Blog

Even when you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of free or low-cost ways to have family fun in Dothan. Here are our two top picks for awesome outings around town that won't drain your wallet. Landmark Park Step back in time and explore Alabama's history at this 135-acre site designed to preserve the heritage of of the region. Your kids will love being transported onto an authentic, working 1890s farm, complete with an array of animals, a Victorian schoolhouse and soda fountain, smokehouse, syrup shed, and so much more. The grounds include nature trails, wildlife exhibits, and a planetarium. Despite these extensive cultural offerings, the low admission price makes Landmark Park affordable for most families: $4 for those 13 and up, $3 for kids 3 to 12, and free for the little guys. Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Not only does this gorgeous 50-acre site feature intricate gardens, winding hiking trails, and wooded areas, admission is completely free. The mission of the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is to conserve natural resources for future generations. This is an ideal place to picnic, birdwatch, stroll, and enjoy a pleasant day with family members of all ages. Check the online calendar to explore upcoming events at the Gardens. Taking the family out for a day of fun is much more doable when you have a spacious, reliable vehicle. If you're in the market for a new crossover, minivan, or SUV, stop by Toyota of Dothan during your next outing to check out our inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles. Image via Flickr by bmcguirk

The ideal sports bar is a place where you can grab a beer, meet up with some friends, and enjoy delicious food while watching your favorite team dominate. Here are three awesome sports bars to check out in the Dothan area. Recovery Room Bar Named the best sports bar in town by Yelp, Recovery Room on East Main Street is notable for its large selection of craft beers and laid-back vibe. In addition to several large TVs, this bar features board games, pool tables, shuffleboard, and even a back patio where you can play some cornhole in warm weather. Keep in mind that they only serve snacks, so plan to grab dinner nearby beforehand. Alabama Slammer Sports Bar Located at 3011 Ross Clark Circle, this unpretentious local favorite is the prime spot for a burger and beer. Good food, affordable prices, and a friendly bar staff make this spot a win when you're looking to relax on game day. Pro tip: don't miss the wild karaoke nights. Beef O'Brady's This sports bar is one of the most popular spots in Dothan for good food, a great beer selection, and plenty of large screens for game watching. The menu includes pub favorites like burgers and wings along with value specials and even gluten-free meals. While you're in the neighborhood, take some extra time and stop by Toyota of Dothan. Our friendly staff is eager to show you our inventory of new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles, from high-performance coupes to three-row family haulers. Image via Flickr by stu_spivack

In a state like Alabama, you are bound to find a lot of natural beauty. Alabama is full of natural landmarks that have been well maintained over the years, and are open to the public to visit. Exploring these natural areas is a great way to experience all that Alabama has to offer. Here is a look at 3 Alabama Natural Landmarks. Dismals Canyon Dismals Canyon in a nature conservatory that provides a deep look into the indigenous wildlife and geography of the area. You can explore the canyon and its surrounding caves, or check out the nearby plant sanctuaries. There are over 85 acres of natural beauty to explore. Cathedral Caverns State Park If you have never explored caverns before, then try Cathedral Caverns State Park. The caverns are immense and offer an in-depth look at how natural geography is formed. You can take tours of the caverns with experienced guides that can show you all of the best features and ensure your safety. Shelta Cave Nature Preserve If you are an NSS member, then you can visit the Shelta Cave Nature Preserve. It is a protected area for different kinds of cave life. NSS members are allowed in to study the indigenous life in their natural habitat. It is a great way to learn more about Alabama’s wildlife. Alabama is full of natural landmarks that you can check out. Visit Toyota of Dothan to make sure that you have a vehicle that can get you there and back safely. Exploring natural areas can be fun, but you need the right car to do it. Image via Flickr by m01229

If you are in the Dothan area, there are several great golf courses that you can try out. Each course offers a range of different challenges that are never played the same twice. You could spend years working through each course and still find them to be challenging each time. If you into golf, then here is a look at Dothan’s top places to hit the links. Highland Oaks One of the best golf places in Dothan is Highland Oaks. It offers three different championship-level courses with nine holes each. Each course has a unique challenge to it. The Marshwood course is known for its sixth hole, which is a 701-yard par-5. That is a challenge that will take you quite a few tries to master. Dothan Country Club The Dothan Country Club is another great place for you to play golf. It has a long history of being one of the best country clubs in the area, and you have to be a member to get in. While the golf course is exceptional, it also offers a range of other amenities like a cocktail lounge and private meeting areas. Roundabout Plantation Roundabout Plantation is a newer golf course constructed in 2000. It is 18 holes long and can be challenging for intermediate and beginner players. It is a great place to get into golf if you have little golfing experience, or want to try a new course. Golf has a long history in Dothan, and these golf courses make it fun and challenging. Check out these and other golf courses around Dothan on a regular basis. Image via Flickr by Thanks for over 2 million views!!

