Beautiful historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and outlet stores are just some of the interesting spots you can see in the city of Boaz, which is shared by the Marshall and Etowah counties in Alabama.
The Sparks Family from Georgia officially founded Boaz in 1878, and the city was incorporated in 1897 after a railroad line operated in 1892.
Its name is derived from a biblical figure named Boaz, the husband of Ruth, specifically in the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible.
But it’s not just the historic structures and outlet stores that will welcome you to the city—there are plenty of outdoor activities to do, too, such as checking out the vineyards, lakes, restaurants, gift shops, and more.
Are you ready for another adventure?
Here are the best things to do in Boaz, Alabama:
Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The city’s early settlers, the Sparks Family, immigrated to Boaz from the country of Georgia in the 1850s.
At the Thomas A. Snellgrove Homestead, you’ll see three historic residences listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Billy Sparks, one of the early settlers, lived in the area.
Thomas A. Snellgrove married one of Sparks’ granddaughters and built these three historic houses.
These include the Greek Revival house built in 1900, the gable-roofed tenant’s house in 1915, and an English-inspired cottage in 1938 for his daughter.
You can find the Thomas A. Snellgrove Homestead on Mill Avenue.
You can spend your vacation days at Urban Pines with an amazing view of Lake Guntersville.
The small house caters to up to four persons with two bedrooms.
It’s nestled on Sand Mountain close to a catch-and-release fishing pond and is surrounded by beautiful whispering pines.
The house makes you feel at home with its comfy beds and fun outdoor activities while enjoying the beautiful waterfront view.
It’s complete with a kitchen, flagstone fire pit, picnic table, grill, and cornhole.
It also features a floating dock, and the overlook has handrails.
You can enjoy watching the dancing string and solar lights reflected in the pond while sitting by the fire pit at nighttime.
Urban Pines is only five to 10 minutes away from the city center!
On Lawson Gap Road, a water reservoir provides peaceful scenic walks.
Aurora Lake is one of the small lakes in Alabama, which houses many plants and a healthy ecosystem.
You can stroll around with your pets as long as they’re kept on their leashes.
It’s close to Bristows Creek Watershed Dam and Guntersville Reservoir and State Park.
Aurora Lake is perfect for those who want a morning or afternoon walk to get in tune with nature.
On South Main Street, Past Times Antiques houses many vintage items and antique collectibles you won’t be able to find elsewhere.
It’s a two-story mall with over 50 vendors selling many antiques, including books, jewelry, furniture, Victorian sofas, and many more.
Established in 2002, the shop sits on an over 20,000-square-foot building filled with unique gift items you can buy for your friends and loved ones.
Past Times Antiques doesn’t disappoint!
For movie lovers, Sand Mountain Drive-In is the place to be, especially when you’re a fan of outdoor theaters.
What’s more interesting about this place is that you can watch movies inside your car, bring your own deckchairs, or pack a blanket to make it like a picnic by the theater.
There are two screens at the theater where you can choose which movies you want to watch.
It can also cater to up to 400 cars and is open rain or shine.
There is also a concession stand where you can order food, such as pizza, fries, burgers, beverages, and more.
They charge per vehicle load and not per person, which is great for those traveling on a budget.
Sand Mountain Drive-In was founded in 1996.
You can find it at US-431.
Mill Street Deli is one of the best eateries in Boaz that offers light meal options for those going on a road trip or an outdoor adventure.
If you’re setting off on an outdoor excursion in the city, you can order food at this restaurant.
Their light meal options include wraps, sandwiches, soups, desserts, drinks, and more.
The restaurant is a lunch hot spot, so you may have to go there a little early if you’re taking out or dining in.
They’re famous for their southwest chicken wrap, chicken salad, cheesecake, and sugar-free coconut cream pie.
Their chicken salad is rated one of the best 100 dishes to eat in Alabama!
Check out Mill Street Deli at South McCleskey Street.
At Old Mill Park, you can take your kids to enjoy the water at the city’s pirate-themed splash pad.
It also features a playground, an amphitheater, a walking track, and two pavilions that are available for rental.
There are also picnic tables in the park where you can have your lunch during the day.
The historic structure used to be a textile mill in 1934.
Old Mill Park’s construction started in 2018 and was opened to the public in 2019.
You can find it on Highway 168.
If you’re in the city in the month of October, you shouldn’t miss the Boaz Harvest Festival.
It’s a two-day fun-filled festival showcasing Boaz’s local arts and crafts, live music, antique car show, farmers market, and many more.
You’ll also witness its local beauty pageants like Little Miss Harvest Festival and Miss Harvest Festival.
