Top 16 Things To Do In Cullman, Alabama

1. Marvel at the stunning miniatures at Ave Maria Grotto

‘Jerusalem in Miniature’ is also known as the Ava Maria Grotto. Spread over 4 acres (1.7 hectares) of beautifully manicured area, this is a miniature city, where you can see the little form of 125 holy locations and popular edifices from around the world. Positioned on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, the place is a masterpiece created by a Benedictine monk, Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B., who was a part of the Abbey for about 70 years. The marvelous replicas were created using simple tools and his decades of efforts are truly worth a visit.

Ave Maria Grotto

Address: 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Ave Maria Grotto

Opening hours: Summers: 9am - 6pm (daily); Winters: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 5 USD onwards

2. Visit the 100-year old Clarkson Covered Bridge

One of the most iconic structures of Cullman, the 100-year old Clarkson Covered Bridge has been drawing heavy tourist footfall. It is 270 feet (83 meters) long and 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide and is one of the longest covered bridges that you might have come across. Previously referred to as the Legg Bridge, it is also famed for being an innovation when it comes to load-bearing timber construction. Earlier used by travelers and farmers to cross the Crooked Creek, the bridge got badly damaged by a massive storm. During its restoration, a park with sheltered picnic grounds, a grist mill, Dogtrot Log Cabin, and hiking trails too were added. It is also a venue for many weddings, car shows, and several other activities.

Clarkson Covered Bridge

Address: 1240 Co Rd 1043, Cullman, AL 35057, USA

Website: Clarkson Covered Bridge

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free entry

3. Indulge in multiple fun activities at Sportsman Lake Park

Placed amidst beautiful scenic views, Sportsman Lake Park is an excellent venue that has something fun-filled for every member of your family, be it any age. A big but shallow body of water packed with fish is there in the middle of this park. Ride the paddle boats while feeding the fish and enjoy other wonderful amenities such as fishing, a playground, hiking trails, Putt-Putt golf, a Ferris wheel, mountain bike trail, and picnic area. You can work out on the range of fitness equipment available. The mini-train is particularly a favorite feature of this park. On warmer days, the kids can hit the new Splash Pad.

Sportsman Lake Park

Address: 1544 Sportsman Lake Rd NW, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Sportsman Lake Park

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 2 USD onwards

4. Shop for delicious steaks at Smith Farms

Founded in 1955, Smith Farms started as a small roadside stand but today it is known all over the country for their unique and delicious ‘Southern Tasting’ items and is shipping their products all around the globe. Relish the perfectly smoked ham, sausage, and bacon. Add any of their mouth-watering muffins, grits, porridge, biscuit/pancake, gravy, bread flour, pure honey, fruit butter, a wide range of jams, jellies and more that are surely connected to your childhood memories. The place also has a wine cellar that has a delectable range of wines. Choose from more than 450 small vineyard boutique wines with 175 kinds of flavors and types of cheese.

Smith Farms

Address: 1825 4th St SW, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Smith Farms

Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 5pm; Tue - Sun: 9am - 6pm

Price: 7 USD onwards

5. See the war monuments at Veterans Memorial Park

If you are a history buff, then the Veterans Memorial Park is a fantastic venue for you. Located close to the Cullman County Fairgrounds in Sportsman Lake Park, this park is home to monuments from the World War I and II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Operation Iraqi Freedom along with names of those men and women from the Cullman County, who sacrificed their lives in these wars. Enjoy the marvellous setting of this place while appreciating the dedicated service of the military. The park is also adorned with a Wall of Honor and many other patriotic memorials. Enjoy special events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Veterans Memorial Park

Address: 1544 Sportsman Lake Rd NW, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Veterans Memorial Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free entry

6. Take a guided tour of the quaint Weiss Cottage

The oldest house in Cullman, the history of this house dates back to February 24, 1875, and it is named after Dr. Aldo Weiss, a physician who lived here and the place also served as his medical office. Although cozy and delicate, the beautiful white and wood-framed dwelling is considered to be one of the many treasures that this town has. You can take a tour of this breath-taking property with the help of Cullman County Museum. Adorned with items archetypal of the nineteenth century, the cottage also has a traditional porch and houses some pieces of Weiss’s original medical equipment.

