Prattville is a quaint city located just north of Montgomery, Alabama’s capital city. Nestled along Autauga Creek, it offers visitors a glimpse into Alabama’s rich history and culture. From its historic downtown filled with antique shops and restaurants to its multitude of parks and recreation areas, Prattville has something for every member of the family to enjoy.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Boating along Autauga Creek | A scenic way to explore the local natural beauty, suitable for families with options for kayaking, canoeing, or small boating. |
| Mann Wildlife Learning Museum | An educational experience with realistic animal exhibits and interactive displays, located in Pratt Park. |
| Historic Downtown Prattville | A charming area with antique shops, restaurants, and a park, perfect for leisurely family strolls. |
| Tropical Oasis Fun Park | A fun-filled mini-golf and family entertainment center offering various games and activities. |
| Interpretive Trail System | Nature trails that offer educational insights into the local ecosystem, ideal for family hikes. |
| Merrill House and Prattaugan Museum | Historical sites showcasing Prattville’s past, with guided tours and educational exhibits. |
| Shopping in Downtown | Various quaint stores offering unique shopping experiences, from antiques to modern handcrafted items. |
| Heritage Park Fountain | A refreshing spot with interactive water features, ideal for family fun and relaxation. |
| Autauga Creek Vineyards | A family-friendly vineyard offering tours and tastings, with activities for both adults and children. |
| Daniel Pratt Park Disc Golf | An engaging disc golf course set in a scenic park, suitable for all ages and skill levels. |
| USS Alabama Battleship Park | A historical naval park featuring the USS Alabama, offering tours and educational insights. |
| Ellie’s Dough & Scoops | A delightful bakery and ice cream shop, perfect for enjoying sweet treats with the family. |
When planning your next family trip or staycation close to home, be sure to check out these top 12 things to do with your family in Prattville, Alabama:
Go Boating along the Autauga Creek
Name and Location: Go Boating along the Autauga Creek in Prattville, Alabama.
History and Significance: Autauga Creek has been a significant part of Prattville’s history since the city’s founding in 1839. The creek provided power for the early industries that helped establish Prattville as a manufacturing center.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a scenic boat ride along Autauga Creek, taking in the natural beauty of the area and learning about the creek’s role in Prattville’s history. Guided tours and rental boats are available.
Visitor Information: Boating along Autauga Creek is typically available from spring through fall, depending on weather conditions. Visitors should check with local outfitters for specific tour times and rental information. Life jackets are required for all passengers.
As the Autauga Creek runs straight through the heart of Prattville, going boating along the creek makes for a fun family-friendly activity. You can bring your own kayak, canoe, or small motorboat and launch from one of Prattville’s parks with boat launches, like Heritage Park or Daniel Pratt Park.
Spend an afternoon paddling down the peaceful waterway and be on the lookout for jumping fish, turtles sunbathing on logs, blue herons wading along the banks hunting for their next meal. Bring a fishing pole and bait to try catching bass, brim or catfish for dinner!
Tour the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum
Name and Location: Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, located at 1214 S Doster Rd, Prattville, AL 36067.
History and Significance: The Mann Wildlife Learning Museum was founded in 2011 by conservationist and taxidermist Mike Mann. The museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the diverse wildlife of Alabama and the importance of conservation.
What to Expect: The museum features over 200 taxidermy specimens, representing a wide variety of Alabama’s native wildlife. Visitors can learn about the animals’ habitats, behaviors, and conservation status through interactive exhibits and guided tours.
Visitor Information: The Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free. Group tours and educational programs are available by reservation.
Located within Pratt Park, The Mann Wildlife Learning Museum offers families the chance to view incredible taxidermic displays of animals found throughout Alabama and the Southeast region of the US. Wander through multiple levels of exhibits depicting realistic scenes of predators like bobcats, foxes and hawks hunting their prey.
