Gadsden Travel Guide

Trek Zone

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Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Alabama region, Gadsden is a charming city that offers a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. With its rich heritage and stunning landscapes, Gadsden beckons travelers to explore its hidden gems and experience the true essence of the American South.

For history enthusiasts, Gadsden is a treasure trove of fascinating stories and landmarks. Take a stroll through the downtown area and immerse yourself in the city's past as you admire the beautifully preserved historic buildings. The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts is a must-visit destination, housing an impressive collection of art exhibitions and a children's museum that provides interactive learning experiences.

Nature lovers will find themselves enchanted by the breathtaking beauty of Gadsden's natural surroundings. The Coosa River, meandering through the city, offers serene landscapes ideal for boating, fishing, and picnicking. The Noccalula Falls Park is an enchanting oasis, where visitors can marvel at the stunning waterfall tumbling into a picturesque gorge, explore nature trails, or enjoy a family-friendly train ride.

Gadsden's vibrant cultural scene is also worth exploring. The city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, showcasing local talent, music, and culinary delights. Be sure to check out the First Friday celebrations, where the streets come alive with live music, food vendors, and arts and crafts exhibitions.

Food lovers will delight in Gadsden's diverse culinary offerings. From classic Southern comfort food to international cuisine, the city's restaurants cater to all tastes. Don't miss the opportunity to savor mouthwatering barbecue dishes, indulge in delectable Southern-style fried chicken, or sample fresh seafood caught from nearby Gulf Coast waters.

Whether you're seeking a relaxing getaway, an adventure in nature, or a cultural immersion, Gadsden has something to offer every traveler. Immerse yourself in the city's history, soak in the natural beauty, and indulge in the local flavors to create unforgettable memories in this captivating destination in Alabama.

Alternative names: Population: 36.1 thous.Area: 38.49 mi²Elevation: 541 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 34°0'38"N, 86°0'18"W

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AlabamaUnited States

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Gadsden Top Attractions

Gadsden Attractions - What to See and Explore

Gadsden offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Noccalula Falls Park, Forrest Cemetery, Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Waterfall • Park
Noccalula Falls Park
Noccalula Falls Park is a 250-acre public park located in Gadsden, Alabama, United States. The main feature of the park is a 90-foot waterfall. Trails wind through Black Creek Gorge past caves, an aboriginal fort, an abandoned dam, pioneer homestead, and Civil War carvings.
Church
Forrest Cemetery
The Forrest Cemetery Chapel and Comfort Station are historic structures in Gadsden, Alabama. The chapel, comfort station, and cemetery gates were built in 1935 by workers from the Works Progress Administration, and designed by local architect Paul W.
Bridge
Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge
The Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge, more simply known as Gilliland's Covered Bridge, is a locally owned wooden covered bridge that spans a small pond near Black Creek in Etowah County, Alabama, United States.

34°0'31"N • 86°0'4"W
Greater Gadsden Area Tourism
Park • Visitor center • Area
34°0'40"N • 86°0'47"W
The Walnut Gallery
Art gallery • Shopping • Museum
34°0'52"N • 86°0'24"W
United States Post Office
The U.S. Post Office, also known as the Federal Building and Courthouse, is a historic government building in Gadsden, Alabama.
Neo-renaissance architecture
Gadsden Times-News Building
The Gadsden Times-News Building is a historic building in Gadsden, Alabama. It was built by the owners of The Gadsden Times-News in 1904. After changing their name to The Gadsden Times in 1924, the paper moved its operation to another building in 1927. It has since housed a variety of commercial businesses.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Mort Glosser Amphitheater
Mort Glosser Amphitheater is an amphitheatre in Gadsden, Alabama. Built in 1935, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Neighbourhood
Gadsden Downtown Historic District
The Gadsden Downtown Historic District is a historic district in Gadsden, Alabama. The district represents the growth of the town through its industrial heyday from the late 1870s to the late 1940s.
34°0'50"N • 86°0'54"W
Charles Gunn House
The Charles Gunn House is a historic residence in Gadsden, Alabama. The house was built in 1886 by Edward Tracy Hollingsworth, a local merchant and banker. Charles Logan Gunn, a dentist, purchased the house in 1901. His daughter, Carolyn Gunn Bellenger inherited the house, and willed it to the city upon her death in 1990.
34°0'50"N • 86°0'51"W
Colonel O.R. Hood House
The Colonel O. R. Hood House is a historic residence in Gadsden, Alabama. The house was built in 1904 by Oliver Roland Hood, an attorney, politician, industrialist, and one of the founders of the Alabama Power Company.
Library
Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library
The Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library is a historic building in Gadsden, Alabama, United States. The library was built in 1902 by the Nichols family, owners of the Dwight Manufacturing Company.
Universities and schools
Eleventh Street School
The Eleventh Street School is a historic building in Gadsden, Alabama. Built in 1907, it is the oldest surviving public school in Gadsden. An addition of 8 classrooms, a lunchroom, and two other rooms was added in 1926.

Day trips

Gadsden – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Gadsden, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Museum of Natural History (Anniston), Little River Falls (Fort Payne), DeSoto Falls (Mentone).

24 milesSE
Natural history museum, Science museum, History museum
Museum of Natural History, Anniston
Nestled in the heart of Anniston, Alabama, the Museum of Natural History stands as a captivating destination for tourists and locals alike. This museum is a treasure trove of natural wonders, offering an extensive array of exhibits that provide a deep dive into the...
34 milesNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Little River Falls, Fort Payne
Little River Falls is located within the Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama, United States. It marks the beginning of the Little River Canyon. On April 8, 2014, the falls set a record water flow of more than 11,000 cubic feet per second. This broke the old record set in 1964.
44 milesNE
Natural attraction, Nature and wildlife, State park
DeSoto Falls, Mentone
DeSoto Falls is a 104-foot waterfall located on the West Fork of the Little River near Mentone, Alabama, in DeSoto State Park. The falls have carved their own small canyon. They are named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
27 milesSE
Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery, Anniston
Hillside Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Anniston, Alabama. It was established in 1876, and laid out by Nathan Franklin Barrett. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 3, 1985. Notable burials include US Representative Fred L. Blackmon and Civil War general Daniel Tyler.
39 milesW
Sacred and religious sites, Church
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Hanceville
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, informally known as OLAM Shrine, is a prominent Roman Catholic Latin Rite shrine located in Hanceville, Alabama, United States within the Diocese of Birmingham.