I went climbing at Horse Pens 40 this past Friday and Saturday and had an absolutely incredible…read moreexperience. The guy at the front desk, Troy, was so friendly and kind -- we ended up talking about music for a while, and he helped us find the perfect rental gear to get started. The whole area was beautiful and easy to navigate thanks to the Kaya app, which made finding the boulders super straightforward. It was a little difficult to determine which were the start holds on some of the climbs but by following the chalky holds of previous climbers we were able to make sense of it for the most part. Between the great climbing, welcoming atmosphere, and amazing people, HP40 definitely became one of my favorite spots. Can't wait to come back!

So, what is Horse Pens 40? Well, the simple breakdown, it is a privately owned outdoor nature park…read morelocated in near Steele, Alabama. The park is situated on top of Chandler Mountain (Chandler is a mountain .... Friends reverence for anyone keeping track), in the foothills of The Appalachian Mountains. The park is known among the rock climbing community as a premier bouldering site. The site is also home to a "Bluegrass Park" where it hosts festivals showcasing the genre several times per year. The biggest of these festivals occurs on the Fourth of July. The park features both RV and primitive camping. So, we were coming out to explore and play on the boulders, when a massive downpour hit. We were literally the only ones at the park (just driving in as the rain hit). We parked in the lot and sat there a few minutes. Now, here is where they get the 5 stars .... an employee came out in the downpour to make sure we were ok and didn't need anything. We felt so bad! Any place that treats customers like this is worthy of 5 stars. Thank you Horse Pens staff for caring about the people that come to visit and making sure they are safe and don't need anything. He even offered us a place to get out of the storm while it passed. Looking forward to a time we can return and properly explore this cool site.

Otter Creek is a beautifully maintained property set in the rolling hills of Alabama. The staff is…read morewarm and attentive, and the food is fresh, homemade, and delicious. Frank is incredibly personable and brings the property to life with stories of its history and his hunts. A truly special place--highly recommend for corporate retreats, weddings, or hunting experiences.

Otter Creek is a superlative choice for quail hunting, dining, lodging and service. I just returned…read morefrom my third hunt in three years and as expected the guides, dogs, food, and service were all outstanding. The number of quail we encountered in the field was way above expectations. The guides (Cedar, Bob) are both masters at their crafts, as were the dogs. Our meals were delicious along with first-rate wine and other beverage options. All these compliments to Otter Creek hold true for my three visits. I have hunted plantations in FL, GA, SC, NC, and MS: In my opinion, Otter Creek is tied for first amongst the finest names in the business. It's also easily accessible via the Atlanta airport.

Big Time in Oxford, Al for my best friends son's birthday overall I would give it an 8.5/10 and…read morethat only because I thought the area for small kids would be a little bigger it was literally a corner, but I forgot to get a photo. The highlights of the day were laser tag and go karts; next time I think I would also like to maybe check out the bowling. I love arcades in general so this is definitely a place I will be visiting again. Facilities: I wish they had more to offer for children under 4. As well as maybe just overall a larger arcade area. Also in laser tag they need to have it marked I actually tripped and fell when going up the ramp. Atmosphere: Definitely family friendly Crowd: Not overly crowded able to enjoy everything

Big-Time Entertainment has amazing staff, but the pricing and game quality are way too expensive…read more The cost per play is sky-high, and credits vanish fast on short, low-quality games. It's significantly more expensive than Dave & Buster's, which offers much better value and promotions. Compounding this, many games are constantly broken or malfunctioning, which is unacceptable at these premium rates. Even buying credits is frustrating; the kiosks only highlight rigid options like $10 for 80 credits instead of displaying a full, transparent price list so families can budget effectively. Management should introduce half-price Wednesdays and a summer season pass to provide better value. The best part is definitely the workers--they are incredibly kind and accommodating to guests with vision loss. However, placing the best prizes, like the big colorful balls, exclusively inside visual claw machines excludes blind students. They waste money on games they can't equitably play. Thanks to the staff's sided help, I was able to get one, but these items should be redeemable via tickets at the counter so everyone has a fair shot. The great staff deserves a venue with a fairer, more accessible pricing model.

