alabama visit places

Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

10 Best Places to Visit in Alabama

Alabama is a state of many names: Yellowhammer State after the state bird, the Cotton State and the Heart of Dixie. Though Spanish explorers passed through the state in 1540, it was the French who settled the area, founding Mobile in 1702. Because it’s located on the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a good place to indulge in water activities.

The 22nd state also enjoys a vibrant arts, culture and entertainment scene. You may want to consult the weatherman before visiting, however, since the state is vulnerable to hurricanes.

Map of Places to Visit in Alabama

Hurricanes aside, Alabama is a wonderful place where you can kayak a wild river or learn more about our nation’s space program. It’s no wonder this southern state is a popular tourist destination. Here’s an overview of the best places to visit in Alabama:

10. Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island, off the coast of Mobile, is a rest stop on the way from South America if you’re a migratory bird. The island is often the first land birds see as they journey north. There are several bird sanctuaries on the island, but the main one is Audubon Bird Sanctuary.

Named for the Dauphin of France, great-grandson of Louis XIV, island beaches feature spectacular sunsets. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” it originated here with Admiral Farragut during the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. The historic walled Fort Gaines once stood guard per the bay’s entrance.

9. Noccalula Falls Park

Romantic tragedy lurks beneath the waters of Noccalula Falls Park. According to legend, rather than marry the rich chief her father wanted her, Noccalula chose to jump over the 90-foot falls on her wedding day. You’ll see a nine-foot tall statue of her at the falls that drop into the Black Creek ravine.

But where there is sadness, there is also beauty, the 25,000 azalea plants in this Gadsden park. While camping here, you can stroll the park’s paved hiking trail, let your kids play at the petting zoo and visit Pioneer Village to learn about the past.

8. Montgomery

Alabama’s capital, Montgomery, has a notable history, but it was Rosa Parks who really made it famous. The African-American woman name civil rights history in 1965 when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. In an ironic twist of history, Montgomery was where the Confederacy was formed in 1861.

Today, this city on the Alabama River is noted for its numerous arks, skyscrapers and one of the best art scenes for cities its size in the United States. Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents the Bard’s work throughout the year at its Blount Park theatre.

7. Cheaha State Park

Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama. The 2,413-foot (735-meter) high mountain can be found in the state park named for a Cree Indian word. Located inside Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park has good hiking with access to the Appalachian Trail as well as other trails.

There’s even a trail for ATV riders if you’d rather ride than hike through nature. Accommodations range from camping to a luxury lodge. If a pretty outdoor setting in your venue of choice, park staff can help you arrange your wedding. The park also is popular with day users.

Mobile, located at the head of Mobile Bay, is Alabama’s only saltwater port. Alabama’s third largest city 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, and 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; their carnival dates back to the early 1700s when it was organized by French Catholic settlers. Mobile is famous for its antebellum architecture, a blend of several styles found throughout nine major historic districts.

5. Orange Beach

Orange Beach is a resort city of 5,500 residents on Alabama’s Gulf Coast border with Florida. It’s one of the best places to visit in Alabama if you want to chill out, perhaps staying in beachfront housing and playing a little basketball or tennis at a rec center if you get tired of water activities.

Orange Beach also is a good place to do dolphin spotting, or you can do what the locals do for entertainment: visit the Orange Beach Islands. The four islands are located in Perdido Pass and are accessible by watercraft. The islands are popular with water sports enthusiasts and also are a good place to see seabirds and marine mammals.

4. Little River Canyon National Preserve

The Little River Canyon is a special place, frequently described with superlatives, such as the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. The Little River, which starts in northwest Georgia, is believed to be the longest river in the United States that runs atop a mountain, in this case, Little Top Mountain.

Though it’s only about 600 feet at its deepest, it’s considered a spectacular landform in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The Little River is a Wild and Scenic River. The nature preserve that surrounds it is home to many protected species of plants and animals.

3. Huntsville

Huntsville is known as Rocket City because of its association with the U.S. space program. Chemical munitions facilities built during World War II were converted to space exploration use following the war; the United States launched its first satellite here in 1958. Today, NASA’s Manned Space Flight Center is located in Huntsville.

The city has a number of historic homes, some constructed in the early 1800s. Museums include Space Camp, Alabama Constitution Village with its reconstructed Federal style buildings, Clay House with its collection of Noritake porcelain and Veterans Memorial Museum with its collection of military vehicles.

2. Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores is a popular tourist destination on the Gulf of Mexico. Just 54 miles (87 km) from Mobile, it’s a good place to go ocean fishing, play golf at two top courses or go dolphin watching. Besides the usual beach activities, you can also take a sunset cruise on the Gulf or take the whole family to a water/amusement park.

If you’re a party animal, then late April is the time to visit. That’s when what’s billed as the world’s greatest beach party takes place. Join in the fun as you toss a dead mullet over the state line with Florida.

1. Birmingham

The city named after Birmingham, England, was founded during Civil War Reconstruction. Today, it is Alabama’s largest city. Because it was once the south’s main industrial area, it was given the nickname of “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.

You’ll also find ballet, symphony and opera companies here as well as several theaters for the performing arts. Birmingham is host to several music and film festivals, including the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival that draws filmmakers from around the world.

Share this post:

12 Best Things to do in Alabama

10 Best Places to Visit in Tennessee

10 Best Places to Visit in Arkansas

10 Best Places to Visit in South Carolina

10 Best Places to Visit in Louisiana

12 Best Things to Do in Louisiana

10 Best Places to Visit in Kentucky

8 Best Beaches in Alabama

17 Best Things to Do in Birmingham, AL

23 Most Beautiful Islands in the US

Reader interactions.

June 22, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Gotta love the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida! Having been born in Mobile, Alabama makes me love the Coast. I love the smell of the ocean and when I get near its a real pleasure to smell the salty ocean on the breeze of the Gulf Coast! Such a welcome! I love watching the sea birds, dolphins, sailboats, shrimp boats and people enjoying the beaches! Gotta get some Gumbo!

January 11, 2019 at 10:00 am

The Southeastern United States has more to offer than any other part of the country.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

42 Fun Things To Do & Places To Visit In Alabama

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: November 20, 2020  - Last updated: October 15, 2023

Alabama, known also as The Cotton State and the Heart of Dixie, is a beautiful place with delicious food, delightful natural landscapes, deep historic roots, and of course, football galore!

It’s packed with lots of options for what to see, no matter what you’re interested in, so there is a lot to add to your vacation ideas.

How can you decide what tourist hotspots you’ll want to check out when you arrive?

To help you out, here is our travel guide for 42 things to do and places to visit in Alabama that you should add to your bucket list.

Table of Contents

1. U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Michael Gordon / Shutterstock

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a unique museum that should be among any space-lovers’ list of where to visit in the state of Alabama.

Located in Huntsville , this museum showcases the history of the space program of the United States through information and artifacts.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is both a Marshall Space Flight Center for NASA and a Smithsonian Affiliate, and it’s also considered one of the largest space museums on the planet.

More than 1,500 different artifacts are on display and it boasts one of the biggest collections of its kind.

Among the most exhibits at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center are memorabilia and items from Army rocketry and aircraft, the Apollo program, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle program.

It can tell you all about the Space Race and the evolution of space exploration.

Some of the best things you need to check out are the genuine Apollo 16 capsule, a Skylab solar array, capsule trainers, and space travel simulators.

A number of traveling exhibits occasionally stop by here, and two camp programs are held at the museum.

There are also movies shown every day at the National Geographic Theater and the IMAX Theater, and you can tour the grounds with a bus tour.

All in all, this is one of the most fun things to do in Alabama.

Address: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States

2. Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum

Tim Daugherty / Shutterstock

The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum is one of the key architectural points of interest in Alabama.

It’s one of the most beautiful buildings that the great Frank Llyod Wright created in America and the only one by him at all in the state.

In 1940, the Rosenbaum house was created for one family: Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum.

Until 1999. Mildred would continue to live here, and then the house was entirely donated to the city of Florence.

It stands now as a prime example of the Usonian style of Wright, an aesthetic that only arose following the Great Depression.

“Usonian” is a bit of an acronym, basically meaning “United States of North American”, and the buildings in this style were designed to be affordable, functional, and well-blended with the world around them.

This meant natural materials with lots of horizontal lines, glass windows, and cantilevered roofs.

Wright had this down to a T, with a large open living space, cozy appearance, and even an added extension that fit perfectly when the Rosenbaum family grew to include four sons.

In 1948, more sleeping room was added as well as a Japanese garden, and Wright was extremely happy with this – it was a sign of practicality that the building could be so easily changed and extended.

While not the most fun design of Wright’s homes, a trip here will give you a new appreciation for the architect’s genius.

It definitely should be on your list of places to go!

Address: 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, United States

3. Gulf Shores

Jim Vallee / Shutterstock

Gulf Shores is a beautiful destination to head to this weekend as one of the best beach locations in Alabama.

It’s packed with different options for what to do, no matter what kind of trip you’re seeking.

32 miles of white-sand beaches cover the area.

Local attractions cover things like museums, shopping, art, and golf.

Naturally, there are also plenty of water activities to enjoy, like parasailing, boating, kayaking, jet-skiing, fishing, paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and cruises.

You can also simply lounge on the beach and relax, or work on a tan!

4. Huntsville Botanical Garden

Steven L. Gordon / Shutterstock

Termed as one of the most popular vacation spots , the Huntsville Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Alabama and also one of its top attractions, welcoming about 308,000 visitors on an annual basis.

It’s open all throughout the year, no matter the season, so it’s a great, reliable option.

One of the most loved spots within the Huntsville Botanical Garden is the Nature Center and Children’s Garden, which is the home of the biggest seasonal butterfly house in America.

It’s also specially designed just for kids, with themed spaces like a space garden, dinosaur garden, and storybook garden.

There are also many other gardens for people of all ages, such as the biblical garden, fern glade, daylily garden, and herb garden, and there’s also a cool nature trail to check out.

Seasonal events are often held during the year, such as the Scarecrow Trail, Huntsville Blooms, Galaxy of Lights, and Beaks and Barks.

Check the Huntsville Botanical Garden calendar to see if you’ll be in town at the right time to catch something exciting!

Address: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States

Kevin Ruck / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for places to vacation by the sea, or just want a place with a lot of historical activities, you’ll do well with Mobile , a port city with a rich past.

It sits on Alabama Gulf Coast, providing visitors with southern hospitality, fun attractions, and lots of historic districts to take a look at.

In Mobile, you’ll have your fill of art museums, performance art, and coastal wonder.

Check out the 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, wander the beaches for some relaxation, or check out the carnival.

There’s enough to do to keep you busy this weekend!

6. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

Allard One / Shutterstock

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is where you’ll find the USS Alabama, a ship that began construction on the 1st of February in 1940.

It was completed two years later and showed off in an elaborate ceremony.

Captain George B. Wilson became its commander that year on the 16th of August, and about a year later, it would have its first military engagement.

In 1962, the ship was ordered to be scrapped, and it remained unused for the most part until the Battleship Memorial Park was set up in 1977.

Today, the battleship holds status as a national historic landmark and stands alongside many other historic vessels, including fellow national historic landmark USS Drum, which is a submarine.

Both of the aforementioned ships are vessels from World War II.

The Battleship Memorial Park also has some other interesting features, like a patrol boat used during the Vietnam War, military equipment, fighter and bomber planes, and Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials.

It’s no surprise that this location is one of the most rewarding spots for history buffs, and it’s certainly among the state’s top 10 attractions!

Address: 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36603, United States

7. McWane Science Center

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock

The McWane Science Center is a fun and exciting spot that is one of the main places to see in the state for families with children.

It opened its doors in 1998 and has been thrilling children with informational but entertaining science ever since.

Measuring over 9,000 square feet in total, it is packed with interactive exhibits, a Challenger Learning Center, and an IMAX Dome theater.

Over 500,000 different artifacts are on display here, covering a wide range of different scientific topics.

This includes precious minerals, Native American artifacts, and fossils, like an 80-foot whale fossil that is the official state fossil.

Permanent exhibits are diverse, with favorites like the World of Water Aquarium, Explore! Collections Center, the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, Alabama Dinosaurs, Itty Bitty Magic City, Sea Monsters, the Fox 6 Weather Lab, Science on a Sphere, NatureScope, and High Cycle.

Each one is full of interactive activities that make for a fantastic learning experience.

Address: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

8. Cheaha State Park

Steve Bower / Shutterstock

The Cheaha State Park is the oldest state park in Alabama, opened in 1933 and boasting about 2,800 acres of land in Northern Clay and Cleburne.

It’s one of the best places to spend time in for all the park activities you can think of: sightseeing, hiking, camping, water sports – you name it!

At the Cheaha State Park, you can head to the camp sites, outfitted with modern amenities, or go to the Cheaha Lodge that boasts a swimming pool and 30 hotel rooms.

If you’re not looking to stay long, head to bodies of water for fishing, swimming, or boat launches.

You can also just go hiking to all the different scenic spots with gorgeous views, following loved paths like the Chinnabee Silent Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, and the Odum Scout Trail.

Aside from the usual park amenities, the Cheaha State Park also has a restaurant and general store.

