region of southeastern Alabama during the 1890s.
The park features exhibits and areas focused on topics like farm animals, historic houses, a one-room schoolhouse, peanut production, and more. Visitors can interact with historic buildings moved to the site, attend special events like antique car shows and reenactments, and even ride on an antique carousel.
With both indoor and outdoor activities, Landmark Park provides family-friendly fun and a hands-on educational experience regarding Alabama’s agricultural heritage.
Dothan Opera House
Name and Location: The Dothan Opera House is a performing arts theater located at 121 N Saint Andrews Street in downtown Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Originally built in 1915, the historic theater reopened in 2009 after extensive renovations and continues presenting arts and cultural events for the community.
What to Expect: This elegant 900-seat hall hosts concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, movies and more in a beautifully restored space with modern sound and lighting.
Visitor Information: Schedule and tickets found at dothanoperahouse.org or 334-616-7100. Guided tours available as well.
Located downtown, the Dothan Opera House originally opened in 1915 as a venue for vaudeville performances before becoming a movie theater in later decades. After sitting vacant for 50 years, the historic theater reopened after renovations in 2006 to host musical performances, guest speakers, children’s theater, comedy shows and more.
Visitors today can tour the elegant building to see murals in the Grand Lobby, wander through the Moonlight Garden and enjoy drinks or food at the on-site café before a show. With an robust events calendar, the Dothan Opera House represents both historic preservation and contemporary culture in the community.
Peanut Monument
Name and Location: The Peanut Monument is located at the intersection of North Alice and Troy Streets in downtown Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Erected in 1975, this landmark recognizes Dothan as the “Peanut Capital of the World” due to the region’s high production of peanut crops. It stands near the old Electric Peanut Shelling Plant.
What to Expect: The iconic statue depicts a 13-foot peanut holding an even larger golden peanut as a tribute to the integral legume. Visitors can take photos of the folk art sculpture.
Visitor Information: The Peanut Monument is freely accessible year-round at the downtown intersection.
Paying homage to the peanut’s importance to Dothan’s regional economy and history is the Peanut Monument located downtown. This iconic landmark built in 1997 stands over 13 feet tall and consists of 5 giant peanut sculptures welded together from steel and granite.
Each peanut pod has written quotes regarding the peanut industry’s significance and role in shaping Dothan on their sides. Visitors enjoy stopping by the peanut statue to take photos and read the peanut facts. While seemingly simple, this roadside monument creatively captures an integral aspect of Dothan’s identity over the decades.
Poplar Head Farmers Market
Name and Location: Poplar Head Farmers Market takes place in the field areas behind Poplar Head United Methodist Church located at 314 Church Street in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Founded in 2006, this weekly farmers market allows area growers and food producers to sell fresh, local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, plants and homemade items directly to the public.
What to Expect: Visitors will find over a dozen vendors under small tents offering seasonal produce, staples like bread and eggs, jams, arts and crafts in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Visitor Information: The farmers market runs every Tuesday from 2pm to 6pm between May and August. Everything sold is locally grown or crafted.
What began as a small seasonal fruit stand back in 1953 has blossomed into the Poplar Head Farmers Market – a beloved community staple open year-round today. Poplar Head Farmers Market provides visitors the chance to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables directly from regional farmers and vendors. Explore the covered open-air market to discover seasonal produce like peaches, greens, squash and much more.
Beyond produce, the market also sells fresh meats, eggs, baked goods, jams, honey and flowers. It’s the perfect place to shop for ingredients to make a delicious Southern meal with crops cultivated right in the Dothan area’s rich soil. Open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the Poplar Head Farmers Market exemplifies the agricultural richness of the Wiregrass region.
Westgate Park
Name and Location: Westgate Park is a 125-acre public park located at 800 Westgate Parkway in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Established in 1949, Westgate Park is Dothan’s first recreational park featuring floral gardens, a lighted Softball complex, playgrounds, walking trails, picnic sites and the only public swimming pool.
What to Expect: Visitors can take a dip in the Olympic pool, play a round of disc golf, rent shelters for events, or explore nature and flower gardens on walking paths through scenic wooded areas.
Visitor Information: Park open daily 8am-10pm. More details at dothan.org/westgate or call 334-615-3720. Nominal entry fees apply for pool use.
Nature lovers visiting Dothan should make the scenic 70-acre Westgate Park a top priority on their itinerary. This park features wooded areas, streams, horseshoe pits, pavilions, playground equipment and walking trails perfect for taking in natural scenery. Visitors can explore meadows filled with blooming wildflowers in spring or go fishing in the ponds using the park’s small fishing pier.
Families often enjoy picnicking together under the shade of tall pine trees. Community events like concerts and holiday celebrations also frequently take place in Westgate Park’s outdoor amphitheater and indoor events center. With both recreational facilities and preserved natural vibrancy, Westgate Park offers the ideal place to connect with Dothan’s landscapes.
