Be honest: did you know that Sylacauga was packed with things to do?
No, seriously: world-class art, gorgeous scenery, top-notch food, great spots for kids, you name it. But my favorite is perhaps this: much of it is unknown. Put another way, the sights are tremendous, but the crowds are not.
After getting the tour from the locals, here’s our insider’s guide to things to do in Sylacauga. So get there soon, before people catch on and these spots get busy.
Skip Ahead
Things to Do
Where to Eat
Get Outside
Scenic Drive
Quirky: Gravity Hill
Events
Things for Kids
Where to Stay
1. Gantt’s Marble Quarry Observation Point
This is the best place to begin exploring Sylacauga. Just west of town, the observation point offers a glimpse inside the 500-million-year-old Sylacauga marble vein. This thing runs 30 miles long, is the highest quality in the world, and is thoroughly interwoven with the city’s past.
*Note: Really though, this is the world’s highest quality marble. It has been used in, for example, the Lincoln Memorial and the Supreme Court building.
2. Meet a World-Class Marble Sculptor
One of our country’s foremost marble sculptors, Craigger Browne, is Sylacauga’s Sculptor in Residence.
He works in town from his outdoor studio, “The Cage”, and he says you’re welcome to stop by for a visit. He’s here most weekdays and will happily chat and show you how he sculpts.
Find him here.
3. Admire Sylacauga’s Outdoor Marble Art
Want to see some completed marble sculptures? Sylacauga has no shortage.
There are two in front of city hall. The one above, “Sylacauga Emerging”, is a Craigger Browne original. It took him 15 months to complete.
He has several others across the street as well.
4. Explore the Marble Gallery
Little known outside Sylacauga, the B.B. Comer Memorial Library houses a gallery of work from some of the world’s best marble sculptors.
Many of them trek across the globe to visit during Sylacauga’s annual Magic of Marble Festival. For context, Marco Augusto Dueñas, who has a sculpture in the library, also has three pieces in the Vatican.
5. The Hidden Art Gallery (a Norman Rockwell conspiracy)
A little-known (and thoroughly random) fact: while Norman Rockwell was famously creating cover art for The Saturday Evening Post, so was another guy — Douglass Crockwell. Furthermore, Crockwell’s art was largely indistinguishable from Rockwell’s. Same art? Basically. Same name? Again, basically. Weird, I know — but true.
And the B.B. Comer Memorial Library also happens to have a sizable collection of Crockwell’s work. And just like the sculpture gallery, it’s free.
6. Shop Local
Downtown Sylacauga has several locally owned retailers. We hear that McClendon Bridals is locally famous and that Mercantile on Broadway (among others) holds down the boutique game.
We can personally recommend Trailwares, an outdoor clothing store with an impressively sized selection: Patagonia, The North Face, Birkenstock, you name it. And the crew here is as friendly as can be.
7. The Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Art Center
Founded by a woman of high society and influence in Sylacauga of yesteryear, the museum is a striking building housing a variety of Sylacauga memorabilia.
Among the museum’s collection: extensive memorabilia from native Sylacaugan Jim Nabors, a replica pioneer cabin, Avondale Mills industrial artifacts, work from famous marble sculptors (including Giuseppe Moretti, the designer of the Vulcan statue) and a post office out back, saved from a nearby ghost town.
8. Pay Tribute to the Housewife-Attacking Meteorite
The Hodges Meteorite, the only meteor to ever hit a person, landed in Sylacauga in 1954. The story is intricate and debated at points, but what’s clear is Ann Hodges was simply sitting on the sofa, minding her own business, when a meteor blasted through the roof and into her hip.
While the actual meteorite is now in the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa, much of its story is still here in Sylacauga. There’s a historical marker near the impact site, various newspaper clippings and a recreated meteor at the museum, and Don Lawler’s beautiful “Falling Star” tribute sculpture here.
9. $1 Ice Cream at Sylacauga’s Blue Bell Factory
While in town, swing by the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory. For only $1, you can get a jumbo-sized cup of ice cream, such as this Southern Blackberry Cobbler.
