The best things to do in Anniston, Alabama, are the Freedom Riders National Monument, the Anniston Museum of Natural History and Berman Museum of World History, mountain biking at Coldwater Mountain and a ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail, with Cheaha State Park, the highest point in Alabama, about 40 minutes away. Next-door Oxford adds a walkable Main Street, big parks and most of the area’s places to stay, so the two towns work best as one trip.
Anniston and Oxford sit side by side on I-20 in Calhoun County, roughly halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta, in the foothills where the Appalachians fade into Alabama. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, drink and stay, and the best day trips, including Noccalula Falls in Gadsden and, farther south on the Georgia line, Phenix City and the Chattahoochee River. Every business linked below is locally owned and listed in our directory, where you can check hours before you go.
Anniston and Oxford at a glance
- Where: Calhoun County in northeast Alabama, on I-20 between Birmingham and Atlanta.
- Nickname: Anniston is the Model City, for its planned 1870s grid and handsome churches.
- Nearest airport: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM), about an hour to an hour and 10 minutes away.
- Getting in: I-20, US 78, US 431 and AL 21.
- Don’t miss: Freedom Riders National Monument, Anniston Museum of Natural History, Berman Museum of World History, Coldwater Mountain, the Chief Ladiga Trail and Cheaha State Park.
- Best months: March through May and October through early November.
- Good to know: Phenix City, two to three hours south on the Georgia line, generally keeps Eastern time like neighboring Columbus, Georgia.
What is Anniston, Alabama, known for?
Anniston is known for its history as a planned industrial town, for the 1961 attack on the Freedom Riders, and for an unusually strong set of museums and outdoor trails for a city its size. It was laid out in the 1870s, and its tidy grid, historic Noble Street and landmark churches earned it the nickname the Model City. Temple Beth El in Anniston is the oldest continuously used Jewish house of worship in Alabama, and the Church of St. Michael and All Angels is one of the city’s best-known landmarks.
Today Anniston and Oxford share a metro area and a lot of daily life, and between them you get museums, mountain trails, barbecue joints, a small but lively downtown bar scene and easy access to the Talladega National Forest. Our Anniston area guide and Oxford area guide list every business in each town.
What should you see at the Freedom Riders National Monument?
See the former Greyhound bus station downtown and the bus burning site west of town, which together tell the story of the May 14, 1961, attack on the Freedom Riders. That day, a mob attacked a Greyhound bus carrying civil rights activists at the station on Gurnee Avenue, then chased it out of town, where the bus was firebombed. Both places became the Freedom Riders National Monument in January 2017.
- Greyhound Bus Station, 1031 Gurnee Avenue: The depot, now part of the national monument, has exhibits on the Freedom Rides. Facilities are limited.
- Bus Burning Site: About 6 miles west of Anniston off Highway 202. There are no facilities, so plan a short stop.
- Anniston Civil Rights Trail: A self-guided trail of marked stops around the city, including the Trailways station on Noble Street and the 17th Street Baptist Church.
Visitor hours at the depot have changed over the years, so check the National Park Service’s Freedom Riders page before you go. Plan on an hour for the depot and a short drive for the burning site.
What are the best museums in Anniston?
The Anniston Museum of Natural History and the Berman Museum of World History are the best museums in town, and they share a campus with Longleaf Botanical Gardens at 800 Museum Drive, so you can see all three in a day. The natural history museum is known for its dioramas of animals and habitats, and the Berman holds a large collection of art, weapons and artifacts from around the world.
From September through May, the museums are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30. From Memorial Day to Labor Day they also open on Monday. A passport ticket covers both museums, or you can buy admission to one. Longleaf Botanical Gardens is free to explore, with picnic tables for lunch between museums. Check current prices with the museums before you go.
What are the best outdoor things to do near Anniston and Oxford?
The best outdoor trips are mountain biking at Coldwater Mountain, walking or riding the Chief Ladiga Trail, and a day at Cheaha State Park. All three are within an hour of downtown Anniston.
Coldwater Mountain
Coldwater Mountain, on the ridge between Anniston and Oxford, has about 35 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails, from beginner loops to expert descents, plus about 2 miles of gravity trails. The International Mountain Bicycling Association named it a Bronze Level Ride Center in 2013. Trailheads are at 1661 Coldwater Road and 401 Monsanto Street in Anniston, and hikers are asked to travel counterclockwise. The land is part of Alabama’s Forever Wild program.
Chief Ladiga Trail
The Chief Ladiga Trail is a paved rail-trail of about 39.5 miles that runs from Anniston through Weaver, Jacksonville and Piedmont to the Georgia line, where it joins Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail. Together the two trails cover more than 100 miles, one of the longest paved paths in the country. Start at Michael Tucker Park, 6514 Weaver Road in Anniston, and ride as far as you like; the trail is flat, shaded in places and good for families.
Need gear? McClellan Sports & Outdoors on Exchange Avenue in the McClellan district is a locally owned shop for athletic and team gear.
Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park, about 40 minutes south, sits at 2,407 feet, the highest point in Alabama. Walk the accessible Bald Rock Boardwalk, climb Bunker Tower and watch the sunset from Pulpit Rock. Day use is $5 for ages 12 and up. Our Cheaha State Park guide covers hours, trails, cabins and fall color.
What are the best things to do in Oxford, AL?
The best things to do in Oxford are a walk around downtown Main Street, an afternoon at Choccolocco Park or Oxford Lake, and a show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center. Oxford is the largest city in Calhoun County and the one most travelers on I-20 actually stop in, so it has most of the area’s hotels and a good mix of local shops.
- Choccolocco Park: The city’s big park, with a lake, walking trails and sports fields that host regional tournaments.
- Oxford Lake: A walking path and playground close to the center of town, good with kids.
- Oxford Performing Arts Center: Concerts, comedy and stage shows downtown.
- Downtown Main Street: Browse The Main Olive, a gourmet shop at 508 Main Street with about 50 olive oils and balsamic vinegars to taste before you buy, and Sarah Cavender Metalworks next door at 500 Main Street, a working studio and showroom that sculptor Sarah Cavender opened in 1994.
- Coffee: Southern Girl Coffee Company serves seasonal lattes from a converted vintage trailer on East Choccolocco Street.
What is there to do in Anniston with kids?
With kids, start at the natural history museum, then add a farm visit, an indoor activity center or a ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail. Redbird Willow Farm on Lenlock Lane is a small, family-run farm where you can meet goats, alpacas and llamas by appointment, and it also hosts animal yoga and birthday parties. On a rainy day, Big Time Entertainment on Tower Road in Oxford packs bowling, laser tag, go-karts, an arcade, adventure golf, axe throwing and a ninja course into one building. Oxford Lake’s playground and walking path are good for a free hour outdoors.
Where are the best places to eat in Anniston and Oxford?
The best places to eat are the long-running barbecue joints, a handful of chef-driven dinner spots and the bars and brewpub downtown. Our full guide to where to eat in Anniston and Oxford has more, but here are the essentials.
Barbecue
- Dad’s Bar-B-Que on McClellan Boulevard has smoked pork, chicken and ribs over hickory since 1993, with a drive-thru and hand-dipped milkshakes.
- Brad’s Bar-B-Que on US Highway 78 East in Oxford has served pulled pork and fried catfish since 1988.
Dinner
- Garfrerick’s Cafe in Oxford is a chef-owned, farm-to-table restaurant with a wood-fired grill and produce from the owner’s farms.
- Effina’s on Noble Street in downtown Anniston serves house-made pasta and weekend brunch.
- Hubbard’s Off Main, in a former music store across from the Oxford Performing Arts Center, serves Southern dinner with live music on Friday and Saturday.
Global flavors and everyday spots
- Viet Alley on US 78 East brings pho, banh mi and spring rolls to Oxford.
- Jasmine Chinese, Thai & Sushi on Snow Street has a full sushi bar.
- Cancun Cantina and Grill on Henry Road is a family-friendly Mexican spot open seven days a week.
- M&J Home Cooking on Colonial Drive serves a daily Southern buffet.
- Music City Bagels on Hamrick Drive makes New York style bagels from scratch every morning.
Where can you go out at night in Anniston and Oxford?
Go out downtown: the brewpub, wine bar and pool hall in Anniston are within a few blocks of each other, and Oxford has a speakeasy-style cocktail bar in an old bank.
- Coldwater Mountain Brewpub fills the old L&N freight depot on Walnut Avenue, with house beer, a full kitchen, a dog-friendly beer garden and Thursday trivia.
- The Lush Garden on East 7th Street is a wine bar and lounge with charcuterie and small plates; it is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
- Rack & Roll Sports Bar and Grill on Noble Street has pool tables, darts, 16 beers on tap and karaoke nights.
- The Bank Oxford pours craft cocktails and mocktails inside a marble-fronted former bank at Main and Choccolocco streets.
- Happy Hour Comedy Club on US Highway 431 North hosts live stand-up and a Friday open mic.
Where should you shop in Anniston?
Shop for antiques at Kolectic Treasures Antique Market, an 18,000-square-foot market on McClellan Boulevard with more than 345 vendor booths and occasional live auctions. For gifts, Heifer Please Home Decor on Jones Road sells handmade home fragrance and body care with a Southern sense of humor. Pair either with a stroll down Main Street in Oxford.
Where should you stay in Anniston and Oxford?
Stay in one of Anniston’s historic inns for character, or in Oxford for convenience to I-20. Our Anniston B&B weekend guide builds a whole trip around them.
- Parker House Bed and Breakfast is an 1889 Richardsonian Romanesque mansion in the Tyler Hill Historic District, run by the Brightwell family, with five guest rooms, organic mattresses and indoor bike storage for Coldwater riders.