In other words, this is one of the most well-outfitted Alabama attractions for visitors who want a lot of options!

Address: 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, United States

9. Bellingrath Gardens and Home

travelview / Shutterstock

The Bellingrath Gardens and Home are truly historic and worth the trip for sightseeing purposes alone.

The grounds cover 900 beautiful acres with the Gardens being the main attraction in this large space in Theodore.

With numerous fun features that make this one of the state’s most delightful tourist attractions, the Bellingrath Gardens and Home provides plenty to do and enjoy.

The great lawn, bridal garden, and conservatory are among top picks on this garden property.

You can also enter the home, which measures 10,500 square feet and dates back to 1935.

It was built by Mobile native and architect George B. Rogers with handmade brick.

Ironwork comes from the Southern Hotel and the entire building gives off a vibe that can only be likened to the Gulf Coast.

It’s also an interesting way of looking at the architectural history of the general area.

The Bellingrath Gardens and Home have 65 acres dedicated to non-stop color through flowers, no matter what time of year it is.

Azaleas brighten the spring.

Tropical plants, roses, and hydrangeas bloom in the summer.

Chrysanthemums take over in the fall.

And, finally, camellias – 400 kinds of them! – cover the grounds in winter.

Take a self-guided tour through the stunning land and feast your eyes on the flora!

Address: 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, AL 36582, United States

10. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Brett Welcher / Shutterstock

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute should be on the bucket list of any American history buff.

Civil rights activists were highly active in Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s, and as such, it makes sense that Birmingham in the state is the site of one of the best places to learn about this powerful movement.

In 1992, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened its doors for the first time, welcoming 25,000 guests in its first week alone.

It tells the story of the development of civil rights, the actions of those who fought for it, and the struggle that still continues to this day for equal treatment.

The things to see within the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute are explorable independently through self-guided walks.

As you pass through the exhibits, you’ll follow the journey of the movement and end on a positive note, as the institute hopes to light a spark of hope for the future through its message.

Address: 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

11. Florence

Ace Eaton / Shutterstock

Florence is one of the most famous Alabama vacation spots, home to a wide range of scenic, educational, and fun attractions.

Located in Alabama’s northwestern side, it is full of outdoor activities, historical locations, and kid-friendly spots for the whole family.

Only 40,000 people live in Florence, and as a small town, it’s a pretty famous tourist location.

It hosts quaint and delightful events, like the W C Handy Music Festival, and provides vibrancy and life to an already bright state.

12. Dauphin Island

George Dodd III / Shutterstock

Dauphin Island is set within the Gulf of Mexico’s lush waters.

It is a barrier island, across Alabama Port, and accessible through a bridge spanning three miles from the mainland.

As a getaway, it is nothing short of serene – trails for walking are teeming with greenery, beaches glisten with white sand and blue surf, and rare birds fly about, waiting for bird-watchers to spot them.

If you’re keen to explore Dauphin Island, then renting a bike is a must do.

With a bike, you’ll be able to more easily visit the many unique spots on the island, including historic parks, lovely parks, and tropical delights.

It’s known as the Sunset Capital of Alabama for its gorgeous vistas of the horizon, too.

No wonder it’s one of the best things to do in Alabama and one of the most beautiful places to go in the US !

13. Rosa Parks Library and Museum

Mccallk69 / Shutterstock

You’re likely familiar with the inspiring but harrowing story of Rosa Parks, an African-American woman who, in 1955, refused to give her seat to a white man on the bus.

Her brave action sparked the beginning of an uptick in civil rights activism and led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In the Rosa Parks Library and Museum , her legacy is honored today.

You’ll find the Rosa Parks Library and Museum in Montgomery , where its doors are open five days a week.

The museum has an online virtual tour but is certainly worth an in-person trip.

Housed in the former Empire Theatre building, it is split into six different areas that each tell a unique part of Rosa Parks’ story.

Popular exhibits here include a replica of the bus where the inciting incident occurred, a station wagon restored from 1955, and some original documents relating to this historic event.

Other features include an auditorium, “time machine”, conference room, classrooms, and archives.

A children’s wing is available onsite to allow children to learn about Rosa Parks in age-friendly and educational ways.

History buffs should definitely have this museum on their list of what to do in Alabama.

Address: 251 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States

14. Alligator Alley

Fsendek / Shutterstock

No trip to Alabama is complete without a stop at Alligator Alley .

Located in Summerdale, this alligator farm is a haven for lovers of the reptile and for anyone who is interested in learning more about them.

It’s one of the state’s cool things to do, packed with fun, excitement, and plenty of activities.

Alligator Alley was set up in 2004 in Alabama as a farm with a natural environment for these many-toothed reptiles.

The alligators here have come from all sorts of bad situations, rescued from dangerous environments, and brought here to live a healthier life in a better home.

There are also some other animals that have been taken in, either – you can find bullfrogs, owls, ospreys, and turkeys in different areas of the grounds.

A guided adventure takes you through Alligator Alley, beginning at the impressive viewing platform elevated above the ground.

Through it, you can see more than a whopping 450 alligators of all different ages engaging in their daily lives: sunbathing, nesting, courting, and relaxing!

Once the tour is done, you’ll get to head to the gator station, where you’ll be able to hold an adorable baby alligator.

Don’t forget to stick around for the feedings, which happen three times daily; you might even get to participate!

Address: 19950 Co Rd 71, Summerdale, AL 36580, United States

15. Fort Gaines

Joseph Creamer / Shutterstock

Fort Gaines is an excellent option among Alabama destinations for a sightseeing stop.

Located on Dauphin Island, it provides all-around views of the beautiful sand and surf, and its wealth of history makes it one of the best places to stop by when you’re on the Gulf Coast this weekend.

The Fort has been around for over 150 years and has been kept surprisingly well-preserved, remaining on the “entrance” to the stunning Mobile Bay.

It boasts its original canons and kitchen to this very day, as well as a blacksmith’s shop.

There is also a museum and gift shop on the premises, and guided tours are conducted by staff in period costumes who take you through the many interesting tunnels.

You’ll get to watch the art of smithing and even see a cannon fire!

Fort Gaines is considered one of America’s most endangered historic locations, which makes it a rare find in Alabama but also one of the most melancholy.

It was once a key factor in the Battle of Mobile Bay and is the site of the famous “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” order from Admiral Farragut.

If you do plan to go to this location, be aware of the erosion on the shoreline.

Address: 51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States

16. Birmingham Zoo

Deborah Ferrin / Shutterstock

The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological part that covers 122 acres of its titular town.

More than 470,000 visitors head here on a yearly basis, and there are lots of activities held throughout the year that make it worth a trip while you’re in Alabama.

It opened in 1955 with only a handful of animals in a firehouse and has since grown to accommodate over 800 individual animals from 200 different species.

Some of the most fun attractions around the Birmingham Zoo are the Kangaroo Kountry, Predator Building, Flamingo Lagoon, Primate Building, and Alligator Swamp.

If you’re looking for more stuff to do, keep an eye out for camel rides, available seasonally, and the Sea Lions Splash Show.

There is also the delightful Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary, which charges a small fee to let you interact with and feed birds!

Address: 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, United States

17. Ave Maria Grotto

Larry Porges / Shutterstock

The Ave Maria Grotto in Benedictine Abbey is an impressive work of art that makes it one of the best places to visit of religious and general artistic significance.

It comprises more than 125 different little miniature reproductions of buildings, shrines, and churches across the planet.

The Ave Maria Grotto was built by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Brother of the Order who resided in St. Bernard Abbey.

He was born in Bavaria but arrived here in 1892.

In his time here, he began work on the Grotto, which was actually just a project he did as a hobby.

He used recycled materials and the Grotto soon grew into a famous feature of the Abbey.

For three acres, the grotto will transport you away from Alabama and onto the streets of many beautiful locations in different parts of the world.

It is even commonly called “Jerusalem in Miniature”, and it’s an apt name for such a masterpiece.

Address: 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055, United States

18. Birmingham Museum of Art

The Birmingham Museum of Art is one of the must do Alabama attractions for art aficionados.

It is considered among the finest art collections in Alabama, and perhaps even in the Southeast of the country.

It opened its doors in 1951, has the support of an education program, and is home to more than 25,000 exhibits.

Multiple cultures are well-represented at the Birmingham Museum of Art through decorative works, paintings, and sculptures.

You’ll find work from Africa, Asia, America, and Europe, and from Native American and Pre-Columbian cultures.

The museum also has amazing Renaissance, Wedgwood, and Baroque art collections, and the Vietnamese ceramics collection is to die for!

Noted artists with works here are Carrie Hill, a landscape artist, and Hannah Elliot, a miniaturist.

Address: 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

19. Cathedral Caverns State Park

Diegoandrade , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral Caverns State Park can be found in Marshall County, just southeast of Alabama’s Woodville.

The state park is named after a stunning cavern within it that is known as one of the best tourist attractions in the area.

The magnificent Cathedral Caverns were once simply known as the Bat Cave, but it completely naturally looks like a cathedral, earning in its current title.

The Cathedral Caverns are always 60 degrees in temperature, and they greet you with a giant entrance measuring 25 feet in height and 126 feet in width.

11,000 feet have been traversed, but 2,700 feet more of the Caverns are still closed as they have not yet been surveyed.

Gem mining, cave tours, camping, and picnics can all be done here.

The most stunning of the Cathedral Caverns’ sights is Goliath, which might be the largest natural column in the world.

The stalagmite has a 3-inch diameter, a 243-foot circumference, and a height of 45 feet.

It reaches the ceiling, 25 feet above, at an angle that makes room for it.

It’s the centerpiece of the state park and a masterwork of nature!

Address: 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776, United States

20. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is situated on 740 acres of ground in Birmingham.

It is the home of the world’s most comprehensive and fine collections of vintage automobiles and motorcycles.

It was created by George Barber, who has a private collection of vintage motorcycles thanks to his interest in them.

He used his collection to open the museum in 1988.

Barber was more than just a collector, though.

He had 63 first-place wins from racing Porches and was advised by his friend, Dave Hooper, to focus on motorcycles due to the common collections of cars already existing.

Barber listened and began gathering what is now the biggest collection of motorcycles in the world.

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum now has more than 1,450 motorcycles that span over a century of production from 20 different countries.

Famous bikes onsite include everything from common brands like Honda and Harley-Davidson to rarer ones like Cagiva and DSK.

Aside from motorcycles, the museum is also home to a fun collection of Lotus racecars – the biggest of its kind worldwide!

There’s no denying that the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is one of the state’s things to see that shouldn’t be missed for motorcycle enthusiasts!

Address: 6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL 35094, United States

21. F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

Heather Cowper / flickr

The F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is situated in Montgomery, and as the sole museum exclusive to its subject, is one of the top points of interest for renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald in the world.

The Fitzgeralds came to live in the house in 1931, at the same time that the writer was working on screenwriting Red-Headed Woman and authoring the novel Tender Is The Night.

Only a year later, a mental breakdown would see his wife, Zelda, admitted to a clinic in Baltimore.

That April, Fitzgerald would vacate the home with his child.

The house was set up to be knocked down in 1986, but two people rallied to save it: Julian and Leslie McPhillips.

They also set up the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Association and the house was officially opened as a museum the following year.

It is now the last house ever lived in by either Fitzgerald or his wife that remains standing now in Montgomery.

The house itself is interesting to explore.

Its foyer leads to a number of different directions, with the museum being situated on the first floor and apartments located above.

The apartments are now actually used as the Zelda and Scott Suites, which are an AirBnB location.

If you book a room for the night, museum entry is complimentary, so it could be among the free things to do if you decide to stay here!

A tour of the museum starts with a video that dates back to the 1980s.

It is 30 minutes long and tells the tale of the Fitzgeralds and their home.

The rest of the museum is backed with personal items, photos, letters, and books relating to the author and his family.

Address: 919 Felder Ave # 919, Montgomery, AL 36106, United States

22. Unclaimed Baggage Center

Unclaimed Baggage Center

The Unclaimed Baggage Center is one of the best cool places that you can check out in Alabama.

It is in Scottsboro and is one of the many places that unclaimed baggage may end up in order to find new homes somewhere.

Many airlines provide reimbursements to customers whose luggage or cargo is lost, and then the eventually located luggage may then be sold.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center, which opened in 1970, is one of the businesses that purchase such lost items.

They first opened as a part-time business in 1970 before a full expansion in 1995 that led to it reaching the size of a city block!

Over 7,000 new items are brought in daily, so the selection is wide-ranging and interesting.

At the Unclaimed Baggage Center, you’ll find a large amount of clothing predominantly, but there are many other items as well.

Electronics, books, jewelry, sporting goods, cameras, and actual luggage are also common finds.

There are also rarer and more unique items occasionally; some that have been reported over the years are a parachute, a suit of armor, a fighter jet system, gemstones, and a whole live rattlesnake!

The rarest items can be viewed in the museum on site.

This includes artifacts from Egypt, Hoggle from Labyrinth by Jim Hensen, and even a 1700s violin.

There’s a reason over a million people come to check this place out annually – it’s just cool!

Address: 509 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL 35768, United States

23. Little River Canyon

Julie rubacha / Shutterstock

The Little River Canyon is a national reserve that can be found close to Fort Payne, on Alabama’s Lookout Mountain.

