Moody is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama. Located 22 miles northeast of Birmingham, it was incorporated in 1962 and is a relatively modern city in St. Clair County.
It sits between Leeds and Odenville, offering easy access to world-class motorsports museums, lakeside parks, outlet shopping malls and the popular Alabama wine trail.
Whether you wish to spend leisurely days browsing local antique markets, or hiking and mountain biking along trails of nearby nature preserves, you can do it all from Moody.
1. Moody City Park
Moody City Park is a great place to begin your exploration of the city.
With a mile-long walking track, children’s playgrounds and a Veteran’s Memorial Wall, it’s a place to meet locals and get to know your surroundings.
You can enjoy a game of baseball, volleyball or soccer on the fields, challenge friends to a tennis tournament, or kick back and relax with a picnic or party at the pavilion.
Little Cahaba River is close by too, so you can wander along the banks, admiring beautiful scenery or glide along the water on a tube.
2. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
The world’s greatest, and largest vintage motorcycle museum is less than 15 minutes’ drive from Moody, Alabama.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum appeals to motorbike and classic car enthusiasts from all over the world, showcasing over 1600 motorbikes from over 200 manufacturers worldwide.
This epic museum doesn’t just cater to motorcycles lovers either, it’s also home to some rare racing cars and over 50 Lotus sports cars.
3. Coyote Drive-In
The drive-in movie theatre began in New Jersey back in the early 1930s, and since then it has become a popular phenomenon across America.
Featuring in countless movies and stories, the drive-in conjures up images of high-school sweethearts, fun times with family and partying with friends.
You can join in the fun at Coyote Drive-In near Moody.
This outdoor cinema features a huge screen showcasing all the latest Hollywood movies, and some of the old classics too! You can watch films from your vehicle or bring some chairs and a blanket and sit outside.
There’s also a snack diner on-site so you can order food and drinks to collect during the intermission.
4. The Outlet Shops of Grand River
If you love a shopping bargain, take a trip to The Outlet Shops of Grand River.
With a whole host of designer outlet stores including Banana Republic, Forever 21, Coach, Gap, Guess and Michael Kors, you can pick up the latest fashions at a fraction of high street prices.
Take time to browse the variety of stores before stopping for a bite to eat in an on-site fast food restaurant or coffee shop.
5. The Ridge Adventure Park
For fun days in the great outdoors head north from Moody to The Ridge Adventure Park.
The park boasts activities such as disc golf, atv’s, zip-lining and rappelling.
The Ridge has over 35 miles of off-road trails which vary in difficulty, plus if you want to bring your motorcycle, 15 miles are dedicated solely to two-wheelers.
You can camp here, bring your fishing gear as there are two well-stocked ponds, or simply enjoy lunch or dinner in the park’s popular grill restaurant.
Bold adventurers may wish to try a zip-lining tour.
Level 1 and 2 tours are available with lines which range in height and length with easy take-offs and landings.
These zip-line adventures are suitable for all levels of expertise and offer an exciting, memorable experience for everyone in your travelling party.
6. Bluegrass Barbeque
Bluegrass Barbeque is a family-run restaurant in Moody which attracts both locals and visitors.
Home-cooked dishes are prepared from traditional family recipes, and you can sample delights such as the Smokey Mountain Hickory Burger, a mouth-watering burger with smoked bacon, cheddar and smokin’ sweet BBQ sauce, or try the popular Fried Catfish Sandwich garnished with lettuce, tomato and pickle, served on a jumbo bun! On Wednesday’s it’s Wing Day, and Friday’s and Saturday’s are Steak Nights, so if you’re seeking generous portions of good ole’ Southern cuisine after a day of sightseeing, Bluegrass Barbeque can cater to all your needs.
7. Morgan Creek Vineyards
If you’re a fan of Muscadine and fruit wines, a day trip to Morgan Creek Vineyards could be for you.
This charming winery specialises in semi-sweet and sweet wines which sit well with cheese plates, spicy dishes and desserts.
If you wish to tour the vineyard, you can do so Monday through Saturday, and there’s a complimentary tasting room offering visitors an intimate atmosphere in which to sample Alabama wines.
