15 Best Things to Do in Hueytown (AL)

Located 14 miles southwest of Birmingham, Alabama is charming Hueytown.

The city has a rich history in the coal, steel and farming industries, meaning there’s plenty of historical sites, museums and mills to see on your travels.

Hueytown was also the home to a prominent NASCAR racing group called the ‘Alabama Gang’. Therefore, a trip to nearby Autobahn Indoor Speedway should be on your itinerary of things to do while in the city.

With a host of parks, hiking and cycling trails, museums, and with its close proximity to Birmingham, there’s activities to entertain all ages in and around Hueytown.

I’m an Alabama local and frequently visit Hueytown, I think it’s a nice and well kept town and also ideal to visit other places in the area. Here is my list of the best things to do in and around Hueytown:

1. Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure

Alabama Splash Adventure — Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure

Whether you seek exhilarating thrills, or relaxing days floating down the Warrior River, you can do it all at Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure.

Plunge from a 5-story tower and drop 216 feet into the pool below, compete against friends on the Wipeout Adventure Course, or take a cooling dip in 80,000 gallons of cool water in the Kahuna Waves Pool.

Whether you’re 16 or 60 you can have fun at the water park, plus, there are plenty of areas to sunbathe, and dining pavilions which sell food and drink if you feel hungry.

The park is just 7 miles from Hueytown, and a great day out if you want a break from driving or sightseeing.

Related reading: 11 Best Water Parks in Alabama

2. High Ore Line Trail

Energetic adventurers will relish a day cycling or walking along High Ore Line Trail.

The two-mile stretch was specifically constructed for walking and biking, connecting the areas of Red Mountain Park and Jones Valley Trail.

You will pass several landmarks of interest along the way, one being the former High Ore Line railroad which used to transport coal from local mines to nearby cities.

As you move along the trail, canopies of trees provide shade from the midday sun, so you can stop for a beverage or a picnic on-route.

3. Gip’s Place

I’m pretty sure blues fans will enjoy an evening out at Gip’s Place in nearby Bessemer.

Gip Gipson has been showcasing the best Blues in town since 1952 when he used to hold weekend parties in his garage.

This fun juke joint is the perfect place to let loose and listen to live acts, dance the night away, and meet new like-minded friends.

Gip’s Place has played host to myriad celebrities since it opened – Robert Plant and Jimmy Page have played here unannounced, as has Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones!

Related reading: 15 Best Things to Do in Bessemer, Alabama

4. Autobahn Indoor Speedway

If the weather is cloudy outside, or you just fancy a day of adrenaline packed sports, I recommend Autobahn Indoor Speedway, which is just 10 miles away from Hueytown.

The F1 inspired indoor electric go-karts can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, so you can compete against family and friends over 12-14 laps.

There’s a place for snacks and refreshments, and if you fancy trying to learn a completely new skill, you can learn axe throwing too.

5. RTJ at Oxmoor Valley Golf Course

Constructed on former mining land, Oxmoor Valley Golf Course is flanked by scenic forests, creeks and elevated fairways.

With 54 picturesque holes to play on the Robert Trent Jones designed golf trail, you will be spoiled for choice.

Valley Course is sprinkled with pretty lakes and rolling fairways, while The Ridge Course is more challenging with 150-foot elevation changes and dense forestland, for more seasoned golfers.

Alternatively, play The Short Course, a superb 18-hole one-shot course which plays downhill, with a backdrop of lush mountains.

6. John Wesley Hall Grist Mill

Gristmills were once used to grind grains of cereal into flour in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.

One of Alabama’s earliest grist mills was John Wesley Hall Grist Mill and Cotton Gin which operated from 1867 to 1931. Although this mill was destroyed during the Civil War, it has since been reconstructed in Tannerhill Historical State Park.

At the park you can see an exact copy of the old gristmill which operated in the area for over 60 years.

More on Alabama: 30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Alabama

7. The Bessemer Hall of History Museum

Located in an old railway terminal, The Bessemer Hall of History Museum is the perfect place to delve into the region’s past.

Showcasing a variety of Civil War artifacts, period furnishings and early agricultural and mining machinery, it gives a unique insight into how people lived in Alabama. I thought it was well worth spending a few hours.