It is the site of America’s longest mountaintop river, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful places to go in the state.

The canyon is often considered the deepest of its kind east of the Mississippi River and was originally called May’s Gulf.

There are a number of fun ways to keep yourself occupied if you visit Little River Canyon.

Backcountry camping is possible in Hartline’s Ford, Billy’s Ford, and Slant Rock.

Fishing and hunting can be performed with a license, too.

If you prefer, you can also just drive along the edge of the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway to get a 23-mile gorgeous view around the rim of the canyon.

Address: 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, United States

24. Fairhope

N.A. Qurashi / Shutterstock

Fairhope is a lovely, picturesque location that has a small-town vibe, which makes it one of many more laid-back vacation ideas in Alabama.

Perfect for exploring the shores and cliffs of Mobile Bay this weekend through the delightful, whimsical locations it has to offer.

Among Fairhope’s most famed places to visit is Fairhope Avenue, which has plenty of unique and interesting shops, eateries, and galleries, as well as storybook-like lights at night.

There is also the Fairhope Pier, the rose garden, tours through horseback and boat, and more.

25. Mobile Carnival Museum

EQRoy / Shutterstock

The Mobile Carnival Museum is the best way to get a glimpse into Mardi Gras history in Alabama.

This is because Mobile was the location of the very first Mardi Gras (or Carnival) in the New World of French Louisiana in 1703.

The Mobile Carnival Museum tells its tales through photographs, costumes, floats, gowns, jewels, and posters, all dating as far back as 1886 and as current as the modern day.

As one of the most fun things to do in Alabama, it showcases all the unique and fascinating parts of Mardi Gras and Carnival evolution over the decades.

Address: 355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States

26. Bryant Denny Stadium

Rob Hainer / Shutterstock

The Bryant Denny Stadium rests on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

It’s one of the key places of interest for sports fans and was set up in 1929.

At first, it only has 18,000 or so seats, but it has since grown to be capable of accommodating more than 100,000 people!

Over the years, the Bryant Denny Stadium has become one of the country’s main venues for college football.

If you love sports as entertainment, you’ll likely be able to watch a game if you catch tickets on time.

If not, book a tour of the stadium in advance in order to go on one of the daily tours, which caps at 25 people.

If you’re a die-hard sports fan, you’ll also probably want to catch the Iron Bowl, which takes place here in even-numbered years!

It’s a fun mashup between the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, which are the state’s two biggest rivals in the sport of college football.

Address: 920 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, United States

27. Dismals Canyon

JMcQ / Shutterstock

The Dismals Canyon comes alive when night falls.

Dismalites!

Dismalites are a kind of gnat larvae, commonly called “glowworms”, which doesn’t sound very appealing, but they’re a must see if you’re in Alabama thanks to their rarity alone.

Dismalites, officially called the North American Orfelia fultoni, can only survive in specific habitats when they are still larvae, so they can only be found in very few locations.

They need hanging surfaces to build webs on, humidity to keep them moist, darkness so its lights can show, and still air in order to keep web lines steady.

Alongside Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, Dismals Canyon is one of the places to see that has this habitat!

The canyons, covered in moss, are often so full of them that it’s tough to differentiate between them and the sky above!

The Dismals Canyon is also home to one of the world’s biggest Canadian Hemlock trees, known also as Tsuga canadensis.

It towers at 138 feet in height and nearly 9 inches around.

Its crown spreads across 50 feet and it has an impressive age of 360 years.

Address: 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, United States

28. Moundville Archaeological Park

Donn-beckh / Shutterstock

Travel back in time to a pre-Columbian world at the Moundville Archaeological Park near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

For more than a millennium, these earthworks have gazed over the Black Warrior River on a bluff, boasting 29 mounts built by the Mississippians, a Native American society.

The civilization of Mississippians was made up of chiefdoms that lived in a long rush of land from the coast of the Atlantic to the western Plains.

Chiefdoms were autonomous but connected by conflicts, trades, or other arrangements.

The culture also discovered techniques for sustainable agriculture, unlike many hunter-gatherer societies, which is why permanent settlements were possible for them.

Ruling religious and political figures were the head of their complex civilizations, and these elites were responsible for the supervision of the construction of the mounds you see now.

These mounds were the basis for houses, temples, and buildings of council and required heavy labor.

The ones at the Moundville Archaeological Park were built between 1000 and 1450 CE and had more than one thousand residents.

The larger the mound, the more elite the individual residing within it.

The largest one at the Moundville Archaeological Park measures 60 feet in height.

This place was abandoned around 1500 CE and it wasn’t excavated properly until the 20th century as part of New Deal job creation.

It spans 185 acres and is one of the best Alabama attractions you can find, as well as one of the most unique.

Address: 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474, United States

29. Talladega Superspeedway

Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for fun tourist attractions, the Talladega Superspeedway is an amazing way to get your taste of races and entertainment in Alabama.

Measuring 2.66 miles, it is the fastest and longest of NASCAR’s tracks.

It originally opened as the Alabama International Motor Speedway in 1969 and it earned a reputation for being cursed due to its location atop burial grounds of ancient communities.

The Talladega Superspeedway is unique because it offers a fascinating way to spend weekends when races are scheduled: with the option for free camping on the grounds.

You can avail of infield RV tent camping, RV camping, and outdoor camping as well.

There is also the new addition of the Party Patio, which lets you take a look at the whole track as you rest and await races.

Address: 3366 Speedway Blvd, Lincoln, AL 35096, United States

30. Tinglewood Carvings

Angie Flowers / flickr

The Tinglewood Carvings can be found in Orr Park of Montevallo, Alabama.

The park itself is lovely, with eight sports fields, two playgrounds, a walking trail, a creek, and several picnic shelters.

But the best things to see at Orr Park aren’t these facilities, but the carvings made in many of its trees.

When a storm swept the area in 1993, many of the older trees wound up being destroyed.

They were originally meant to be simply chopped down, but one Mr. Tingle decided not to allow that!

He arrived and began carving into them, a mix of whimsical and comedic that add to Orr Park’s beauty.

Living trees are left untouched, but dead ones are game for whatever carvings he wants to add!

Alligators, squirrels, men, silly faces, and a dragon are among the different designs of the Tinglewood Carvings.

They’ve become so famous that the Montevallo City Hall has a book that details all of them!

Address: Park Dr, Montevallo, AL 35115, United States

31. Alabama Wildlife Center

Ralph Daily / flickr

The Alabama Wildlife Center is the biggest facility for wildlife rehabilitation.

Created in 1977, it’s also the oldest, beginning as a small volunteer organization.

For the most part, the wildlife center focuses on being a rehabilitation clinic for native wild birds, providing a wildlife helpline, and offering fun educational programs.

More than 50,000 wild animals have been helped by the wildlife center, the facility continues to provide medical and rehabilitative aid to the animals that they can help.

More than 100 species of wild birds are cared for here annually – over 2,000 individual animals!

Address: 100 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, United States

32. Alabama Theater

In 1927, the Alabama Theater was opened in Birmingham to be a premier movie theater for America’s southeast.

It was among the very first buildings to boast air-conditioning and, in the 1930s, was home to the activities of the Mickey Mouse Club.

In the beginning, the theater could only play silent films with the aid of a Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

It is this organ that eventually saved the theater from its eventual slating for demolition.

Now, the Alabama Theater is a nonprofit that still offers frequent entertainment.

Seating 2,500 people, it has come a long way since it was a mere vessel for vaudeville and performance arts.

As the only district theater in the state still operating, it’s certainly one of the best things to do in Alabama.

Address: 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

33. Town of Spectre

Jason Biro / flickr

The Town of Spectre is a fictional town that you may recognize from Big Fish, a film from 2003.

In the movie, the main character visits Spectre multiple times, going as a child to find it beautiful and bright, and arriving later to find it dilapidated.

The lead then works to fix it and, the final time he visits it, it’s all fixed up and good as new.

It’s whimsical and melancholy – even more so when you consider the current state of the set of Spectre.

Spectre was built along the Alabama River, on a private island.

Its facades were left to stand there when filming was over, along with all the other dressings of the set.

The reason it looks so run-down is because that version of Spectre was the last to be filmed, so it already looked intentionally bad when filming wrapped.

Some of the buildings have begun to collapse over time, and one of them led to a fire when debris collapsed and the owners attempted to save it.

Sparks burned and most of the commercial part of Spectre was destroyed.

A river house was also demolished due to flooding that damaged it.

Spectre is still a fun option for what to do, but much smaller now.

Only six homes, two trees, a church, and columns from an important building remain.

If you loved the film, you can leave your shoes at the long line already existing here, left behind by visitors.

Address: Dirt road near, Cypress Ln, Millbrook, AL 36054, United States

34. Civil Rights Memorial

Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock

The Civil Rights Memorial of Alabama is located across the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Despite being harrowing in nature, it is one of the best places to visit to feel the symbolic gravity of the movement for civil rights.

It bears the names of 40 individuals who died between the years 1954 and 1968 in their fight for equality.

The years were chosen because the former is when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against racial segregation in schools and the latter is when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

The memorial is always watched by a guard in order to prevent vandalism.

It was designed by Vietnam Veterans Memorial designer Maya Lin and was dedicated in the year 1989.

The design of the memorial is water-themed and is meant to appear healing and relaxing.

It is a nod to King’s own words from his famous speech: “…we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”.

Address: 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States

35. Orange Beach

Sara Louise Singer / Shutterstock

Orange Beach is one of the famous places in Alabama because it’s one of the few beach getaways that offers sand and surf fun.

It rests along the Gulf of Mexico’s coastline and spans 32 miles.

Orange Beach has golf courses, fishing events, nature preserves, and plenty of white sand to enjoy.

You can rent a boat, bask in the sun, go for a cruise, partake in fishing, or even look for dolphins!

36. GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

Stephanie A Sellers / Shutterstock

The GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best ways to get a true look into the Gulf of Mexico.

As the only maritime museum dedicated to its subject on the planet, it’s paramount of the list of where to go for education about this gulf at the end of Alabama.

Situated on the Mobile River, the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is an interactive location, making it one of the only interactive museums of this theme in the United States.

It is built inside the container ship of the SS McLean as a symbol of the 1950s concept of containerization.

Address: 155 S Water St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States

Auburn is a college town, through and through.

You won’t find another place that is more quintessential to the concept of Alabama colleges.

It’s home to the famous football team, the Auburn Tigers, and the school pride is evident virtually in all the places to visit you’ll encounter.

There are plenty of fun spots throughout Auburn worth visiting.

Whether you’re looking for art, good food, nature, shopping, or sports, you’re sure to find something here that will entice you.

Experience a slice of the world of university life and feel young again – or feel like you’re all grown up!

38. Hank Williams’s Gravesite

More than 25,000 individuals take a trip to Hank Williams’s Gravesite annually, which makes it a surprising addition to the top list of Alabama attractions.

It is located in Montgomery, Alabama in the Oakwood Cemetery Annex.

Williams’ enjoyed a short career in music, but it was nothing if not memorable.

Superfans of Williams have plucked the grass from around his grave so much that it was eventually replaced completely with Astroturf, which makes the grave – and the grave of Williams’ wife, Audrey, stand out significantly.

The artificial bright green contrasts with the natural hues of every place around it.

Address: 1269-1399 Upper Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery, AL, United States

39. Neversink Pit

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / flickr

The Neversink Pit is one of Alabama’s more unique tourist attractions.

It is located in the north of the state and is a bit of a cross between a cave and a sinkhole.

It’s a majestic sight to behold, which is probably why it’s not just a hotspot for climbers, but for photographers as well.

The Neversink Pit is a magnificent geological marvel.

It measures 40 feet in width at its peak entrance and drops by a whopping 162 feet to a floor nearly 80 feet in width.

Many people aim to climb it, and they’re greeted by different vistas each season.

In the spring, ribbons of water fall after the rain.

In the summer, rare species of ferns drape over the sides.

In the winter, ice sheets make things extra chilly. It’s equal parts fun, intimidating, and breathtaking.

The Southeastern Cave Conservancy spent years trying to keep the Neversink Pit pristine before purchasing the property entirely with donations in 1995.

The organization now maintains watch over the pit’s ecology and overseas guest activity.

This is especially important because of the endangered plants growing in the Neversink Pit and the vulnerable “community” of bats that calls this cave home.

Address: Unnamed Road, Fackler, AL 35746, United States

40. Sloss Furnaces

IA Fillm Group / Shutterstock

The Sloss Furnaces is an incredibly national historic landmark and one of the most unique things to do in Birmingham, Alabama .

In 1882, the furnaces began their function as a blast furnace for pig-iron.

In 1971, the Sloss Furnaces site was shut down, and it was then preserved as one of the things to see for the public.

The fascinating structures were named after Colonel James Withers Sloss, one of Birmingham’s founders who promoted the development of railroads.

He built this company on land spanning 50 acres, which was donated for the purposes of industrial growth.

Only two furnaces could be built even on that huge amount of space.

Each furnace is 60 feet in height and 18 feet in width, and they are surrounded by the items, machines, and tools used in the pig-iron production process.

Sloss eventually sold his company when he wanted to retire.

