Dothan is a charming city in southeast Alabama, known for its Southern hospitality, rich history, natural beauty and family-friendly attractions. Located along the Peanut Trail highway between Montgomery and Panama City Beach, Dothan makes for a fun weekend getaway or vacation spot if you’re traveling with kids or grandchildren.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Landmark Park | A living history museum featuring a historic homestead and heritage gardens. |
| Wiregrass Museum of Art | Offers diverse art collections and family-centered events. |
| Peanut Capital Exploration | Celebrate Dothan’s peanut industry with tours and tastings. |
| Westgate Park Recreation Center | A public park with playgrounds, sports facilities, and an indoor pool. |
| Farm Visits | Interactive farm experiences with u-pick fields and animal encounters. |
| Lake Eufaula Outings | Recreational activities on a large reservoir with water sports. |
| Paradise Water Park | A family-friendly water park with slides, pools, and kid zones. |
| Lickskillet Ice Cream | An ice cream parlor offering a variety of flavors and sundaes. |
| Adventure Park Animal Encounters | A park featuring exotic animals and interactive experiences. |
| Baseball Games | Enjoy local baseball games in a family-friendly atmosphere. |
| Fort Rucker Aviation Museum | Explore Army aviation history with exhibits and simulators. |
From outdoor adventures like visiting local farms and state parks to hands-on museums and animal encounters, Dothan offers an array of activities guaranteed to create lasting memories for families. The downtown area also features quaint shops, restaurants and landmarks that provide a taste of Dothan’s heritage as an important agricultural hub.
To help you plan an exciting visit full of discovery and quality time with your family, here are 12 of the best things to do with kids of all ages in Dothan, Alabama:
Explore Landmark Park
Name and Location: Landmark Park is located at 430 Landmark Drive in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Established in 1976, Landmark Park preserves the agricultural history of southeast Alabama across 135 acres with historic buildings, demonstrations of traditional skills like blacksmithing and basketweaving, gardens and nature trails.
What to Expect: Guests can visit an 1890s town, farmstead and nature center filled with educational exhibits and activities bringing regional history to life. Resident animals, trains, and a museum provide family-friendly amenities.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. Admission fees apply. Details at landmarkparkdothan.com or (334) 794-3452.
Landmark Park is Dothan’s top cultural attraction – an 135-acre living history museum centered around a historic homestead from the 1800s. Families can spend an entire day immersed in the farmstead era through exhibits, architecture and heritage gardens that recreate life in the Wiregrass Region from that time period.
Kids will especially love interacting with history at Landmark Park. Hop aboard a horse-drawn wagon for a ride around the grounds. Visit the agricultural fields or barnyard to see heritage breed farm animals up close, like Coturnix quail, squab pigeons and Choctawhatchee cattle. Practice your 19th century skills at activity stations by churning butter, pumping water and more.
Within the museum area, check out rotating exhibits highlighting aspects of local history, from textile manufacturing to the peanut industry. Be sure to save time for seasonal events too, like folk art shows and living history days with special demonstrations and activities.
Appreciate Art at the Wiregrass Museum of Art
Name and Location: The Wiregrass Museum of Art is located at 126 Museum Ave in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Established in 1994, this museum promotes visual arts in southeast Alabama through permanent collections, traveling exhibits, educational programs and cultural events welcoming 20,000 annual visitors to experience diverse artistic mediums.
What to Expect: Guests can admire rotating exhibits of contemporary Southern art across painting, sculpture, fiber art and pottery galleries while enjoying museum store shopping, special events and art classes onsite.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturdays 1pm-4pm. Details at wiregrassmuseum.org or (334) 794-3871.
In addition to preserving local history, Dothan also has a vibrant art scene. The Wiregrass Museum of Art is the perfect place to introduce kids to different artistic styles with its diverse collections and family-centered events.
Exhibits at this museum change frequently, but the permanent collection includes beautiful works ranging from contemporary Southern art to traditional portraits and landscapes. Special traveling shows also come through, focusing on mediums like sculpture, pottery and jewelry. Ask at the front desk about scavenger hunt activity sheets to make exploring the galleries interactive for younger children.
When you visit, save time to create art as a family too. The museum hosts regular family days with hands-on art projects related to current exhibits. Classes are also available teaching weaving, drawing and mixed media for all skill levels.
Taste Your Way Through the Peanut Capital of the World
Name and Location: Peanut-related attractions are scattered throughout Dothan, Alabama celebrating its designation as the world’s top peanut producer.
