Ada brings together cultural venues, a historically significant park, and activities for a range of interests. Two recurring timeframes can help with travel planning: the seasonal opening of the Aquatic Centers and performances by the Ada Shakespeare Company. Other options range from historic sites and art to wine tastings and games. You can choose which ones will shape your stay based on the season and your personal interests.
Seasons and Shakespeare Performances
Ada has two Aquatic Centers, which are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Since opening dates should be checked each year, consult that year's schedule before your trip. This is especially helpful if the seasonal opening is important to your plans.
The Ada Shakespeare Company also provides a seasonal reference point: it stages two plays each year, one in June and one in October. The company specializes in outdoor Shakespeare performances at the Wintersmith Park Amphitheatre. The two months offer different options for timing your trip; if a performance is the deciding factor, check the specific performance dates.
Wintersmith Park and Historic Sites
Wintersmith Park was established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A notable detail in its history is the stone amphitheater, built in 1934 from natural stones found in Ada and nearby Fittstown. The park combines this historic landmark with a 1.5-mile lighted nature trail. This offers two distinct points of interest: a structure with a clearly documented history and a trail.
The Ada Public Library and the Pontotoc County Courthouse are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They add two more historic sites in Ada to the story of the park. For visitors who want to include culture and history in their trip, there are several different topics to explore: the park and its amphitheater, the listed buildings, and performing arts.
Art, Theater, and Performing Arts
The Arts District of Ada downtown has a sculpture garden and a 27-foot-tall iron horse sculpture. Visitors can also paint their own pottery there. The options range from public art to an activity where you can create a work yourself.
The Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center has a 1,000-seat auditorium, a black-box theater, and sculpture and art galleries. The McSwain Theatre offers a different focus: it opened in 1920 as a venue for early films and vaudeville performances. Its current offerings include classic films, concerts, and stand-up comedy. Together, these venues showcase different forms of performance and art, without requiring you to settle on just one format.
Wine and Other Activities
At Waddell Vineyards, visitors can sample the winery's wine in the tasting room. They can also tour the vineyard and winery to see the production process up close. The tasting and the tour offer different perspectives: one focuses on the finished product, the other on how it is made.
The Ada Gaming Center offers electronic games, slot machines, off-track horse race betting, and table games. Offerings may change. This provides another option for an evening out alongside the cultural and park activities.
Discover more destinations: Fitzhugh.
For the broader travel overview: Pontotoc.
