10 Great Things to Do in Montgomery When You’re Not Twirling at Tutu School

At Tutu School Montgomery, we believe a little bit of magic can be found almost anywhere—not just at the ballet barre!

We’re so lucky to call Montgomery home, and one of our favorite things about our city is just how many wonderful places there are for families to play, explore, create, snack, and spend time together. Whether you’re heading to ballet class, celebrating a particularly fabulous plié afterward, or simply looking for your next family adventure, there are plenty of things to do in Montgomery with kids.

So, when your tiny dancer isn’t twirling with us, here are 10 of our favorite family-friendly places and activities around Montgomery.

1. Cool Off & Explore at Riverfront Park

Sometimes little dancers need plenty of room to run as well as twirl, and Riverfront Park is a fun place to do just that.

Located along the Alabama River in downtown Montgomery, Riverfront Park has open spaces, the Riverwalk, beautiful river views, and—always a favorite with littles—a seasonal splash pad. The splash pad is free and makes an especially fun warm-weather outing for younger children. The park is also home to the Harriott II Riverboat and hosts concerts and other special events throughout the year.

Pack a change of clothes, let your little one splash and play, and then take a family stroll along the river. We think this one is especially fun for toddlers through elementary-aged kiddos—although grown-ups may be tempted to join the splash-pad fun, too!

Tutu Tip: Check the splash pad’s seasonal schedule before heading downtown.

2. Make Art Come Alive at ArtWorks

For a family outing that combines creativity, learning, and lots of hands-on fun, we love the ArtWorks Interactive Gallery at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

ArtWorks isn’t a traditional “look but don’t touch” museum experience. Children are invited to explore art through interactive exhibits, imaginative play, scavenger hunts, and creative activities. There’s even a cozy children’s library with more than 300 books about art, artists, artmaking, and community.

Afterward, take the adventure outside to the beautiful Caddell Sculpture Garden and surrounding Blount Cultural Park. It’s a wonderful way to add a little fresh air and movement to your museum day.

Best of all? Admission to the museum and ArtWorks is free, as is parking. The museum also regularly offers family programming and seasonal art activities, so it’s worth checking the calendar before you visit.

Creative kiddos + hands-on art + room to explore = a Tutu School-approved outing!

3. Parents’ Pick: Hilltop Public House

This one’s for the grown-ups—but little sidekicks are welcome, too!

Tucked into Montgomery’s historic Cottage Hill neighborhood, Hilltop Public House is a locally owned neighborhood gathering spot built around “cocktails, beans, and brews.” Translation? Coffee for those mornings when your tiny dancer woke up very ready to start the day…and adult beverages when the grown-ups are ready to wind down.

We love Hilltop’s funky, laid-back atmosphere, outdoor seating, and neighborhood feel. You’ll also find food-truck options, making it an easy place to linger with friends while the kiddos hang out.

Supporting locally owned businesses is one of our favorite ways to celebrate the Montgomery community—and Hilltop has plenty of local personality.

4. Celebrate a Great Ballet Class with Ice King

Did somebody say post-ballet treat?

Ice King specializes in Thai-style rolled ice cream and boba drinks, and watching your ice cream being made is part of the fun. Even better for Tutu School families, Ice King is located at 3010 Zelda Road—right in the same shopping center as Tutu School Montgomery.

That makes it particularly tempting after class. (We accept no responsibility for tiny dancers who begin requesting ice cream after every ballet lesson.)

Our Tutu School favorite? The Pink Lady, of course. 🎀

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a brave first ballet class, a brand-new ballet step, or just Tuesday, a sweet treat makes the occasion feel extra special.

5. Find Your Next Favorite Ballet Story at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library

A love of stories is near and dear to our hearts at Tutu School. After all, some of the world’s most magical ballets begin with a wonderful story!

That’s why Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library is another favorite for family activities in Montgomery. The downtown library has a dedicated children’s department and offers children’s programming throughout the year.

Of course, sometimes you don’t need a scheduled activity at all. Let your little one wander through the children’s section, choose a stack of books to take home, and—an important part of any Morgan Library visit in our book—stop to say hello to the fish!

Tutu Tip: Check the Montgomery City-County Public Library events calendar before you go. Programming changes throughout the year, so there is often something new to discover.