History and Significance: With surrounding farmlands harvesting over 500 million pounds of peanuts annually, Dothan has paid tribute as the Peanut Capital through attractions like the Peanut Festival, statues downtown and at farms, peanut cooking oil production and confectioners.
What to Expect: Visitors can view giant peanut monuments, sample boiled peanuts and products like peanut brittle and peanut butter treats, tour processing plants when available, or learn peanut farming history from agricultural exhibits while in town.
Visitor Information: Ask the visitor center at 600 Westgate Parkway about seasonal peanut-related attractions or events.
Did you know Dothan calls itself the “Peanut Capital of the World”? As the birthplace of the peanut industry, Dothan offers many tasty ways to celebrate this crunchy crop with your family.
Start your peanut tour at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds, home of the annual fall harvest celebration since 1938. Here you’ll find commemorative statues marking the peanut’s importance. Around the corner is the Peanut Monument – a towering peanut sculpture even taller than the Statue of Liberty torch!
Next, stop by Durden’s Peanut Shoppe downtown for fresh boiled peanuts and homemade peanut treats like brittle, fudge and seasoned nuts by the bag. Or for peanut-powered fun, take the whole family to Papa T’s Peanuts factory tour. At this working peanut shelling plant, you’ll see how peanuts go from plant to package, finishing up with a sample of creamy peanut butter churned on-site.
Get Active at Westgate Park Recreation Center
Name and Location: Westgate Park Recreation Center is located within Westgate Park at 800 Westgate Parkway Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Established 1949, these 125 acres encompass Dothan’s first recreational park including floral gardens, a lighted softball complex, playgrounds, walking trails and the only public pool, offering diverse leisure amenities over 70 years.
What to Expect: Families can take a dip in the Olympic pool, play disc golf, tennis or playground sports, explore nature trails and gardens, or attend community events like swim meets and softball tournaments within lush park grounds.
Visitor Information: Park hours are daily 8am-10pm. More at dothan.org/westgate or call (334) 615-3720.
When you need a break from sightseeing, Dothan’s Westgate Park offers plenty for families to do outdoors. As one of the area’s largest public parks, Westgate has lots of space to let kids run free with playgrounds, fields, courts and walking trails perfect for picnics.
Up for more adventure? Stop by the park’s large recreation center instead. Here you’ll find an indoor pool with lap lanes, diving well and special kids splash area. Families can also rent paddle boats to take out on the pond, play a round of mini-golf or join a game on one of the lighted tennis courts.
Westgate Park really shines during the warmer months with seasonal activities like free Splash Day events at the pool and outdoor concerts perfect for dancing along with kids of all ages. Baseball and soccer leagues mean you may catch a game in progress too!
Spend a Day on the Farm
Name and Location: Adventure Farm is located at 2709 Headland Avenue in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: This sixth-generation family farm opened for agritourism in 2017, offering educational livestock encounters, hayrides, gem mining, beekeeping demos and seasonal events at their historic homestead allowing visitors to experience a real working farm.
What to Expect: Guests can feed and play with farm animals in the petting barn, harvest fruits and veggies when available, play in giant corn boxes, enjoy catching and releasing catfish, complete a hay bale maze and more during hands-on farm activities.
Visitor Information: Open Friday-Sunday. Schedule and admission at adventurefarm.net or call (334) 671-1720.
In the agriculture-rich Wiregrass Region, farms make for fabulous family destinations. Pick your own fruits and veggies in season, meet furry barnyard friends or get lost navigating through towering rows of corn – farms offer fun for kids and adults.
Two stand-out options near Dothan include Flowers Farm and Burt’s Farm. At Flowers Farm, admission lets you explore u-pick fields filled with juicy strawberries, blueberries and vegetables like okra and eggplant depending on the harvest schedule. Take an old-fashioned hay ride out to the patch then sample just-picked produce together.
Meanwhile at Burt’s Farm, spring and fall weekends mean family activities like corn mazes, pig races and pumpkin patches. Splash pads, pedal cart tracks and play structures round out their amusement attractions. Time your visit to Burt’s Farm around annual events like Fairy Tale Days for costumed characters, games and special shows.
Spend a Day at Lake Eufaula
Name and Location: Lake Eufaula spans the Georgia-Alabama border along the Chattahoochee River accessed via Highway 431.
