April means spring is here, trees are blooming, and the weather is warming up, which makes it a perfect month for guided walking tours all over north Alabama. Check out the list of walking tours and go explore and learn more about the history of several towns in north Alabama. Tours are free to the public.
Athens Saturday Walks
Athens tour options are unique - offering a choice from multiple tours each Saturday plus tours of local attraction partners. All tours will begin at The Athens Limestone Visitors Center at 9:45am on April 3, 10, 17, and 24. (photo courtesy of Athens Limestone Tourism)
- Beaty Historic District
- Athens State University
- Historic Town of Mooresville
- Historic Houston District
- Antebellum Home of Presbyterian Minister Robert Donnell
Courtland Walking Tour - April 24
A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17, and 24. Check the Moulton Advertiser each week for more details.
Cullman Walking Tours
Walking tours start from the Cullman County Museum. Contact: Drew Green at 256-739-1258.
Decatur Walking Tours
Decatur has a rich and colorful history dating back to the early 1800s. To learn more about the city’s heritage, residents and visitors are invited to take part in a virtual stroll winding through the Old State Bank and historic Old Decatur area. Beginning April 3rd at 10 AM, each walking tour will be available on YouTube (@VisitDecaturAlabama).
Knowledgeable guides will escort participants through historic neighborhoods and landmarks where they will share the history of the city and entertaining accounts of the city’s storied past.
April Walking Tour #1: Inside the Old State Bank led by David Breland. While the inside of the Old State Bank is still closed to the public, guests are encouraged to sit on the steps and take in the ambiance while watching Tour #1. Begins at Old State Bank (925 Bank Street)
April Walking Tour #2: 1/2 Churches of Old Decatur Tour led by Phil Wirey. Begins at Old State Bank (925 Bank Street)
April Walking Tour #3: 2/2 Churches of Old Decatur Tour led by Phil Wirey. Begins at Simp McGhee's (725 Bank Street)
April Walking Tour #4: The River City led by David Breland. Begins at Rhodes Ferry Park (100 Market Street NW)
For more information, call Decatur Morgan County Tourism at 256.350.2028 or 800.524.6181.
Florence Walking Tours
Florence/Lauderdale Tourism hosts the walking tours as a way to promote our historic sites, neighborhoods and unique architecture. A Tour of a different historic location will be featured each Saturday and will be guided by local historians. The tours begin at 10am, are free to the public and will last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. For more information, call the Tourism Office at 256-740-4141.
April 3: Florence City Cemetery: Tour begins at 705 E. College Street, Florence, AL 35630 or entrances on Tennessee Street at 10:00 a.m. The tour guide is Harry Wallace.
April 10: Walnut Street: Tour begins at the corner of Hermitage Drive and Walnut Street at 10:00 a.m. The tour guide is Billy Warren.
April 17: Forks of Cypress: Directions to the site are as follows: take Cox Creek Pkwy. to Jackson Road and turn right ( no traffic signal at intersection) and turn right at the dead end. Tour begins at 10:00 a.m. The tour guide is Harry Wallace.
April 24: North Court & Seminary Streets: Tour begins at Rogers Hall, 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL at 10:00 a.m. The tour guide is Billy Warren.
(photo: Forks of Cypress by Vanessa Bowser)
Mooresville Walking Tours
Mooresville will be on display during Saturday mornings in April as part of the Alabama Tourism Department's April Walking Tours initiative. The entire town of Mooresville is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of Alabama's most important and intact villages. Historic homes and buildings, gracious gardens and tree-shaded streets make a visit to Mooresville seem like a step back in time. Lectures begin at 10am with a tour immediately following. (source: mooresvilleal.com)
Moulton Square Walking Tour - April 10
The Moulton Square Walking Tour meets at Lawrence County Archives at 10am. A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17, and 24. Check the Moulton Advertiser each week for more details.
Mt. Hope Walking Tour - April 3
A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17, and 24. Check the Moulton Advertiser each week for more details.
Sheffield Walking Tours
The history of Sheffield will be the focus of a series of walking tours on Saturdays in April. The free tours, that are organized by the Historic Sheffield Commission, will begin at the Sheffield Municipal Building, 600 N. Montgomery Ave., The tours start at 10 a.m. Jimmy Austin will lead the walks. For more details, call Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau at (256) 383-0783.
Town Creek Walking Tour - April 17
A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17, and 24. Check the Moulton Advertiser each week for more details.
Tuscumbia Walking Tours
Walking tours to showcase the history of downtown Tuscumbia will be held on Saturdays in April. The free tours, that are organized by Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, begin at 10 a.m. from outside Cold Water Bookstore, 101 W, Sixth Street. The tours, that will be led by John McWilliams, are on April 3, 10, 17 and 24. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather that day. The 90-minute walks will include a break for a program on the history of the town. For more details call Colbert Tourism at 256-383-0783.
