When you think of charming small towns in the Southeastern United States, you likely think of close-knit communities, home-cooked meals, and Southern hospitality. Wetumpka, Alabama, has all that and so much more. It’s yet another underrated Alabama city that’s a hub for art, festivals, and local charm. This dynamic small town is chock-full of art galleries, cultural centers, and even a stunning home-turned-Hollywood-movie set. As you drive across the iconic Bibb Graves Bridge and through its five rainbow arches over the Coosa River, the small town of Wetumpka stands waiting to welcome you.
Perhaps Wetumpka’s greatest asset is its plucky, spunky spirit. In 2020, Wetumpka beat out over 2,600 applications to be featured on the show “Home Town Takeover” on HGTV, after having endured a devastating tornado one year prior. HGTV hosts Erin Napier and Ben Napier led the revitalization of the town, which included a main street makeover, renovating several storefronts and historic homes, and constructing a beautiful new farmer’s market pavilion. The show aired in 2021, and Wetumpka has enjoyed a tourism renaissance ever since. But the show’s work in Wetumpka didn’t create its quirky charm and dynamic spirit; it simply refreshed and renewed the welcoming community and thriving arts and culture scene that has always been in the town’s DNA.
Wetumpka, Alabama, is 30 minutes from the state capital, Montgomery, and an hour and a half from Birmingham, which has the nearest international airport and also happens to be Alabama’s “cultural capital” and a must-visit for its incredible food scene. Typical of Southeastern small towns, Wetumpka gets hot and humid in the summer and has mild winters. The town hosts annual festivals throughout the year worth planning a trip around, including its River Jam music and arts festival in early summer and Oktoberfest Wetumpka each fall.
Experience the best of eclectic, funky, small-town Southern culture in Wetumpka
“Home Town Takeover” wasn’t Wetumpka’s first brush with fame. The charming town has been center stage for a few Hollywood films, including Tim Burton’s “Big Fish,” and the stunning Victorian home dubbed “The Big Fish House” can be seen from just about any spot around town. Next door to the house, the Big Fish Art Studio featuring the works of outsider artist Shellie Whitfield is a great place to start your day exploring the thriving art scene in Wetumpka. As you stroll into town, dozens of local galleries, art studios, cafes, and shops line the streets, so take your time perusing Wetumpka’s vibrant downtown. Grab lunch at Grumpy Dog or the Coosa Cleaver, catch a show at the Wetumpka Depot theater, and soak up the local history at the Elmore County Museum.
The nationally recognized Marcia Weber Art Objects on Bridge Street celebrates self-taught contemporary folk and outsider artists in the heart of downtown Wetumpka. Owner and curator Marcia Weber extends an open invitation (by appointment) to the informal gallery, where visitors can explore over 1,000 unique and original works that have been presented in exhibitions in major art galleries around the country over the years.
The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts, affectionately called “The Kelly,” is another must-visit for arts and culture enthusiasts and the perfect place to end the day. Named the best art gallery by Alabama Magazine’s Best of Bama in 2024, The Kelly hosts art exhibitions, classes, and events for the public, including the popular Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival each fall. Plus, The Kelly’s patio offers unmatched views of the river and Bibb Graves Bridge, especially at sunset.
Where to stay and play in Wetumpka