Marvel at the size difference between giant moose and tiny squirrels. Interactive displays let kids listen to the calls of local songbirds, build a beaver den with oversized logs, and brush the fur of foxes, deer and bears. Outside, be sure to explore the Alabama Nature Center’s three educational trails meandering through the woodlands.
Stroll through Historic Downtown Prattville
Name and Location: Historic Downtown Prattville, located along Main Street and the surrounding area in Prattville, Alabama.
History and Significance: Prattville was founded in 1839 by industrialist Daniel Pratt and quickly became a center of manufacturing and commerce. The historic downtown area features a variety of 19th and early 20th-century buildings, many of which have been restored to their original appearance.
What to Expect: Visitors to Historic Downtown Prattville can stroll along the tree-lined streets and admire the unique architecture of the buildings, many of which now house locally-owned shops, restaurants, and galleries. The area also features several historic landmarks, such as the Daniel Pratt Cemetery and the Prattville Male and Female Academy.
Visitor Information: Historic Downtown Prattville is open year-round and is best explored on foot. Visitors can pick up a self-guided walking tour map from the Prattville Chamber of Commerce or the Autauga County Heritage Center. The area also hosts several annual events, including the Prattville Cityfest and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Prattville’s quaint downtown area allows visitors to step back in time. Many of the historic two-story brick buildings with decorative ironwork balconies date back to the mid to late 1800s when Prattville was becoming an industrial center nicknamed “The Industrial City”.
Pop into the various antique shops, boutiques and art galleries that line Main Street. Grab a tasty lunch or sweet treat from one of the cafes or bakeries. Let the kids run off some energy climbing on the cannons and playing in the splash pad at the Heritage Park playground along Autauga Creek. Be sure to snap some photos next to Daniel Pratt’s statue in the beautifully landscaped park bearing his name.
Play Mini Golf at Tropical Oasis Fun Park
Name and Location: Tropical Oasis Fun Park, located at 1045 E Main St, Prattville, AL 36066.
History and Significance: Tropical Oasis Fun Park has been a popular destination for family fun and entertainment in Prattville since it opened in the early 2000s. The park features a variety of attractions, including mini-golf, go-karts, and arcade games.
What to Expect: Visitors to Tropical Oasis Fun Park can enjoy a round of mini-golf on one of the park’s two 18-hole courses, which feature tropical-themed obstacles and water features. The park also offers go-karts, bumper boats, and a large arcade with a variety of games and prizes.
Visitor Information: Tropical Oasis Fun Park is open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. Admission is charged per attraction, with combo packages available. The park also offers birthday party packages and group rates. Height and age restrictions may apply for certain attractions.
Tee up with the family for 18 challenging holes of mini golf at Tropical Oasis Family Fun Park located just off downtown’s Main Street. Wind elaborate obstacle courses, keeping your ball out of the ingeniously-placed sand traps and water features.
Earn bonus points at the different skill stretches placed between some holes, like shooting a basket, kicking a soccer ball into the goal, or getting your putt over an alligator’s waiting jaws! When you work up an appetite, grab some food at their on-site grill and let the kids tackle the huge indoor play structure. With fun for all ages, it’s no wonder Tropical Oasis is considered Prattville’s #1 family entertainment center.
Hike the Interpretive Trail System
Name and Location: Interpretive Trail System, located at various sites throughout Prattville, Alabama.
History and Significance: The Interpretive Trail System was developed in the early 2000s as a way to showcase Prattville’s natural and cultural heritage. The trails wind through several of the city’s parks and historic sites, offering visitors a unique perspective on the area’s history and ecology.
What to Expect: The Interpretive Trail System features several miles of hiking and biking trails, with informational signs and exhibits along the way. Visitors can explore the trails at their own pace and learn about the area’s native plants and animals, as well as its history and cultural significance.
Visitor Information: The Interpretive Trail System is open year-round and is free to use. Visitors can access the trails from several locations, including the Wilderness Park, Pratt Park, and the Autauga Creek Canoe Trail. Trail maps and guides are available from the Prattville Parks and Recreation Department.
