Selma Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located in the heart of Alabama, Selma is a city that holds a significant place in American history. Known for its role in the civil rights movement, Selma is a destination that offers a unique blend of historical landmarks, cultural experiences, and natural beauty.

One of the must-visit attractions in Selma is the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This iconic bridge played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement as the site of the infamous Bloody Sunday march in 1965. Visitors can walk across this historic landmark and learn about the struggle for equality that took place on its very steps.

For history enthusiasts, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute is a must-see. This museum showcases the struggle for voting rights in America, particularly focusing on the events that unfolded in Selma. Through interactive exhibits and powerful displays, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by civil rights activists.

Nature lovers will find solace in Selma's proximity to the beautiful Alabama River. A riverboat cruise along the Alabama River is a perfect way to unwind and take in the stunning scenery. From the comfort of the boat, visitors can admire the picturesque landscapes, spot wildlife, and learn about the region's rich ecological diversity.

Selma is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The Selma Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of concerts, plays, and dance performances throughout the year. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local arts community and witness the incredible talent that thrives in this city.

No trip to Selma is complete without indulging in the local cuisine. From traditional Southern comfort food to fusion dishes that blend different culinary influences, Selma offers a delightful gastronomic experience. Visitors can savor mouthwatering barbecue, indulge in homemade pies, or sample soul food dishes that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Alternative names: Settled: 1815Population: 19.5 thous.Area: 14.4 mi²Elevation: 118 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 32°24'47"N, 87°1'15"W

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AlabamaUnited States

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Selma Top Attractions

Selma Attractions - What to See and Explore

Selma offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Joseph T. Smitherman Historic Building, Sturdivant Hall, Edmund Pettus Bridge, National Voting Rights Museum. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • History museum • Specialty museum
Joseph T. Smitherman Historic Building
The Joseph T. Smitherman Historic Building, also known by a variety of other names throughout its history, is a historic Greek Revival building in Selma, Alabama. Completed in 1847, it has served many functions in the more than 160 years of its existence.
Museum • History museum • Specialty museum
Sturdivant Hall
Sturdivant Hall, also known as the Watts-Parkman-Gillman Home, is a historic Greek Revival mansion and house museum in Selma, Alabama, United States. Completed in 1856, it was designed by Thomas Helm Lee for Colonel Edward T. Watts.
Famous landmark in civil rights history
Edmund Pettus Bridge
The Edmund Pettus Bridge carries U.S. Route 80 Business across the Alabama River in Selma, Alabama. Built in 1940, it is named after Edmund Pettus, a former Confederate brigadier general, U.S. senator, and state-level leader of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan.

Museum • History museum
National Voting Rights Museum
The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, established in 1991 and opened in 1993, is an American museum in Selma, Alabama, which honors, chronicles, collects, archives, and displays the artifacts and testimony of the activists who participated in the events leading up to...
Cemetery
Old Live Oak Cemetery
Old Live Oak Cemetery is an historic cemetery in Selma, Alabama that was founded in 1829 and expanded in 1877. The newer portion is sometimes called New Live Oak Cemetery and the cemetery is collectively known as Live Oak Cemetery.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an historic red brick Gothic Revival church located at 210 Lauderdale Street in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, United States.
Church
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church is a historic church at 709 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street in Selma, Alabama. A historically African American Baptist church, it was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1894 and known for its association with the Civil Rights Movement.
Sacred and religious sites • Church
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church is a church at 410 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Selma, Alabama, United States.
32°24'31"N • 87°0'50"W
Old Depot Museum
Museum • History museum
32°24'28"N • 87°0'57"W
Ancient Africa Enslavement & Civil War Museum
Museum
Neighbourhood
Old Town Historic District
The Old Town Historic District is a 323-acre historic district in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. It is bounded by U.S. Route 80, Broad and Franklin streets, and Dallas and Selma avenues. The boundaries were increased on December 15, 2003.
32°25'9"N • 87°1'52"W
Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson House
The Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson House, at 1416 Lapsley Ave. in Selma, Alabama, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It is a one-story wood frame bungalow which was built in 1906 and was remodeled around 1960.
32°24'27"N • 87°1'15"W
United States Post Office Building
The U.S. Post Office Building in Selma, Alabama, also known as the Federal Building or United States Courthouse.
Greek Revival architecture
Wesley Plattenburg House
The 'Wesley Plattenburg House is a historic house in Selma, Alabama. Featuring a unique combination of the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, it was completed in 1842 for Wesley Plattenburg.
Greek Revival architecture
John Tyler Morgan House
The John Tyler Morgan House is a historic Greek Revival-style house in Selma, Alabama, United States. It was built by Thomas R. Wetmore in 1859 and sold to John Tyler Morgan in 1865. Morgan was an attorney and former Confederate general. Beginning in 1876, he was elected as a Democratic U.S. senator from Alabama for six terms.
Neighbourhood
Water Avenue Historic District
The Water Avenue Historic District is a 10-acre historic district in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. It is centered on Water Avenue in downtown. The boundaries were increased on July 7, 2005.
Neighbourhood
Icehouse Historic District
The Icehouse Historic District is a 116-acre historic district in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. It is bounded by J.L. Chestnut, Jr.
Neighbourhood
Summerfield District
The Summerfield District is a 56.2-acre historic district in Summerfield, Dallas County, Alabama. It is bounded by the Selma-Summerfield and Marion roads, and Centenary and College streets.
Universities and schools
Wallace Community College Selma
George Corley Wallace State Community College is a community college in Selma, Alabama. As of the Fall 2010 semester, WCCS has an enrollment of 1,938 students. The college was founded in 1963.

Day trips

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

In the vicinity of Selma, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Alabama State Capitol (Montgomery), Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium (Montgomery), The Legacy Museum (Montgomery).

42 milesE
Museum, History museum, Greek Revival architecture
Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery
The Alabama State Capitol, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the First Confederate Capitol, is the state capitol building for Alabama.
41 milesE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium is the home of the Montgomery Biscuits of the Double-A South. The minor league baseball ballpark opened in Montgomery, Alabama in 2004. Located in downtown Montgomery, the stadium can host up to 7,000 people a night. Riverwalk Stadium is a converted century-old train shed.
41 milesE
Museum
The Legacy Museum, Montgomery
The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration is a museum in Montgomery, Alabama, that displays the history of slavery and racism in America. This includes the enslavement of African-Americans, racial lynchings, segregation, and racial bias.
41 milesE
Memorial
National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Montgomery
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, informally known as the National Lynching Memorial, is a national memorial to commemorate the black victims of lynching in the United States.
44 milesE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery
The Garrett Coliseum is a 12,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. The arena is the centerpiece of the Alabama Agricultural Center, home to the Alabama National Fair. It was built in 1951 and named after W. W.