- Springwood Inn is an 1880s home built for Anniston founder Samuel Noble and later moved to 20 wooded acres on Booger Hollow Road, with views toward Mount Cheaha, private baths and breakfast in the main house.
- Southern Soho Boutique Hotel reopened under independent ownership in fall 2025 just off I-20 Exit 186, with individually themed rooms, free parking and pet-friendly options.
What are the best day trips from Anniston?
The best day trips are Cheaha State Park, Noccalula Falls in Gadsden and, for a longer drive, Phenix City and the Chattahoochee River.
Noccalula Falls, Gadsden
Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, roughly a half-hour drive north, has a 90-foot waterfall dropping into the Black Creek gorge, a gorge trail that passes behind the falls, a pioneer village, gardens and a miniature train. During the regular season (mid-February through late October) admission is $10 for adults. Read our Noccalula Falls guide for tips.
Talladega and the national forest
Talladega Superspeedway is a short drive west, and its spring and fall NASCAR weekends fill hotels across Calhoun County, so book early if your dates overlap. The Talladega National Forest wraps around Cheaha and has more trails and quiet back roads for a fall drive.
What is there to do in Phenix City?
Phenix City’s big draws are the Phenix City Riverwalk along the Chattahoochee River and the whitewater rafting course shared with Columbus, Georgia, across the water. The riverwalk runs about 1.2 miles along the west bank from the Phenix City Amphitheater, which seats 3,000, and the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge and historic Dillingham Street Bridge connect it to the long Chattahoochee RiverWalk on the Georgia side. Phenix City is part of our East Alabama coverage, a two- to three-hour drive south of Anniston, and it keeps Eastern time like Columbus.
- Mike & Ed’s Barbecue has been smoking on Crawford Road since two insurance colleagues bought the place in 1985.
- Grit & Grind Cafe, a short walk from the riverfront on Barrow Road, serves scratch biscuits and big Southern breakfasts.
- East Alabama Gun Club off Highway 169 is a family-run range with rifle, pistol, archery and axe throwing.
- Classy and Sassy Creations and Boutique sells handmade graphic tees, gifts and clothing.
Our Phenix City guide covers the riverwalk, rafting and local favorites in detail, and our Phenix City area guide lists everything in town.
When is the best time to visit Anniston?
Visit in spring or fall. March through May brings mild weather and wildflowers on Cheaha and the trails, and October through early November brings cool riding weather and fall color on the mountains. Summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor time for mornings. Winter is quiet and mild, with occasional cold snaps, and a good time for the museums. Check the Talladega Superspeedway race calendar before you book, since race weekends raise hotel prices across the area.
A two-day Anniston and Oxford itinerary
- Day 1 morning: Coffee at Southern Girl Coffee Company, then the Freedom Riders National Monument and the Anniston Civil Rights Trail.
- Day 1 afternoon: Barbecue at Dad’s Bar-B-Que, then the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum and Longleaf Botanical Gardens.
- Day 1 evening: Beer and dinner at Coldwater Mountain Brewpub, then wine at The Lush Garden or a show at Happy Hour Comedy Club.
- Day 2 morning: Bagels at Music City Bagels, then ride Coldwater Mountain or the Chief Ladiga Trail.
- Day 2 afternoon: Drive to Cheaha State Park for Bunker Tower, the Bald Rock Boardwalk and sunset at Pulpit Rock.
- Day 2 evening: Dinner at Garfrerick’s Cafe, then a nightcap at The Bank Oxford.
FAQ
Is Anniston, Alabama, worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like history and the outdoors. Anniston has the Freedom Riders National Monument, two good museums on one campus, a nationally recognized mountain bike trail network and the Chief Ladiga Trail, with Cheaha State Park nearby.
What is there to do in Oxford, AL?
Walk downtown Main Street and its shops, spend time at Choccolocco Park or Oxford Lake, catch a show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center and eat at local spots like Garfrerick’s Cafe or Hubbard’s Off Main. Oxford is also the most convenient base for Cheaha State Park.
How far is Anniston from Cheaha State Park?
Cheaha State Park is about 40 minutes from Anniston and Oxford. Day use is $5 for ages 12 and up, and the park has cabins, chalets and camping if you want to stay overnight.
Why is Anniston called the Model City?
Anniston was laid out in the 1870s as a planned industrial town, and its orderly street grid, handsome churches and civic buildings earned it the nickname the Model City. Noble Street remains the historic main street downtown.
Is Phenix City on Eastern or Central time?
Phenix City generally keeps Eastern time, like its neighbor Columbus, Georgia, even though the rest of Alabama is on Central time. Double-check times for reservations and tours.
What is the Chief Ladiga Trail?
The Chief Ladiga Trail is a paved rail-trail of about 39.5 miles from Anniston to the Georgia line, where it connects to the Silver Comet Trail. Michael Tucker Park on Weaver Road in Anniston is the southern trailhead.