Recently was here for my nephew's soccer game . The park was easy to find and the landscaping is…read morebeautiful. This park offers fields/areas supporting several different sporting events. The 4 soccer fields are large and the views were great! Concessions are available which come in handy. This is a beautiful park and we really enjoyed our time here for my nephew's soccer game on a beautiful Saturday evening!

AMAZING can't recommend this place enough if you have kids, dogs, a bike, want to run, want to just…read morewalk, or even just sit by the water!

This is a family owned business. And as we say in the South, "good people"! They were very…read moreresponsive, personable, and kind. They have a nice restroom and sell sodas. Easy, peasy. In no at all, we were on the water. I even enjoyed the conversation on the short bus ride! The trip down the creek was amazing! And bonus points for kayaking with cows! They must have gotten out of their fence. It was a highlight for sure! If you want to have a good time, go to Big Will Outfitters! We will be back soon!

Awesome friendly staff got us safely to the launch and gave us lots of great information on the…read moreway. The creek is beautiful and it's a 6 mile float back to the takeout which was clearly marked. The pvc rails made it easy to get our kayaks out instead of having to carry them up the stairs. Highly recommended!

I visited big Canoe Creek for the first time this last weekend for an easy kayaking trip…read more My friends and I typically go to Coosa River adventures, but I've heard for so many years from friends that big Canoe Creek is really relaxing and a great time and I need to check it out. We were really looking for something a little closer and something a little more low-key and that wouldn't be an all day adventure. Big canoe Creek in Springfield was just that. It was really close to Birmingham and the paddle took about two hours with little to no stops. When we arrived, you park in a field, and then you have to walk a little bit of the way to the outfitter building. Let me tell you, this is not what I expected at all. This was so cute and quaint, and decorated with bistro lights through the trees! I felt like I was so much further away from Birmingham than I was and it really was a true family operation. The mom and son duo quickly got us checked in and told us to get our lifejackets and paddles, and then meet down by the van and we would head off for the put in. At the top where you checked in there was a food cart with fresh baked sourdough items and a sheet to send Venmo or cash app. The mom and daughter make them and it was just such a special touch. You bet that whenever we got back I purchased two things of sourdough. It was so good! You ride in a van to the put in and it was a tight fit, but it was a pretty close drive so it wasn't bad. The creek/paddle itself was so easy and really great for families and beginners. Me and my friends have kayaked a lot but we really wanted something relaxing and this was absolutely perfect. As you walk back to the outfitter from the creek, there are multiple campsites, which is a really cool option if you want a fun weekend trip away. Thank you all for such a great experience. We'll definitely come back!

Had a great time,water a little low ,not their fault staff as always was great, 4th time there,I…read morewould and have recommended it

This park is not well kept and is little more than an open field. I am sure it is appreciated by…read morethe neighborhood, but does offer enough to make it worth a drive.

KG Athletics is truly one of a kind. As a parent, I can't say enough about how incredible this…read moreprogram is--not just for kids, but for the entire community. Founded by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and single mom, Coach Klare brings heart, discipline, and purpose to everything she does. You can feel the love and passion the moment you walk in. Coach Klare has created a safe, welcoming space where kids from all backgrounds can thrive. Whether it's competitive gymnastics, parent-and-tot classes, or the recreational classes, every child is treated with respect and encouragement. The setup is clean, well-equipped, and soon expanding into a new location in Oxford--which just shows how fast this amazing nonprofit is growing! What sets KGA apart is their commitment to affordability and access. They offer credit-based scheduling and financial assistance--something you don't find at most gyms. My child and many others have gained confidence, strength, and lifelong memories here. I'm so grateful we found this place! If you're looking for a program that values character as much as skill, this is it. KG Athletics is a gem, and I highly recommend it to every family in the area!

Coach Klare is an amazing coach ! Always attentive and will to help support new and seasoned…read moregymnasts.