Prattville boasts over 6 miles of woodland walking trails perfect for families wanting an easy hike without having to travel far from the city. The Interpretive Trail System features 1.3 miles of paved trails that wind through the forest with information panels describing the surrounding ecosystem. Look for native plants like sweet bay magnolias and sparkleberry bushes.
Listen for the tapping of red-bellied woodpeckers or the rustle of grey squirrels high up in the branches of water oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Benches provide the perfect resting spots when little legs get tired. And a picnic pavilion offers shade and restrooms for taking a snack break. Find trailheads at Heritage Park, Autauga Creek Park, Daniel Pratt Park or Pratt Park off Coats Street.
Tour Historic Places like the Merrill House and Prattaugan Museum
Name and Location: Historic Places like the Merrill House and Prattaugan Museum, located in Prattville, Alabama.
History and Significance: The Merrill House and Prattaugan Museum are two of Prattville’s most significant historic sites. The Merrill House, built in 1842, was the home of Nathaniel Merrill, a prominent local businessman and politician. The Prattaugan Museum, housed in a former cotton gin building, showcases the history of Prattville and the surrounding area.
What to Expect: Visitors to the Merrill House can take a guided tour of the restored antebellum home and learn about the life and times of Nathaniel Merrill and his family. The Prattaugan Museum features exhibits on the area’s Native American history, the founding of Prattville, and the city’s industrial heritage.
Visitor Information: The Merrill House is open for tours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children. The Prattaugan Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free.
History buffs will love touring Prattville’s two historic homes now serving as museums: The Merrill House and The Prattaugan Museum. The Greek revival-style Merrill House built in 1833 offers guided tours allowing visitors to view furnishings original to the home when owned by Samuel Merrill, an entrepreneur who operated a hotel, livery stable, mercantile business and cotton gin in town. Wander through period-decorated rooms containing artifacts spanning Prattville’s history from 1835-1860 when the city transformed into one of the south’s leading industrial centers.
Just down Main Street lies The Prattaugan Museum, an 1850s home similarly decorated in period furnishings like those of successful textile industrialist Henry DeBardeleben’s family who lived here. Guests can explore the home and backyard kitchen on a self-guided audio tour while learning about Prattville’s economy shifting from cotton production to becoming the textile manufacturing capital of the south. Don’t miss the Rose Garden behind the home blooming beautifully spring through fall.
Shop the Quaint Stores in Downtown Prattville
Name and Location: Quaint Stores in Downtown Prattville, located along Main Street and the surrounding area in Prattville, Alabama.
History and Significance: Many of the quaint stores in Downtown Prattville are housed in historic buildings that date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. These locally-owned shops and boutiques are an integral part of Prattville’s small-town charm and character.
What to Expect: Visitors to Downtown Prattville can browse a variety of unique shops and boutiques, offering everything from antiques and collectibles to clothing and accessories. Many of the stores feature locally-made products and one-of-a-kind items. The friendly shop owners are often on hand to offer personalized service and recommendations.
Visitor Information: The quaint stores in Downtown Prattville are typically open Monday through Saturday, with varying hours depending on the individual store. Some stores may be closed on Sundays. Parking is available on the street and in nearby public lots. The Prattville Chamber of Commerce offers a directory of local businesses and a map of the downtown area.
From antique emporiums to toy stores to artisan boutiques, downtown Prattville offers fantastic options for family-friendly shopping. Little ones can pick out an old-fashioned toy like a slingshot or wooden train whistle among the huge collection of vintage toys, games and bicycles at Main Street Antiques and Collectibles.
Forever Memories across the street delights kids with pretty hair bows, accessories, books and baby items. Sweet-toothed families will love visiting sugBUG, an adorable candy shop offering hundreds of pounds of delectable sweets like nostalgic faves Necco Wafers and Squirrel Nut Caramels. After stocking up on goodies, take an ice cream break at Scoops, a 1950s-style parlor serving up heavenly flavors of Blue Bell ice cream.