The railway depot itself is also fascinating to explore, built in 1916 it served passengers travelling to and from Bessemer until the 1970s.

8. Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park has over 1500 acres which stretch between Bessemer and Homewood, making it one of the largest urban parks in America.

It was once home to the Sloss Mines which provided Birmingham, Alabama with iron ore for its furnaces.

The mountain is named after the rich red iron ore which came from the grounds, and today, you can still see evidence of these deposits as you hike along trails and meadows.

On the mountainside and at the summit, there are 7 visitor sites, a 10-mile trail for hiking and cycling and even a zipline and ropes adventure.

9. Doughboy Monument at DeBardeleben Park

The Spirit of the American Doughboy was designed by E.M. Viquesney to honor heroic soldiers of World War I. These statues became so popular in the United States that they were mass-produced and now stand in several cities across the country.

You can see one of these iconic pressed copper sculptures in DeBardeleben Park a few miles from Hueytown. The park located in Downtown Bessemer covers 4 blocks and is easily accessible from shops and restaurants in the city.

Enjoy a walk along tree-shaded avenues, stop for a picnic and take time to admire this sculpture and monument which is dedicated to those who fought for freedom.

10. Bright Star Restaurant

You can’t visit Alabama and not try good ole’ fashioned Southern home-cooking.

A few miles from Hueytown by car, you will discover Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer, which serves a plethora of seafood and Southern delights to tempt and tantalize your taste buds.

On my visit I had their famous homemade Seafood gumbo, which was absolutely delicious and has gained national accolades. For meat eaters there’s Bright Star’s Beef Tenderloin – served Greek style, succulent hamburgers and chicken.

This restaurant caters more for seafood lovers, with a variety of catfish, crab, snapper and lobster on the menu, so if you enjoy delicious plates of fish, marinated and seasoned with Southern spices, this place is for you.

11. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

Set in 1500 acres, and encompassing three counties, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park offers a great day out for all ages.

In addition to hiking, camping and a variety of recreational pursuits, the historical park also offers insight into life as it used to be in Alabama.

You can visit a working blacksmith shop to see craftsmen demonstrate their trades, then discover a restored Pioneer cabin, a cotton gin and working gristmill.

There are displays of 19th century artifacts in the park museum, and you can view the huge stone furnaces which were used to smelt the ore mined nearby.

I think Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is a superb day out for anyone who wants to discover what life was like in this region for early settlers.

12. Cat-n-Bird Winery

A short drive from Hueyville is Cat-n-Bird Winery.

This boutique winery hand-makes each bottle of wine, utilizing imported grapes from around the world to create unique blends.

Visitors can book in advance and enjoy a ‘Wine and Cheese Pairing’, where you get to sample 6 wines and 6 cheeses or browse the shop and purchase a bottle as a souvenir of your Alabama trip.

If you want to experience wine a little differently, you can also sample a Wine Slushie, with flavors ranging from Peach Bellini to FRose’ and Wine-a-rita.

13. Rickwood Field

Northeast of Hueytown is the oldest professional baseball park in the USA – Rickwood Field.

Built in 1910 by industrialist Rick Woodward, it became home to the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons.

It is the only ballpark remaining which hosted a Negro League World Series, and it’s now in the process of becoming a working museum where fans of the sport can discover everything about the history of baseball.

They host a range of events and college games throughout the year, so check what’s on when you are in town and you will be able to mingle with like-minded baseball fans.

14. Allison Bonnett Park

Located in Downtown Hueytown, Allison Bonnett Park is a family-friendly recreational area where kids and adults are entertained for hours.

With walking trails through dense woodland, wildlife, and a softball pitch, it’s the ideal place to kick back, relax, or bring a picnic on a warm summer’s day.

15. Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q

The legendary barbecue spot in Bessemer first opened in 1957. The family owned barbecue chain serves a selection of authentic, Southern barbecue dishes which will keep you returning for more.

Offering ‘pit to plate’ cuisine, you can choose from seasoned ribs, steaks, burgers, pork and chicken, plus their BBQ sauce has been voted best in Alabama! They host live events throughout the year which include the famous BBQ and Blues Festival, combining the best food and music in the state.

So if you’re a meat eater, and fancy sampling some mouth-watering BBQ dishes while in Hueytown, head to Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.