Anniston Museums and Gardens: A World of Discovery
Explore natural history, world cultures, and botanical gardens at this unique Anniston destination; a must-see for all ages.
Anniston Museums and Gardens (AM&G) is a cultural and natural treasure nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Range [11]. This 135-acre complex is home to the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum, and the Longleaf Botanical Gardens [11]. AM&G is committed to providing educational, recreational, and economic benefits for diverse audiences [5]. The Anniston Museum of Natural History showcases over 2,000 natural history items, including minerals, fossils, and rare animals in open dioramas [15]. Exhibits include Dynamic Earth, featuring dinosaur casts and geological displays; Alabama: Sand to Cedars, highlighting the state's diverse ecosystems; and Environments of Africa, with over 100 African animals in simulated natural settings [4, 15]. The museum's history dates back to 1930 when H. Severn Regar donated his collection to the city [15]. The Berman Museum engages, educates, and excites visitors with its collection of historical artifacts, weaponry, and art [5]. Founded by Mr. and Mrs. Berman, the museum features over 10,000 pieces, including a 1,000-piece Asian art collection [5, 22]. Longleaf Botanical Gardens cultivates the connection between people and nature [5]. Established in 2010, the gardens feature native plant collections and walking trails [5, 17, 23]. The gardens are a 'Gateway' site for the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail [23].
Local tips
- Purchase a Passport Ticket for discounted admission to both the Anniston Museum of Natural History and the Berman Museum [2, 7].
- Check the AM&G calendar for special events, classes, and rotating exhibits to enhance your visit [2, 4, 8].
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to tour both museums and explore the gardens [2].
- Visit on weekdays for a less crowded experience [13].
A brief summary to Anniston Museums and Gardens
- 800 Museum Dr, Anniston, Alabama, 36206, US
- +1256-237-6766
- Visit website
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 1 pm-5 pm
Getting There
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Driving
From Hwy-21/Hwy-431 in Anniston, turn into Lagarde Park [16, 20, 22]. Follow the road and turn left onto Museum Drive [16, 20, 22]. The Anniston Museum of Natural History will be the first museum on the left; the Berman Museum is located past it [16, 22]. Parking is free in front of the museums [8, 20]. Additional parking is available across the road on busy days [8].
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Public Transport
The Areawide Community Transportation System (ACTS) operates in Anniston [3, 13, 20]. From the Anniston Multimodal Station, transfer to the ACTS route that stops closest to the intersection of Highway 21/431 and Museum Drive [13, 20]. From there, follow the driving directions to Lagarde Park and the museums [20]. A single ride fare is $1 [3, 13, 20].
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Walking
If you are already within Lagarde Park, follow Museum Drive [20]. The Anniston Museum of Natural History is located at 800 Museum Drive [20]. Follow the road until you see the museum on your left [20].