History and Significance: This 45,000 acre reservoir manmade lake has offered fishing, boating, swimming and watersports since construction completed in 1964. Scenic parks dot its 600 miles of shoreline along the Walter F. George Lake system.
What to Expect: Visitors can partake in lake activities like boating, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing and fishing popular game fish including bass, crappie and catfish easily accessed from ramps and marinas around Eufaula. Sandy beaches provide swimming access.
Visitor Information: Maps, attractions and amenities at lakeeufaula.net or various county tourism sites around the lake.
Nestled on the border with Georgia, the beautiful Lake Eufaula offers Dothan families a great spot for playing in the water. Find spacious beaches, grassy park areas with playgrounds and miles of tranquil wooded shoreline perched along this sparkling 34,000-acre reservoir.
Pack a picnic basket filled with snacks and games then choose between relaxing at a lakeside park or exploring out on the water. Many parks offer playgrounds plus amenities like volleyball nets, fishing piers and boat launches. Or rent kayaks, canoes or stand up paddleboards from outfitters like Lakeside Marina to paddle along tree-lined backwaters and coves as a family.
If you visit Lake Eufaula mid-March through early fall, catch a stunning sunset view then stay for outdoor movies at Walter F. George Park. Lakeside lounging doesn’t get much better than that!
Spend a Day at Paradise Water Park
Name and Location: Paradise Water Park is located at 3564 Headland Avenue in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Family owned since 2004, this 8-acre water park offers over 10 exhilarating waterslides and amusement park rides alongside kid splash areas, mini golf, arcade and concessions attracting visitors statewide to enjoy a refreshing outdoor escape.
What to Expect: Thrill seekers can brave steep drops on slides like Black Mamba and Sea Dragon while young children enjoy bubbling toddler pools and gentle rides. Cabana rentals allow home bases for enjoying sun-filled summer days.
Visitor Information: Season open summers. Schedule, admissions and cabana reservations at paradisewaterpark.net or (334) 792-1785.
When Dothan temperatures really heat up, cool off with a day of water slides and poolside fun at Paradise Water Park. Conveniently located just outside of town, Paradise offers wet and wild attractions suitable for families with preschoolers all the way up to thrill-seeking teens.
Paradise features two main pool complexes – a zero-depth entry leisure pool with umbrella sprayers, tumble buckets and a lily pad walk paired with a fast 1,000-foot water slide tower. Little ones can splash safely in the toddler wading area or practice going under and popping up again at tiny slide platforms.
For older kids, battle barreling water as you try hanging ten on the Boogie Board Wave. tests skill and courage with straight-aways reaching up to 2.5 stories high. Ride together or race down side-by-side. The park also has fun extras like Hydroball water walking, a concessions stand and grassy lounging space when you need a quick break.
Grab a Scoop at Lickskillet Ice Cream
Name and Location: Lickskillet Ice Cream is located at 1608 E Main St in Dothan, Alabama.
History and Significance: Serving homemade small-batch flavors since 2015, this beloved ice cream shop crafts rotating weekly specials with locally sourced ingredients like fresh peaches and pecans resulting in delightfully creamy southern desserts.
What to Expect: Guests can enjoy classic sundaes, banana splits and 20+ flavors of waffle cone-encased scoops at charming outdoors picnic table seating as well as to-go pints for later indulgence. Flavors range from sweet cream to cappuccino chocolate chunk.
Visitor Information: Open Monday-Saturday 12pm-9pm. Details at lickskilleticecream.com or call (334) 446-7501.
No family trip is complete without ice cream – especially in the hot Southern climate around Dothan! For a truly special treat, visit Lickskillet Ice Cream parlor downtown. Family-owned for over 25 years, this old-fashioned soda fountain dishes up amazing frozen custards and signature sundaes.
Their ever-changing menu means you never know what seasonal flavors you might find on your visit. Alongside classic creamy options like vanilla and chocolate, past limited editions have included sweet flavors such as S’mores Cookie Dough, Salted Caramel Pecan and Cookie Butter. Hint: fruit sorbet options satisfy lighter cravings with fewer calories but just as much flavor.
Dress up your scoop with toppings ranging from candies to fresh fruit to house-made fudge sauces. Or choose from their giant list of sundae creations – consider a slice of Key Lime Pie, Coffee-Caramel Delight or Banana Split.
See Exotic Animals atventure Park
Name and Location: Adventureland Park is located at 2245 Reeves Street in Dothan, Alabama near the Westgate Softball complex.