6. Make It a Ballet-and-Brunch Morning at First Watch

Morning ballet class + brunch sounds like a pretty lovely way to spend a day, doesn’t it?

First Watch serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with everything from pancakes and French toast to omelets, avocado toast, salads, and seasonal specialties. It’s family-friendly, offers a kids’ menu, and has outdoor seating.

But here’s the part our Tutu School families will especially appreciate: the Montgomery First Watch is at 2920 Zelda Road, in the same shopping center as Tutu School Montgomery.

If your little dancer takes a morning class, it’s hard to beat the convenience. Ballet followed by pancakes? We call that excellent choreography.

7. Outfit Your Tiny Dancer at Bou Cou Dancewear

When your little dancer suddenly seems to have outgrown her ballet slippers overnight (how do their feet grow that fast?!), we’re very lucky to have Bou Cou Dancewear nearby.

Bou Cou is a go-to local resource for leotards, skirts, tights, ballet shoes, dance bags, accessories, and plenty more. Their website carries an extensive selection of dancewear and shoes, and their knowledgeable staff can help families find what their dancers need.

And when we say nearby, we really mean it: Bou Cou’s Montgomery store is at 2920A Zelda Road, just down from Tutu School Montgomery.

One thing we especially appreciate is the personalized service that comes from shopping with a local dance retailer. They can even keep track of previous purchases, which is wonderfully helpful when you’re trying to remember what size ballet shoe or leotard your growing dancer wore last time.

Supporting local businesses helps make our Montgomery community stronger—and getting a new twirly skirt in the process certainly doesn’t hurt.

8. Pack a Picnic for the Cloverdale-Idlewild Spring Concert Series

Some of the very best things to do with kids in Montgomery are also the simplest: music, a picnic blanket, a playground, and a beautiful evening outside.

The Cloverdale-Idlewild Spring Concert Series is a favorite local tradition, bringing free outdoor music to Bottom Park in the Cloverdale-Idlewild neighborhood.

Our recipe for a lovely concert evening? Pack your tailgate chairs or picnic blanket, bring dinner or favorite snacks, and let the whole family enjoy the music. The playground gives little ones a place to burn off some energy while the grown-ups relax and enjoy the concert.

It’s casual, community-centered, and delightfully Montgomery.

Tutu Tip: Because this is a seasonal series, check the current concert schedule before making plans.

9. Explore, Experiment & Create at STEAMfest

For curious kiddos who love to build, create, experiment, and ask approximately 4,782 questions a day, STEAMfest at The Montgomery Academy is one to put on your family’s fall calendar.

This free community event at the school’s Lower School/Hill Campus is designed for children from Pre-K through sixth grade and features more than 50 hands-on science and art activities—essentially creating a pop-up children’s museum for the day. Think art projects, engineering challenges, demonstrations, experiments, and lots of opportunities to discover something new.

It’s the kind of event where learning and play blend together so seamlessly that kids may not even notice how much they’re learning.

And that’s something we understand very well at Tutu School: some of the most meaningful childhood learning happens when children are simply having fun.

10. And, Of Course…Come Twirl at Tutu School Montgomery!

We may be just a tiny bit biased, but one of our very favorite places for kids in Montgomery is Tutu School Montgomery. 🩰✨

Our boutique ballet school on Zelda Road introduces children ages 6 months to 8 years to the magic of ballet through movement, music, storytelling, and imaginative play.

Whether your littlest dancer is experiencing ballet for the very first time or already knows that every good day could use a few extra twirls, our goal is to make ballet joyful and magical while giving children a thoughtful, age-appropriate foundation in dance.

And the fun doesn’t end with weekly ballet classes! From birthday parties and Tutu Camps to Parent’s Night Out and other special events, we love creating opportunities for Montgomery children to make magical childhood memories.

Ready to twirl with us? Explore Tutu School Montgomery and find the perfect class for your tiny dancer.

There’s So Much to Love About Montgomery

One of our favorite things about living, working, playing—and twirling!—in Montgomery is the community that surrounds us.

From art and books to splash pads, sweet treats, local shops, outdoor concerts, and creative community events, there are so many wonderful family activities in Montgomery waiting to become part of your family’s story.

We hope this list inspires your next adventure. And if your family has a favorite Montgomery spot we missed, tell us the next time you’re at the studio. We’re always looking for another place to add a little magic to the day. ✨