Things to Do in Dothan, Alabama

Many Alabama cities and towns are known for lush agricultural landscapes, historic locations, warm weather and southern hospitality. The city of Dothan is just like other Alabama locations with one distinct exception. The people in Dothan, Alabama are absolutely nuts - over nuts that is.

This could well be because over ½ of the peanuts grown in the United States come from within a 100 mile radius of Dothan.

Peanut Monument and Statues
Dothan residents celebrate their nuttiness with pride by displaying over 60 peanut statues all throughout the town. The majority of the statues are 5 foot high, made of fiberglass and weight over 400 pounds. Though all the peanuts are remarkable, there is one that stands head and shoulders over the rest. It is a large 8 foot golden peanut that serves as an "agricultural ambassador" to all those that venture to the "Dothan's Visitor Information Center."

The smaller peanut statues are a creation of Dothan's "Downtown Group" which consists of a group of area merchants, artists and agriculture enthusiasts. In addition to creating the peanuts, the "Downtown Group" are also responsible for running the city's "Poplar Head Farmer's Market."

The visitor's center and the plethora of peanut statues are on display daily to the delight of the city's tourists and residents alike. The visitor center itself is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Saturday's from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and on Sundays from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

Peanut Monument
331 Ross Clark Circle NW
Dothan, AL 36303
334-794-6622

National Peanut Festival
Each year in November over 163,000 peanut lovers descend on the city of Dothan for the "National Peanut Festival." Considered the largest peanut festival held in the nation, it goes on for 10 fun-filled fall days. The festival includes a cornucopia of peanut related contests, food, pageantry, parades, arts, crafts, rides, games, live entertainment, livestock and car shows.

The event is held on the city's fairgrounds located 3 miles South of Ross Clark Circle on Highway 231 South. Those who want a sneak preview of this year's schedule of events should log onto the festival's website.

Dr. G.W. Carver Monument
The 6 ft "Dr. G.W. Carver Monument" located on the "Dothan Fairgrounds" greets visitors to the annual "National Peanut Festival." Though the fair is seasonal, the monument can be viewed year round by curious visitors.

G.W. Carver Interpretive Museum
The "G.W. Carver Interpretive Museum" pays homage, through a series of exhibits, to both George Washington Carver and other notable African American inventors.

George Washington Carver is perhaps best known for his work in agriculture and coming up with over 300 creative uses for the peanuts. Carver's inventions included a peanut based medicine to help Tuberculosis sufferers, a peanut based antiseptic hair product, and a peanut based massage oil.

As of 2010 admission to the museum is free, though donations are warmly accepted. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm and one Sundays from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

G.W Carver Interpretive Museum
305 N. Foster Street
Dothan, AL 36303
334-712-0933

Poplar Head Farmer's Market
Those visitors who enjoy fresh produce, live music, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities will enjoy the seasonal "Poplar Head Farmer's Market."

As of 2010 the market is held every Saturday in June, regardless of weather, from 8:00 am until Noon. The live entertainment, demonstrations and children's activities do not begin until 10:00 am.

Popular Head Farmer's Market
126 Museum Avenue
Dothan, AL 36303
334-794-3097

Landmark Park and Alabama Agricultural Museum
The 135 acre "Landmark Park" is actually a circa 1900's living historical farm that features an old farmhouse, farm animals and outbuildings that pay tribute to the American farmer. In addition there is an on-site "Alabama Agricultural Museum" with over 500,000 artifacts related to farming, the Civil War and the Cave Creek Indians that once populated the region. The "Digitarium Planetarium", which is also part of the museum, enthralls visitors with interactive exhibits about our solar system. Landscaped gardens, boardwalk and nature trails are part of the complex as well.

As of 2010 admission to the "Landmark Park and Agricultural Museum" is $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 3 and up. Children under the age of 3 are admitted free. The complex is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and on Sundays from Noon until 6:00 pm.

Landmark Park and Alabama Agricultural Museum
Highway 431 North
Dothan, AL 36303
334-794-3452

Basket Case Café
What better a name for an eatery in a place where people are "nuts over nuts" than "Basket Case Café?" The "Basket Case Café" features a scrumptious selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, muffins and more. The atmosphere in the café is casual and the décor contemporary. Lunch prices are modest, ranging from $4.95 to $8.95 plus tax and gratuity. The café's culinary creations are expertly prepared by Chef Donna Blevins Balzaratti who proudly declares on the café's website that she lives by the phrase "You can fix anything with whipped cream, butter and booze."

Basket Case Café
228 S. Oates Street
Dothan, AL 36303
334-671-1117

Additional Information
There are a whole host of other activities and sights worth visiting in Dothan, like the "World's Smallest Intersection", "Wiregrass Museum of Art", "Shute Pecan Company", "Dothan Botanical Gardens" and "Maria's Vineyards" just to name a few more. Those travelers interested in learning more about Dolan and its other many attributes should log onto the city's tourism website.