While I continue my adventures in Romania, I’m excited to introduce y’all to a college friend who is taking over Southern Exhilaration for the day! Welcome, Anna!
Hi I’m Anna, of Ann with a Plan, a lifestyle blog, focusing on food and travel. I currently live and work in Montgomery, Alabama. Montgomery is full of great food, family-friendly events, and history. You can follow me on Instagram at @anna_watk or on Pinterest at @annawatk.
Today I’d like to share one of my favorite places in Montgomery with you. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is located on the 250 acre Blount Cultural Park along with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Garden and the Bark Park. In additional to the beautiful works of art of MMFA’s own collections and loaned exhibits, the museum features family-friendly interactive exhibits, which complement MMFA’s permanent collections. One of my favorite parts of the museum is the Artworks hallway which features the art of local students. There are plenty of things to do for adults as well, with lectures, studio classes, book clubs, regular events and Arttalk, which gives local artists an opportunity to share their work. The museum, with free admission, is a wonderful summer activity, being a relaxing break from the heat.
In addition to the lovely and well air-conditioned galleries, the museum is surrounded by several sculptures, a beautiful pond, and many geese, which will happily follow around children or adults in exchange for bread. The geese, ducks, turtles and other wildlife are so entertaining. I loved seeing the baby geese this spring. While several sculptures currently surround the museum, MMFA is also in the process of adding an additional sculpture garden and walking trails which should be completed by next summer.
The Blount Cultural Park is also home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Garden, the Bark Park and miles of walking trails. The Shakespeare Garden is tucked away just north of the Festival. It is wonderfully shaded this time of year and features plants referenced by Shakespeare and a small amphitheater. While the park is always full of people, the Shakespeare Garden is a quieter area to me, used for its peaceful surroundings more than its running trails. It’s the perfect place for a summer picnic.