The park then expanded, accommodating new boilers, and they soon grew to be one of the world’s biggest industry players.

Cottages were set up for workers to live in and improvements were made repeatedly throughout the years.

They were shut down after the passing of the US Clean Air Act.

The Alabama State Fair Authority then received them as a donation and preservationists made sure the site was saved instead of demolished.

The Sloss Furnaces now function as an industrial museum, providing a globally renowned metal arts program and teaching visitors an interpretive history of the industry.

It is also often used as a venue for concerts and festivals, and there’s no entry fee, so it’s one of the few free things to do in the state.

Address: 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222, United States

41. Natural Bridge

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock

The Natural Bridge is one of the must see points of interest in Alabama.

It is surrounded by unbelievably lush foliage as well as delightful and awe-inspiring rock formations, but the uniqueness of this bridge, made of iron ore and sandstone, outshines them all.

Over 200 million years ago, this bridge was slowly being formed outside what is now known as the William Bankhead National Forest.

It spans the area of a cave and measures 148 feet in length and 50 feet in height.

Native Americans have lived here for centuries, and it became a national park in 1954.

You cannot walk over the bridge now due to safety, but it’s amazing enough to walk through and take photos.

If you walk a little farther, you’ll find a mysterious Native American head carving believed to depict a former chief.

Address: County RD 314, Natural Bridge, AL 35577, United States

42. Southeastern Raptor Center

Josh Hallett / flickr

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Alabama, you can’t go wrong with the Southeastern Raptor Center .

Founded in the mid-1970s, it was created after Dr. Milton received requests to help injured birds that had been taken to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Auburn University.

Eventually, donations and volunteer work allowed for the creation of the raptor barn, followed by a housing area.

The Southeastern Raptor Center has since helped thousands of birds of prey, treating them and releasing them into the wild as one of the top specialists for this field in Alabama.

As such, the center is an amazing option among places to visit in the state, especially for bird enthusiasts.

Address: 1350 Pratt-Carden Dr, Auburn, AL 36849, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Alabama

Alabama’s places to visit are fun, exciting, and unique.

Whether you’ve got a huge budget or want something free, there are sure to be Alabama vacation spots that fit your idea of the perfect holiday.

Hopefully, this travel guide has helped you determine your own picks for the top things to do in Alabama!

17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Alabama

Written by Lana Law and Lura Seavey Updated Sep 26, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Alabama is home to a range of tourist attractions and things to do for all ages and interests. Brush up on your history at several Alabama cities, where you'll find some of the most important Civil Rights monuments , museums, and historic sites. This includes the Civil Rights Institute and Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Montgomery's Civil Rights Monument and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Selma's Voting Rights Museum.

Alabama is also a culturally rich region. You can see the birthplace and former creative workspace of musician W.C. Handy, admire architecture and design at the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum, and view impressive collections at major art museums in both Montgomery and Birmingham .

Alabama is also full of beautiful natural attractions, especially along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Mobile Bay , where tourists will find state parks, nature reserves, and gorgeous sandy beaches . In addition to history and nature, the curious can explore science at the family-friendly McWane Science Center, or behold some of the world's most advanced technology at Huntsville's U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Find the best places to visit in the state with our list of the top tourist attractions in Alabama.

1. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Civil Rights Historic District

2. uss alabama battleship memorial park, 3. gulf state park, 4. civil rights memorials of montgomery, 5. u.s. space and rocket center, 6. montgomery civil rights landmarks, 7. mcwane science center, 8. mobile bay, 9. frank lloyd wright rosenbaum house museum, 10. w.c. handy home and museum, 11. national voting rights museum and institute, 12. barber vintage motorsports museum, 13. birmingham museum of art, 14. montgomery museum of fine art, 15. university of alabama, 16. cheaha state park, 17. alabama gulf coast zoo.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute provides an in-depth look at the events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in both Birmingham and the United States, as well as continuing issues that African Americans have faced since. The galleries feature permanent and temporary exhibits on a variety of topics from violent conflict to segregation.

The struggle that began here in Birmingham was part of a larger social movement that eventually led to changes, and a defining moment was the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. This bombing, orchestrated by the Klu Klux Klan, killed four girls and was a tragic catalyst for change, adding urgency to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute sits at the corner of Sixteenth Street and Sixth Avenue North, forming the cornerstone of Birmingham's Civil Rights District , which covers a six-block area. Additional landmarks include Kelly Ingram Park , the Fourth Avenue Business District , and Carver Theater .

Address: 520 16th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama

Official site: www.bcri.org

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Birmingham

The star attraction of the Memorial Park in Mobile is the 1942 USS Alabama Battleship docked along the waterfront. This BB-60 battleship is nicknamed "the Mighty A," and was decommissioned after the end of WWII. You can tour many parts of the ship, including the captain's cabin, bridge, mess hall, and turrets.

The park is also home to the USS Drum , a submarine used during the second World War, which can be toured as well.

Also on-site are a variety of aircraft, including a B-52 bomber and an A-12 Black Bird spy plane, as well as military equipment from various conflicts, including tanks and weapons. The park is a memorial to all those who served in WWII, as well as more recent operations.

Address: 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, Alabama

Official site: www.ussalabama.com

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mobile

Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores is popular with both campers and day-trippers, offering a wide variety of facilities and more than two miles of white, sandy beaches.

The Nature Center provides free classes and activities, including guided nature walks, animal encounters, fishing lessons, and other fun and educational programs led by naturalists and rangers. Recreational facilities include volleyball, tennis courts, horseshoes, and a swimming pool with a splash pad, as well as bicycle, kayak, and paddle-board rentals and guided Segway tours.

The park also features 25 miles of paved walking trails, also open to bicyclists, and a championship golf course. Tourists making a day trip to Gulf State Park can enjoy all of these amenities for a very low vehicle entrance fee.

The campground, which has nearly 500 full-hookup sites for RVs, is a favorite family vacation spot thanks to its many amenities and things to do.

If you're not interested in camping, more luxurious options are available at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel . The property has recently been completely reconstructed and occupies a premier beachfront location.

Address: 20115 Alabama 135, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Official site: www.alapark.com/gulf-state-park

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Gulf Shores

The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery features an exquisite black granite sculpture commemorating those killed during the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement. The memorial stands in a square next to the Civil Rights Memorial Center, where tourists will find educational displays and exhibits, including the Wall of Tolerance.

Another Montgomery landmark is the National Memorial for Peace and Justice , a six-acre space dedicated to African Americans who were victims of lynching and other forms of racial injustice. The memorial includes artwork, sculptures, and monuments, which honor various figures in the Civil Rights movement, as well as a field of 800 monuments each representing a county where lynchings took place.

Address: Civil Rights Memorial, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Montgomery

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville is an exciting attraction for all ages, providing exhibits, interactive experiences, presentations, and one of the world's largest collections of spacecraft on display. A Smithsonian affiliate, the center's exhibits provide visitors with information on everything from the history of the space race and NASA's growth since then to the International Space Station and beyond.

Tourists can experience multimedia presentations at the National Geographic Theater or the Spacedome IMAX, and explore a model of the International Space Station. Visitors also have the chance to see Rocket Park, where 27 rockets and missiles are on display, as well as the gigantic launch vehicles that propel the rockets into space.

Perhaps the most popular things to do at the Space Center, however, are taking turns in one of the museum's simulators. There are two launch simulators, one of which allows the astronaut-in-training to experience 4 Gs of force, a few seconds of weightlessness, and then a free-fall. The kids' version of this gives young astronauts a less intense version, then "lands" on the surface of the moon.

The Hyper Ship simulator uses motion and immersive media to provide a variety of rides, and visitors can also get active on the Mars Climbing Wall. There are also interactive areas for younger kids, where they can explore the surface of Mars and crawl through the space station. The center also offers week-long and single-day camps for kids.

Address: One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama

Official site: www.rocketcenter.com

Montgomery is home to several important Civil Rights landmarks, which commemorate places and events that were instrumental in the movement. The most famous of these is the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church , which was the meeting place of early Civil Rights activists and once the parish of a young Martin Luther King, Jr., who lived with his family in the parsonage from 1954-1960. Today, it has been restored to display a great deal of their original belongings, and is open to the public as the Dexter Parsonage Museum .

The Rosa Parks Library and Museum is located near the site of Parks' arrest in downtown Montgomery. It contains exhibits that tell her story and outline the public transportation boycott that resulted from her brave act of defiance. Artifacts on display include her original fingerprints from her arrest records, court documents, photographs, and a 1955 Montgomery City Bus, as well as one of the station wagons used during the boycott to transport protesters.

Another important historic site is the Freedom Rides Museum , located in the former Montgomery Greyhound station, which was the site of the 1961 attack on the Freedom Riders who were continuing the movement that Parks began.

Birmingham's McWane Science Center is home to a variety of exhibits and interactive experiences, which encourage both kids and adults to learn through hands-on activities. This popular family tourist attraction explores topics from the natural sciences to the latest technology and allows visitors to participate in their own experiments.

One of the most popular areas of the museum is its aquarium, which is home to many species of ocean and freshwater life, especially those native to the region. This section also looks at the importance of water and water-related science like erosion.

Other museum exhibits include an exploration of the ways that art and technology intersect, as well as a variety of rotating and traveling exhibits. The museum also has an IMAX theater, which offers screenings of various films each day.

Address: 200 19th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama

Official site: www.mcwane.org

Set along the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay is a scenic area of Alabama's coastline. The area has beaches and historic areas, which attract both locals and tourists year-round.

Dauphin Island , located in the Bay, is a barrier island with a small town, which is also called Dauphin Island. This island has several things to see and do, including the historic Fort Gaines, which was established in the early 1800s and became an important outpost during the Battle of Mobile Bay. The island is also home to a freshwater lake, which is popular with swimmers, as well as an Audubon bird sanctuary .

The town of Fairhope is another tourist destination along Mobile Bay, located along its eastern shore. Fairhope Pier is popular for fishing, and the town has many outdoor recreational activities, including golf, tennis, and bicycling.

Nearby, the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve provides amateur naturalists with the opportunity to explore diverse habitats. Elevated boardwalks and trails can be explored with a guide or independently.

Along the southeastern shores of Mobile Bay lie Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores is a top Alabama resort destination, home to plentiful activities for couples, families, and independent travelers.

Rosenbaum House was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939 for newlyweds Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum. Located in Florence, the house is the only structure in Alabama designed by Wright. It is constructed of cypress, glass, and brick. The Usonian design features a flat, multi-level roof, and board and batten walls.

The house has its original Wright-designed furniture. The Rosenbaums were the only owners and occupants of Rosenbaum house until 1999, when it was purchased by the City of Florence and restored. It is the only house of Wright's in the southeast that is open to the public.

Address: 601 Riverview Drive, Florence, Alabama

Official site: http://wrightinalabama.com/

Located in Florence, the W.C. Handy Home and Museum is housed in the log cabin where this iconic musician was born and lived. Known as the " father of the blues ," Handy lived here when he wrote several of his most famous songs, including Beale Street Blues and Memphis Blues .

Visitors are able to see original sheet music hand-written by the artist, as well as other personal papers and artifacts. Collections on display also include several musical instruments, including his trumpet and piano, which he used while writing these songs.

Official site: https://www.wchandymuseum.org

Address: 620 West College Street, Florence, Alabama

National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, located in Selma, explores the struggle for voting rights for American citizens, namely women and African-Americans. The museum is located at the site of the tragic 1965 "Bloody Sunday" attack on protesters who were marching from Selma to Montgomery.

Exhibits highlighting the lives and accomplishments of important African-American political and social figures are featured throughout the museum, including Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, and President Barack Obama. Additional exhibits focus on specific locations where monumental vote-related Civil Rights events occurred, like Albany, GA; Greenwood, MS; and Selma.

There are also displays that take a closer look at more general issues and events, including women's suffrage, non-violent protest, and extremist organizations like the KKK.

Address: 6 US Highway 80 East, Selma, Alabama

Official site: http://nvrmi.com/

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is home to a collection of more than 1,400 motorcycles, from some of the earliest and rarest models to modern machines. Around half of the collection is on display in the museum, and it is regularly rotated, so true aficionados will want to consider a repeat visit.

The collection, formed by former race car driver George Barber, gained notoriety shortly after the museum's opening in 1995, when several bikes were loaned to the Guggenheim Museum in New York for their exhibit, "Art of the Motorcycle."

A car lover as well, Barber's collection includes rare and coveted vehicles, including several models of Lotus. In addition to the museum itself, the grounds are home to a 930-acre park, which features a proving ground and 2.38-mile race track open to the public. Here, tourists can watch major auto manufacturers test new vehicles or even film a product reveal video.

Address: 6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama

Official site: www.barbermuseum.org

Regarded as the finest art museum in Alabama, The Birmingham Museum of Art features an extensive permanent collection, as well as changing exhibits. Among the permanent collection are examples of ancient and international folk art and fine art, including decorative arts.

The African gallery contains a variety of historic and contemporary work, ranging from traditional figures and ritual headdresses to fine beadwork and batik. The Asian gallery includes some of the museum's oldest artifacts, including bronzes and ancient earthenware.