History and Significance: Family owned and operated since 1963, Adventureland Park spans over 30 acres filled with 100 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to waterslides alongside arcades, mini golf, exotic animals and amusement park fare thrilling over 400,000 visitors annually.
What to Expect: Thrill seekers will find exhilarating rides and slides while kids can explore designated children’s play zones. Unique attractions include arcade games, airbrush tattoos and an animal park displaying tigers, kangaroos and reptiles up close.
Visitor Information: Hours vary seasonally. Check adventurelandpark.net for operating days, promotions and ticket deals or call (334) 793-3278.
For guaranteed family fun, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the zoo or wildlife park. And located right in Dothan, Adventure Park delivers close wildlife encounters native to ecosystems across the world.
As you explore the park, see free-roaming animals from six different continents. Hand-feed pet-able residents like eager goats at the petting zoo. Ride a zip line over the spacious enclosures housing small primates like squirrel monkeys and lemurs in the Tropical Rainforest habitat.
Don’t miss scheduled shows and creature feedings scattered throughout the day too. Marvel at the grace and speed of cheetahs exercising. Watch mighty lions and tigers dine up close on thick slabs of meat. And laugh along to the antics of playful sea lions splashing at their poolside platform.
Catch a Baseball Game
Name and Location: Baseball can be seen at the Dothan SportsPlex sports complex located off Hwy 231 South in Dothan, AL. Home to several local teams.
History and Significance: With several youth and adult baseball league teams based in Dothan, the multi-field SportsPlex complex hosts regular season play and tournaments drawing fans to cheer on hometown athletes thanks to the city’s supportive baseball culture.
What to Expect: Fans can catch Dothan Diamond Dawgs and Dothan Toros games on their summer and fall league schedules. Between innings are kid-friendly activities and concession stands circle the turf and grass fields at the complex under bright stadium lights during typical evening games.
Visitor Information: Schedules and ticket info can be found on team websites and social media pages or at dothansportsplex.com.
Baseball fans visiting Dothan can also enjoy America’s favorite pastime thanks to the Dothan Diamond Dawgs collegiate summer team. Part of the Sunbelt Baseball League, the Dawgs play from May through July at historic Westgate Park.
Minor league baseball makes for an affordable and fun outing, especially for sports-loving families. Games have a relaxed, community atmosphere perfect for all ages. Arrive early to try catching a batted ball during warm-ups along the foul lines, then grab hot dogs and popcorn to snack stadium-style as the nine innings unfold.
Between plays, kids can stay busy chasing the mascot Rooster around the stands for high fives or vying for a chance to win contests like Dizzy Bat races. And with lots of family-friendly promotions each season, there’s always a good excuse to cheer the Diamond Dawgs on to victory!
Tour Fort Rucker Aviation Museum
Name and Location: The Fort Rucker Aviation Museum is located on the US Army base at Bldg 305 Seddon St. in Fort Rucker, Alabama.
History and Significance: This museum opened in 1978 to preserve the extensive aviation history of Fort Rucker which has served as the primary US Army aviation training installation since 1942 when the site was established.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore historical Army aircraft on exhibit like the Cobra, Apache and Chinook helicopters outside and indoor displays detailing their technological developments and use alongside aviation artifacts through interactive exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Entry requires military base access permission. Details at fort-rucker.org/museum or call (334) 598-2184.
Military buffs visiting the region should add a stop at Fort Rucker to their Dothan itinerary. Home to the US Army’s aviation training program since 1955, a museum on base chronicles the storied impact of Army flying programs stationed at Fort Rucker through decades of aerial advancements.
See equipment ranging from vintage choppers used for medical evacuations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars to modern Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters on the bleeding edge of aviation technology. Kids can also try out simulators to test flying a plane or helicopter without ever leaving the ground.
Fort Rucker itself has a longstanding tradition of family support too. Annual open house events like Army Aviation Expo even open the base gates to the public, with demos from military working dog teams, live music, technology expos and a classic car show.
Conclusion
From interactive museums and animal encounters to spectacular state parks and yummy ice cream shops, families visiting Dothan, Alabama have no shortage of memorable activities to fill up a weekend or longer stay. Take time to explore local history, art and agriculture traditions across the area for an authentic taste of Southern life and culture. Whether you’re thrill seekers hiking through forests or a laid-back crew lounging lakeside, Dothan offers engaging adventures sure to bring smiles to kids and parents alike.