Splash in the Fountain at Heritage Park
Name and Location: Fountain at Heritage Park, located at 104 E Main St, Prattville, AL 36067.
History and Significance: Heritage Park is located in the heart of Downtown Prattville and is home to a large fountain that has become a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. The park and fountain were created in the 1990s as part of a downtown revitalization project.
What to Expect: Visitors to Heritage Park can relax on the benches surrounding the fountain and enjoy the sound of the water and the cool mist on a hot day. The fountain features colorful lights at night, creating a beautiful display. The park also hosts several community events throughout the year, including concerts and festivals.
Visitor Information: Heritage Park and the fountain are open year-round and are free to visit. The park is a popular spot for picnics and photo opportunities. Visitors should note that wading or swimming in the fountain is not permitted. Restroom facilities and parking are available nearby.
When temperatures heat up in Prattville, one of the best places for families to cool down is at the architecturally stunning fountain located downtown in Heritage Park. Spanning an entire city block, this interactive water feature contains fountains shooting streams in choreographed sequences, allowing kids to dance and play amid the rapidly-moving walls of water.
Toddlers will enjoy wading in the 0-depth areas while older kids attempt daring dashes straight through the towering geysers as they erupt from flower-shaped nozzles. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park’s pavilions after working up an appetite from all the water play. And be sure to snap some family photos in front of the spectacular 30-foot fountain known throughout Alabama!
Tour Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery
Name and Location: Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery, located at 228 Autauga St, Prattville, AL 36067.
History and Significance: Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery was established in 2017 and is Prattville’s first and only winery. The winery is located in a historic building that was once a cotton warehouse and later served as a grocery store and a furniture store.
What to Expect: Visitors to Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery can enjoy a tasting of the winery’s locally-made wines, which include a variety of reds, whites, and sweet wines. The winery also offers tours of the facility, where visitors can learn about the winemaking process and the history of the building.
Visitor Information: Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings are $10 per person and include a souvenir glass. Tours are available by appointment. The winery also offers a selection of cheeses, meats, and other snacks to enjoy with the wine.
Yes, vineyards in Alabama! Just north of Prattville lies Autauga Creek Vineyards and Winery, the perfect spot for parents to enjoy delicious wines while children delight in grape juice tastings and fun educational activities teaching them the winemaking process. Families can wander through the picturesque Muscadine vineyards and tour the production facility to see fermenting tanks and oak barrels used for aging reds and whites.
Make sure to hit the tasting room bar where Mom and Dad can sample gold-medal-winning Chardonnays and French Roquefort cheese while kids sip juice blends and nosh cheese and crackers. Outside, play yard games like cornhole or relax at a picnic table beneath one of the pavilion tents. Before leaving, grab a few bottles of Black Love Rose or Sweet Claudette dessert wine as tasty Alabama souvenirs.
Play Disc Golf at Daniel Pratt Park
Name and Location: Daniel Pratt Park, located at 460 Doster Rd N, Prattville, AL 36067.
History and Significance: Daniel Pratt Park is named after the founder of Prattville and is one of the city’s largest and most popular parks. The park features a variety of recreational amenities, including a disc golf course, walking trails, and picnic areas.
What to Expect: Visitors to Daniel Pratt Park can enjoy a round of disc golf on the park’s 18-hole course, which winds through the wooded area of the park. The park also features several miles of walking trails, offering a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Picnic tables and benches are located throughout the park.
Visitor Information: Daniel Pratt Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Admission is free. The disc golf course is also free to use, but players must bring their own discs. The park also features restroom facilities and a playground for children. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park.
Looking for inexpensive active fun the whole family will enjoy? Bring your own flying discs and hike the wooded disc golf course winding through Prattville’s Daniel Pratt Park along Autauga Creek. This 18-hole course takes 1-2 hours to play and offers challenge for both beginners and seasoned disc golfers. Navigate narrow tree-lined fairways and finagle ways to curve shots around tricky obstacles.