The largest part of the permanent collection is European art, including fine art by artists like Pissarro and van Rijn and a huge selection of decorative arts, including silverwork, furniture, and porcelain.

The museum also hosts multiple temporary exhibits, which feature various themes, media, or artists and change regularly. The tiered grounds feature the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden and botanical displays.

Address: 2000 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama

Official site: www.artsbma.org

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art is home to a large permanent collection, which focuses on American art. Among its most prized works are examples of etchings, watercolors, drawings, engravings, and woodcuts, which are remarkable for their preservation, a difficult task for paper-based media.

Prominent American artists like John Marin and Winslow Homer are featured, and there is an extensive exhibit dedicated to regional art and folk artists, with examples ranging from crafts to paintings.

Other areas of note include the African art collection, examples of fine porcelain in the decorative arts gallery, and a display of glassworks by leaders in the craft. The museum also hosts educational programs for both adults and children, as well as traveling exhibits from other museums.

Address: One Museum Drive, Montgomery, Alabama

Official site: http://mmfa.org/

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa began in 1827 and by 1831 had seven buildings on campus. Today, the campus is home to an art gallery; 50-acre arboretum; pre-Civil War classroom; two museums; and the Gorgas House, which now serves as a museum.

The Gorgas House , named for a former university president, General Josiah Gorgas, was built in 1829 as the first structure completed on the campus by renowned architect William Nichols. It is also one of only four structures that survived the burning of the university during the Civil War. Today, the house serves as a museum with collections of antiques and Gorgas family memorabilia.

The Alabama Museum of Natural History is located on campus in Smith Hall. Exhibits include displays from the Age of Dinosaurs, the Coal Age, and Ice Age. Visitors can also view the Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human.

The Paul W. Bryant Museum traces the history of the University of Alabama football tradition back to its beginning in 1892. The collections highlight other sports played by university athletes as well.

Official site: www.ua.edu

Most people think of the Gulf of Mexico and beaches when they think of recreational opportunities in Alabama, but the inland areas and their unique ecosystems are well worth a look. Cheaha State park, Alabama's oldest park, is a wonderful place to visit to experience the hill country of Alabama.

Home to the state's highest peak, Cheaha Mountain (2,407 feet), this nearly 2,800-acre area is full of recreational opportunities. Camping, RVing, hiking, biking, and ATVing all top the list of things to do in the park.

Cheaha State Park is also chock-full of waterfalls just waiting to be explored on a steamy summer afternoon. The park is adjacent to the 392,567-acre Talladega National Forest, and several major trails traverse both areas.

The park makes a great weekend getaway from Birmingham or Atlanta. Accommodation for those not interested in camping can be found in historic lodges, A-frame chalets, and cabins.

Official site: https://www.alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park

This small zoo is home to over a hundred species, and is emerging as a respected safe-haven for endangered and threatened species. The residents here represent a surprisingly diverse population of mammals, birds, and reptiles, many of which were once abandoned animals who needed a second chance.

The primate exhibit is a top attraction, featuring more than 50 animals including spider, squirrel, and Capuchin monkeys, as well as Hamadryas baboons and marmosets. There are also several big cats including two Bengal tigers, a black leopard, and an African lion among others. Other mammals include an American black bear, an American alligator, a Eurasian lynx, and camels.

The zoo is also home to a selection of birds, from species like the umbrella cockatoo and Australian kookaburra, to flamboyant peacocks. Reptiles include tortoises, snakes, lizards, and iguanas.

Among the zoo's most popular programs are its Animal Adventure experiences, which give visitors the opportunity to get up close to some of the zoo's most popular residents. Ages three and older are welcome to sign up to meet kangaroos, lemurs, and two-toed sloths. Guests opting for the lemur adventure can even cuddle with the friendly critters – that is, if they aren't using you as a jungle gym!

There is also a petting zoo, where even the youngest visitors can meet and feed the gentlest of the animals, including sheep, deer, and goats.

Official site: http://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Civil Rights in the South: Tourists can also find several historic sites in the neighboring states of Georgia and Mississippi , which each have many landmarks found on the Civil Rights Trail. Among the top tourist attractions in Atlanta, Georgia are the King Center, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birth Home, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Jackson, Mississippi is also home to several major attractions , like the Medgar Evers Home Museum, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and important sites along the Mississippi Freedom Trail.

The Gulf Coast: You may not immediately think of white-sand beaches when you think of Alabama, but the southern coast is home to some of the best resorts in the state. Many of these can be found in the vacation paradise of the Gulf Shores, where families and couples alike can find a wide range of things to see and do, including boat tours in the Gulf of Mexico. Beach lovers can also explore the sandy shores and attractions in Pensacola, Florida, where tourists flock for both day trips and ocean-side vacations.

More on Alabama

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to primary sidebar

Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

17 Best Things To Do In Alabama: The Ultimate AL Bucket List

August 19, 2022 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you on the search for fun things to do in Alabama? We’ve got you covered!

Alabama may be infamous for its dedicated college football fans (it’s the state’s most beloved spectator sport) and the delectable Southern comfort cooking (if it’s not fried, do you really want to eat it?), but don’t let their Southern hospitality keep you in a food coma for too long.

From spots where some of the most pivotal moments of Civil Rights history went down to stunning geological formations, this list includes plenty of cool places in Alabama just waiting for you to explore them.

As the 22nd state to join the union, this state has plenty of surprises as well as history, culture, and nature to explore. You won’t run out of fun things to do in Alabama.

If you think Alabama doesn’t have the type of adventure you’re looking for, let us prove you wrong.

Here are the best places to visit in Alabama!

17 Best Things To Do In Alabama: The Ultimate AL Bucket List

Honor civil rights history in birmingham.

One of the best things to do in Alabama is to take the time to step back in time and go where history actually happened.

In 2017, officials designated the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument to honor the lives of Black women, men, and children who stood up for their Civil Rights in the 1960s.

There is too much history to cover here so we recommend taking the time to learn about it on a walk-through. Stroll through Kelly Ingram Park where history was made, stop by the A.G. Gaston Motel, and honor the lives lost at the 16th Street Baptiste Church (these sites are only a few steps away from each other).

You can also visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. With so much to see, touring the Civil Rights history sites is one of the best things to do in Birmingham .

Visit the Little River Canyon National Preserve

If anywhere you go nature always seems to beckon, then adventuring through the Southern Appalachians is one of the most fun things to do in Alabama.

Established in 1922, Little River Canyon National Preserve offers explorers over 26 miles of hiking trails in Alabama! Enjoy a serene walk through the forest or by the river. For a little added fun download their bird sighting guide to see how many friends of a feather you can spot.

Take the time to visit the state’s deepest canyon, Little River Canyon, and if you’re there at the right time you can also admire Alabama’s highest seasonal waterfall, Graces’ High Falls, which drops 133ft directly into the canyon!

Wondering when you can visit? Great news, the park is open from sunrise to sunset and operational every day including holidays! This is one of the best national parks in Alabama !

Learn at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

Taking the day to explore a little-known slice of WWII history at the USS Alabama Battleship Park is one of the best things to do in Mobile .

Have you ever stepped foot on a decommissioned WWII battleship? Now’s your chance! Walk through a self-guided tour of the ship’s facilities and don’t forget to take a look through the USS Drum submarine too!

If you thought a submarine and a battleship were enough to entice a visit, you should also know the Memorial Park houses an aircraft collection, tanks and artillery, and a lovely picnic area. It might be hard not to spend the whole day there!

Explore Bankhead National Forest

There is plenty to do and lots to admire in the 181,230 acres of mixed woodland that make up this national forest known locally as “the Land of a Thousand Waterfalls.”

With hiking, horseback riding, hunting, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, waterfalls, the Sipsey Wilderness, petroglyphs, prehistoric drawings, and a Native American site thousands of years old, you might have to come back to try and explore as much as you can.

Even better stay the night at one of the campgrounds! Stargazing here is one of the best things to do in Alabama at night.

All but one of these Alabama waterfalls are active year-round and fairly easy to access. First-time visitors should try heading to Kinlock Falls, Caney Creek Falls, Turkey Foot, and Mize Mill Falls (these last two are very close to each other).

Bankhead National Forest is truly one of the most adventurous attractions in Alabama.

Take a Dolphin Cruise at Orange Beach

If you’re tired of going to Gulf Coast beaches to suntan, try taking a dolphin cruise instead! It’s one of the best things to do in Orange Beach .

Before heading to the Wharf to ride the vintage Ferris wheel or stopping at Adventure Island for some retro go-kart action, take the day to go enjoy the sun and all the beauty of the shining sea on a family-friendly dolphin cruise!

There are plenty of boat tours you can enjoy but if you’re looking for a special adventure we recommend trying a Glass Bottom Dolphin Tour! We’d never miss out on the chance to watch dolphins swim beneath the beautiful turquoise waters.

While you’re out trying to spot these friendly creatures why not multi-task and take a snorkeling adventure too? You never know what the sea has in store for you with these Alabama activities!

Enjoy Nature and a Fine Meal at Cheaha State Park

There are plenty of hiking trails to explore around the state, but you can’t miss out on the stunning view atop Cheaha Mountain, which is accessible all year long. Taking the time to reach the mountaintop and enjoy the surrounding Talladega National Forest is one of the best things to do in Alabama.

As the highest point in the state, the mountain’s peak is at an elevation of just a little over 2,400 feet so don’t forget to pack a snack and some water! It’s a long way up!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, we recommend taking a detour to the nearby Vista Cliffside Bistro (open Thursdays through Mondays), which is actually within the park’s bounds so you can keep enjoying the mountain view but with a full stomach this time.

This state park has been open since 1933 and has been welcoming visitors ever since. Don’t miss out on one of the prettiest places to go in Alabama!

Celebrate a Legacy at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum

Step into the shoes of one of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement. Honoring Rosa Parks’ bravery is one of the best things to do in Montgomery .

As part of the United States Civil Rights Trail, the Rosa Parks Museum is a must-see for anyone stopping in the city. Visitors can see the very spot where she refused to give up her seat and instead got arrested for standing up for her rights.

Along with other artifacts, the museum offers patrons the chance to experience “The Cleveland Avenue Time Machine,” a permanent exhibit featuring a restored bus made to look like the ones in 1955 when the Montgomery Bus Boycott would have happened.

Stop by the museum, take a seat, and learn about one of the women who changed this country’s history forever.

Make sure to check out our list of the best cities and small towns in Alabama for inspiration on where to visit next!

Wonder at the McWane Science Center

Do you love dinosaurs? Who doesn’t?! If you do, then you definitely need to visit the McWane Science Center! It’s one of the best things to do in Birmingham!

If you thought dinosaurs didn’t make it all the way to Alabama, you were dead wrong (no extinction pun intended)! There’s a whole exhibit about these extinct creatures found all around the state.

The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday. With three different floors to explore you’re sure to spend a good afternoon full of learning! From their Weather Lab to their Shark and Ray Touch Tank, everyone is sure to have all their senses engaged.

And don’t worry– touching is encouraged! Let your kid’s (and your own) curiosity go wild. There is no need to worry about ruining the valuable art at this museum. This is one of the cool things to do in Alabama.

Take a Walk Around the University of Alabama

The University of Alabama campus ranks among one of the most beautiful in the country so why not stop by and check out one of the best things to do in Tuscaloosa ?

The charms of the south are undeniable at the University of Alabama’s campus. If you’re visiting in the spring you’ll be greeted by white tulips while the Alabama fall will paint the campus in deep oranges and yellows.

While you’re there why not stop at some of the museums on campus? At the Alabama Museum of Natural History, visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of the state.

The University offers visitors the chance to walk around campus and see what a student’s life looks like. You can find a campus map available on their website.

Marvel at the Weirdness of Bamahenge

If what you’re looking for is a weird roadside attraction, Alabama has that too. There really is no shortage of what to do in Alabama. The exhibit was built by Virginia artist, Mark Cline, at the request of Alabama billionaire, George Barber.

Although this version wasn’t built by Druids, and it’s made out of fiberglass instead of stone, the sight is no less impressive to behold. It is also a few thousand years younger than its inspiration.

He also commissioned the artist to build a brontosaurus, a T. rex, a stegosaurus, and a triceratops near Bamahenge so when you’re done admiring the work of non-druids you can go on a little car hunt to find the four giant fiberglass creatures!

Since there is no admission to see the dinos and wacky fiberglass recreation this is one of the best free things to do in Alabama! Just make sure to follow your GPS to Barber Marina and when you see the sign head in and stop when you see the giant stones!

Camp at Monte Sano State Park

You won’t run out of gorgeous scenery and sublime nature to enjoy while visiting Alabama. In addition to the other parks we’ve mentioned, we’d recommend staying the night at Monte Sano State Park! It’s one of the best things to do in Huntsville .

The park has 21 primitive camping (aka just a tent) campgrounds, 59 water and electric sites, and 15 full-hook-up sites so no matter what kind of camping you’re looking to do, you can do it here.

If you’re staying the night you won’t have to rush through exploring Monte Sano’s 340 acres, 14 rustic cottages, hiking areas, planetarium, and an outdoor amphitheater.

For an entrance fee, you can feel like you’ve visited Japan when you step into the park’s hidden Japanese Garden!

