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There is always something to do in Cullman! Whether you are attending our Oktoberfest in October, our Bloomin’ Festival in April, or any of our many year-around attractions, you will always find something great to do in Cullman. We are located halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville. Some of our must-see attractions are:
Ave Maria Grotto
Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the Ave Maria Grotto was built by Brother Joseph Zoettle over a period of 40 years on the grounds of Alabama's first and only Benedictine Abbey. The 3-acre site consists of more than 125 miniature reproductions of famous churches, shrines and buildings.
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of our Lady of the Angels Monastery Built by Mother Angelica, and located in the City of Hanceville, is the home of the Poor Clare nuns of the Perpetual Adoration. It is modeled after European 13th century monasteries with both Spanish and Italian influences. The monastery features the following: stained glass windows from Germany; building stone from Canada; marble pillars and inlaid marble designs from Italy; roofing tiles from Columbia, South America; carved stonework decorations from artisans in Spain; and the main altar area is made of carved cedar covered in gold leaf. The Monastery Chapel and grounds are open to the public from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., Masses are held daily at 7 a.m. with confessions heard directly following the mass.
Smith Lake
Smith Lake impounds approximately 21,000 acres with over 500 miles of shores, primarily in Cullman and Winston counties. It is a deep, clear lake with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. Access to the lake is easy from Cullman via Alabama Highway 69.
Clarkson Covered Bridge
One of Alabama's largest covered truss bridges and the site of the 1863 Battle of Hog Mountain. Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge is the centerpiece of a public park spanning a shallow creek surrounded by hiking trails and picnic grounds.
Cullman County Museum
This replica of the home of city founder Col. John G. Cullmann houses thousands of historical items dating back to the early 1800's. Displays include an archaeological room with Indian artifacts, a primitive room showing turn-of-the- century tools, a clothing store with outfits from the 1800's, a main street exhibit with 19th century storefronts and a photo gallery.
Smith Lake Park
Over 500 miles of shoreline for camping, and 21,000 acres of clear water for sport fishing, skiing and boating are all accessible from Smith Lake Park. This back-to-nature park offers 200-plus tent and RV campsites, cabins, a swimming pool (in season), spiral waterslide and lake swimming, picnic area, pavilions and special events throughout the summer.
Wilborn’s ATV Trails
Enjoy 3,000 acres and over 100 trails of varying difficulty suitable for all types of off-road vehicles including woods buggies, 4x4’s, 4-wheelers and motorcycles. The park also offers full RV hookups and primitive camping with a bath and shower house along with a full concession stand. Come on out and spend the whole day or come prepared to stay the whole weekend!
Stony Lonesome OHV Park
Over 1,456-acre park that features numerous trails of varying difficulty for ATV’s, rock crawlers, dirt bikes, mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers and more — and is the only public motorized vehicle trail system in the state of Alabama.
Hurricane Creek Park
The scenic park is a registered Treasure Forest and features hiking and mountain biking trails with amazing natural beauty, a bridge over a crystal clear creek, seasonal waterfalls, hanging cliffs, rock climbing, shady picnic areas and Site: 32 on the North Alabama Birding Trail. The hike takes you from the top of the cliffs to the valley below.
Sportsman Lake Park
Situated within the Cullman city limits, the park offers a small-scale train which goes along the shore of the lake, fishing, a mini-Ferris wheel and a carousel, mini-golf, pedal boats, picnic area and pavilions.
Cullman Depot
This Pueblo-style, stucco building has been designated a historical landmark by the National Register of Historical Places, and serves as the offices for United Way of Cullman County. The lobby contains displays of vintage railroad related items. The Depot was restored from 1994-1997 by the Citizens of Cullman County and the City of Cullman with the help of the Alabama Historical Commission and Alabama Department of Transportation.
Crooked Creek Civil War Museum
Site of one of the battles between the troops of Confederate General Forrest and Union Colonel Streight, the Museum is part of the Forrest/Streight Trail. Housed in an a old log cabin, the Museum features displays of numerous authentic Civil War memorabilia including uniforms, currency and other items.
Historical District
Cullman County has many historical sites for visitors to enjoy. There are several sites registered on the National Trust for Historic Sites in Washington, D.C. — the Crane Hill Masonic Lodge, Shady Grove Methodist Church, The Green-Owens House and The Stiefelmeyer Building. Other nationally registered sites include Clarkson Covered Bridge, Ave Maria Grotto and the L&N Railroad Depot.
There are three historic districts in the City of Cullman — the downtown business district, the residential district of “Die Deutsche Kolonie Von Nord Alabama” (The German Colony of North Alabama) which consists of mostly Victorian type architecture and the Betz Addition Historic District, which is composed of 72 residential structures dating from the 1800s.
For more information contact the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 1-800-313-5114 or visiting our Web site at www.VisitCullman.org.
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