10. Where to Eat in Sylacauga
Since we’re on the topic of food, there are several other spots that we recommend in Sylacauga.
Featured in the photo above: the Farmers Market Veggie Pizza at the Founders Pub at Pursell Farms. They have lunch and dinner options in beautiful, upscale casual digs.
The locals also love Pizza & Pint and L’Acosta Mexican. Coffee? Check out Cuppa Grace.
11. Visit the Southernmost Appalachian Peak: Flagg Mountain
The southernmost peak of the Appalachians, Flagg Mountain is a beautiful and curiously overlooked spot just west of Sylacauga.
It features plenty of hiking trails that culminate at the peak in the Civilian Conservation Corps tower, which is unlocked and offers dramatic views from the top.
Note: the mountaintop has a parking lot and is entirely ADA accessible.
12. Hike the Pinhoti Trail
Flagg Mountain also marks the opening trailhead of the 355-mile Pinhoti Trail. It runs across northeast Alabama and, eventually, offers connecting trails to the Appalachian Trail. All of that to say, many of the most committed hikers don’t just hike the A.T., they start here first.
If you’re interested in getting a ride to the trail, bunking up or just getting more info, then reach out to the folks at the Pinhoti Outdoor Center. They are the hub for all things hiking in this area and will take good care of you.
13. Relax at Pursell Farms
If you’re looking for some resort time, then head to Pursell Farms, just west of downtown Sylacauga. Golfing, horseback riding, yoga, spa: whatever you’re after, they have it. As noted earlier, the Founders Pub is a wonderful dining option, regardless of whether you’re staying at the resort.
14. Get Your Nature On: Lake Howard and Sylaward Trail
Tucked into the woods 10 minutes northeast of downtown, Sylaward Trail at Lake Howard is a quiet spot for most anything one could want outside: fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, disc golf and horseshoeing.
15. Drive the Bill Nichols Scenic Highway
From downtown, head east on Hwy 148 towards Millerville.
As you hit the Talladega National Forest, you’ll see the southernmost Appalachian mountains rise up in front of you. After about 10 minutes, you’ll come to Bull’s Gap, where you can hop out and hike the Pinhoti Trail for a bit or continue down the other side of the mountains.
16. Quirky: Defy Physics at Gravity Hill
Not familiar with gravity hills? These are spots where — whether by optical illusion, paranormal influence or gravity sleeping on the job — cars set to neutral will roll uphill.
Sylacauga has one such spot, and it’s easy to find since, well, they named the road “Gravity Hill”. Worth noting: this gravity hill works.
To try it out, stop your car here, facing Hwy 280 (see the photo above). Set it to neutral and, if you have it in the right spot then — voilà! — your car will roll backwards uphill.
17. Sylacauga Events: The Magic of Marble and Pinhoti Festivals
In April, some of the world’s foremost marble sculptors come to Sylacauga for the Magic of Marble Festival. They work publicly at Central Park (conveniently across the street from the Blue Bell Factory tasting room).
More of a Fall festival goer? Swing through in September for the Pinhoti Fest, when hikers from across the country camp in town for the weekend and celebrate the Pinhoti Trail.
18. What to Do with Kids
Far and away the most important place to take your kids is the Blue Bell Factory. As mentioned earlier, the portion sizes are huge and only cost $1.
Looking for a playground? Drive a couple blocks over to Noble Park.
19. Where to Stay: Camping, Hostel, and Resort Options
If you’re a camper, then it would be tough to beat the restored Civilian Conservation Corps cabins on Flagg Mountain. Serene location, beautiful views and warm, historic architecture. Reach out here.
Want to hike the Pinhoti? The folks at the Pinhoti Outdoor Center will give you a bunk, get the fire going, and shuttle you to the trail.
And if you’re looking less for rustic, more for resort: you can’t beat The Inn at Pursell Farms.
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Check out our guide to Sylacauga’s marble here.
