The 10 Best Things to Do in Gadsden, United States

September 29, 2017 Layne Dawes

Gadsden is a city in and the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located on the Coosa River about 56 miles (90 km) northeast of Birmingham and 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,931. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 36,856, with an estimated population of 35,837 in 2016. Gadsden and Rome, Georgia, are the largest cities in the triangular area now defined by the interstate highways between Atlanta, Birmingham, and Chattanooga.
Restaurants in Gadsden

1. Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

1500 Noccalula Falls Park, Gadsden, AL 35999 +1 256-543-7412
Excellent
57%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 521 reviews

Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

Large park featuring waterfalls.

Reviewed By AshleyF01 - Boston, Massachusetts

We came up for the day to visit the park including the petting zoo and realized the park was closed until March. The overlook area was still open to the public as well as several trail areas. We found an unmarked challenging trail to take us under the waterfall. It was beautiful and rewarding for our 10 year old. It's worth the 2 hour trip from Montgomery

2. Back Forty Beer Co

200 N 6th St, Gadsden, AL 35901-3361 +1 256-467-4912
Excellent
69%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Back Forty Beer Co

Reviewed By clemson_grad79 - north_alabama

We played golf earlier and the day and a cold draft beer sounded good so we thought we would give this brewery a shot. Wife got a Saison draft and I the peanut butter porter. Wife didn't particularly care for the Saison but that was just due to personal tastes. My peanut butter porter was very smooth for a porter and I then tried their stout which also was good. We did not try their food but they bring in Dreamland BBQ to sell. The bartender said they buy it and truck it in from Dreamland. The place was fairly empty being mid afternoon on a weekday but it was a nice homey place to grab a beer and cool down.

3. Neely Henry Lake

Gadsden, AL 35904
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 15 reviews

Neely Henry Lake

Made up of 11,200 acres of rippling blue waters and 339 miles of shoreline. Fish for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, as well as catfish. Runs North-South next to Gadsden, Alabama

Reviewed By Kathy H - Ohatchee

Wonderful place to live....mountains and water...nothing better! Some of the most picturesque sunsets and wildlife to be found in Alabama. We've lived here 8 years and it's still like a daily " vacation" that we get to enjoy. Not only a great retirement town, and sweet community, but great place for families.

4. Martin Wildlife Park Trail

Gadsden, AL
Excellent
64%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Martin Wildlife Park Trail

Reviewed By gburden - Irondale, Alabama

What a great respite just behind the Gadsden Mall! Calm, serene and beautiful landscape in this walking park just off a major thoughfare. This is one of the great strolls with water, trees and even a bit of wilderness right in town. I highly recommend spending some time walking through this cool, shady place.

5. Imagination Place

501 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901-3719 +1 256-543-2787
Excellent
48%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 28 reviews

Imagination Place

Imagination Place is designed primarily for children ages 2 through 10, The kids will delight in exploring KidsTown USA where everything is pint sized. Downstairs is a medical clinic, grocery store, construction pit and more. You can even hop in the back of the Red Cross ERV (emergency response vehicle) and make a disaster relief meal.Upstairs you can enjoy the turtle hospital featuring Madonna and Yoko our two Russian tortoises, then visit the farm. Next you'll be able to slide back down to the first floor through the tree house fort.We believe children learn through play and hope you'll visit us at Imagination Place Children's Museum where we're play unplugged!

Reviewed By TonkaSoul - Southside, AL

This is a great children's hands-on museum in the heart of downtown Gadsden. Both of our children enjoyed visiting Imagination Place throughout their childhood. There's plenty to explore. It's fun to bring your kids, have birthday parties and field trips.

6. A Walk Through Time Forrest Cemetery

1501 Walnut Street, Gadsden, AL 35901 +1 205-229-1236
Excellent
76%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

A Walk Through Time Forrest Cemetery

Reviewed By 754JJ754 - Southside, Alabama

This is the type of thing that either interests you or it doesn't.. It's in a very questionable area that is ok during the day time but I would not go alone and would not be around when the street lights come on.

7. Lookout Mountain Parkway

1503 Glenn Blvd SW, Gadsden, AL 35902 +1 866-638-4936
Excellent
38%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 19 reviews

Lookout Mountain Parkway

The Lookout Mountain Parkway spans three states as it stretches across Lookout Mountain from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Within its 93-miles, one will find waterfalls, canyons, scenic brow vistas, unique towns and villages, state and national parks and preserves, and many more natural wonders.

Reviewed By PamRoad - Texas

We drove the parkway starting at Noccalula Falls and up through Ft Payne. The drive was lovely, winding through small towns with vistas of rolling hills and pastures on winding roads.

We decided to take the route down to Little River Canyon National Preserve and it turned out to be the best part of the drive. The road winds into the canyon and along the rim, with several excellent overlook points. The views were breathtaking!

All this beauty available at no cost except your time and gas money. It is worth every minute you can spend exploring this scenic area.

8. Characters Entertainment

101 Rainbow Industrial Blvd, Gadsden, AL 35906-8901 +1 256-549-8475
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 7 reviews

Characters Entertainment

Reviewed By Debra W - Birmingham, Alabama

CharACTers Entertainment is a hidden gem! They provide quality entertainment and arts education better than what you can find in most big cities. CharACTers typically produces 6-8 high energy shows a year. Most are performed at Wallace Hall on the campus of Gadsden State.
You can save a few dollars by becoming a season ticket holder.
Avoid lines by purchasing your tickets in advance (lines are sometimes really long at the box office, especially on the last show)

9. Ola Lee Mize- Patroits Park

1292 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904-3900
Excellent
58%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Ola Lee Mize- Patroits Park

Reviewed By dragonflytw65 - Palm Harbor, Florida

This is a nice park that in addition to honoring Ola Lee Mise, honors members from each branch of the service. The setting is very nice. It is easiest to enter through the Noccalula Falls entrance and is possible to exit directly from the park parking lot.

10. Gadsden Variety Antique Mall

422 Broad St, Gadsden, AL 35901-3744 +1 256-547-8871
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Gadsden Variety Antique Mall

Reviewed By dragonflytw65 - Palm Harbor, Florida

I stop in here on almost every trip to Gadsden to see what's new. This time was as fun an experience as in the past and I had lunch at the cafe inside which added value.

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