Tour the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and Dexter Parsonage Museum

As another stop on the US Civil Rights Trail, you really shouldn’t miss out on taking on more chances to see some of this country’s past. Seeing the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and the Dexter Parsonage Museum are some of the best things to do in Montgomery.

The church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974 because of its importance in the Civil Rights Movement. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. has his pastorage during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

The Dexter Parsonage Museum, now holding a permanent exhibit so visitors can see where Dr. King and his family lived between 1954-1960, is just a few blocks away.

The home has been renovated after it was bombed on January 30 in 1956 while his family was still inside. Luckily no one was harmed in the attack, and visitors can experience its original charm.

Check Out the Moundville Archaeological Park

People have lived in Alabama for much longer than you might think! Learning about the prehistoric Mississippian people who lived in the ancient site of the Moundville Archaeological Park is one of the best things to do in Alabama.

The site is a little bit of a mystery! Scholars don’t know how to explain the rise and fall of this small town or how the population interacted with Native American tribes.

The park is made up of 326 acres and 29 flat top mounds where the ancient Mississippian people would hold civic and ceremonial occasions.

Make sure to visit the museum after exploring the ancient monuments that have stood there for over 800 years. This is one of the best things to do in Alabama for adults interested in history.

Visit the Mobile Carnival Museum

For a quirky and unexpected experience, make sure to stop by the quaint Mobile Carnival Museum. It’s one of the best things to do in Mobile!

You may assume Mardi Gras is only celebrated in New Orleans, but Alabama also has a rich history of celebrating this ostentatious holiday, and they have the museum to prove it.

The beautiful southern mansion displays the opulent jewelry, costumes, and even parts of floats that have been part of the Mobile Mardi Gras celebrations of the past.

Don’t let them hear you say that New Orleans was the birthplace of Mardi Gras or you might get a history lecture you didn’t expect!

Enjoy a Beach Day at the Gulf Shores

Alabama does not have a long coastline, but there is still a great beach opportunity at Gulf Shores, Alabama. This is one of the best beach towns in the South and holds so much fun for the family!

One of the best things to do in Gulf Shores is a relaxing trip to the Gulf Shores Public Beach. You will be mesmerized by the white sand and pretty, blue water. This is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and playing beach volleyball. You’ll find this is one of the best beaches in Alabama .

For more beach and nature fun, visit Gulf State Park. This is one of the best Alabama state parks for a family beach vacation. There are two miles of sandy beaches. Spend time swimming, parasailing, kayaking, and surfing. Hiking and camping are popular activities here too.

Learn at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is one of the best Alabama attractions for anyone interested in NASA and space exploration.

A visit to this amazing place will make you feel like an astronaut! Head into the sky with the Flight Simulator Experience, feel the power of gravity with the G-Force Accelerator, or walk in space with Apollo 11 Virtual Reality. This place is one of the fun things to do in Alabama with kids!

There is also a state-of-the-art Planetarium with shows that will leave you awed! A ride on the Moon Soot will lift you 140 feet up in the air in just 2.5 seconds!

Grab a bite to eat at the Mars Grill. The center also hosts launch parties and other cool events throughout the year. There is so much to see and do here, so make sure to add it to your Alabama bucket list!

Go Underground at Cathedral Caverns State Park

There are many cool caves in Alabama and one of the best is found at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville. This cave system is 1.3 miles. The impressive entrance is 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, one of the largest in the world

Take a guided tour to experience the beauty of this cave. You will be able to see a 45-foot stalagmite known as Goliath. With a circumference of 243 feet, it is one of the largest rock formations of its kind in the world.

Gemstone mining and hiking can also be enjoyed at this state park. It is one of the most interesting places in Alabama.

Hopefully, you found some of the best activities in Alabama for your next trip! Alabama has so much to offer visitors from historic locations to beautiful nature. It is time to plan a fun weekend getaway in Alabama !

• Destinations

25 Best Places to Visit in Alabama

Last Updated By VI on March 18, 2024 in Things to Do in Alabama & Places to Visit

Dauphin Island

Birmingham, alabama, florence, alabama.

• Complete List & Map

One of the best ways to explore Dauphin Island is on two wheels – you can rent a bike from Dauphin Island Bike and Kayak Rentals – and set off to admire historic Fort Gaines, pristine beaches and panoramic island landscapes. There are plenty of accommodation options on the island and you will easily find the ideal base for your vacation.

However, Birmingham is by no means all about history – the city offers excellent shopping, dining, golf and nightlife as well as great activities for younger visitors including the Alabama Splash Adventure water park.

Nature lovers will enjoy visiting Weeks Bay Reserve while beer lovers should not miss a tasting at the Fairhope Brewing Company.

For family fun you can head to the Children’s Museum, the Sky Zone Trampoline Park and the Killen Time Mini Golf and Adventure Park.

Gadsden, Alabama

Art lovers will enjoy a visit to the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts – the center is home to the Etowah Youth Orchestra, the Downtown Dance Conservatory and Imagination Place Children’s Museum. Things to Do in Gadsden

Gulf Shores

Back on land you can explore various hiking and biking trails, or re-live history by following the Mobile Bay Civil War Trail to see Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines and much more. Things to Do in Gulf Shores

In addition, there are no less than eight beautiful Historic Districts to explore. The city’s coastal location means that there is a plethora of maritime activities available as well as easy access to some of the best beaches on the Gulf .

There is also a treat in store for foodies who can visit several farmer’s markets, wineries, berry farms and tempting farm-to-fork restaurants. Things to Do in Auburn

Cheaha State Park, Alabama

Cheaha State Park, 19644 Hwy 281, Delta, AL 36258, Phone: 800-610-5801 , ( website link )

Take the family to Cook’s Natural Science Museum. Art lovers can feast their eyes at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center or catch a show at the Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts. Things to Do in Decatur

Families visiting Dothan will enjoy stepping back in time at Landmark Park (a “living” farming museum), having outdoor fun at Advertureland Theme Park or making a splash at Water World. Things to Do in Dothan

Shopaholics will enjoy exploring the Bargain Hunter’s Thrift Trail and Tanger Outlets while foodies head to the Coastal Alabama Farmer’s and Fishermen’s Market. Things to Do in Foley

Gulf State Park, Alabama

Gulf State Park, 20115 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Guntersville, Alabama

You can spend your time playing golf, hiking, biking, bird watching or fishing. For a change of pace you can visit the near-by Cathedral Caverns to see an astonishing frozen waterfall, a stalagmite forest and many other breathtaking cave formations. Things to Do in Guntersville

Some of the most popular near-by family attractions include the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and the Aldrich Coal Mine Museum. Things to Do in Hoover

For a complete change of pace you can visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden (young visitors love the night firefly hikes) or spend a few hours at the Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment center to see local artists in action. Things to Do in Huntsville

Lookout Mountain

Do not miss the chance to take a scenic drive through three states along the 93mile Lookout Mountain Parkway. Cultural activities include a variety of hands-on classes and workshops and visits to the many galleries and craft shops dotted around Lookout Mountain. Explore weekend getaways in Alabama for more travel ideas.

Monte Sano State Park

When you need a brief break from nature you can visit some of the interesting museums in Huntsville. Browse our things to do in Alabama guide for more ideas.

Montgomery, Alabama

Art enthusiasts can feast their eyes on the collections at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts before catching a show at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Children will love the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum and the Montgomery Zoo. Things to Do in Montgomery

Muscle Shoals, Alabama

More ideas: Day Trips in Alabama

Other city highlights include the Ancient Africa, Enslavement and Civil War Museum and the National Voting Rights Museum, Historic Water Avenue, the Jackson Home Historic Site and the Old Depot Museum. Things to Do in Selma

There are also many historic sites to admire including the Silk Stocking District where you will find 113 acres showcasing various historic architectural styles. Things to Do in Talladega

There are many historic sites to visit including several interesting museums, the Black Warrior Model Railroad, the Battle-Friedman historic house and the Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park. In addition you can take a (free) tour of the Mercedes Benz Visitor’s Center, take the kids to the Children’s Hands-On Museum. Things to Do in Tuscaloosa

Orange Beach

Save some time for family fun at Adventure Island and shopping at The Wharf. Things to Do in Orange Beach

More ideas: Mobile beaches

• 1. Dauphin Island
• 2. Birmingham, Alabama
• 3. Fairhope
• 4. Florence, Alabama
• 5. Gadsden, Alabama
• 6. Gulf Shores
• 9. Cheaha State Park, Alabama
• 10. Decatur
• 13. Gulf State Park, Alabama
• 14. Guntersville, Alabama
• 16. Huntsville
• 17. Lookout Mountain
• 18. Monte Sano State Park
• 19. Montgomery, Alabama
• 20. Muscle Shoals, Alabama
• 22. Talladega
• 23. Tuscaloosa
• 24. Orange Beach
• 25. Scottsboro

Offering a warm Southern welcome, Alabama has more than its fair share of delightful places to visit. If you are looking for a beach holiday, you can head due south to Gulf Shores, Mobile and Orange Beach where 32 miles of soft white sand and warm azure waters await you. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from over 20 state parks offering camping, fishing, RV parks, boating, caving, hiking and biking. Alabama is home to beautiful waterfalls, wineries, kid-friendly attractions and unique flea markets.

More Features

12 Best Overwater Hotel Pools

25 Best Camping Spots in Alabama

20 Best Things to Do in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• --> Conclusion

• About Us/Contact Us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Alabama (AL) » 30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Alabama

30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Alabama

Dubbed as the Yellowhammer State after the state bird, Alabama is located in the south-eastern part of the United States of America. While Montgomery stands as the state capital, Mobile is the oldest city in Alabama, which as per records was founded in 1702 as the capital of French Louisiana by French colonists.

With approximately 1,500 miles of inland waterways, which is 3.2% of the total state area, Alabama has the second-largest inland waterway system in the country. It is also the 24th most populous state and the 30th largest by area in the United States.

Named after the Native American Alabama Tribe, the state is famous for its picturesque landscapes and brilliant outdoors. Alabama is divided into four sections – the metropolitan centers, the mountains, the inland waterways, and the Gulf Coast.

Neighbored by Tennessee to its north, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to its south, Georgia to its east, and Mississippi to its west, the state is famous for its southern hospitality. Along with hospitality and genial behavior, Alabama is also home to several secret treasures that are longing to be discovered.

Let us discover the many hidden gems in Alabama and indulge into the many wonders of the Cotton State.

1. Spectre Set Ruins, Millbrook

Outside Millbrook, Alabama, Jackson Lake Island on Alabama River stands the dilapidated remnants of Spectre, a fictional town which was built as a set for Tim Burton’s fantasy movie, Big Fish (2003).

Edward Bloom, the lead character in the movie, visits Spectre a few times in his life – once as a kid and the second time when the town is almost in ruins. Bloom visits the town one final time to find it restored.

When the shooting of the film ended, Spectre was left abandoned with the movie set and Styrofoam trees. Unfortunately, after a few years from when the filming wrapped, some of the structures collapsed.

As of present, Spectre has left six homes, a church, two trees from the forest, and the columns from Jenny, the mayor’s daughter’s home. Add your shoes to the collection of several others hanging in line.

2. Alabama’s Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge

Outside the William Bankhead national Forest lays the 148-feet-long and 60-feet-high curved rock formation that stands as one of the most exquisite forms of natural geological formation in the state – the Natural Bridge.

The area was listed as a National Park in 1954, however, history shows that the bridge and the surrounding area has been used by the Native Americans for hundreds of years. A few steps ahead from the Natural Bridge is a strange, inexplicable carving of an Indian Head that looks almost similar to that of a buffalo nickel.

Claims have been made that the carving depicts a chief from the Native American tribes that resided here but no proofs have been found, yet.

Unfortunately, to safeguard the safety of visitors (you can’t really trust a 200-million-year old bridge to withstand hundreds of visitors) and the ancient natural asset, walking on the bridge is prohibited. However, you can stroll around the bridge and the park as much as you want.

3. The Museum of Wonder, Seale

A ten-year-old boy’s obsession with collecting junk and other discarded items turned into a full-fledged hobby when he accidentally sold a painting of a turnip.

Butch Anthony, an Alabama artist and a former taxidermist, realized the potential of revenue generation from his scrap collection that he has been compiling as a young boy.

To materialize on the thought, he transformed his taxidermy store into an exhibition of strange objects – animal bones, jars full of dead critters, weird paintings, lost-and-found objects, and just about any piece of rubbish you could imagine.

In almost no time, Anthony’s 500-square-foot cabin in the rural town of Seale turned into an extraordinary collection and gave rise to the Museum of Wonder.

Among many other items on display are a few signature-style creations of the artist – impressionistic skeletons traced over vintage portraits with added illustrations.

4. The Grave of Miss Baker, Huntsville

Among the many “test subjects” that America tossed into space since first starting experimenting with space travel in 1948 is Miss Baker – the first primate that made it back safely after a sub-orbital space flight.

The space program had some success with fruit flies, but, the higher the primates the tougher it became for the Americans to ensure their safe return. Most fell prey to exploding rockets while others lost their lives in violent impacts or got lost in space along with their capsule.

