Fishing is one of the activities you can do in Beatrice, Alabama.
Beatrice is a small town located in Monroe County in southern Alabama. The town was established in 1901 and was a home for many cotton farmers during this time. Beatrice is rich in history and culture but also offers scenic lakes and outdoor parks. Stay in one of the historical houses and spend your time visiting museums, historical sites and local shops, or take part in one of the several outdoor activities offered nearby.
Monroe County Lake
Monroe County Lake is located five miles west of Beatrice and offers an ideal place to spend a day with your family. The lake and surrounding areas are ideal for fishing, boating, hunting, camping, watching wildlife or having a picnic. Although the lake is popular year-round for bass, bluegill and sunfish fishing, the best catch is usually obtained from February to April or during summer months, depending on the fish species. You'll need to buy a license online, since no fishing or hunting licenses are sold on-site. Camping is available by reservation only -- call 251-789-2104 -- starting from Memorial Day.
Rikard's Mill
The Rikard's Mill Historical Park is located eight miles north of Beatrice and is listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The park contains a fully functional water-powered mill built in 1845, a museum, gift shop and picnic tables. Spend a day visiting the historic buildings, hiking along Flat Creek and enjoying a picnic in the scenic surroundings. Rikard's Mill is open April through January every day except Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is an admission fee. Call 251-789-2781 for more information.
Village of Buena Vista Sportsman's Lodge
Buena Vista Sportsman's Lodge is a sportsman's outdoor paradise located six miles north of Beatrice in the village of Buena Vista. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from fishing and hunting to skeet-shooting. There is also newly renovated lodging available if you wish to stay longer. Take part on a three-day hunting trip, which, at time of publication, costs just $600 including all meals and recreation, or spend a few days fishing and skeet-shooting at economical prices. Call 251-593-6400 for reservations and further information.
Local Shops
Take a few hours to visit some of the unique shops in Beatrice, such as Finklea's and Miss Minnie and Me. Finklea's (finkleas.com) was first opened more than a century ago in downtown Beatrice. The store sells anything from hardware to gardening needs and also offers a wireless hot spot for its customers. Stop by to sip a free cup of hot coffee while you stroll around the shop or browse the Internet. Miss Minnie and Me (missminnie.com) is a gift store that sells antiques from Europe, jewelry, lamps, rugs, books and handmade baby items. You can also buy pecans made by Miss Minnie's Pecan Company.
Old Courthouse Museum
Also visit the historic Old Courthouse Museum (tokillamockingbird.com) located in Monroeville, 18 miles south from Beatrice. It was built in 1930 and was the model for the courtroom settings in the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Young Harper Lee grew up in Beatrice and used to watch her father practice law in that very courthouse. Monroeville is also the place where Harper Lee's childhood friend Truman Capote, the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," was raised by his aunts. The Old Courthouse Museum offers three permanent exhibits: "Old Courthouse," "Truman Capote" and "Harper Lee." Admission is free as of time of publication, and the museum is open year-round every day except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The courtroom is also a setting for a play based on "To Kill a Mockingbird" that runs from April to May each year. Call 251-575-7433 for more information.
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