The city of Alabaster, located just off I-65, is dedicated to creating a safe, healthy, and awesome environment for families to live in. Over the last 10 years, they’ve grown like crazy—more than 60% growth rate! Alabaster is becoming one of the biggest cities in the state and one of the fastest-growing too. It’s pretty impressive!

Alabaster, AL

Back in 1896, Thomas C. Thompson had this idea to set up a textile manufacturing plant on the banks of Buck Creek in what was known as Siluria. They built a whole village for the employees to live in! Fast forward to 1902, and the Siluria Cotton Mill Co. was officially incorporated. By 1954, the population of Siluria had reached around 600, and they decided to become an official town. In 1965 Buck Creek Industries, Inc. actually sold the village houses to the employees. 

Alabaster was located right next to Siluria and has been making a name for itself since 1925. By 1953, Alabaster was incorporated as its own town, and Siluria voted to merge with Alabaster in 1971.

Alabaster is home to Shelby County’s only hospital, the Shelby Baptist Medical Center. This hospital doesn’t just serve Shelby County; it also caters to Bibb and Chilton counties too!

This city has so much to offer for both residents and businesses. It’s in a fantastic location too — about 20 miles south of downtown Birmingham, and just a short six-mile drive south from Interstate 459.

Favorite Area Parks

You won’t believe how amazing the parks are in Alabaster, and there are plenty to check out.

One of the absolute favorites is Veterans Park. It’s a hit with the community. There are several youth baseball fields and you can often find a game going on. There is a disc golf course and a skatepark, too! And, if you’re into walking or jogging, there are paved trails to check out. The ponds are a great touch, where you can enjoy feeding the fish for just a quarter! You can even rent pavilions for a small fee, making it an ideal spot for picnics or family get-togethers. Veterans Park is also pet-friendly, with its very own dog park, the Beneful Dream Dog Park. Your furry buddies will thank you!

Now, if you’re a birdwatcher, you’ve got to visit Limestone Park. Tucked away in nature, this gem of a park is a haven for various bird species. This park is 100-acres of rare habitat and has one of the largest beaver marshes in the area. Over 500 species of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, and insects have been recorded in Limestone Park. 

Buck Creek Park is a fantastic spot for families. It’s got everything covered — handicap-accessible playground equipment for the little ones, workout areas for adults, and trails that welcome both dogs and bikes. Nature lovers will have a field day here, with the forest and creek adding to the park’s natural charm. Plus, educational signs along the trails help kids learn about the wildlife they might encounter. There are also three softball fields so you are sure to be able to catch a game.

Things To Do

Friday nights light up in the fall with Thompson High School football games. 7A State Champions for four consecutive years, 2019-2022, the Warriors have become the team to try to beat. The team stepped up in the ranks back in 2018 when Tulia Tagovailoa, younger brother of the University of Alabama star and Miami Dolphins quarterback, joined the team. The Thompson Warriors have continued that success past the Tagoviloa dynasty, and fans come from all around to attend a home game. The season starts late August. Varsity tickets are $12 and can be purchased online using your smartphone. 

You will want to mark your calendar for this awesome event in Alabaster — It’s called CityFest! It’s become one of the biggest annual gatherings in Shelby County. Back in 2003, Alabaster started it as a celebration for the city’s 50th birthday. Thousands of people come to this event each year, making it a massive hit in the area. CityFest is a blast! There is live music that sets the perfect vibe, and the children’s area is great with games, rides, and loads of fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. And you won’t be disappointed with the variety of vendors selling cool merchandise and delicious food items. The City of Alabaster plays a major role in organizing this fantastic event, and they have the support of several corporate donors from the community. It’s a true community celebration! Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in June for CityFest. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun and excitement. It’s definitely a highlight of the year in Alabaster! 

Alabaster hosts a magnificent Christmas Parade each year, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Sponsored by the city’s Beautification Board, this enchanting parade takes place in early December. With over 100 entries, the Alabaster Christmas Parade is a festive extravaganza! You can expect to see beautifully decorated floats from local churches, schools, and civic organizations, as well as appearances from city and county officials, scouts, dance troops, motorcycle enthusiasts, car clubs, graceful horses, and of course, the one and only Santa Claus himself! It’s a joyful and heartwarming event that brings the community together to celebrate the magic of the holiday season.

Shopping

In Alabaster, AL, there are numerous shops that have developed their own niche. One niche shop is Don Walker’s Western Wear. This store caters to every cowboy and cowgirl in the area. With a grand selection of boots and clothing, this is a one-stop shop for anything country.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Glitz & Gowns offers a huge selection of women’s formal wear. From pageant gowns to wedding gowns and everything in between, this shop seeks to bring out the beauty in each of its customers. Prided on their excellent customer service, Glitz & Gowns attracts visitors from all over Alabama who are looking for the perfect dress for their event.

And you can find everything you need at the Promenade in Alabaster. Just off I-65 and Highway 31, this mega shopping center includes Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s JCPenney, Ross Dress For Less, and more!

Restaurants

A favorite of many in the area is Birds & Burgers. With something for everyone, you can pick up a light lunch or dinner for the family. The Famous Chicken Bites and Chicken Strips were voted best in the city. 

You can’t go wrong with Italian food, and Joe’s Italian does everything right. This long-time favorite serves up pizza, pasta, and Joe’s Famous Strawberry Cake. Ask anyone about Joe’s and they will all say the same thing — delicious!

Full Moon Bar-B-Que is an Alabama staple, and the perfect spot for some fast casual dining. The meat is cooked the Southern way — low and slow over a hickory wood fire. You can’t go wrong with the Bar-B-Que Pork Sandwich with their famous “chow chow”, sauce, and crispy pickles.

Visit Alabaster

Alabaster, AL is the quintessential southern town, and continues to grow into its charm. There is never a shortage of things to do or places to check out, and it is even the perfect place for families to settle down in. 

If you are interested in exploring more of our great county, get ready with Discover Shelby! You can find the best fishing holes, hiking, wine trails, and more.