The festival was established in 1968 and is held every first weekend of October.
The venue for the Boaz Harvest Festival is on Highway 168, off Highway 431.
Boaz now hosts an annual charity car show that showcases vintage cars and bikes.
The Boaz River Run Charity Car Show exhibits hundreds of vintage cars and bikes with fun entertainment for kids, as well as live music.
Door prizes are also given away to all spectators and participants in the car show.
All registered food vendors gather at the venue, including entertainers, car parts vendors, and local merchants.
So if you’re a fan of the classics, this car show is for you!
The Boaz River Run Charity Car Show is held at VFW Fairgrounds on Highway 431.
Boaz was the largest tourist attraction in Alabama, with over 130 outlet stores in the late 1980s.
Many locals and tourists visit these stores, making Boaz the state’s shopping mecca.
Things have changed over the years, but the city still prides itself in offering a few shopping outlets where you can find apparel, housewares, shoes, and more.
The stores are mostly located at Highway 431 and South McCleskey Street.
As soon as you’re ready to go shopping, don’t miss visiting The Grove Gift Shop, which offers a wide selection of clothing and unique gifts.
The shop never disappoints its customers, offering items like activewear, shoes, bags, collectible vinyl figures, key chains, styled tees, and more.
They also offer a “buy now, pay later” option, which is great for those who want to purchase more gifts for their loved ones and friends back home.
The store has many items that make for great souvenirs from Boaz.
You can find The Grove Gift Shop at South McCleskey Street.
If you’re a Tex-Mex food lover, Bubba Ritos is the perfect spot for you in Boaz.
The restaurant offers a build-your-own option to choose your own spice, toppings, protein like meat or vegetables, cheese, and sauce.
Choose from its selection of delectable nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and bowls with a southern hint!
The restaurant only uses fresh ingredients for your food, so you can trust that you’re eating healthy!
Bubba Ritos was established in 2009 on Highway 431.
It also has branches in Guntersville and Rainbow City.
While Boaz has many fun outdoor activities, its neighboring places also offer interesting spots for you to enjoy.
These spots are only a few minutes from the city, where you can enjoy the water and experience scenic nature views.
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Twenty-one minutes from Boaz, you’ll find Lake Guntersville State Park, which sits along the banks of the Tennessee River.
All the outdoor adventures offered in this 6,000-acre woodland will change the pace of the city’s hustle and bustle.
The state park’s campground features almost 300 campsites, bathhouses, a primitive camping area, a campground store, and a playground with a splash pad.
There are also bathhouses, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
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The Town Creek Primitive Campground also offers boondock camping on the water, boat rentals, and bathhouses.
You can opt for RV or tent camping, although you’ll have to book your reservation in advance.
The park also offers boating, fishing, hunting, eagle watching, kayaking, horseback riding, geocaching, ziplining, and golfing.
Lake Guntersville State Park is nestled on State Campground Road in the beautiful city of Guntersville.
It was established in 1947.
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Wine tasting is one of the best and most fun things to do when visiting a place, and Jules J. Berta Vineyards doesn’t disappoint.
The vineyard has been growing Merlot, Cabernet, Petit Syrah, Chardonnay, Sylvaner, and Blaufrankisch since 1987.
It’s the first producer of Vitis vinifera wine grapes in Alabama.
This award-winning vineyard prides itself in producing its signature white wine, Sylvaner, an apple-flavored wine.
It’s also famous for its red wines like Lady in Red and the Mauvais Juju.
You can join a tasting tour or buy wine and other wine-related items at the gift shop.
Jules J. Berta Vineyards is only five minutes away from Boaz.
It’s nestled on Darden Avenue in Albertville.
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High Falls Park highlights its 35-feet waterfall with scenic cascading waters, which gives you a fun-filled and exciting day at the park.
You can hike through the beautiful woodlands and take a dip in the falls’ safe areas or even dive off the waterfall.
A pedestrian bridge will take you to the beautiful Town Creek.
The bridge gives you a gorgeous view of the falls downstream and upstream, which is great for taking photos.
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Don’t forget to bring your food while sightseeing, especially since the park has several pavilions for picnicking.
At the welcome station, you can also buy shirts, snacks like peanuts and popcorn, and more gift items.
High Falls Park is located in Grove Oak, which is 33 minutes away from Boaz.
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Boaz is a historic city with fun and exciting outdoor adventures you’ll remember forever.
Its beautiful historic sites, antique shops, famous restaurants, and more are worth the trip.
Book your plane tickets, experience fun-filled outdoor excursions and southern hospitality, and enjoy all the best things to do in Boaz, Alabama!
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