Fun doesn’t always have to cost money, here’s a few ways to have a good time in Decatur-Morgan County for free!



Take the Decatur Downtown Turtle Trail and discover 10 bronze turtles along historic 2nd Avenue to kick-off your budget-friendly adventure. Along the way, learn the stories behind the places and events that shaped Downtown Decatur.

Snap photos of all ten turtles and share them using #TurtleTrail, #VisitDecaturAL, and #DecaturDowntown. Bring your photos to the Decatur-Morgan County Visitor Center to claim a special prize. A trail map and more details are in the Decatur Downtown Turtle Trail brochure.

Step 1 - Get Your Pass from the Turtle Trail Page

This mobile exclusive passport is a collection of curated attractions redeem during your visit.

Step 2 - Receive Text

Your passport will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email and is ready to use immediately! There is no app to download. Your pass can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy one-tap access.

Step 3 - Redeem

When visiting a participating business make sure to check in!

Once you have completed checking in at all locations go to the Visitor Center to receive a souvenir turtle for you.

Mural Trail



Take a free mural tour through Morgan County with the MoCo Mural Trail. Our easy guide points you to unique, colorful murals across the county—choose the locations that fit your plans. Grab a selfie at your top spots and post with #VisitDecaturAl to share the love.

Step 1 - Get Your Pass from the Mural Trail Page.

This mobile exclusive passport is a collection of curated attractions redeem during your visit.

Step 2 - Receive Text

Your passport will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email and is ready to use immediately! There is no app to download. Your pass can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy one-tap access.

Step 3 - Redeem

When visiting a participating business make sure to check in!!

Once you have completed checking in at all locations, head to the Visitor Center to receive a free t-shirt.

Parks & The Delano Park StoryWalk

You don't have to spend your money to enjoy the outdoors in Decatur & Morgan County! With plenty of parks and green spaces throughout the county, you can spend the day walking, playing, enjoying a picnic, or soaking up the scenery.



For a fun activity the whole family can enjoy, head to Delano Park and check out the StoryWalk®. This interactive experience combines reading and the outdoors by placing pages from a children's story along a walking path throughout the park. Little readers can follow the story from page to page while exploring one of Decatur's oldest parks.

Historic Walking Tours



Decatur-Morgan County had a variety of historic walking tours, free to the public! For each brochure, go to the Historic Walking Tours Page.

A Walking Tour of Historic Decatur

The Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, just south of downtown along the Tennessee River, showcase one of Alabama’s finest collections of Victorian and Craftsman homes. You’ll also find Colonial and Tudor Revivals, Dutch Colonials, and American Four-Squares built from the late 1800s to today. Pick up walking and driving tour brochures and maps at the Decatur Morgan County Tourism Visitor Center.

Civil War Walking Tour

The Civil War Walking Tour winds through the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, just south of the Tennessee River near downtown Decatur. Spanning thirteen blocks, this self-guided route tells the story of Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attempted river crossing and the four-day battle of October 1864. Along the way, visitors will see Alabama’s largest collection of Victorian cottages and historic bungalows. The tour is part of the national Civil War Discovery Trail and starts at the Old State Bank Building, 925 Bank Street NE.

Tommy Lee Hines Trial

Tommy Lee Hines, a 25-year-old black man with an IQ of 35 and the mental capacity of a six-year-old was arrested for loitering. Within minutes, he was accused of raping three white women and robbing one of them. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a Civil Rights organization sent representatives to Decatur, Alabama.

Numerous rallies and demonstrations were held in support of Hines’ innocence. Tensions were high and racial turbulence exploded when the Ku Klux Klan clashed with protestors. A change of venue moved the case to Cullman County. Hines was found guilty by an all-white jury and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Later, an appeal in Jefferson County found him incompetent to stand trial. The impact of the case produced improvements in employment and better relations within the city.

Scottsboro Boys Trial

The Scottsboro Boys were nine African American teenagers, aged 12 to 19, falsely accused in 1931 in Alabama of assaulting two white women on a train. Their trials exposed deep racism in the justice system and raised urgent questions about the right to a fair trial. After a first round of trials, they spent two years in harsh Depression-era prisons before retrials began in March 1933 in Decatur, Alabama. Artists, historians, and scholars continue to preserve their story as a powerful reminder of racial injustice in the United States.

Trail of Tears Walking Tour

Explore the Trail of Tears route through Decatur with our walking tour brochure, which traces the forced removal of Native American tribes through the area. Pick up a free walking or driving brochure at the Old State Bank Building or the Decatur‑Morgan County Tourism Office, 350 Market St. NE.

Historic Hartselle Walking Tour



Join the Historic Hartselle Walking Tours and step into the city’s past. See the grand train depot, discover its lasting impact on Hartselle, and uncover the infamous 1926 Bank of Hartselle robbery with insights from the Hartselle Historical Society and President Betty English.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge



Whether you're an avid birdwatcher or simply looking for a peaceful place to walk, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge offers an unforgettable outdoor experience, and it's completely free to explore! Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a perfect place to spend the day surrounded by nature. Established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds, the refuge now welcomes thousands of wintering waterfowl and cranes each year.



The refuge is also a winter home for the endangered whooping crane, which first arrived at Wheeler in 2004. Bring your binoculars and explore the refuge's trails and wildlife-viewing areas for a chance to spot these incredible birds and other wildlife that call Wheeler home.

Public Art



Decatur’s arts scene bursts with color and energy, explore lively galleries and seek out bold murals in the Decatur Arts & Entertainment District. For more creative inspiration, check out the MoCo Art Trail, a free art tour featuring galleries, shops, and local museums showcasing the work of Morgan County artists.

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center is another great stop, offering free admission to its visual art exhibits.

If you're looking for entertainment, keep an eye out for Concerts at the AMP, a free, family-friendly concert series featuring a variety of musical styles. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy some live music.

Whether you're admiring a mural, exploring local artwork, or listening to live music outdoors, Decatur-Morgan County makes it easy to find your creative flow without breaking the bank.

For more ways to make the most of your time in Decatur & Morgan County, visit our website https://www.visitdecatural.org/ & our social media channels @visitdecatural.