Things to Do in Cullman
Founded by German immigrants in 1873, Cullman, Alabama is about midway between the cities of Birmingham and Huntsville.
A trip to Cullman is a chance to step outside the hustle and bustle of daily life and relax for a while. You can explore historic attractions, stroll down country lanes, and savor some delicious comfort food. The annual Oktoberfest in Cullman celebrates German heritage with a Southern twist, giving you the opportunity to experience a truly unique blending of cultures!
Ave Maria Grotto
On the landscaped grounds of Cullman's St. Bernard Abbey is a 4-acre "city" unlike any other in the world. Brother Joseph, a Benedictine member of the Abbey, spent 50 years creating 125 exquisitely detailed miniature replicas of some of the most famous religious structures in the world —every one that he could find a postcard for. Fascinating young and old alike, the Ave Maria Grotto—so named by Brother Joseph—is located in a garden setting in an old quarry. Among the vast array of interesting reproductions are the town of Bethlehem, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Vatican’s Saint Peter's Basilica, the Alamo, and Hansel and Gretel's Temple of the Fairies. The Ave Maria Grotto is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen and is fun for the whole family.
Clarkson Covered Bridge
It turns out that you don't have to travel to New England to see covered bridges! Alabama has its very own—the Clarkson Covered Bridge crosses Crooked Creek and was once a major traffic thoroughfare for local farmers and travelers. Built in 1904, the bridge was almost completely swept away by a storm in 1921, but was salvaged and restored, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Covered bridges are increasingly rare nowadays, so save plenty of time for family photos at this charming and historic site. You can also stretch your legs on the hiking trails, enjoy a picnic, tour the working grist mill, and peek into the double connected log cabins, which are known as a dogtrot house.
History and Heritage—Cullman County Museum
A history of local exploration and settlements is on view in the Cullman County Museum—the American stories presented are made much more tangible and authentic than by reading any history book. Galleries display such fascinating treasures as 12,000-year-old arrowheads and a china doll that belonged to the child of a prominent pioneer family. Tribes of Native American Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws and Choctaws lived in the area for millennia, and educational exhibits include interesting artifacts from their culture. Local Confederate troops won a victory over the Union Army during the Civil War—you'll see Confederate money, muskets and cannonballs. You can also learn about the German immigrants who settled the area and built St. Bernard's Monastery. Spend a few worthwhile hours at the Cullman County Museum to discover how a territory becomes a city in a timeline that's no less dramatic for being compressed.
Family Favorite Flavors
Try the All Steak Restaurant (323 3rd Avenue SE, Cullman) for a delicious meal—the menu offers a lot more than steaks, and all of it is budget-friendly. The 1938 eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features such Southern culinary favorites as fried green tomatoes and Gulf shrimp cocktail. The dinner menu includes a wealth of sandwiches and sides, and you can chow down on New York strip steak at Alabama prices. The orange rolls belong on your bucket list—get a dozen to take out. Rumors Deli (105 1st Avenue NE, Cullman) serves croissant breakfast sandwiches and lunch Paninis, wraps, soups and salads with a no-complaints kid’s menu, reasonable prices and indoor-outdoor seating. And come each autumn, Cullman pulls out all the stops and puts on an authentic German Oktoberfest with a Biergarten downtown, where you can sip tasty brews, savor Wiener schnitzel and sauerkraut, and dance the Schuhplattler to the music of accordions!
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