Weiss Cottage

Address: 418 1st Ave SE, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Weiss Cottage

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

7. Learn about the rich history of Saint Bernard Abbey

Monks from Germany, in the 1840s, arrived in America and planted the seeds of monastic life here. Even today, this particular Benedictine community is going strong. St. Bernard Abbey is home to those monks, who decided to give up the modern-day attractions and chose to serve God. Enjoy the tranquillity while taking a guided tour of this amazing monastery, where you can also visit Ave Maria Grotto, a marvelous model park having 125 sculptures of religious places and cities from all over the world. There is a Retreat and Conference Center too, which has ample accommodation facilities for retreats and pilgrim groups.

Saint Bernard Abbey

Address: 1600 St Bernard Dr SE, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Saint Bernard Abbey

Opening hours: 6am - 7:30pm (daily)

Price: 5 - 7 USD

8. Visit the interesting Cullman County Museum

Visit this picturesque museum if you wish you to delve deeper into the enthralling history of Cullman. There are knowledgeable guides who will give you a tour of the early days of Cullman as a German colony, its participation during the Civil War, and also see wonderful exhibits related to its Native American heritage. The museum’s ‘Main Street’ has beautifully decorated shops and houses and it offers a peek into what life was during the 1800s in Cullman. Additionally, there is a Music Room where you can listen to harmonic sounds of Americana music formed by Cullman’s earliest inhabitants.

Cullman County Museum

Address: 211 2nd Ave NE, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Cullman County Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 3 USD onwards

9. Enjoy numerous recreational activities at Heritage Park Cullman

Nestled in downtown Cullman, Heritage Park Cullman is spread across 70 acres (28 hectares) and is considered to be one of the most beautiful family-oriented parks here. Offering numerous recreational opportunities such as baseball, 18-hole Frisbee golf course, a splash pad, an outdoor basketball court, soccer, five lighted championship softball fields with underground dugouts, this park also has ample space for your pets. Perfect for spending a day, you can also plan a picnic as there are picnic pavilions, well-maintained walking trails, and a children’s playground. You will also find many restaurants and bars nearby.

Heritage Park Cullman

Address: 1705 Lee Ave SW, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Heritage Park Cullman

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Spend a day fishing and swimming at Smith Lake Park

The ultimate destination for fun and relaxation when in Cullman, Smith Lake Park welcomes you with unlimited activities for your entire family. Located on the banks of Lewis Smith Lake, this place offers 9 cabins, 61 tent sites, a big stage for special events, eight pavilions for picnicking and grilling, a pool, campsites, a new boat launch and an exciting range of other attractions. One of the features that draws footfall is the fishing pier and the swimming pool. There is also a spiral water-slide which adds to the fun. With 500 miles (805 kilometers) of scenic shoreline, and so much to explore, do plan an overnight stay here plus this place also hosts events and festivals.

Smith Lake Park

Address: 403 Co Rd 386, Cullman, AL 35057, USA

Website: Smith Lake Park

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 3.50 USD onwards

11. Hang out at Goat Island Brewing

Imagine utmost creativity and artistry, usage of freshest ingredients, cleanest processes – all of this amalgamated together to produce the best-tasting beer – this is what Goat Island Brewing offers you. Experience true ‘brewmance’ as the refreshing range of beer at Goat Island Brewing is mind-blowing. Try their award-winning Richter’s Pils, a German/American light golden pilsner or Sipsey River Red. Like these, every craft beer on the menu is equally delectable. Enjoy the laid-back ambiance coupled with live music and delicious snacks. You can buy limited edition t-shirts and other stuff from the store. Not only this, it is pet-friendly too!

Goat Island Brewing

Address: 5491, 1646 John H Cooper Dr SE A, Cullman, AL 35055, United States

Website: Goat Island Brewing

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 2pm - 10pm; Thu - Fri: 2pm - 11pm (closed on Sun)

12. Buy fresh and hand-picked fruits from Steele Orchard

A gift shop, a bakery, and the best place to buy fresh and delicious apples, plums and peaches, Steele Orchard is one of the most most-liked places in Cullman, North Central Alabama. The bakery is highly famed for its caramel apples, Southern-fried pie, and homemade jam and jellies and more such lip-smacking home-baked products. Plan for a guided tour of the orchard where you will learn about the fruit picking process, planting, pollination, harvesting to production. While kids have fun at the orchard’s fun maze, you can learn about how to prepare cider from 20 different kinds of apple produced on the farm.

Steele Orchard

Address: 1695 County Rd 1141, Cullman, AL 35057, USA

Website: Steele Orchard

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm

Price: 1 USD onwards

13. Workout or enjoy at Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center

Building a healthy community is the motto of this leading wellness center. So, if you are passionate about fitness, then a visit to the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center is a must. A very meticulously planned venue, it features everything that you can think about the world of fitness including weight, flexibility and core training from experts. Choose from a variety of group classes, a water play area, six-lane indoor and eight-lane outdoor competition pool, a complete fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a rubberized walking track, saunas & whirlpool spa, indoor leisure pool, an outdoor water park with big water slides for all that summer fun, and much more!

Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center

Address: 1636 Field of Miracles Dr SW, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center

Opening hours: Facility & Aquatics: Mon - Thu: 4:30am - 9pm; Fri: 4:30am - 7pm; Sat: 6am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm; Water park: Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

Price: 10 USD onwards

14. Enjoy an all-inclusive golfing experience at TP Country Club

One of the most recommended points of attraction, TP Country Club oozes sophistication and ensures the best-golfing experience in Alabama. Formerly called Terri Pines, this hidden gem is perched atop a hill, where you can enjoy fine dining while gazing at a meticulously built and well-kept golf course. Apart from the stunning views, there are pine trees all over. There is an 18-hole championship golf course along with all the conveniences like putting greens, practice range, and a fully stocked pro shop. The club also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, and self-defense classes for women. Further, there are many other events hosted by the club.

TP Country Club

Address: 700 Pine Hill Dr, Cullman, AL 35057, USA

Website: TP Country Club

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 9m; Sat: 7:30am - 9pm; Sun: 8am - 9pm

Price: 35 USD

15. Hang out at Moe's Original Bar B Que

Want to try the best barbecue in town? This is the place! Founded by three friends from Alabama, who had a mutual interest in barbeque, college football blues, and whiskey, Moe’s Original Bar B Que features prized Bama-style pulled pork platter, smoked wing platter, or turkey smoked over hardwood that is served with two special sauces. Like these, you will find many more great preparations offered in a relaxed atmosphere. Also, the side dishes and the mouth-watering desserts complete your meal. You don’t have to wait much as the staff ensures brisk service. Live bands on Friday nights enhance the experience.

Moe's Original Bar B Que

Address: 318 1st Ave SE, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 3pm

16. Stop by Festhalle Farmers Market

One of the most anticipated events in Cullman, the Festhalle Farmers Market is a space that boosts the thriving agriculture industry of Cullman. It is Alabama’s largest timber-framed building, where irrespective of the weather conditions the farmers can offer their products without any worries. The bright and colorful display of the fruits and vegetables surely looks very attractive and the farmers are very knowledgeable. Fairly priced and a very organized market, you get fresh strawberries, kale, squash, red and white sweet onions, lettuce and other variety too. The site can also be hired for special events.

Festhalle Farmers Market

Address: 209 1st Ave NE, Cullman, AL 35055, USA

Website: Festhalle Farmers Market

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Sat: 7am - 2pm (closed on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun)

Captivating Cullman

The abundance of activities is unquestionably something that we find out when planning a vacation. In this matter, Cullman truly fits your expectations. With friendly locals, the quaint environment with oodles of natural beauty, it feels like a ‘home away from home’. Heritage, history, cuisine, outdoor recreation – Cullman has something of everything for you.