Dothan is a great place to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Every year, there are festivals that celebrate the fall. You can take your family and your friends to different festivals throughout the season without encountering the same vendors or occasion twice. It is a great way to celebrate the changing seasons. Here are 2 fall festivals in Dothan. National Peanut Festival Every year, Dothan hosts the National Peanut Festival. It is the largest peanut festival in the country. It is the perfect place for the festival since nearly ¾ of the country’s peanut supplies come from the area around Dothan. It will be hosted November 3-12, and is expected to have hundreds of vendors and events over the 10-day festival. Wiregrass Children’s Home Festival of Trees In November, you can support a good cause by attending the Wiregrass Children’s Home Festival of Trees. It is a yearly event to support the children’s home, and draws support from across the local community. This year, it will be held at the Dothan Civic Center on November 16. There will be a wide range of vendors including tree sellers. It is a great way to give back to the community while getting ready for the holidays. Every year, Dothan has several fall festivals interspersed between the holidays. The best way to be ready for each festival is to consult your local listings for when they become available. Toyota of Dothan can help you get your vehicle ready for the festival and holiday seasons, or help you find a better vehicle. Image via Flickr by Jim, the Photographer

The Toyota Tundra is a great option for you if you need a truck that can handle work and leisure adventures. It also comes in a wide range of trim levels that let you customize your Toyota Tundra. Here is a look at the 3 best Toyota Tundra trim levels. 1794 Edition If you have ever wondered what it would be like to have a western-inspired truck, then you want to check out the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition. The interior is western themed with leather trim. Although it is inspired by earlier decades, it also has all of the modern safety systems including the Toyota Safety Sense P package. Platinum The Toyota Tundra Platinum Edition gives you the most combinations of luxury and performance features. It has an upgraded audio system, heated seats, and moonroof. It also has a 5.7L engine that lets it tow over 10,000lbs. That’s more than enough to get any job done. SR5 On the other end of the spectrum, there is the Toyota Tundra SR5 which offers increased affordability while offering a good mix of features. You can get many of the top-level features like the Toyota Safety Sense P package and an Entune Audio Plus sound system. The SR5 also gets great gas mileage due to its more efficient fuel usage. Toyota continues to expand the offerings for the Toyota Tundra. Check out the different trim levels for the Toyota Tundra at Toyota of Dothan today. You will be impressed by the selection of options. Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

Toyota continues to create vehicles that are in high demand for their value and specializations. The RAV4 is one of the most in-demand Toyota vehicles, and Toyota is making it better with the new 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure package. Here is why You’ll love the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure. Off-Road Design Upgrades The RAV4 is already designed for a wide range of terrains and conditions, but the RAV4 Adventure takes it to a new level. Several exterior designs make it more effective at traveling in areas with larger obstacles. That way, you can travel in rougher areas with ease. Tow Prep Package The RAV4 Adventure has a unique feature called the Tow Prep Package that greatly increases its towing ability. It can tow up to 3,500lbs. thanks to an upgrade to the radiator, the engine oil cooler, and transmission fluid cooler. That way, you can take everything with you when you head out on a vacation or have to get things to work. Travel Accessories The RAV4 Adventure is designed to make traveling easier. It has charging ports throughout the vehicle so that you can stay charged while getting things done. The interior is also built to resist rough weather conditions. You won’t have to worry about messing up the inside of your RAV4 by traveling in rough weather and getting it in your car. The 2018 RAV4 Adventure is a great option if you are looking for a vehicle that can handle city and off-road travel. Toyota of Dothan can show you more about the RAV4 Adventure. Image via Flickr by lakpuratravels

If you are looking to replace your car, then you have several great options that will give you some distinct benefits. A certified pre-owned car or a used car can help you save money. However, there are distinct advantages to buying a certified pre-owned vehicle instead. Here are the benefits of buying a pre-owned vehicle. The Certification Process One of the biggest advantages to buying a certified pre-owned car is that it goes through the manufacturer’s certification process. This process is extensive and can include hundreds of steps to ensure that the car meets high-quality standards. That way, you are sure to get a car that is as close to being new as possible. You will also get extra benefits like a manufacturer’s warranty, roadside assistance, and rental vehicle support. Insurance Rates Another advantage to buying a certified pre-owned car is that insurance rates are generally lower than on newer or uncertified used models. Certified pre-owned vehicles have an established driving history, and any major issues were already repaired. So, insurance companies are willing to charge lower rates to ensure these cars. That way, you can save a lot more over time by driving a pre-owned vehicle. Lower Prices Perhaps the greatest advantage to buying a certified pre-owned vehicle is the lower price. Pre-owned vehicles cost significantly less than new vehicles and can cost less than used vehicles from other places. Because of that, you can afford a higher-level vehicle for the same price as you would pay for a lower model of a new car. Pre-owned vehicles can give you a range of options. If you are looking for a new car, consider getting a pre-owned vehicle instead. Toyota of Dothan can help you find a pre-owned vehicle that is right for you. Image via Flickr by NZ Car Freak

