Houston County: Culture, Parks and History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Houston County, you can plan around the themes that interest you: regional history, art, nature watching or a festival. The examples below range from cultural sites in Dothan to a historic depot in Ashford and an event in Columbia.

Culture and History in Dothan and Ashford

Dothan’s Historic Downtown District has been transformed into an ecomuseum focused on history and local culture. The Wiregrass Museum of Art is housed in Dothan’s original Municipal Light and Water Plant. It showcases contemporary works by artists from Alabama and the southeastern United States. Artist workshops, educational tours, film screenings and live music complement the program. Alongside the building and collection, the museum also features a variety of events.

The Dothan Opera House opened to the public on October 8, 1915. This historical date refers to its opening, not its current accessibility. The Old Columbia Jail is one of the last remaining wooden jails in Alabama. Poplar Head Spring offers another connection to the past: Before later settlement, the spring served as a meeting place for Indigenous traders.

In Ashford, Houston County, the Alabama Midland Railroad Depot houses a museum and exhibits. In September 1985, the depot was added to both the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Historical Register. Its current function as a museum and its documented historic recognition make it a distinct highlight among the area’s cultural sites.

Parks, Trails and Nature Watching

Landmark Park brings together several themes across its grounds: a living-history farm from the 1890s, an elevated boardwalk and a nature trail. The park is an official site on the Wiregrass Birding Trail. Its birdwatching areas include a farm and village section, trails through upland hardwood forest, and a wetland section with an elevated boardwalk. The park also offers opportunities to learn about the stars.

The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens offer paved nature trails among roses, camellias and azaleas; the gardens also feature ponds and fountains. Another option to consider when planning is Dothan’s Westgate Biking and Walking Trail: It is 3.3 miles long and designated for walking and cycling. The Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek cover 400 acres within Dothan’s city limits.

Eastgate Park has four lighted pickleball courts, an archery range, a dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Fishing is allowed in the park’s two ponds. Omussee Creek Park offers a different focus: It has hiking trails and two boat ramps. These differences can help you plan outings around the activities that interest you, without treating the parks as interchangeable offerings.

Recurring Events

The National Peanut Festival takes place every fall in Dothan. It honors local peanut farmers and celebrates the harvest season. In Columbia, the River City Festival takes place every year on the third Saturday in May. Since the exact event dates matter when planning your trip, check the dates before your visit. The two festival traditions therefore highlight different seasons: one in the fall, the other on a set Saturday in May.

Explore more destinations: Dothan, Ashford, Webb, Dallas County, Limestone County, Marion County, Mobile, Etowah

For the broader travel overview: Alabama.