9 Free Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama

Decatur, Alabama has plenty of things you can do on a budget! Find out the best free things to do in Decatur, AL so you don’t have to spend a cent.

Decatur is a great place to visit on a budget because there are so many fun free and cheap things to do in the Charming River City! You can visit a free museum, take a self-guided history tour, check out some cool murals, and more.

Check out these top free things to do in Decatur that won’t break the bank.

Best Free Things to Do in Decatur, AL

1. Visit the Historic Depot & Railroad Museum

The Historic Depot & Railroad Museum is a small museum dedicated to Decatur’s railroad history. This is one of the best budget-friendly things to do in North Alabama!

The museum is filled with railroad memorabilia and history. One of the major highlights are the model trains that run through recreations of Decatur landmarks.

Decatur has always been a railroad town. The Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railroad was charted in 1832. This historic passenger depot the museum is in now was built by the Southern Railway in 1905. The last passenger train came through this depot in 1978.

Though passenger trains no longer come through here, trains do still use the tracks behind the museum. You may even be lucky enough to see one come through while you’re visiting!

2. Visit the Carnegie Visual Arts Center

Carnegie Visual Arts Center displays local artists and touring exhibits throughout the year, featuring different mediums of art.

The center is housed in the historic Carnegie Library building, which was constructed in 1904 as the city’s library. The building became an art museum in 2003.

3. Do the Downtown Turtle Trail Scavenger Hunt

The Downtown Decatur Turtle Trail is an interactive scavenger hunt where you search for tiny turtle statues while learning all about Downtown Decatur’s history.

10 turtles are hidden along Second Avenue by important downtown landmarks. Using the clues provided, which are little rhymes that describe where to look, you’ll be able find the turtles. For instance, the first turtle Mikey is hidden by the Princess Theatre, and his rhyme tells you to look for a lamppost out front where he can be found singing into a mic.

Once you’ve found all 10 turtles, post them to social media using the hashtags #TurtleTrail and #DecaturDowntown, then visit the Cook Museum store or the Decatur Morgan County Tourism office to receive a special prize. I think this is the best free thing to do in Decatur because you’re rewarded for it!

4. Visit the Old State Bank Museum

The Old State Bank was built in 1833 as a branch of the Alabama State Bank. It was one of only 4 buildings in Decatur to survive the Civil War.

During the war, during the Battle of Decatur, the bank building was used as headquarters for the Union forces and as a hospital.

The Old State Bank now operates as a free museum where you can learn about the building’s history as an 1830s bank and see the manager’s apartment with period furniture.

Note: The Old State Bank Museum is closed until 2026 for renovation. You can still view the building from the outside and read the informational plaques posted in front of the building.

5. See the Dancy-Polk House

The Dancy-Polk House is the oldest building and the oldest home in Decatur, built in 1829 for Colonel William Francis Dancy. The Georgian-style home is one of only 4 buildings in Decatur to survive the Civil War.

The home is located near the Historic Depot, sitting on a lot that overlooks the train tracks. There’s a pedestrian bridge that you can cross if you’d like to walk from the depot to the Dancy-Polk House, which I recommend.

While you can’t go inside the home, you can view it from the outside and read about the house in the information plaques posted outside.

6. See the Rhea-McEntire House

The Rhea-McEntire House is the third oldest building and the second oldest home in Decatur, built in 1836 by prominent merchant and entrepreneur John Sevier Rhea. The home near the Tennessee River is one of only 4 buildings in Decatur to survive the Civil War.

During the Civil War, home was known as the Burleson House and was used as a headquarters for both the Confederate and the Union army at different times throughout the war. The home, along with the other surviving antebellum buildings, was spared from destruction because it was situated within the Union’s fortifications in Decatur.

The home was owned by the McEntire family from 1895 to 1981. Until recently, the home continued to remain a private residence. In 2022, plans were announced to transform the property into a boutique hotel complex, keeping the historic home intact as a lobby and museum.

While you aren’t able to go inside the home (yet!), you can view it from outside and read about the history on the informational plaques outside. And soon, maybe you’ll be able to stay in a boutique hotel on the property.

7. Stroll Through Rhodes Ferry Park

Rhodes Ferry Park is a quaint riverfront park with scenic views of the Steamboat Bill Memorial Bridge spanning the Tennessee River and of the Norfolk Southern Tennessee River Bridge.

The park has a gazebo, a playground, and picnic pavilions. The railroad runs through the park, and you have to cross the tracks to reach the river overlook.

This area was also a major stop on the Trail of Tears. From 1837 to 1838, 2,300 Cherokee arrived on steamboats and flatboats, docked at Decatur Landing, and boarded the cramped train cars to continue west to Tuscumbia Landing. You’ll find informational plaques throughout the park as part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

8. Explore the Morgan County Mural Trail

The Morgan County Mural Trail (or the MoCo Mural Trail) is a free self-guided mural tour of all the vibrant murals that have been popping up all over Morgan County, Alabama.

All you have to do is download the mobile passport (no app required), and you’ll get the itinerary delivered straight to your phone. Follow the map of must-see murals and check-in at participating businesses. Once you’ve checked-in at all the locations, you can receive a free t-shirt.

This is a great, free way to explore the different neighborhoods in Decatur, see some amazing local art, learn about local businesses, and get a prize in the process!

9. Follow the Decatur Civil War Walking Trail

The Decatur Civil War Walking Trail is a free self-guided tour that takes you through the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts near Downtown Decatur.

All you have to do is download the brochure or pick one up at the Visitors Center and follow along. This trail covers 13 blocks and chronicles the 4-day battle in October 1864 where Confederate General John Bell Hood attempted to advance across the Tennessee River.

You’ll also be able to see the largest concentration of Victorian-era cottages and bungalows in Alabama while on this trail.

Decatur, AL Free Things Map

Ready to explore Decatur, Alabama on a budget? Use the map below to plan out your trip with all these free things to do in Decatur, AL!

I hope this helps you plan a cheap trip to Decatur!

Top North Alabama Tours

A guided tour is always a good idea to get to know a new city! Check out these top North Alabama tours.

• Huntsville and North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass
• The Raptor, High Rope Course and Zipline Tickets, Wheeler Lake KOA
• Florence, Muscle Shoals Multi-Attraction Pass
• Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Tour in Sheffield Alabama

Where to Stay in Decatur, AL

Find the best place to rest your head in Decatur, Alabama.

• Top Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront
• Great Value: Hampton Inn Decatur
• Unique Stay: Cozy Bungalow in Historic District

More North Alabama Tips

Want to explore even more of North Alabama? Check out these itineraries and travel tips:

• 6 Things to Do on a Budget in North Alabama: Huntsville & Decatur
• 43 Murals in Huntsville, AL That Are Out of This World [MAP]
• Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain
• Jones Valley Loop Trail in Huntsville
• 7 Best Things to Do in Florence, Alabama
• 8 Fun Things to Do in Muscle Shoals for Music-Lovers
• 7 Spooky and Haunted Places in Huntsville, Alabama
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Huntsville, Alabama
• A Cave Tour at Alabama’s Cathedral Caverns State Park
• A Guide to Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
• Huntsville, Alabama for Space Fans: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

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Ready to visit Decatur, Alabama? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Decatur, AL using Booking.com.
• Get Packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

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Cheers!

Paige

What are your favorite free things to do in Decatur, Alabama on a budget? Let me know in the comments!