While Lake Martin is the only treasured lake in Alabama, the cities and communities around it have so much to offer as well.
Visitors and locals alike have more than just Lake Martin to enjoy when visiting Tallapoosa County. From a vintage car museum, to glamourous camping destinations, the Lake Martin Area has much to offer.
Wellborn Car Museum
There are many things that make Alexander City a unique small town — one of them being the Wellborn Musclecar Museum.Â
While this museum has historical items, they are different from the traditional museum. The Wellborn Car Museum showcases classic cars such as the Dodge Charger Super Bee and other vintage cars. Explore Lake Martin executive director Sandra Fuller said it has the nation’s largest high performance Dodge collection.Â
Not only can guests browse the vast collection of vintage sports cars, but they can browse the collection of merchandise the museum offers. From t-shirts to coolers, anyone can find a sweet item to bring home.
While the indoor location makes the museum the perfect rainy day activity for the Lake Martin vacationer, the museum represents a tradition for some people. Every five years, a special group of people make a pit stop in Alexander City. More than 100 visitors come to Alex City every five years after the Aero Warrior Reunion. Last year, the group celebrated the 55th reunion and stopped at the Wellborn Car Museum after riding the Atlanta Motor Speedway.Â
Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center
In Elmore County, visitors will find a museum highlighting a different type of history — one that started 85 million years ago. At the Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center, guests can learn about the geological formations of the crater impact location in Wetumpka.Â
Visitors can either participate in a self-guided driving tour where they will get a detailed view of not only the Impact Crater, but the city of Wetumpka, the Coosa River and the beauty of the surrounding area. At the center, guests will get a deeper understanding of the scientific and educational significance of the area through a self-guided driving tour.Â
Big Fish House
Elmore County is also home to a famous location — the Big Fish Art Studio, which also served as the house in the 2003 film “Big Fish.” In the movie, Jessica Lange and Albert Finney portray Sandra and Edward Bloom, the residents of the home. Today, however, the home is owned by the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Whitfield, who also happens to be an award-winning artist. To share her love for art, the house is located adjacent to an art studio where she makes crude-knife acrylic, mixed-media, collage, action-painting, clay and papier mache art.Â
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Nestled right in the bend of the Tallapoosa River is Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — the site of the last battle of the Creek War on March 27, 1814.Â
At the park, visitors have the opportunity to walk more than two miles of trails, bring their pets and enjoy nature. While the park offers a great opportunity for the outdoor lover, it is also the perfect getaway for a history buff. Visitors have found items from historical battles, such as arrowheads, at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.Â
More recently, the park suffered damage from an EF-3 tornado, resulting in 300 downed trees and damage throughout the park. However, after a diligent effort from the National Parks Service and park officials, the park was reopened.
Flagg Mountain
Another historic location can be found just a few miles west in Coosa County. Flagg Mountain, located in Weogufka, is one of the first mountains of the Appalachian chain. While it serves as a pillar point of one of the nation’s largest mountain ranges, the location is rooted in history. In April 2024, a 1,000 acre tract was donated to the Muscogee people, the first people to look over the land on Flagg Mountain. Near the preserve, a group of Muscogee people live in their community Ekvn-yefolecv (pronounced ee-guh-nee-fuh-lee-juh).Â
While the history of the mountain lives on through the Ekvn-yefolecv, the mountain also offers walking trails for those wanting to get out in nature.Â
The Destination Glamping
At the southern part of Tallapoosa County, both vacationers and locals alike can enjoy an upgraded version of camping — glamping. The Destination offers glamps to provide the vacation — or staycation — of a lifetime, allowing visitors to feel at home while away from home. Skip Courtney, co-owner of The Destination, said he and his wife Rhonda aim to give guests a luxurious experience while on a nature retreat.
“It truly is resort-level lodging,” Skip said. “We offer all the things you would expect if you went to a high-end hotel; bedding, linens, handmade soaps, private hot tubs, massage services. But then you step outside, and you are smack dab in the middle of 78 acres of God’s green earth right here in Alabama.”
To ensure guests have the best experience, the Courtneys aim to build relationships with every visitor.Â
“If you’re coming to stay here, you’re going to meet Skip and Rhonda,” Skip said. “We’re going to personally greet you and we’re going to do our best to make friends and become part of what we consider to be this big extended family we have developed here from all the people who come and stay.”
The Destination has also earned some national recognition as it was named the No. 4 glamping destination in the U.S. in 2025 by USA Today.
