Exhibits
Captain Tim Parker
Oh, the sun on your face and the spray from the river! Learn about river transportation in Alabama from the wheelhouse of a towboat! Captain the Tim Parker as you navigate the Black Warrior River while using the turning sticks, compass and five views of your travel…be sure to keep an eye on the weather!
Lil’ Sprouts Farmer’s Market
“Tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and peas - your mother says you oughta eat a lot of these!” Be a customer and pick your favorites! Be a farmer and sell your crop! Gas up your farm truck and go to market! Did you know that most areas have a Farmer’s Market where farmers sell produce and goods during harvest and holiday seasons?! Find them in your hometown and visit!
Choctaw Indian Village
Explore a replica of a Choctaw Village from the 1700’s! Did you know that the city of Tuscaloosa was named for the Choctaw Chief Tuskaloosa? Make a shell necklace to wear; mold clay into pottery and touch animal furs! Try the games in the village, learn to “read” the hieroglyphics of a pictographic map and speak a little Choctaw.
DCH Health System
Admit yourself to our hospital and learn about your body! Be a doctor, nurse or patient! Fill out admission forms and make an ID bracelet to take home; read X-rays in the lab; check your reflexes and care for the babies in the nursery!
Once Upon a Farm
A soft play development exhibit just for newborns through age 3! There’s even a Nursing Nook for Mom! Make animal sounds; sort shapes; “dig” potatoes and carrots; “drive” a tractor; sort eggs and slide down the silo slide. Rock and rest a bit before sorting pollen in our giant flowers. CHOM infants can chill in an infant pond that’s just for you. This exhibit is best for 3 years or younger.
The Arts Studio
Explore the visual and performing arts in this exciting exhibit! Make a little music! Compose songs on the floor piano; play the slap and pump organs, then identify nature’s music in Nature’s Notes. Actually go inside of a giant kaleidoscope or see Kaleidoscope Tower magic, before creating a work of art on computer Kaleidodraw.
Old T-Town
A group of shops from the earliest days of Tuscaloosa’s history. Be the banker at FIRST NATIONAL BANK of TUSCALOOSA, opened in 1872, or write a check or take out a loan. Use your bank money to “mail” a postcard in the MAXWELL BROS. GENERAL STORE. Stop off for a shave or wax a mustache at the BARBER SHOP, then take a break at the soda fountain of CENTRAL DRUG COMPANY. You can be a soda jerk there!
Japanese House
Visit a replica of a traditional Japanese home. Built of materials natural to Japan and in collaboration with Tuscaloosa’s Sister City, Narashino, the house presents the Japanese perception of beauty which emphasizes simplicity, and a closeness to nature. Visit the kitchen and furo (bath) with its wooden tub.
Beavers’ Bend
Explore the forests and nature through fun and innovative activities designed to experience the Alabama woodlands. Climb into a beaver lodge and slide out again; make your own paw prints and foil rubbings, and have close encounters with specimens using giant microscopes. Meet the residents of Beavers’ Bend. Lizards and crabs and turtles, plus spiders and frogs and fish...Oh my!
Kool Zone
You’ll have a blast in the Kool Zone! There are all kinds of activities to keep you “kool” here. Enter our air ball booth to see how many balls you can catch while being blasted with air. Stand in front of our fun mirrors and see what you look like. Enjoy looking into our many kaleidoscopes to see some interesting designs. Plus, there is so much more.
Party Palace
No, this is really not an exhibit...but it IS a fabulous place to hold a party, so we couldn't leave it out! The BEST parties are here at CHOM and so is the BEST Party Room around! Take a look at this 360 view, then go to Birthday Parties for more info.
Space Station CHOM
Explore space at CHOM! Launch your imagination and FLY! Direct the action at Mission Control; your image will be on the monitor as you sit in our space ship to navigate Valles Marinaris; build “sandcastles” from Mars and learn more about our solar system and NASA’s history and programs.
