| The American Village The American Village is a stage and theater, a museum of ideas. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Fall/Spring Days: Monday-Friday Summer Days: Tuesday-Saturday - Schedule subject to change Location: Exit 234/I-65; 4 miles to Montevallo (follow signs) Information: 205-665-3535; 1-877-811-1776 Website: www.americanvillage.org Baptist Shelby Medical Center A full service 210-bed, 24-hour acute care facility conveniently located in Alabaster. Location: Hwy. 31, Alabaster Information and Appointments: Physician Referral Line: 1-877-222-7847 Website: www.bhsala.com/shelby Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum This volunteer-operated museum has exhibits of the people and the equipment that made railroading critical to the region and the state. Board a train at the turn-of-the-century depot and view the scenic forests of Shelby County. Hours: Sat. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. or by appointment. (Closed January-March) Location: Exit 228/I-65; Hwy. 25, Calera (follow signs) Information: 205-668-3435; 1-800-943-4490 Website: www.heartofdixierrmuseum.org Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington This museum houses one of the largest privately owned collections of George and Martha Washington memorabilia outside of Mt. Vernon. Hours: Weekdays, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., or by appointment. Location: 50 Lester Street, Columbiana (next to the Harrison Regional Library) Information: 205-669-8767 Website: www.washingtonmuseum.com Lay Lake This 12,000 acre lake has 289 miles of shoreline and has played host to the Bass Masters Classic Tournament. Information: Available at most area sporting goods and tackle shops. Website: www.dcnr.state.al.us Oak Mountain State Park Alabama's largest state park, with almost 10,000 acres and overnight accommodations, features golfing, hiking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and mountain biking. Hours: Daylight hours Fees: $2.00 entry/extra for some activites Location: Exit 246/I-65; follow signs Information and Reservations: 205-620-2524 Website: www.dcnr.state.al.us Shelby County Exhibition Center This building and grounds are the site of such annual events as the Shelby County Fair, rodeos and various other events. Location: Shelby County Hwy. 70, Columbiana Information: 205-669-3740 Website: www.shelbycountyalabama.com Shelby County Museum and Archives This restored courthouse, c. 1854, holds treasures for genealogists and history buffs alike. The Shelby County Historical Society has additional information on other points of interest. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday Location: 1854 Old Courthouse (N. Main Street) Columbiana Information: 205-669-3912 Website: www.rootsweb.com/~alshelby/shelby.html Shelby Iron Works One of only two such mills existing in the South at the outbreak of the Civil War, this plant produced the armor that covered the hull of the famous Confederate gunboat "tennessee." The park features living history demonstrations and tours by request. Location: CR 42 Information: 205-669-2465 or 205-669-6306 Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery The Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery was established in Shelby Springs, Alabama when the Confederate Hospital was moved from Vicksburg, Mississippi. There are 277 Confederate Veterans buried in the cemetery which is owned by the Shelby County Historical Society. Information: 205-669-3912 Sports Blast Shelby County 44,000 square foot indoor family entertainment complex features soccer leagues, open play, jazzercise, soccer classes for children, camps, facility rentals for church groups, team practice, trade shows and birthday parties. Location: 19220 Hwy. 280 East, Birmingham, Alabama Information: 205-980-1701 Website: www.sportsblastsc.com University of Montevallo Founded in 1896, Alabama's only public, liberal arts university offers an unparalleled "small college" education experience on a beautiful campus Cultural Information: 205-665-6230 Admissions: 205-665-6030 or 800-292-4349 Website: www.montevallo.edu Shelby County Wine Trail Just south of Birmingham, the Shelby County Wine Trail loop starts from Interstate 459. Start out on either US280 or I-65 and visit three or four of Alabama's wineries. Create your own trail! Morgan Creek Vineyards (Harpersville) Blueberry and Muscadine Specialty Wines Ozan Vineyard & Winery (Calera) Norton and Barrel Aged Table Wines The Winery On Main (Clanton) Fruit Forward, Stylistic Wine on Main Street Vizzini Farms Winery (North Calera) Traditional Wines and Restaurant |