A wise man once said, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and this has been proven true by the quickly-growing craze of thrift store shopping. Even the pop culture performer and musician, Macklemore, talks about it in his popular hit, “Thrift Shop.” Everyone loves finding that hidden treasure or killer deal in all those old forgotten clothes. At Toyota of Dothan, we get it. These are our recommendations for the three best thrift stores near Dothan. Goodwill The Goodwill on Ross Park Circle is a trove of buried retail treasure. Goodwill Industries is celebrating 115 years of giving back to our community by providing much-needed jobs to disadvantaged people across the country. We love their home goods and sporting goods sections every bit as much as we dig their gently used clothing, and since you are already dropping by, why not make room in your home by donating some stuff while you’re there? Plato’s Closet Plato’s Closet on Murphy Mill Road is also a great place to shop for secondhand clothing. Plato’s Closet is a new franchise of thrift clothes, and each one is independently owned. They tend to carry nice name brands like Chico, Guess, and Hollister. Uptown Cheapskate Uptown Cheapskate is another favorite place to pop some tags. They, too, carry higher-end brands of the used clothes you love. You can sign up for their Uptown Insider program to get monthly member specials that sweeten the deal. All three of these places offer incredible prices on secondhand clothing. Have fun shopping and compare for yourself. https://www.flickr.com/photos/149902454@N08/34587191230/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Sole Treadmill

Looking for a venue in Dothan to enjoy some live music? Look no further. Cowboys Cowboys is a true southern experience. Some call it a true honky-tonk bar. There is live music here every night to dance to or sing to, or for simply enjoying the company of good friends. The drinks are cheap and bourbon is on tap. There are also several pool tables that you can enjoy for free. To come for the country music, you need to sign up for a membership, which you can do online or at the door. Women go free and men cost between $5 and $10. McLeod's Publick House McLeod's Publick House is a popular music venue in downtown Dothan. The pub has all types of musicians and DJ's playing almost every night of the week. You don't usually need to book in advance, just arrive about a half an hour before the performances are due to start so you can get a good seat. McLeod's is also a great spot for craft beer lovers. Come a few hours before a concert to sample the different beers and secure yourself the best seat in the house. The Plughouse Those who are interested in hearing metal, rock, and punk music should join the Plug Uglies Wrecking Crew. This social club is interested in hearing local bands, advancing the music scene in Dothan, and getting to know each other in a fun environment. There are weekly concerts at the Plughouse for different local and national bands. Whether you want to hear country music, indie bands, or rock and roll, there is a venue for you in Dothan. Image via Flickr by Natan Peres

There are so many wonderful places to go for a day out in Dothan with the family. These are the best animal adventure parks around. Wild Animal Safari Wild Animal Safari is a drive-thru park which allows you to see animals in a more natural habitat. The drive-thru park is 3.5 miles of roadway that takes you past camels, zebras, giraffes, water buffalo, elk, Watusi, and American bison.  Some animals are even curious enough to come right up to the vehicles. If you don't feel comfortable driving your own vehicle through the park, there are tour bus options as well as van rentals if you're coming with a big group. Landmark Park Landmark Park in Dothan is a nature park with walking paths, bird watching platforms, and an amphibian experience you won't find anywhere else in Dothan.  Learn about and observe local frogs, snakes, and large aquatic salamanders known as amphiuma. Presentations occur every day at 10 a.m. but prior registration is required. Wild Adventures Theme Park Wild Adventures is the ultimate day out for families. There are theme park rides, entertaining shows, restaurants, and several different places to see and interact with animals. Wander around the zoo area to see Asian elephants, water buffalo, black bears, giraffe, zebra, rhinos, and majestic lions. There are also several different types of birds, rodents, and reptiles at the park. Be sure to check out what animal shows are happening the day you visit so that you don't miss a chance to interact and learn more about them. Next time you plan a weekend adventure in Dothan, be sure to check out one of these animal experiences! Image via Flickr by RobBixbyPhotography

The new 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser is packed with features that will change the way you drive. Power and Performance The Toyota Land Cruiser comes standard with a 5.7-liter, V8 Engine and 8-speed transmission. This gives drivers 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The Land Cruiser has an intelligent transmission system that adjusts shift logic depending on the throttle input, incline, and speed. It delivers power to the wheels that need it most. Off-Road Capabilities The Land Cruiser has a new Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that maintains optimal traction no matter what road conditions you find yourself in. When you activate the suspension system, it disconnects the sway bar and automatically adjusts the suspension for better wheel articulation. The Torsen limited-slip differential is another system that helps the Land Cruiser drive on any terrain. The Torsen system sends power to the wheel or axle that has the most traction. It's also equipped with locking features so that you can manually select a 50-50 front-rear wheel split in traction-limited situations. Interior Cargo Capacity The 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser has an enormous amount of interior space. The vehicle can fit up to eight people while still leaving plenty of trunk space. If you want to head away on a weekend adventure, you can fold flat the second row and fold the third row to the side to get up to 81 cubic feet of cargo space. There are so many great reasons to get into a 2017 Land Cruiser. Test drive one today to see for yourself. Image via Flickr by Toyota Motor Europe