Museums
Cook's Natural Science Museum
Cook’s Natural Science Museum 
- a free educational museum for children and adults began some three decades ago and has grown into an extensive collection of more than 2,000 highly rated exhibits that range from mounted wildlife and birds, minerals and rocks, to exotic insects, sea shells, snakes and coral. Cook’s Museum incorporates interactive exhibits, talking exhibits, live exhibits, and touching exhibits to bring nature from around the world to life by showing the animals in their natural habitat. The museum is billed as one of the finest of its type in the South and offers a 64-seat auditorium for class or group activities and the viewing of natural science videos. Admission is free. Cook’s Natural Science Museum is located at 412 13th Street. For more information, please call (256) 350-9347.
Jesse Owens Memorial Park
The Jesse Owens Memorial Park is located just outside of Decatur in Oakville, Alabama. The park is a tribute to the four-time Olympic gold medal winner and showcases several memorials, including a museum, a life-sized bronze statue, and a 1936 Olympic torch replica.
The Jesse Owens Museum also honors the track and field superstar’s memory by featuring memorabilia from the 1936 Olympics, including programs, replica track uniforms, and shoes along with medals and trophies from Owens’ high school days. Throughout the museum there are interactive kiosks that highlight Owens’ life and accomplishments.
The park is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free; there is a $2.00 fee per person for groups of 10 or more.