moundville archaeological park

Visited several years ago and very impressed with history and museum. Reasonable priced for museum and very clean. Lucked up and got to go to annual festival and very well organized and informative.

While this was an interesting place to visit, there wasn't enough there to truly feed our interest. Beyond climbing up the two mounds for the view, watching a short video that basically said we know very little about this place and the people who created it and visiting the small museum there really wasn't much else. In and out in under two hours. They were setting up for a yearly festival of some sort the following weekend that sounded interesting.

Usually cost $10 per person or $6 group rate to see the 20+ Indian Mounds and cool Museum here, but we took a group of 22 free as part of the Smithsonian Magazines Museum Day Live event which happens one Saturday a year at museum all across the USA. I read one negative report about this park for entertaining kids, but we had a group that ranged in age from 4 years old to 12, plus adults and everyone had a great time. Only complain was the narrator in the opening movie presentation had a very dull, boring, dry voice which nearly put me to sleep. Everything else was perfect!

never heard of this until we passed thru Alabama and saw it on a list of attractions for Tuscaloosa. Must see it - very different, very quiet, great artifacts of a civilisation i knew nothing about. (modest fee $8)

Moundville State Park is basically a series of Indian Mounds built by native Americans long ago.It is a one way road approximately one mile with a few stops along the way. You can climb the Temple Mound and get a god view of how it must have looked years ago. A trail thru the woods at the base of the mound leads to the Black Warrior river. The trail is a nice walk, but has no markers to identify what you see. There is an okay museum that tells about the history of the mounds. Maybe a thirty minute stop. A souvenir shop is in the museum.For a nice picnic drive the short drive to the bluffs where you will find tables but not much shade.The circle drive is great for bicycling, but once again no shade.It is a relaxing day, but don't expect a lot to do.

These Goldwing motorcycles were out again and headed down a shady old Hwy 11 en route to Moundville. We had planned to eat at Jim N Nicks in Tuscaloosa so I took out my Alabamabook and looked up an interesting site to see along the way.Some of our group had seen the mound over in the Natchez, Ms area and weren't to excitedabout mounds but this trip ended up being a treat for us. We started out with the film and I suggest everyone watching it. So much history and mysteryto the mounds. We ate a picnic lunch under the trees and headed to the museum. The youngladies were a joy to talk to and full of information. There was one lady making baskets. Theyhave done an awesome job with this museum and the preservation of the beautiful finds of the mounds. We walked a small bridge into the Indian village set up and to the river. It was really beautiful out there.When we left I received compliments from them all. It was not what they expected and we allthoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and well worth the $7.

The museum was rebuilt in 2010 and is spectacular. Displays of found artifacts, videos, and lifelike figures give a sense of history. Price is very reasonable.

We've lived in Alabama all our lives and have always wanted to visit. I've got to say that this was quite disappointing. With two children in tow, the entry cost us $28. The kids were excited to arrive, but boredom set in quickly. We climbed the two mounds that you are allowed to climb, ate a picnic lunch beside the river, and visited the museum. That's about all there was to do. Our entire visit, from the video at the beginning to leaving the park was under 2 hours. If you're a real history buff, this may be interesting. If you're looking for a fun day trip with the kids, skip this site.

I recently moved to the area and wanted to explore around and found Moundville Park. Upon entering you can watch a short video giving you the basic gist of the park and what they think everything means. I enjoyed walking around (although you can easily drive the loop). We went in March so it was a great temperature and not too buggy yet, although I still recommend bug spray! The museum is new (2010 I believe) and it is fantastic! The set up is nice and the displays are interesting. I used the phone audio tour on the walk around which was nice (and way better than carrying an audio listening device). My only complaint was the numbers were not displayed so I listened to things out of order but it didn't matter too much. All in all a great day and worth a visit if you're in the area! Also - student discounts!

We went here on a beautiful March day not being entirely sure what to expect. It's about an easy 30 minute drive from Tuscaloosa and completely worth the drive. First, there's a small AAA discount on tickets, so whip out your card at the entrance. There are two main areas to stop and park once you get in gate. The first parking area lets you actually climb to the top of one of the mounds. There's also a beautiful nature trail that takes you out to a river that's worthwhile doing. The second parking area is at the small but good museum, gift shop, and cafe. You can see more of the mounds and take a short walk to native american village. You're free to roam around the whole area on foot and it would have been a great place to bring a blanket and a picnic. Highly recommended.

We've lived in Alabama for 7 years now and only just visited Moundville Archaeological Park. It never sounded like a place we'd be interested in, but yesterday, while out for a Sunday drive with no particular aim in view, I told my husband to follow the signs for Moundville so we could finally see what it was like. We were not all that happy to find out that admission was $8 per person (adult), and the AAA discount is a whole 50 cents per person. But we decided to take a chance and pay it--and ended up glad that we did. And for someone who is as cheap as I am, that's saying something.I won't describe the place as I'm sure others have done so but I will say that we both enjoyed walking the grounds that were both peaceful and beautiful, taking a nature trail down to the Black Warrior River, climbing the biggest mound (okay, that wasn't terribly enjoyable, but worth the effort), and visiting the museum. Having visited our share of small museums, we were very pleasantly surprised at how well done it was. Nothing cheesy at all about it but very fine displays that taught us a lot about the culture of these ancient people. I only wish I could have purchased a reproduction of the Moundville Duck Bowl.I went from zero knowledge about this ancient culture to learning a fair amount about it--and now I want to learn more and check out some books from the library Moundville.

Moundville park is a green retreat with a circular walking path used by local residents among the remains of no less than 29 mounds arranged in a huge circle(kind of) suggesting lavish gatherings in prehistoric times for ceremonies, dances, music, games and trading all in the time-honored southern style of good times,,,,,,,,,,which have not really ended. Every October , the Park showcases the culture of southeastern tribes that descended from the mississipian moundbuilders who built Moundville. No where else is the opportunity to experience the life, tradition and culture of southeastern tribes as in Moundville!Now, to mention the museum! This is a top-knotch presentation and engaging museum experience. Not to be missed and worth the trip to Tuscaloosa and beyond to the Moundville Archaeological park!

While the park is well known to locals and archaeology/anthropology enthusiasts, most visitors are unaware of the park.Every visitor I've taken has been shocked to see the large size and number of hand made mounds. The remodeled museum looks great. The riverside pavilion includes a large kitchen, as well as HVAC and a fireplace. It is a great "and affordable" event location.The only issue with the park is the secret entrance locals use to get in at night.

there are several reasons why moundville is incredible. it's beautiful, for one. it's an incredible archaeological site, for another. and the park has one of the better museums i've seen in a long time! seriously! it's small, but they're managed to do an incredible amount with the space they have. and the park itself is just impressive!

Have been going here for years and love to see the Mounds and all old things and new additions. If you have never been you need to go.