Decatur, Alabama

Remember! Your vacation, your choices. Visit as many or few of the included attractions in Decatur listed below at no cost. View the largest concentration of Victorian era homes in Alabama or visit the genealogical archives. OLD STATE BANK BUILDING

Built over 180 years ago, the Old State Bank in Decatur stands today as a reminder of Decatur’s rich history. Completed in 1833, the building originally housed the Tennessee Valley branch of the Bank of the State of Alabama. After the failure of the state bank, it saw many varied uses and even survived the destruction of Decatur during the Civil War. Throughout an often turbulent history, the Old Bank has stood sentinel over the growing city of Decatur and today it is preserved as a building filled with both historical and architectural significance.

HISTORIC RAILROAD DEPOT

This railroad depot has stood in Decatur since 1905, and symbolizes Decatur’s railroad history which extends back to the 1830’s. Having recently undergone a major restoration, the depot now contains a museum dedicated to the original railroad. The artifacts on display include pieces of the original railroad and model trains, showcasing the history of transportation in Northern Alabama from the nineteenth century to now.

The Archives is home to hundreds of volumes of historical and genealogical subject matter. There are also permanent and rotating exhibits of the many artifacts and images from the Archives’ collection. Included is an exhibit about the “Scottsboro Boys,” which displays images from the 1933 trial of Haywood Patterson. Many of the books in the Archives collection are rarities that can seldom be found elsewhere, including histories of local churches, communities, and schools.

MORGAN COUNTY ARCHIVES

PRINCESS THEATRE

Originally built in 1887 to serve as the horse stable for the Casa Grande Hotel, the Princess was transformed into a theatre in 1919. At the beginning of the 1920’s when vaudeville was all the rage, the Princess was remodeled to host vaudeville acts and other live performances, and in 1940 it was again remodeled, this time in art deco, to become, in the words of Albert Frahn, “… the South’s brightest gem.” In 1978 the Princess was rescued from demolition through its purchase by the City of Decatur. Since that time private citizens have combined forces with the city in an ongoing effort to renovate the Princess. As part of the movement to keep the Princess Theatre alive, in 1995 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

CARNEGIE VISUAL ARTS CENTER

The Carnegie Library – the historic building in which the Center is housed – was constructed in 1904 with funding from the Carnegie Foundation. For nearly 70 years, Decatur’s public library was housed in this facility. Today, visitors can find local and touring exhibits, which feature all mediums of visual art.

DECATUR PREMIUM EXPERIENCE ALABAMA AIR & SPACE: THE ORIGINS OF NASA

PREMIUM EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Embark on a journey through time, as you leave behind the vintage elegance of our paddlewheeler and set sights on the future of American space travel. As we sail into the future, our motorcoach will bring us to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. This facility was established in 1970 in a quaint Alabama town, known forever as the place where America’s space program was born. Today, the center is the location where America’s next great ship – the Space Launch System, is being designed.

UNCOVER THE STORIES OF THE GREAT SPACE RACE

See the awe-inspiring Saturn V rocket, a National Historic Landmark that stands on display, towering over the museum itself. Experience the story of mankind’s space exploration through the eyes of Huntsville, Alabama. In 1960, Huntsville became the home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. It was here that rocket scientist, Wernher von Braun and a team of engineers produced elements of the Saturn V, which would lead NASA’s Apollo program to the moon.

EXPLORE THE EXPANSIVE MUSEUM

Enter the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museum in the world. Here, you will discover the history behind one of the most ambitious programs ever created by the United States, and possibly, mankind. The USSRC features a multitude of exhibits including Home to Space Camp, the Aviation Challenge, Space Dome Theater, Rocket Park, and the Education Training Center – which houses NASA’s Educator Resource Center. Examine the series of interactive and informative exhibits and view an expansive collection of space artifacts, including Pathfinder - the Mars robotic rover, the Apollo 16 Command Module, an Apollo 12 moon rock and much more!