The Anniston center is approximately the area of Downtown Anniston and the area of Anniston's City Meeting Center.
Anniston enjoys a humid subtropical climate, averaging in the upper 50s in the winter months, and peaking in the muggy 90s during the summer months. Rainfall is heaviest in March and April, but as the saying goes, the April showers usher in Alabama's gorgeous May flowers.
Anniston hosts numerous events each year, starting with the Shamrockin' 5K Color Run/Walk and leading into Spring Break Blast in late March. There always seems to be something happening in Anniston, whether it's learning about reptiles and amphibians at Anniston Museum of Natural History's June HerpFest, attending the Heritage Festival in Zinn Park, or going to the Anniston Christmas Parade during the first weekend of December. In between the full slate of festivals, you can visit the Downtown Market on Saturdays, May through July, or the Downtown Makers' Market on Fridays, April through July.
Anniston regularly hosts major cycling competitions, starting in April with the Sunny King Criterium, which takes place during the Noble Street Festival. The Iron Mountain Challenge comes a week later, followed in May by the Cheaha Challenge, billed as the "toughest ride in the South." Mountain bikers won't want to miss the Fat Tire Festival at the end of October, just after Fall Fest and Boos Bash. But you don't have to wait for a festival to go mountain biking. Premium bike trails like Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail offer an impressive experience all year long.
If you prefer to walk or hike, you'll have no shortage of options. The 33-mile Chief Ladiga trail winds through miles of blissful Alabama countryside, connecting with the Silver Comet Trail to create about 100 miles of incredible hiking just outside Anniston.
No matter what kind of hotel discount you're seeking in Anniston, Alabama, it's likely you'll find it at the Quality Inn Oxford / Anniston. This roadside motel offers significant discounts off its already low rates to military and service members, senior citizens, and AAA members. It's convenient too, located just 5 miles from Talladega National Forest and Quintard Mall.
Guestrooms come with mini-fridges and microwaves, so you can enjoy light meals in your room if you wish. Catch up on work on the desk in your room or read the free daily newspaper. Complimentary internet access adds to the convenience, while daily housekeeping keeps everything tidy. You can also enjoy access to an outdoor pool with lounge chairs. Start your day with a free breakfast buffet, including favorites ranging from coffee and tea to bakery goods and hot breakfast items.
Just minutes outside of Anniston, Alabama, you'll find plenty of value hotel options in neighboring Oxford, including Comfort Suites Oxford. This value hotel consistently impresses its guests with its clean and contemporary property, attention to detail, and amenities that go toe-to-toe with higher-priced area hotels.
Guests of Comfort Suites Oxford enjoy spacious suite-style layouts, with a separate lounge area that includes a loveseat and additional seating that's perfect for hanging out or working. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming and free wireless internet keep you entertained and well-connected during your stay. You'll also be well-fed thanks to the free daily breakfast buffet.
Comfort Suites Oxford also boasts an elegant outdoor pool area. The property is adjacent to charming local boutiques that include antique shops, and it lies only miles away from Anniston's city meeting center. If you'd rather host a small event in the hotel, the property does offer event space.
Despite its moderate size, several major historical events have taken place within Anniston's borders since it was established in the 19th century. The Confederates opened and operated an iron furnace in Anniston during the Civil War, but it was destroyed during a Union raid in 1865.
During World War I, the Army established Fort McClellan at Anniston. The Anniston Army Depot opened during World War II to store weapons and supplies. Though Fort McClellan closed in 1999, part of the facility became Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, designated to protect the endangered Southern Longleaf Pine and the numerous bird species and other mammals that live in its ecosystem.
The Civil Rights Movement dominated Anniston during the 1960s from the moment a Freedom Riders' bus pulled into Anniston bus depot in 1961. An angry mob firebombed the integrated bus, forcing its riders to the streets, where they were attacked just west of downtown Anniston in front of Forsyth and Son grocery on Alabama Highway 202. In a shining moment of bravery, 12-year-old local Janie Forsyth braved the raging mob to give water to the besieged riders. Today, the site is commemorated with a historic marker and has been designated Freedom Riders National Monument.
The following years brought more violence, from the integration of the Anniston town library to dramatic episodes and protests at local churches and businesses. In 1965, hope and redemption came when a local court verdict ruled in favor of an African American plaintiff, a verdict issued by an all-white local jury. The moment signaled a turning point both for Anniston and the state of Alabama away from Jim Crow days towards the diverse community it has become today. If you want to walk these historic sites, pick up a map of the Anniston Civil Rights Trail, which indicates the many historic markers around downtown.
Today, the vibrant town of Anniston represents the best of the New South as a city that acknowledges the past but celebrates its rich culture and looks to the future. A visit to Anniston offers an opportunity to stroll a historic downtown, enjoy some real Southern hospitality, and experience a taste of Alabama's arts and culture. Once you're in Anniston, you'll want to stop and stay a while.
Below are reviews of the city of Anniston, AL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Definitely has the historical feel around town.
Enjoyed dining at Jack's. Very much liked the bicycle friendly approach to the beginning of the Chief Ladiga Trail.
A city with a future with a lot to offer, especially to outdoorsmen!
Mata's II Greek Pizza & Grinders is seriously the best pizza spot!