Discover Ada: Theatre, Art, and Wintersmith Park

When planning a stay in Ada, there are several distinct areas of focus: Wintersmith Park, with its nature trail and outdoor Shakespeare, cultural venues with a variety of formats, and seasonal recreational activities. When looking for a hotel in Ada, it makes sense to match your travel dates to the reason for your visit. Consider whether you would like to plan your trip around a performance, art and history, or a seasonal activity.

Wintersmith Park: Outdoor Theatre and Nature Trail

Wintersmith Park in Ada was established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Its history also includes the stone amphitheatre: built in 1934 from natural stone found in Ada and nearby Fittstown, it is the setting for the Ada Shakespeare Company's performances. The company specialises in outdoor performances at this venue and stages two plays each year—one in June and one in October. If attending a performance is important to your trip, check the dates for the relevant year in advance.

Another distinctive feature of the park is its 1.5-mile illuminated nature trail. Wintersmith Park thus offers different points of interest side by side: an annual theatre series with performances in two specific months, and a nature trail of a stated length with lighting. The park's history, amphitheatre, and trail each give a visit a different focus.

Historic Listings and Stage Performances

The Ada Public Library and the Pontotoc County Courthouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The McSwain Theatre dates back to 1920, when it opened as a venue for early films and vaudeville performances. Its current offerings include classic films, concerts, and stand-up comedy. This gives visitors a choice of different stage-related interests: outdoor Shakespeare at the Wintersmith Park Amphitheatre, or films, concerts, and comedy at the McSwain Theatre.

The Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center also offers a range of formats. It has a 1,000-seat event hall, a black-box theatre, and sculpture and art galleries. If you are interested in visual art as well as performance spaces, this mix differs from the historic listings of the library and courthouse: the focus here is on event spaces and galleries, while the latter are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Art to See and Take Part In

The Arts District of Ada brings together several art offerings. It includes a sculpture garden, and visitors can also paint their own pottery there. The district is also home to a 27-foot-tall iron horse sculpture. The art-focused offerings therefore include both works to view and an activity where you can create your own pottery. The horse sculpture's height and material are specific features of this offering.

Seasonal Recreation and Wine

Ada has two aquatic centers that are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check the opening dates for the relevant year before your trip. This seasonal window differs from the Shakespeare Company's performance months, so both the aquatic centers' holiday-season schedule and the plays in June and October are relevant when planning dates.

At Waddell Vineyards, visitors can sample the winery's wine in the tasting room. They can also tour Waddell Vineyards, the vineyard, and the winery to see the production process up close. Tasting and touring offer two different ways to learn about the wine and how it is made.

The Ada Gaming Center offers electronic games, slot machines, off-track horse-race betting, and table games. As gaming offerings can change, check which games are currently available before visiting. Ada's recreational options therefore differ not only by interest, but also in whether they have a set seasonal or performance period or whether you should check the current selection in advance.

Discover more destinations: Fitzhugh

Go to the parent travel overview: Pontotoc.