Wiregrass Museum of Art
Name and Location: The Wiregrass Museum of Art is located at 126 Museum Avenue in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Founded in 1988, this museum promotes visual arts in the region through permanent collections, touring exhibits, educational programs, and cultural events to over 20,000 annual visitors.
What to Expect: Guests can view contemporary painting galleries and sculpture gardens, take art classes, shop at the museum store, or attend wine tastings and artist receptions at this innovative cultural hub.
Visitor Information: Open Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 1pm-4pm. Details at wiregrassmuseum.org or call 334-794-3871.
Though Dothan may seem small, it packs a punch when it comes to culture and art. The Wiregrass Museum of Art serves as the official art museum for southeastern Alabama focused on collecting, preserving and exhibiting visual art relevant to the region. Visitors can explore pieces related to varied mediums like painting, sculpture, photography and fiber art.
Some interesting exhibits dive into topics like African American art history and sports art. Beyond the galleries, the museum also has an interactive art studio, gift shop, research library and offers public programming like lectures and classes. The Wiregrass Museum of Art opens the door into understanding and appreciating how artistic creativity thrives in Dothan.
Adventureland Theme Park
Name and Location: Adventureland Park is located at 233 Albert Rains Blvd in Dothan, Alabama near the Westgate Softball complex.
History and Significance: Family owned and operated since 1963, Adventureland Park offers over 100 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to waterslides, go-karts and mini golf spread across 35 acres of action packed entertainment.
What to Expect: Thrill seekers will find heart-pounding rides while young children can explore kiddie sections. Arcade games, food vendors, and special events create endless summer fun.
Visitor Information: Park open daily during summer. Schedule varies seasonally. Find tickets and operating hours at adventurelandpark.com or call 334-793-3278.
Families with kids will feel right at home at Adventureland Theme Park – an entertainment complex with rides, arcade games, mini-golf and more! Located right off Highway 231 North heading out of Dothan, Adventureland Theme Park first opened in 1998 and has been thrilling visitors ever since with its exciting attractions.
Kids can ride the Red Baron biplanes above the park, hop into bumper cars to gently crash into friends or spin round and round on classic rides like the Tilt-a-Whirl. When not riding attractions, cool off at the Splash Pad water play area on hot days or try to score a hole-in-one on the medieval castle themed mini-golf course. With family fun around every corner, Adventureland Theme Park delivers playful memories for all ages.
Downtown Historic District
Name and Location: Dothan’s downtown historic district encompasses the original downtown area and adjacent residential neighborhoods bounded by Crawford, Orange, Troy and Saucer Streets.
History and Significance: Settled in 1885, downtown Dothan grew as an agricultural and railway hub through the early 20th century leaving an intact heritage of historic buildings, churches and homes lining scenic streets.
What to Expect: Visitors can take self-guided walking tours to spot Queen Anne, Neoclassical and Craftsmen style architecture while enjoying museums, restaurants and unique shops.
Visitor Information: Grab visitor maps at Main Street Dothan downtown or reference historicsoutheastalabama.com for tour stops.
Get a taste of Dothan’s past by exploring its historic downtown full of preserved buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Downtown Historic District runs along the original main street and features eye-catching architecture housing shops, restaurants and businesses inside Victorian-era commercial buildings.
Some establishments of note include the old Hotel Dothan building with a still-intact lobby featuring mosaic tile floors, the BBVA Compass Bank building with granite Doric columns and intricate brickwork and the Merchantile Bank & Trust Company Building topped by a gold lion weathervane. Visitors can pick up a walking tour guide of the district’s highlights from the Chamber of Commerce. Understanding Dothan today means stepping back into its late 19th century origins.
Foster Fest
Name and Location: Foster Fest is an annual community music festival held each May in Downtown Dothan along Main Street and at the Wiregrass Commons venue behind the Opera House.
History and Significance: Launched in 2014, Foster Fest brings 50+ bands across four stages to honor the legacy of local rock icon Bert Foster for day filled with eclectic music, art, car shows and family fun.
What to Expect: Festgoers can enjoy regional food trucks, cold drinks, dozens of musical acts that span classic rock tributes, gospel choirs, Americana and alternative during this vibrant street fair.
Visitor Information: Held 2nd Saturday of May. Free event but VIP packages with merchandise available. Details at fosterfestdothan.com.
Dothan knows how to throw a good party – case in point: Foster Fest. Held annually on the first Saturday of May, Foster Fest turns downtown Dothan into a vibrant street festival celebrating art, music, food and community.