If you wish to purchase a bottle as a souvenir of your visit, you can choose from the Cahaba White, an aromatic Muscadine – fruity, semi-dry and fresh, or the flavoursome Vulcan Red, a smooth finish inspired by the owner’s grandfather who painted the Vulcan statue which overlooks the city of Birmingham.
8. Springville Antique Mall
Springville Antique Mall is in the city of Springville Alabama, around 18 miles from Moody.
Set in a historic building near Big Springs Park, this quaint shopping mall makes you feel like you are you are stepping back in time.
With artifacts and objects dating from the 1800s, and 30 vendors bringing more antique treasures in by the day, there’s plenty to tempt your taste and budget.
Whether you seek a unique gift for a loved one or wish to discover a historic item from the region, you are sure to find it all at Springville Antique Mall.
9. Springville Historic District
If you’re visiting Springville Antique Mall, why not spend time to look around the city’s historic district.
The town was incorporated in 1881, and many of the buildings in the Downtown area date to this time period.
There are late Victorian-design buildings, Queen Anne architectural structures and Craftsman-style houses to explore.
To see the best examples, check out several city churches and Presley Store commercial building which are still in existence.
10. Pell City Lakeside Park
Pell City Lakeside Park is set on 65 acres of land surrounded by shady trees and walking trails.
It’s a wonderful place to spend warm, summer days as there’s a man-made beach where you can sunbathe, plus you can cool off from the midday sun in the tranquil lake.
Take a boat out on the water, jump around in the Splash Pad, climb the Kid’s Kastle or even try your hand at fishing for a few hours! The mile-long woodland trail is a great place for hiking, wildlife and plant spotting, and if you want to host a birthday party or celebratory event, you can do so at the park’s pavilion.
11. Bryant Vineyard
Set on land owned by the same family since the mid-1800s, Bryant Vineyard overlooks a scenic lake in Alabama and specialises in Muscadine wines.
They planted their first row of grapes in 1965, and today, the vineyard produces and sells fragrant, flavoursome fruity wines which pair well with cheese, game and chocolate dishes.
You can take a tour of the vineyard, before trying the Dixie Gold, a tangy, fruity wine made from a blend of Magnolia, Carlos and Muscadine grapes.
Alternatively, you may prefer to sample the luxurious, velvety Festive Red, a Muscadine wine with a lingering fruity flavour.
You can also bring the kids along to pick fresh fruit and vegetables from the land, or if you feel daring, taste the World’s Hottest Pepper!
12. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Outdoor enthusiasts and visitors seeking a day of relaxing walks among nature can venture to Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.
Ruffner Mountain located just outside Birmingham, Alabama, attracts hikers, with an abundance of walking trails, a nature centre, wildlife and picnic areas.
The area was once home to stone quarries and iron ore mines of which remnants can still be viewed when you walk the trails.
Bring your walking shoes, a picnic, enjoy bird and wildlife watching and discover rare flora and fauna of the region.
13. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
When iron ore was mined in the areas surrounding Birmingham, it was brought in large amounts to Sloss Furnaces for smelting.
At one time these were the busiest blast furnaces in the world, but today, the historic landmark is used more for educational purposes.
If you are interested in learning more about Birmingham’s industrial heritage, you can gain an understanding of how the process worked at the interpretive museum and visitor centre.
Alternatively, the landmark, with its towering furnaces is also used as a backdrop for photo shoots, musical events, metalwork demonstrations, and even paranormal evenings.
14. Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
If you’re interested in engineering, car design and anything else related to the automotive industry, you will enjoy a trip to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
On Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s, the car plant offers tours to individuals keen to learn about car manufacturing.
You need to book in advance and there’s a limit of 50 people on each tour, which lasts approximately 1.5 hours, but if you drive a Honda, or are interested in learning about the process of what happens beneath the hood, this tour could be for you.
15. Carpenetti’s Pizza
After a busy day of Alabama sightseeing there’s no better way to end the day than with a delicious, generously topped pizza or plate of pasta. Carpenetti’s Pizza is a laid-back restaurant in Moody which caters to all, with a full menu of hand-made pastas and freshly-made pizzas ranging from Calzones to Stone Baked and Deep Dish.
Dine in or take away, but don’t forget a scrumptious side order of wings or spicy pepperoni chips.