What’s New in Montgomery

NEW PLACES TO STAY, SHOP & ENTERTAIN:

Come explore some of the exciting new additions to Montgomery’s tourism and retail scene! There is a new hotel opening in the heart of Montgomery’s historic district which is full of some of Montgomery’s local restaurants, bars and shopping. Trilogy is a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel set to open in the beginning of 2023.

In addition to ideal places to stay, Montgomery has been adding to their portfolio of prime shopping with recent exciting additions. BeYOUtiful Boutique in downtown Montgomery has become a staple in the downtown retail market. On the east side of town, The Shoppes at Eastchase have been growing tremendously in recent months with the opening of South Boutique, Lululemon, and Aerie

WHERE TO DRINK & DINE:

Immerse yourself in the flavor of Montgomery and relax at some of our finest bars and breweries. The hospitality scene is growing! New places to visit for a drink or unique dish are popping up everywhere.

If you have a love for the finer things, stop in and stay awhile at 23 Court Cigar Bar to enjoy an upscale evening of dress codes, premium cigars, fine spirits, and hand-crafted cocktails. Located on 23 South Court Street, this cigar bar offers the perfect atmosphere to don your sport’s coat or cocktail dress and indulge in the lavish experience that is 23 Court.

For a more family-friendly outing, hop on over to Red Bluff Bar at The Silos. The historic location previously served as an old train station, the Silo Depot, until 1995. Vintage Hospitality's recently opened bar offers a rotating draft selection, a variety of wine and cocktails, and family-friendly games including horseshoes and cornhole. The best part? Red Bluff is pet-friendly so your pup can tag along! Or head over to The Statesman and enjoy craft cocktails, mocktails, a beer and wine bar, and live music.

When it comes to upscale dining, there is no better place than the newly opened Ravello Ristorante whose name and menu is inspired by a small town off the Amalfi oast. Ravello is led by award-winning Executive Chef Eric Rivera and the seating is in high demand, so make sure you make your reservation in advance! If you’re wanting a taste of the sea, you’ll find the perfect palette at Chuck’s Fish House

The sixth location of Chuck’s Fish opened in Montgomery spring 2022. They specialize in authentic Gulf seafood, provide aged, naturally-raised beef that is cut in-house, and feature an awardwinning sushi bar.

You can’t beat a good brunch, and Montgomery has not one, but two new highly-rated brunch spots! VYBZ Brunch is a premier brunch restaurant that opened September 2022 with a wideranging menu and bottomless mimosas—yes, bottomless. The Bubbly Hen is a, locally owned full-time brunch eatery on the East side of Montgomery that serves breakfast, lunch, & everything in between—from creative coffees to build your own bloody marys!

Keep it casual at Hilltop Public House—a local coffee shop and bar located in the historic Cottage Hill neighborhood near downtown Montgomery. A great spot for locals and visitors alike to grab a cup of coffee to kick start the day or a drink to winddown afterwards. Their menu offers a wide variety of espresso beverages, beers, cocktails, and wine. Plus, you can often find The Funky Forte food truck parked out front of Hilltop. The Funky Forte serves elevated gastropub foods. To go along with their fun name, the locations and menu change weekly, so be sure to check their Facebook page to find where and what they are serving this week!

NEW ATTRACTIONS:

Did you know you can go whitewater rafting right in the heart of Montgomery? The city’s newest and biggest addition, set to open in summer of 2023, is Montgomery Whitewater—a world-class outdoor recreation and entertainment facility situated on the banks of the Alabama River. The Montgomery Whitewater facility offers a stateof-the-art, man-made whitewater for rafting and paddling, an outdoor amphitheater and endless outdoor activities like a ropes course, zip line, hiking trails, and more!

Stay active by lacing up your rollerblades and skating circles at Roller Palace—a new roller skate rink at Eastdale Mall which opened in December 2022. This new skating rink replaced the Ice Palace, an ice skating rink in the center of Eastdale Mall. Step into the rink and let out your inner child!

There are plans for a new park in North Montgomery to open in 2023. Shady Street Trailhead Park is part of a larger plan to expand downtown riverfront activities. The plan is to eventually connect a series of green spaces through five miles of gardens and walking-biking paths that stretch from north Montgomery, to Maxwell Air Force Base along the riverfront.

CAN’T MISS EVENTS:

Two can’t miss events are coming to Montgomery in 2023. Make sure you plan to attend!

For the first time ever, the Honda Battle of the Bands showcase will be held on an HBCU campus! This will be the first live event since 2020, and Honda is bringing its anticipated showcase to Montgomery’s own Alabama State University. There will be six bands competing, including the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets. The showcase will be held on February 18th. Tickets are available now on the Honda Battle of the Bands website!

Don’t miss the chance to wish Hank a “happy 100th birthday!” The Hank Williams Museum is hosting a big celebration for the 100th birthday of Hank Williams on September 1517th. There will be music by various artists and more, so make sure you save the date and come out to celebrate one of the greats!