Named after Tookie Foster, a businessman instrumental to revitalizing the city’s downtown, the free festival packs in the crowds. Attendees browse over 200 arts and crafts vendors selling unique handicrafts and souvenirs, sway along to performances by musicians on three stages, sample bites from local restaurants at tasting booths and let kids run wild in the free specially designated children’s area. Foster Fest brings Dothan residents and visitors together for an entertaining day embracing cultural creativity.
McClelland Farm Trail
Name and Location: McClelland Farm Trail is a one-mile wooded hiking trail located inside Houston Memorial Park at 500 Downtowner Blvd in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Named after the original owners of this former farmstead property, this peaceful trail winds through pine forests, wildflower meadows and wetland areas rich with native plants and wildlife.
What to Expect: Hikers can traverse boardwalks over swampy terrain to spot painted buntings, green tree frogs, migrating songbirds and colorful native blooms along interpretive signage identifying natural highlights.
Visitor Information: Free access from dawn to dusk daily. Restrooms and picnic sites nearby. More info at houstonmemorialpark.com.
Immerse yourself in the pastoral landscapes of the Wiregrass countryside just minutes from downtown by hiking or biking along the peaceful McClelland Farm Trail. Traversing the grounds of a former cattle ranch, this 2.3 mile out-and-back trail takes visitors though open fields, shady woodlands and wetland marshes teeming with biodiversity.
Wildlife watchers may spot white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, gopher tortoises or rare carnivorous yellow pitcher plants as seasons change. Interpretive signs share interesting facts about ecosystems, agriculture and the former farmstead’s history along the way. The easy, mostly level trail surface also makes it suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Representing an oasis of natural serenity and beauty on Dothan’s outskirts, McClelland Farm Trail delights outdoor enthusiasts.
Dothan Area Botanical Gardens
Name and Location: The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is located at 5130 Headland Avenue in Dothan, Alabama near Bates Army Airfield.
History and Significance: Established in 2007 by volunteer efforts, these 105-acre public gardens focus on cultivating and displaying southeastern native plants across trails, cultivated beds and naturalized landscapes.
What to Expect: Guests can explore floral varieties on walking paths, visit picturesque pavilions and porches for events, cross babbling brooks over quaint bridges, spot wildlife around ponds, and view art installations.
Visitor Information: Trails and gardens open daily 8am to dusk. More details at dothanareabotanicalgardens.com or call 334-612-4010.
As a free attraction open year-round, the stunning 110 acre Dothan Area Botanical Gardens make exploring the natural world easily accessible to everyone. This botanical garden features diverse ecosystems including a butterfly garden, herb garden, bog garden and arboretum spread throughout ponds, meadows, boardwalks and woodland walking trails. Garden highlights include a scenic waterfall, Southern magnolias, camellia collection and Carnivorous Plant Bog with fascinating insect-eating plants.
Beyond flora and fauna, amenities like scenic lookout platforms, pavilions and outdoor classrooms immerse visitors into the landscapes and invite you to linger. The property also frequently hosts photography walks, gardening lectures, yoga sessions and seasonal events. Discover tranquil natural beauty blooming within the city at Dothan Area Botanical Gardens.
The Flowers School of Music
Name and Location: The Flowers School of Music is located at 451 North Daleville Avenue in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Opened in 2014, this non-profit community music school provides lessons, rehearsal space and programming to make music education accessible for learners of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels.
What to Expect: Visitors can enroll in private or group lessons for voice, guitar, drums, piano and more. Recitals and jams allow students to gain performance experience in a supportive environment.
Visitor Information: Year-round programming offered. Details on their programs, events and staff available at flowersschoolofmusic.org or call 334-671-1779.
While not a conventional “attraction,” Dothan’s Flowers School of Music deserves a spot on this list for offering culturally-enriching public performances, workshops and summer camps focused on celebrating music’s vital role locally for many years. Established in 2000, the Flowers School of Music provides kids and adults opportunities to follow their musical passions through private lessons, choral ensembles and outreach initiatives across many genres from classical to jazz to pop and more.
Community members or visitors can check the event calendar to attend free school recitals showcasing talented vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages or even book tickets to professional shows organized as fundraisers inside the on-campus auditorium. Dothan’s musical spirit shines bright at the Flowers School of Music.
Conclusion
As this deeper dive into 12 attractions shows, Dothan serves up history, cultural experiences and outdoor adventure perfect for an engaging getaway or staycation in southeastern Alabama. From interactive museums like Landmark Park to community festivals like Foster Fest to green spaces like Westgate Park, visitors find many options to craft an itinerary suited to their interests.
Beyond the attractions covered, amenities like a vibrant restaurant scene, plenty of shopping, nearby state parks and the scenic Wiregrass countryside give travelers even more ways to connect with Dothan during their travels. So next time you’re seeking somewhere new to explore in the South, consider adding Dothan to your list!