Take in gorgeous nature views of the creek and forested wetlands populated with moss-draped oaks and singing birds. Well-placed wood bridges allow traversing across soggy areas. And paved cart paths make hauling strollers or wheelchairs possible for persons with disabilities. With multiple tee boxes, the course difficulty adjusts for different skill levels. So kids and parents alike can have fun while getting in some quality time together away from digital screens.
Explore the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Name and Location: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, located at 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36602.
History and Significance: The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is a historic park and museum located in Mobile, Alabama, about an hour and a half south of Prattville. The park is home to the USS Alabama, a World War II-era battleship that served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
What to Expect: Visitors to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park can explore the USS Alabama and several other historic ships, as well as a variety of military aircraft and equipment. The park also features a museum with exhibits on the history of the USS Alabama and other aspects of World War II.
Visitor Information: The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April through September) and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October through March). Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $6 for children ages 6-11. Children under 6 are free. Guided tours are available for an additional fee. The park also offers a gift shop and a café.
Just an hour’s drive south near Mobile Bay takes families to one of Alabama’s most famous attractions – the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Here you can climb aboard the 45,000-ton South Dakota-class battleship that fought across the Pacific during WWII and served during the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1962.
Take the self-guided audio tour to view the various levels of this naval giant, seeing everything from the navigation bridge and radio transmitters to doctor’s quarters, enlisted men’s sleeping areas and even the brig. Make sure to check out the museum displays of artifacts and photographs from the time period as well as the aircraft pavilion housing fighter planes and bombers that would have accompanied the “Mighty A” on missions.
Outside you can picnic along the shoreline, view additional military equipment exhibits or even peek through the periscope of the submerged USS Drum submarine veteran of 14 combat patrols. An unforgettable opportunity for kids to walk in the footsteps of our nation’s heroes!
Finish Off with Sweet Treats from Ellie’s Dough & Scoops
Name and Location: Ellie’s Dough & Scoops, located at 128 W Main St, Prattville, AL 36067.
History and Significance: Ellie’s Dough & Scoops is a popular local bakery and ice cream shop located in the heart of Downtown Prattville. The shop is known for its delicious baked goods and homemade ice cream, which are made fresh daily using local ingredients.
What to Expect: Visitors to Ellie’s Dough & Scoops can indulge in a variety of sweet treats, including cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream. The shop offers a rotating selection of flavors, as well as seasonal specials. Customers can enjoy their treats in the shop’s cozy seating area or take them to go.
Visitor Information: Ellie’s Dough & Scoops is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is closed on Mondays. Prices vary depending on the item, but most treats are in the $2 to $5 range. The shop also offers gift cards and custom orders for special occasions.
After a fun-filled day exploring Prattville, families will want to cap things off with dessert from Ellie’s Dough and Scoops. This wildly popular bakery and ice cream shop whips up delectable homemade baked goods daily like giant cinnamon rolls dripping in decadent icing, fruit pies piled high with fillings, and colossal cookies in flavors ranging from classic chocolate chip to salted caramel pretzel.
Or try one of their cupcakes swirled sky high with buttercream frosting. Best of all, you get to pair your sweet treat with a big scoop of Blue Bell ice cream in whatever flavor your heart desires. Sit at one of the retro café tables where kids can color while parents relax after a long day on their feet. Sweet endings for a perfect family getaway!
Conclusion
Offering no shortage of family-focused activities, Prattville makes an ideal vacation destination for making lasting memories together. From paddling the Autauga Creek to touring fascinating museums capturing Alabama’s rich history to hiking shaded nature trails and playing disc golf, parents and kids alike will love the variety of attractions this charming southern town has to offer visitors.
And with tasty restaurants and sweet shops abounding downtown, families can easily refuel between adventures with hometown southern hospitality and comfort. For affordable entertainment options the whole family will appreciate, be sure to add Prattville to your Alabama travel bucket list!