Miss Baker and Miss Able, the only two squirrel monkeys who had survived the initial screenings were sent to space in a Jupiter Rock. While Miss Able passed away four days after their arrival, Miss Baker lived until the age of 27, married Big George, breathed an illustrious life, and died of kidney failure in 1984.

Her remains are buried at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, next to her beloved husband, and has a nice headstone.

5. Dismals Canyon, Phil Campbell

This Alabama Canyon located in Phil Campbell comes alive every day at dark as thousands of miniature bio-luminescent creatures taxonomically called the “North American Orfelia Fultoni,” and popularly known as “Dismalities,” come alive with their natural glow.

A type of gnat larva, the Dismalities are extremely rare, so much so that they are only found in the Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau. The bright bluish-green light that they emit is their way of attracting insects so they can feed on them for survival.

Dismals Canyon, as they are called after the habitat living in them, provide the specific ambiance that these larvae need to survive in their larval stage – humidity to build web so they can trap insects for food, enough insects, darkness to allow them to glow, and a still atmosphere that would prevent their webs from tangling.

The Canyon is home to two more significant features – one of the surviving twin Canadian Hemlocks, which at 138 feet tall, is considered to be the largest of its kind in the state, and the world’s largest Deumaria vine.

Best way to spot the mesmerizing phenomenon is at night.

6. Neversink Pit, Fackler

A sinkhole? A cave? Though the geological name of the structure isn’t certain, the Neversink Pit in Fackler, Alabama is a dramatic 162-feet deep sinkhole with a 40-feet wide opening. It is among the most photographed sinkholes in the United States of America, if not the world.

The interiors inside the pit, as viewed by abseilers, change dramatically with season – ferns in the summer, ribbony waterfalls in the spring, and ice sheets in the winter.

Belonging to the Southeastern Cave Conservancy since 1995, entry into the pit and rappelling below to the floor is only allowed for expert climbers and requires a permit.

7. F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery

Plenty of museums and other attractions have been erected all over the world to honor F. Scott Fitzgerald, the renowned novelist and author, but, here in Montgomery, Alabama is the only museum in the world that is dedicated to the story writer and his wife, Zelda.

The Fitzgerald’s, along with their daughter Scottie, moved into the then-house-now museum in 1931. Unfortunately, however, Zelda had a mental collapse and was moved to a clinic in Baltimore. The father and daughter duo continued to stay at the house until April that year.

In 1986, Julie and Leslie McPhillips saved the iconic structure from being torn down and transformed it into the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum instead.

8. Cheaha Mountain, Delta

The highest point in the state of Alabama, Cheaha Mountain rises above Talladega National Forest and is 2,407 feet above sea level. Regarded as one of the most picturesque spots in the state, the Mountain was once almost deforested until President Roosevelt crafted the National Forest in 1936!

Befittingly named after a Creek Indian word which means “high place”, Cheaha was once extremely rugged. The logged and vacated farmland around the tall peak was anything but attractive.

However, the expansive regrowth, thanks to the park system, covered the area with greenery and a gorgeous view.

Bunker Tower, constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps sits on the mountaintop and acts as a visitor center with the most spectacular view of the mountains.

9. Alabama Booksmith, Homewood

Originally a tiny shop in the lanes of Homewood, Alabama, that sold used and rare books, the Alabama Booksmith may be the only of its kind that exist in the world today.

Located behind a vet clinic, the one-of-a-kind bookstore is owned and managed by Jacob Reiss, who only houses books that are signed copies! Yes, you read it right. Every single book in his collection is signed by the author.

While operating his former old books’ store, Reiss realized that the dough lays in selling signed books rather than the usual ones as not only did they sell faster but they also generated a better member loyalty. All the books at the store (except for a few rare ones) are sold at the cover price!

10. Dead Children’s Playground, Huntsville

Burial grounds, death, and any such negativities are kept far away from children. But, that’s not the case at the oldest and the largest cemetery in Alabama. Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville has a small playground on the same grounds as that of the century-old burial ground.

Though it sees more ghost chasers and teenagers than children (for obvious reasons), the simple playground has a few swings and a modern-day jungle gym. Named aptly as the Dead Children’s Playground, the small site for children was once almost lost when the city officials decided that there isn’t enough room for graves.

Of course, there is barely a graveyard that is not associated with (alleged) ghost sightings. Rumors of swings swaying by themselves and floating ghost lights have been reported quite a few times.

Care to take your toddler for a day out in the sun here?

11. Goldie 1971 – The Fallen Robot, Tuscaloosa

Sloss Blast Furnaces was one of the leading manufacturers of Pig Iron during Birmingham’s industrial era. When the business closed in 1971, a former graduate of the University of Alabama, Joe McCreary, used the celebrated past of the company as an inspiration to create “Goldie 1971.”

Today, Goldie rests peacefully at the sculpture garden at the University which bought the rusting giant in 2010 and installed it as a permanent collection.

While Sloss Blast Furnaces opened as a museum and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1981, Goldie remains at the Woods Quad Sculpture Garden serving as a reminder to the hundreds of students that art can be used to express all their stories.

12. Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman

A hunchbacked, poor man, Brother Joseph Zoettl lived a hard life – due to his living conditions and of course, his physical limitations. At the age of 14, he signed up with St. Bernard Abbey in the hopes of escaping his tough life.

Nothing much changed for Brother Joseph. He spent 17 hours everyday for almost 30 years working at Abbey’s pump house. Consequently, the same routine became boring but he didn’t have a choice so he started his own private amusement project – he began constructing miniature grottoes. Soon, tens became hundreds and hundreds became thousands.

Brother Joseph kept the larger models at the Abbey and sold the miniature ones to others. And, soon, it became the Ave Maria Grotto aka Jerusalem in Miniature – a four-acre mini-town that was filled with almost 125 famous and religious locations.

His last creation, Basilica in Lourdes, was built in 1958 when Brother Joseph was 80.

13. Frank Lloyd Wright-Rosenbaum House, Florence

Frank Lloyd Wright has been mentioned in the American architectural history several times for his flawless designs and striking creations. However, the Rosenbaum House in Florence, Alabama, as architect critic Peter Blake mentioned, is by far considered one of the most stunning constructions to date.

Constructed in 1940 for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum, the structure was donated in 1990 to the City of Florence. Often regarded to depict the purest version of Wright’s Usonian style, the home was not just functional but in sync with the natural surroundings.

Plenty of glass windows, cantilevered roofs, and a carport are some of the significant characteristics of Wright’s Usonian masterpiece.

14. Tinglewood Carvings, Montevallo

Orr Park in Montevallo, Alabama is an amazing place for a family picnic. Everything about the park calls for a day out in the sun, amidst nature – six baseball-come-softball fields, a soccer field, a football field, a walking trail, two playgrounds, and a creek apt enough for wading.

However, the most attractive feature on the park grounds is a bunch of dead trees that were destroyed in a storm in 1993. What’s so amazing about dead trees, you ask?

Mr. Tingle, a resident in the area, in an attempt to save the dead but old trees, started carving them.

As a result, today, over 30 carved alligators, squirrels, men, and even an alligator not only coexist peacefully with the visitors at the park but they also add an air of mystique around the area.

15. Africatown, Mobile

The slave trade in America was legally prohibited by 1808, however, Timothy Meaher, a wealthy businessman, challenged the law in his own way and set out to bring a “shipment” of 32 African slaves in the country in 1860.

His attempts were put to an end by the authorities who caught wind of Meaher’s illicit attempts and the group of slaves were given a small piece of his land to live at in the town. This is how the little village of Africatown came about in the history of Alabama.

The African community built houses in the area and appointed a chief and a medicine man, when former slaves were added to the new community.

With time, the first settlers of the town died off and their successors implanted themselves in the American culture, leaving Africatown abandoned.

A small history museum at Mobile’s Count Training School still exists.

16. The Drive-Thru Museum, Seale

The world’s first drive-thru museum is in Seale, Alabama, and it is the creation of the same ten-year-old boy, Butch Anthony, who grew up to be an artist, a taxidermist, a collector and creator (of the weirdest things in the world), and the founder of Museum of Wonder.

Created as a relief to the overflow of tourists at his other museum, the Drive-Thru Museum is constructed out of old shipping containers. Windows have been cut off from the container walls to allow insights into the strange collection of items either collected or crafted by Anthony.

Among other things is a large gallstone attached to poems, the two-headed ducklings, and Anthony’s signature style – skeletons imposed on old portraits.

17. Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham

As Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes another door opens”, Sloss Furnaces, a pig-iron producing giant that served the country for nine decades and was shut down for business in 1971, was listed a National Historic Landmark in the city of Birmingham, Alabama in 1981 – after a decade of it closing down.

Today, the blast furnace site functions as an interpretive museum and conducts several metal arts courses that are acknowledged universally. Additionally, it is perhaps one of the most unusual locations where festivals and concert venues are hosted.

Coined after one of the founding fathers of Birmingham, Colonel James Withers Sloss, the two furnaces were constructed on 50 acres of land and stand 60 feet tall. Known as one of the largest in the world at the time, the Sloss Furnaces are still being preserved to date.

18. Hank Williams’ Death Car, Montgomery

Hiram “Hank” Williams, more popularly known as Hank Williams, was among the most substantial and effective American songwriter and singers of the 20th century. The musician recorded 35 singles, of which 5 were released after he passed away. What’s most intriguing about his life though is how it ended.

Williams, along with Charles Carr, a college freshman he hired to drive him around in his 1952 Cadillac, was on a tour through Ohio and West Virginia. Soon after the car passed the West Virginia State Line, Carr stopped at a gas station for refilling when he noticed that Williams laid unconscious in the back seat. When he checked up on him, Williams seemed unresponsive and his body was becoming rigid.

As his doctor reported, Williams drank often and had just asked him to give him a Morphine shot to get rid of the back pain. Though a lot has been blamed on his habits, what killed the musical superstar at a tender age of 29 still remains a mystery.

Even though the true cause of Hank Williams’ death remains unknown, the Cadillac, where he apparently breathed the last time, remains the centerpiece at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

19. Bamahenge, Elberta

America certainly has a weird obsession with Stonehenge, but, one person in particular, Mark Cline, of the Enchanted Castle Studios, is the man behind creating two of the existing Stonehenge replicas in the country – the Foamhenge in Virginia (2004) and the Bamahenge in Elberta, Alabama (sometime in the spring of 2013).

Cline, a brilliant architect, is known for his larger-than-life creations, and so, when George Barber, an Alabama millionaire, wanted a few dinosaurs to be built for himself, he hired Cline to do the job. The result – a T-Rex, a triceratops, a brontosaurus, and a stegosaurus stand at the edge of Barber Marina.

Extremely impressed with the installations, Barber commissioned Cline to build him a fiberglass replica of Stonehenge.

Though Bamahenge stands tall and proud at the Marina, Foamhenge may be in danger as the land it stands on is reportedly going to be a part of the Virginia State Park. Maybe, Foamhenge can join his cousins over at the Marine, eh?

20. Moundville Archaeological Site, Moundville

Not so distant from Tuscaloosa, in the town of Moundville, Alabama, are massive earthworks that transport you to another time – to the pre-Columbian culture!

Known as the Moundville Archaeological Site, the area comprises 29 mounds that were created over a thousand years ago by the Mississippian culture, a Native American Society at the time. The culture was divided into several chiefdoms, each of which functioned as per their own religious beliefs.

These chiefdoms were each headed by an appointed figure who was of religious and political significance to the community they represented. Supervised by these ruling members, these mounds were created to serve as foundations of housing properties, temples, and council buildings.

The second largest of its type, the mounds were abandoned by 1500 B.C. and proper excavation began in the early 20th century.

21. Berman Museum of World History, Anniston

What happens when an American GI weds a French Spy? Simple. It gives birth to one of the most thought-provoking museums in the world!

Farley Berman and his wife established the Berman Museum of World History while they were stationed in North Africa. The husband-wife duo traveled all over the world for 40 years and collected as many oddities, antiques, and weapons as one possibly could.

Berman never confirmed how they managed to get hold of some of the more intriguing items in the collection but he joked that they may have accidentally come with their bedroll after World War II; the rest, he unapologetically claimed, appeared out of magic.

Well, magic or not, someone please tell us exactly how did the couple manage to get Hitler’s tea service?

22. Civil Rights Memorial, Montgomery

The American Civil Rights movement from 1954 to 1968 included several social movements and strategies that were being pushed forward to end racial discrimination against African-Americans in the country. However, it wasn’t just strategies and movements. For a “movement” that went on for 15 years, many lost their lives fighting for equal rights along with Martin Luther King, Jr. – one of the most significant personalities of the Civil Rights Movement and a Nobel Peace Prize awardee!

A proud commemoration of the lives lost and wars won, Civil Rights Memorial, standing across the Southern Poverty Law Center, is a dedication to the 40 people who sacrificed their lives so the rest of country could live in harmony.

A hub for hundreds of civil right workers around the globe, the Law Centre sponsored the memorial and Maya Lin designed and created it. A guard stands alert by the architecture to prevent any vandalism.

The memorial is visited by several tourists every day, yet not enough as compared to the history it holds.

