Alabama is a state full of scenic beauty and historical sites. It is also home to many great communities and business centers that offer everything from entertainment, shopping, dining, and more.
Alabama is one of the most important Southern states. It’s perhaps best known for its famed barbecue dishes, its natural beauty, and history (although this is changing), and for holding quite a few sporting events.
Alabama is a state of many names: Yellowhammer State after the state bird, the Cotton State, and the Heart of Dixie. Although Spanish explorers passed through the state in 1540, it was the French who settled the area, founding Mobile in 1702. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a great place to enjoy water activities. The 22nd state also enjoys vibrant art, culture, and entertainment scene.
However, you may want to check with the meteorologist before visiting, as the state is vulnerable to hurricanes. Hurricanes aside, Alabama is a wonderful place to kayak down a wild river or learn more about our nation’s space program. It’s no wonder this southern state is a popular tourist destination.
If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Alabama, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a rundown of the list of best places to visit in Alabama:
Huntsville
Huntsville is known as Rocket City for its association with the United States space program. Chemical munitions facilities built during World War II were converted for space used after the war in which the United States launched its first satellite here in 1958. Today, NASA’s Manned Space Flight Center is located in Huntsville. The town has several historic houses, some built in the early 19th century. Museums include Space Camp, the Alabama Constitution Village with its reconstructed Federal-style buildings, Clay House with its porcelain collection from Noritake and the Veterans Memorial Museum with its collection of military vehicles.
Montgomery
Alabama’s capital, Montgomery, has a remarkable history, but it was Rosa Parks who really made it famous. The African-American woman made civil rights history in 1965 when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. In an ironic twist to history, Montgomery was where the Confederacy was formed in 1861. Today, this city on the Alabama River is famous for its many arches, skyscrapers, and one of the best art scenes for cities its size in the United States. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents the Bard’s work throughout the year at his Blount Park Theater.
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores is a popular tourist destination on the Gulf of Mexico. Just 54 miles from Mobile, it’s a great spot for ocean fishing, golfing at two of the best courses, or dolphin watching. In addition to the usual beach activities, you can also take a sunset cruise on the Gulf or take the whole family to a water park. If you are a party animal, then the end of April is the time to visit. That is when what is considered the best beach party in the world takes place. Join in the fun as you drop a dead mullet over the Florida state line.
Little River Canyon
Little River Canyon is a special place, often described in superlatives as the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. The Little River, which rises in northwest Georgia, is believed to be the longest river in the United States that runs over a mountain, in this case, Little Top Mountain. Although it is only about 600 feet deep, it is considered a spectacular landform in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The Little River is a wild and picturesque river. The surrounding nature reserve is home to many protected species of plants and animals.
Orange Beach
Orange Beach is a resort town of 5,500 residents on the Alabama Gulf Coast border with Florida. It’s one of the best places to visit in Alabama if you want to relax, maybe stay in a beachfront home, and play some basketball or tennis at a rec center if you get tired of water activities. Orange Beach is also a good place to watch dolphins, or you can do what the locals do for entertainment: visit the Orange Beach Islands. The four islands are located in the Lost Passage and are accessible by boat. The islands are popular with water sports enthusiasts and are also a good place to see birds and marine mammals.
Birmingham
The city named after Birmingham, England, was founded during Civil War Reconstruction. Today, it is the largest city in Alabama. Because it was once the main industrial area of the South, it was given the nickname “the Pittsburgh of the South.” Birmingham is the cultural capital of Alabama, with the largest art museum (Birmingham Museum of Art) in the southeastern United States. There are also ballet, symphony, and opera companies, as well as several theaters for the performing arts. Birmingham is home to several music and film festivals, including the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival which attracts filmmakers from around the world.
Cheaha State Park
Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama. The 735-meter-high mountain is located in the state park named for an indigenous Cree word. Located within the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park has good access to the Appalachian Trail as well as other trails. There’s even a trail for ATV riders if they prefer to ride horses rather than hike through nature. Accommodations range from camping to a luxurious lodge. If your venue of choice is a beautiful outdoor venue, park staff can help you plan your wedding. The park is also popular with day users.
Mobile
Mobile, located at the head of Mobile Bay, is Alabama’s only saltwater port. The third largest city in Alabama is also the largest on the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and St. Petersburg in Florida. It is a cultural center on the sea, with museums, art galleries, a professional symphony, ballet and opera. In early spring the city is ablaze with azaleas, while in February it hosts the oldest organized carnival in the United States, its carnival dating back to the early 18th century when it was organized by French Catholic settlers. Mobile is famous for its antebellum architecture, a mix of various styles found in nine major historic districts.
Frequent Questions
What Fun Things Can You Do In Montgomery Alabama?
One of the things to do in Montgomery is the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The attention to detail on the premises is impressive. Even if you’re not seeing a show, take the time to wander the grounds of Blount Cultural Park. With its ponds, statues, and trails, it’s a great way to spend some time outdoors in beautiful Montgomery.
What Are The Tourist Attractions In Alabama?
Alabama tourist attractions. Known as the “Heart of Dixie,” Alabama boasts many tourist attractions: the Little River Canyon National Preserve, the Jazz Hall of Fame, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, the Tannehill Historic State Park, Birmingham Zoo and Dauphin Island.
What’s So Important About Montgomery In Alabama?
Montgomery, Alabama was incorporated in 1819, as a merger of two towns located along the Alabama River. It became the state capital in 1846. In February 1861, Montgomery was selected as the first capital of the Confederate States of America, until the seat of government was moved to Richmond, Virginia in May of that year. In the mid-20th century, Montgomery was one of the main stages of the Civil Rights Movement, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches.
What Is The Area Of Montgomery Alabama?
Montgomery is located near the center of Alabama. Montgomery is part of Montgomery County. Montgomery has 159.57 square miles of land area and 2.36 square miles of water area.
