1. Do some kayaking.

Located on Maxwell Boulevard off Interstate 65, Montgomery Whitewater includes an Olympic-standard recirculating course designed to appeal to the casual spectator and the passionate outdoor athlete.  

From the adrenaline-pumping Competition Channel, to a more approachable Creek Channel for recreational paddling, there’s enjoyment for all ages and skill levels. The property also features tons of beautiful green space, perfect for relaxing and enjoying live music, a yoga class or a bite to eat at Eddy’s full-service restaurant and bar.  

As if it couldn’t get any better, the park recently opened a few new activities for guests to enjoy, including rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes courses and trails. 

2. Catch a baseball game.

With Minor League Baseball officially ramping up its 2025 season, catching a game is a great activity for all ages. 

If you’re a baseball fan in the Greenville area, Fluor Field is the place to be. After undergoing major renovations and additions designed by GMC, DLR Group and McMillan Pazdan Smith, the stadium maximizes their use with a 4,000-square-foot event space that can accommodate 200 people, as well as a 3,000-square-foot “front porch” used as a lounge for season ticket holders. 

Heading south into the Florida panhandle you can catch a Pensacola Blue Wahoos game, complete with new turf design on Admiral Fetterman Field by GMC’s landscape architecture team. 

3. Take a walk on the wild side.

Local zoos offer a family-friendly experience you don’t want to pass up! GMC’s architecture and landscape architecture teams worked hand-in-hand to create a master plan for the Birmingham Zoo, as well as a standout design for the Arrival Experience and Asian Passage exhibit at Alabama’s most popular tourist destination, coming in at 450,000 visitors a year. 

Guests are welcomed by key features including a sloped event lawn that allows large groups to gather and view entertainment featured on the south end stage; a naturalistic play area with a shredded wood carpet and wood form structures that encourage interactive play; as well as a multipurpose indoor space used for animal encounters and other educational programs. 

With the perfect blend of entertainment and education, this attraction is destined to bring activities that will be a hit for all. 

4. Make a splash!

What better way to beat the rising heat than a waterpark?!  

Complete with a 30,000-square-foot surf simulator and outdoor wave pool equipped with a 48-foot-wide LED screen, OWA’s Tropic Falls Water Park in Foley, Alabama continues to be a popular attraction in the Gulf Coast area.  

Tropic Falls is the only indoor water park in the United States with both a retractable roof and sidewall adjoining an outdoor water park, allowing visitors to shuffle between the outdoor attractions and indoor park. Additional features include a beach-themed bar and restaurant, an expansive beach area with seating, private cabana rentals and restrooms with lockers. 

5. Hit the beach.

Dauphin Island’s East End beach has recently undergone a stunning transformation, making it an even more inviting and spacious getaway for beachgoers and wildlife alike. This 14-mile-long barrier island, located just south of Mobile, is renowned for its picturesque beaches and diverse range of species that call the sky, sea and sand home.

The ambitious restoration involved the hydraulic placement of over one million cubic yards of sand to the East End, helping ensure the preservation of this island paradise for generations to come. Contractor Weeks Marine, Inc. led the way, in partnership with GMC’s engineering team and coastal engineers from South Coast Engineers, recently acquired by our firm. With the restoration now complete there is no better time to visit Dauphin Island! 

6. Visit the park.

GMC has designed many beautiful parks over the years, with Jessie Davis Park in Douglasville, Georgia, being one of its most recent achievements. Located just off State Route 92, the newly improved park is part of the city’s exciting new gateway corridor. It features a state-of-the-art synthetic turf football field, a new gym with two indoor basketball courts, and a zero-entry pool with a splash pad perfect for younger visitors. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a walk along the multi-use trail, relax in one of the pavilions, or take advantage of the senior center, Jessie Davis Park is a welcoming and sustainable destination offering activities for all. 

7. Go fish.

If fishing is your passion, don’t miss out on Lincoln’s Landing, one of Alabama’s most pristine fishing parks. Known for its exciting tournaments and welcoming amenities, Lincoln’s Landing features 10 all-season boat launches, over 250 parking spaces for trailers and trucks, and a stunning 1,400-foot boardwalk ideal for fishing or leisurely strolls along the water. With three pavilions, including a spacious 900-square-foot main pavilion and two smaller ones, Lincoln’s Landing is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts. 

8. Grab your paddles.

Pickleball has surged in popularity across the United States, and GMC has been ahead of the curve in designing top-tier courts. The team designed its first pickleball courts for the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National in 2010, and since then, has seen a rapid increase in court design. 

More recently, our team assisted Auburn University Campus Recreation with the addition of 11 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts located on West Thach Avenue and Hemlock Drive, providing students with a new opportunity to participate in outdoor physical activities and promote a healthy lifestyle. Pickleball courts are popping up in communities across the Southeast, several of which GMC is proud to be helping bring to fruition. 

If you’re in these areas, check out these kitchens and let us know what you think, and we don’t mean for cooking. If you know, you know.