23. Holmes Medical Museum, Foley

Holmes Medical Museum may not be the most intriguing medical museum in the world (and, it definitely doesn’t have anything to do with Sherlock Holmes), but, it is a celebration of the sterile, vaguely terrifying past of the obsolete tools that have been used in the history of medical science.

Situated within the walls of Foley’s first hospital, which treated patients from 1936 to 1958, the Medical Museum allows you to walk through the old operating theatre of this tiny, four-bed former hospital. You could also stroll through some of the patient rooms and observe the strange, almost-brutal looking tools kept in the glass cases around the museum.

Apart from the frightening display of tools that looked more torturous than healing, you could also see the birth certificates of some of the children born here along with information on the hospital’s past.

24. African Village in America, Birmingham

Not the same as Africatown (which was actually built by Africans and later abandoned by their descendants), African Village was established by Joe Minter, who draws inspiration from his love for God, and believes that God wouldn’t want anything to be thrown away to waste; instead He would rather that his humans created something out of all that is thrown away or discarded.

As if to reflect his ideas and theme, African Village has been created using all types of junk and scrap material – toys, utensils, lawn decorations, old sporting gears, satellite dishes! Five of these huge dishes adorn the back of his property and spell J-E-S-U-S in big, bold letters. African masks and feathered headdresses can also be found lying around in the village.

Minter has an open-gate policy and you are welcome to come in free and stroll around whenever you want. You could also buy DVDs or other such items at the village.

As Minter still continues to build, he has earned himself the title of “African Warrior” for his thoughtful creation.

25. Anniston Museum, Anniston

Also known as Anniston Museum of Natural History, the museum was founded in 1930 and houses seven permanent displays – the Dynamic Earth, the Alabama Sand to Cedars, the Attack and Defense, the Environments of Africa, the Ancient Egypt, the Nature Discovery Room, and the Bird of the Americas – the last being the base for Anniston Museum’s original collection.

Home to one of the oldest taxidermy collections in the country, the Bird of the Americas was collected and established by William H. Werner in the 19th century, but, the compilation was purchased and brought to Anniston upon Werner’s death by H. Severn Regan. The display contains over 1,000 dioramas of birds, eggs, and bird nests.

Over 400 species of birds can be found at the display including the passenger pigeons, who were once commonly found around North America but are now extinct due to hunting and deforestation. It is believed that these migratory birds gathered in flocks of billions and covered the sky a mile wide and about 300 miles long, resulting in dark skies for days at a time!

26. Tolstoy Park, the Unusual Home of Henry Stuart, Fairhope

In 1923, Henry Stuart, a resident of Idaho, was diagnosed with tuberculosis aka “consumption”. The typical medical advice to the illness was a change of weather. With only a few months to live (as confirmed by the doctors), Stuart bought an unseen ten-acres of land in Alabama and moved 2,500 miles at the age of 65.

To spend his “remaining days” in peace, he built himself a circular, hurricane-resistant little hut which was only 14 feet in diameter. Within a couple of years, Stuart named his little abode “Tolstoy Park” after Leo Tolstoy and went on to live another 22 years.

Though Stuart lived mostly in isolation, visitors started frequenting the unusual house (1,200 as per his visitor’s log).

The “home” is now listed on the National Register for Historic Places and the owner of this strange residence has been immortalized in Sonny Brewer’s “The Poet of Tolstoy Park.”

27. Henry Wells’ Lightning Portrait, Carrollton

https://www.instagram.com/p/nUJC0VA6H7/?tagged=henrywells

Established in 1820, the Pickens County Courthouse, named after General Andrew Pickens of South Carolina, has been burnt down twice – once in April 1865 by troops of Union General John T. Croxton, and the second time (presumably) by Henry Wells, a former slave who was apprehended and locked inside the courthouse garrett.

As the story goes, Wells was kept there to be protected from citizens who could have hurt him. However, it didn’t stop the residents forming a mob and protesting outside the Courthouse for days.

Apparently, one of those days, a terrified Wells stood by the courthouse window as the mob screamed and chanted when a sudden bolt of lightning struck the same window, and indelibly etched his face on the glass!

Astonishingly, it is the only glass that has never been destroyed in the last century or so that the courthouse has been in existence.

28. The Hodges Meteorite, Tuscaloosa

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSNYQNMFsrw/?tagged=hodgesmeteorite

The Hodges Meteorite isn’t remarkably big or beautiful or exquisite, but, it is one of the only fragments of a meteorite that has made its way to earth “alive”, and, also one of the very few that has hit a human!

Named after the woman it bruised, the Meteorite made its way to Ann Hodges rental home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the afternoon of November 30th, 1954, when Ann laid on her couch, taking a short nap.

The meteorite first crashed into her radio cabinet, and then bounced to her side, bruising her a little in the process. But, it was the least of her concern.

As the rule goes, considered pretty much space gold, the ownership of an object, such as a meteorite, rests on the person who finds it. However, since it was a rental house, the owner felt otherwise since it was his property and filed a legal battle.

Of course, Hodges won it, but, in order to avoid the unwanted limelight, she decided to donate the piece to the Alabama Museum of Natural History.

29. Peanuts on Parade, Dothan

Dothan, with a 100-mile radius of peanut farming, is not only where half of America’s peanuts are grown but it is also regarded as the “Peanut Capital of the World.”

Each Fall, the community comes together to celebrate the National Peanut Festival, dedicated to the town’s history with peanuts, the harvest season, and the farmers. The two-week carnival hosts a Peanut Parade and offers livestock shows, rides, agricultural exhibitions, and of course, a lot of peanut-this and peanut-that to munch on.

Don’t worry even if you missed the festival, for Dothan pretty much celebrates its peanut-rich history throughout the year. Originally a public art project to beautify the town and attract tourists, “Peanut Around Town” has peppered the city streets with various painted peanut statues – fireman peanut, doctor peanut, military peanut, a boiled-peanut selling peanut, a breast cancer awareness peanut, and even a Dalmatian cuddling with his favorite fire hydrant peanut!

Now known as “Peanut on Parade”, the public art project has resulted in over 60 painted peanut statues around Dothan.

Take a brochure from the Visitor Center for the exact locations of all the sites and have a nutty day ahead!

30. Little Nadine Earles Doll House Grave, Lanett

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVaD7TUgqqn/?tagged=nadineearles

Nadine Earles, the beloved daughter of Julian and Alma, was not even 4 when she passed away in 1933. It was the month of December and the little girl’s only wish was a dollhouse. Before her father could build the dream dollhouse, she was taken away from them, but, that didn’t stop Julian and Alma to continue working on the project.

The Doll House was completed and kept next to little Nadine’s grave at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett, Alabama. A replica of an actual house, Nadine’s dollhouse was equipped with a front porch, a mailbox, striped awnings, flower boxes during the summer, and Christmas Lights and an evergreen wreath in the winter.

The parents further decorated the house with toys, dolls, a high chair, a baby buggy, and a little bed – all kept ready for Nadine’s playtime in her afterlife.

Now, managed by the city of Lanett, the Doll House is still maintained and kept ready-to-play for “Little Nadine.”

30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Alabama:

• Spectre Set Ruins, Millbrook
• Alabama's Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge
• The Museum of Wonder, Seale
• The Grave of Miss Baker, Huntsville
• Dismals Canyon, Phil Campbell
• Neversink Pit, Fackler
• F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery
• Cheaha Mountain, Delta
• Alabama Booksmith, Homewood
• Dead Children's Playground, Huntsville
• Goldie 1971 - The Fallen Robot, Tuscaloosa
• Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman
• Frank Lloyd Wright-Rosenbaum House, Florence
• Tinglewood Carvings, Montevallo
• Africatown, Mobile
• The Drive-Thru Museum, Seale
• Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham
• Hank Williams' Death Car, Montgomery
• Bamahenge, Elberta
• Moundville Archaeological Site, Moundville
• Berman Museum of World History, Anniston
• Civil Rights Memorial, Montgomery
• Holmes Medical Museum, Foley
• African Village in America, Birmingham
• Anniston Museum, Anniston
• Tolstoy Park, the Unusual Home of Henry Stuart, Fairhope
• Henry Wells' Lightning Portrait, Carrollton
• The Hodges Meteorite, Tuscaloosa
• Peanuts on Parade, Dothan
• Little Nadine Earles Doll House Grave, Lanett

Find your Sweet Spot in Alabama's authentic southern experiences

Unforgettable experiences and things to do in alabama.

Whether your favorite distraction is exploring nature and wildlife, taking self-guided tours, lounging on the Alabama beaches, or shopping till you drop, there’s never a lack of things to do in Alabama. But you won’t just find activities in Alabama; you’ll discover unforgettable experiences. When you explore the terrain of the mountains, you’ll feel it. While you indulge in gratifying cuisine, you’ll taste it. As you take the time you need to recharge and find your best self, you’ll become stronger by it. This is Alabama.

Arts & Culture

The many creative experiences in Alabama can transport you to a new world, make you feel things you've never felt before, or even inspire you to see things in a new light. That's the beautiful power of Alabama's culture and arts scene. In the mood for theater, poetry readings, or spoken word performances? Maybe you’re excited about experiencing Alabama through sculpture, architecture, or painting. Embark on a creative exploration today!

Alabama claims 60 miles of the Gulf Coast shoreline, 32 of which are covered with pristine beachfront. Feel the soft, white sand underneath your feet, and listen to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing upon the shore. Alabama is famous for its white beaches, created by tiny quartz crystals washed here from the Appalachian Mountains. The ultimate beach lover’s oasis is waiting for you in Sweet Home Alabama.

Civil Rights Legacy

There is no place more seeped in civil rights history than Alabama, home to many impactful events that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement. Here, courageous leaders inspired a movement that forever changed the course of history. Celebrate an era of triumph and tragedy that redefined the nation. Explore Gee’s Bend, the Civil Rights Trail, monumental African American historic sites, and more. Take part in unique events and visit featured locations home to the nation’s most engaging civil rights experiences.

Food & Drink

Good food paves the way for meaningful conversations and memories that will last a lifetime. No one understands that better than the chefs and restaurateurs in Alabama. Authentic Alabama cuisine is nothing short of legendary! Experience mouthwatering culinary creations and unique dining experiences that will have you coming back for more. Think you’ve had good barbecue before? Not until you’ve experienced Alabama barbecue made with white barbecue sauce! Good food doesn’t get any better than iconic Alabama offerings like Martin’s fried chicken, shrimp and grits from Blind Mule, and Irondale Cafe’s classic fried green tomatoes.

Viewing the world through the lens of the past can reveal quite a bit. Uncover the past and learn about the people, places, and events that have shaped the world’s history. Out of all the things to do in Alabama, the most significant destinations are its historical sites. From the historic capital, Montgomery, to its biggest city, Huntsville; Alabama offers a legacy that began before it was established as a territory back in 1817.

Are you a music lover who searches the globe for what moves your spirit? Let the sounds of Sweet Home Alabama take you on a one-of-a-kind journey that spans across genres and time for a top-of-the-charts experience. The rich music scene across the state presents an endless array of things to do in Alabama that are truly inspirational. From jazz, country, and rock and roll to the blues, gospel, and beyond, music that has shaped the culture still thrives strong and true in Alabama.

Experience wildflowers as you’ve never seen them at DeSoto State Park, go camping at Forever Wild Wehle Tract, or learn to hunt through Alabama’s Adult Mentored Hunt program! As one of the most biologically diverse states in the country, Alabama offers true outdoor adventure. From its plentiful rivers and lakes to its sugar-white sand beaches, Alabama’s vast geographical landscape is home to natural wonders of all kinds ready to awaken the explorer in you.

Science & Discovery

Let Alabama speak to your sense of wonder. The mysteries of space and beyond can be explored here, where imagination meets innovation. Discover things to do in Alabama at every turn, from the McWane Science Center in Birmingham to the U.S Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Mobile County. You can touch a meteorite, see a digital seashell generator, or visit an enormous aquarium!

Sitting on the edge of your seat, a chill runs down your spine while watching your favorite team that has you coming back for more. Where champions are built, winning is the norm, and losing is just called learning. Step into the fast-paced world of Alabama's legendary sports today. If you’re looking for things to do in Alabama, don’t miss an Alabama Crimson Tide or Auburn football game, Trash Pandas baseball game, Legion soccer match, or Squadron basketball game. Finally, no visit to Alabama is complete without experiencing the unbeatable rush of racing at tracks like the Talladega Superspeedway, the Atmore Dragway, or the East Alabama Motor Speedway. You can even get behind the wheel yourself at the Richard Petty Driving Experience! Or, spend a day at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park and Museum, home of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. The excitement of Alabama sports is a true rush you won’t want to miss!

Year-Round Golf

When it comes to things to do in Alabama, golf is at the top of the list for many visitors, and it might top yours, too! With Alabama’s vast geographical landscape and wildlife, many golfers enjoy not only the challenge of each course but also its natural beauty. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the ultimate experience for golf enthusiasts, with 468 thrilling holes across 11 destinations throughout the state. In total, there are 26 pristine golf courses on the trail, beckoning you to come and experience the game on a whole new level. With dozens of spectacular golf courses across every part of the state, it’s no wonder why so many golfers flock to Alabama year-round!

Attractions

Top 10 experience attractions.

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center
• Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
• Birmingham Zoo
• