Scottsboro, Alabama, is a small town that sits on Tennessee River. The area used to belong to Cherokee Indians. For decades, it was known for its river trade, which was a large source of income for area residents. In the 1930s, Scottsboro became infamous for something much darker. One of the largest trials in American history was held here. The Scottsboro Boys are still honored and remembered, and many consider this famous trial to be the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Scottsboro is an ideal town for a family vacation. You will find plenty of outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and cave exploring. The area has a number of parks worth visiting and a few small museums as well. To make planning your trip easier, check out this list of the best things to do in Scottsboro, Alabama.
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1. Unwind at Jackson County Park
Jackson County Park lies on the banks of Tennessee River. The large park has spots for RVs and tents in the campgrounds. It has three docks—one for boats, a covered one for fishing, and one for swimming. There is a large pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and restroom facilities. Other amenities on the property include a playground, a barbecue restaurant, cabin rentals, boat rentals, bait shop, and nature trails.
Jackson County Park
Address: 2302 County Park Rd, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Jackson County Park
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
2. Learn some history at Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center
Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center opened in 1985. The small museum showcases the history, culture, and artwork of Jackson County. The exhibits are separated into three areas—Brown Proctor House, Sagetown, and LIttle Courthouse. Guided tours begin with a 12,000-year history of how the first Native Americans made their way to Jackson Country. View artifacts and other exhibits that tell the story of the region up to modern times.
Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center
Address: 208 S Houston St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sat - Sun)
Price: Free
3. Conquer Neversink Pit
Neversink Pit may be the most photographed cave in the United States. The cave is bell-shaped, being narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. The top ledge is covered in beautiful ferns, and some of the species are considered endangered. The only way to reach the bottom of the pit is to rappel down. You must then climb the same rope to get out. Only experienced climbers should attempt to enter Neversink Pit. Even if you are not planning to descend to the bottom, the hike to the pit is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Neversink Pit
Address: Unnamed Road, Fackler, AL
Website: Neversink Pit
Price: Free
4. Practice fishing at North Sauty Wildlife Refuge
North Sauty Wildlife Refuge is a great place to connect with Mother Nature. Located across the road from Sauta Cave Refuge, North Sauty’s best asset is a freshwater lake for fishing. You can catch crappies and bigmouthed bass here. The refuge is also used for various hunting, such as duck and raccoon, depending on the season.
North Sauty Wildlife Refuge
Address: Scottsboro, AL
Price: Free
5. Get an adrenaline rush at Stephens Gap
Stephens Gap is one of the hidden jewels of Scottsboro. Before you can enter the trail, you will need to apply for a permit. After that, it is a fairly easy hike there and back. The trail is clearly marked with yellow flags on the trees. Once you reach the cave, there are two ways to reach the inside. You can navigate the steep trail down the hillside to the entrance. Or you can choose to rappel through the keyhole, which lands you directly on a natural pedestal. This pedestal is an ideal place to take some stunning pictures of the waterfall.
Stephens Gap
Address: Callahan Cave Preserve, Jackson County, AL
Website: Stephens Gap
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free
6. Marvel at Jackson County Courthouse's impressive architecture
Jackson County Courthouse is an impressive two-story, neoclassical building located in the town square. It was built in 1911 - 1912 when city officials decided the original courthouse located at Sauta Cave was too small. The courthouse is designated as the location for all city and county businesses. While the daily operations are hardly a tourist attraction, the building is worth a visit just to see the architecture.
Jackson County Courthouse
Address: 102 E Laurel St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Jackson County Courthouse
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat - Sun)
Price: Free
7. Explore Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a huge plot of land that was purchased in 1978. Up until 1999, the reserve was known as Blowing Wind Cave. The reserve was created to protect endangered Indiana and gray bats. The cave is a summer roosting place for about 200,000 - 300,000 gray bats. During the winter months, the site becomes the hibernation sanctum for both bat species. While there are two entrances to the cave, the public is not allowed inside. From June through August, you can see a stunning aerial show when the bats emerge from the cave in the evening.
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Address: South of Highway 72, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Price: Free
8. Bond with family at Scottsboro City Park
Scottsboro City Park is designed for the nature lover in everyone. The large park includes a large wooded area and a lake. The lake has two boat ramps and two fishing piers. Take the boat out for a day of waterskiing or try to catch some fresh fish for dinner. Located around the park are many picnic areas with barbecue grills, so you can cook the fish you catch right there. Or just enjoy some peace and quiet exploring the nature trails.
Scottsboro City Park
Address: 1247 Winn Rd, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Scottsboro City Park
Opening hours: 4am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
9. Expand your knowledge at Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center is a small museum inside the historical Joyce Chapel United Methodist Church. The museum has many interesting documents and articles of the infamous Scottsboro Boys. Back in 1930, nine African American boys were accused of raping two white women. The case was one of the biggest ever tried in American courts. This event was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.
Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center
Address: 428 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun - Fri)
Price: Free
10. Have a feast at The Docks
The Docks is located at Goose Pond. Diners can enjoy a lovely view of the water and lighted pier with dinner. The atmosphere is casual-chic, and the menu features Southern seafood dishes and American comfort food. Some of the items you will see on the menu are the Hawaiian grilled ribeye and the crispy fried softshell crab. Tuesdays through Thursdays, the restaurant feature nightly specials—for example, on Tuesdays the chefs serve prime rib cooked to order.
The Docks
Address: 1165 Ed Hembree Dr, Scottsboro, AL
Website: {The Docks](https://m.facebook.com/TheDocksLLC/)
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun - Mon)
11. Chill like a local at Scooters Sports & Grill
Catfish Special $15.99. Timberwolf performs tonight at 9pm, $5 cover
Posted by Scooters Sports and Grill on Friday, 8 November 2019
Scooters is a popular bar that serves up tasty food and ice-cold beer. The place has plenty of TVs to watch all your favorite sporting events. Scooters features daily food and drink specials, like the catfish platter and 4 USD shots. Thursday nights, there is karaoke, and on the weekends, you can check out some local bands playing classic rock and blues. You know it’s a great place to hang out because the locals all love it.
Scooters Sports & Grill
Address: 3701 E Willow St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Scooters Sports & Grill
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 3pm - 12am; Fri: 3pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 12am (closed on Mon - Tue)
12. Have a picnic at King Caldwell Park
King Caldwell Park is a lovely setting for an afternoon picnic. The park is located near the downtown area. It features a large wooded area with nature trails. You will find plenty of picnic tables located throughout. Near the center is a pavilion with restrooms and a small playground next to it. On the Sunday before Labor Day, the place hosts the annual Art Sunday festival. The event draws thousands of visitors every year, along with many vendors displaying their artwork and crafts.
King Caldwell Park
Address: 1004 Broad St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: King Caldwell Park
Price: Free
13. Travel back in time at Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain
Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain first opened its doors in 1869. Back then a scoop of ice cream was just a couple of pennies. And on Thursdays for senior citizens, it still is. The diner underwent some renovations over the years and now has a fun 1950s look and feel. The menu features American comfort and fast food with daily specials. At Payne’s, you will find fried bologna sandwiches, meatball hoagies, and plenty of old-fashioned milkshakes and ice cream sundaes.
Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain
Address: 101 E Laurel St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10am - 4pm; Thu - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
14. Enjoy shopping at Unclaimed Baggage Center
Unclaimed Baggage Center is a truly unique tourist attraction. The retailer is exactly what the name says it is. It is the only store that buys and sells unclaimed baggage from airports across the country. The inventory changes often, and you never know what you will find. The huge complex is arranged by common departments, such as jewelry and electronics. You can also grab a snack or a cup of coffee at the indoor cafe. Right next door to the main store is Etc. Store. Here you will find three more floors of odd items along with plenty of choices for kids.
Unclaimed Baggage Center
Address: 509 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Unclaimed Baggage Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat: 8am - 7pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
15. Strike out at Victory Lanes
Victory Lanes is a family-friendly, smoke-free facility that provides an afternoon of fun. The bowling alley has 20 lanes with automatic, electric scoring. Enjoy an ice-cold beer or soft drink along with hotdogs or pizza from the indoor snack bar. Other features include a pro shop, lockers for rent, and a game room. Check the website for fun themed bowling nights, like Rock ‘N’ Bowl.
Victory Lanes
Address: 1503 E Willow St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Victory Lanes
Opening hours: Mon - Tue & Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 3pm - 11pm; Sun: 3pm - 9pm (closed on Wed)
Price: 2.75 USD
16. Burn some calories at Scottsboro Recreation Complex
For a day of family fun, check out Scottsboro Rec Com. The huge sports center has something for everyone. Indoors, you will find a walking track, two air-conditioned gyms, a fitness room, a swimming poot, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and two racquetball courts. Outdoors, across the street, are three basketball courts, a fenced playground with a picnic area, a skate park, and a splash pad. The recreational center often has plenty of programs, like cheerleading, gymnastics, and swim lessons, for all age groups.
Scottsboro Recreation Complex
Address: 701 S Houston St, Scottsboro, AL
Website: Scottsboro Recreation Complex
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5am - 9pm; Fri: 5am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm
Price: 5 - 25 USD
There is something for everyone in Scottsboro
If you are looking for a family vacation that includes quality time spent together, Scottsboro may be just what you are looking for. Sure, it may not have all the huge amusement parks and tourist attractions like some cities. What it does have is plenty of opportunities for everyone to unplug and reconnect with each other. And that makes for a memorable vacation for everyone.
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