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Did you know you can experience Olympic-level whitewater rapids, immerse yourself in world-changing history and apply for some top-level AI + tech jobs…all in one Alabama city?
That is exactly what the state capital provides.
If you haven’t checked out Montgomery in a minute, it’s time for a fresh look. In fact, one recent weekend visit offered events ranging from a gospel festival to a sold-out Savannah Bananas baseball exhibition game.
Here are five of the many reasons people are moving to Alabama’s capital city and why Montgomery has growing momentum.
Action-packed fun—from Whitewater to the Biscuits
There’s no shortage of options for those looking for an adrenaline rush in Montgomery:
- 💦 Ready to dive right in? Look no further than Montgomery Whitewater. The 120-acre outdoor recreation site has biking trails, a rope course and a water feature that includes different level of rapids.
- ⛳️ If dry land is more your thing, hit the links: Montgomery’s golf scene includes some nationally renowned courses including the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill.
- ⚾️ Observe America’s Greatest Pastime—and truly one of the best team names in all of sports, in our opinion—by catching a Montgomery Biscuits game at the newly named DABOS Park. The Biscuits start their 2026 season on April 7.
Over $1B invested + 500 jobs created in 2025—see how Hyundai + others are growing
(HMMA)
Montgomery County had $1.19 billion in total investment during 2025, creating 500 new local jobs. It ranked near the top of the list for total investment + jobs created of any county in the state.
Almost all of that economic growth from the county came from projects within Montgomery city limits, including the $800 million investment from Meta for a new data center.
A $200 million expansion was recently announced by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), which adds even more to the city’s growing automotive industry.
“HMMA employs approximately 4,200 team members. While the impact of this in our region is expansive, if you also consider those employed by our many suppliers, we estimate that our production supports over 40,000 jobs in Alabama.
“Along with these suppliers, our economic impact on the state is in the billions each year. Our team members and their families are our anchors to the community. They are responsible for our 20-year arc of continued growth and success HMMA has experienced since start of production in 2005.”
D. Scott Posey, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Cultural experiences abound—including the Equal Justice Initiative
Montgomery is steeped in history, which comes alive via its expansive art scene. Visit one of these sites to learn more + hit the highlights of what’s new:
- 🎭 Shakespeare Festival: The State Theatre relocated to Montgomery in 1985 and has held an impactful presence ever since with educational exhibits, hands-on training and annual plays like the upcoming “ReCON$truXion” from April 23-May 3.
- 🎨 Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts: There is a loaded schedule of events this Spring, including the annual Flimp Festival on April 11 designed for families and children as a celebration of imagination, humor and creativity.
- 🏛️ Alabama Department of Archives and History: Take a deep dive into historic state records like the upcoming “Food for Thought” event on April 16 featuring letters from the Civil War era.
- 🎵 Montgomery Performing Arts Centre: The concert hall has hosted some of the biggest names in music in recent years, including Bob Dylan, Jason Isbell, Styx, St. Paul + The Broken Bones, ZZ Top and many more. See what’s coming next.
- 🎥 Capri Theatre: The Old Cloverdale District theatre first opened in 1941, and is now home to the city’s only independent, non-profit cinema.
- ⭐️ EJI Legacy Sites: Check out the recently-opened Montgomery Square, the latest addition from the Equal Justice Initiative that remembers the city’s “decade that changed the world.”
- 🏡 Old Alabama Town: Take a tour through what a 19th-century central Alabama town looked like including living blocks, working blocks and the famous Lucas Tavern.
The River Region’s great outdoors—see why anglers love Montgomery
Montgomery is an excellent access point for reaching some of Alabama’s most beautiful nature spots. It also offers an abundance of outdoor activities, rivaling the rest of the state.
- 🎣The Alabama River runs right by the heart of downtown. There are several local spots to rent a boat, kayak or other form of transportation to take in city sights from the water. The body of water is also home to freshwater fish like bass and crappie, making it a popular spot for visiting anglers.
- ⛴️ Want to be outside but still take it easy? Check out the Harriott II Riverboat Tour which takes you on a short cruise around the Alabama River.
- 🚴♀️ Lagoon Park covers roughly 432 acres on the northwest side of town, proving more than five miles of biking and walking trails around several city-run ball fields.
- 🌸 Blount Cultural Park is one of the state’s largest municipal parks, providing miles of trails near the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Food + drink: From fine dining to local staples
Montgomery’s restaurant scene continues to grow, giving plenty of options for residents and visitors.
Drive down Cloverdale Road to find a fine-dining option like Vintage Year or grab your favorite Italian dish from La Trattoria.
Looking for something quicker? Scott Street Deli and Chris’ Hot Dogs are two of the state’s oldest restaurants and they both remain a go-to lunch spot for downtown workers.
Stop in to Filet & Vine to grab a quick bite to eat or take home some hand-cut meat to make your own dish.
If you want to add a cocktail stop to your night, check out Leroy in Old Cloverdale for some vintage vibes or check out the Red Bluff Bar for a view of the river.
Between a growing auto industry, billion dollar tech investments, a national airbase and more, new faces are arriving to the capital every day.
All of these appetizing options are just some of the reasons people are packing up and heading to Alabama’s capital city.
Discover what’s next for Montgomery — explore events, initiatives and ways to get involved at MontgomeryAL.gov.
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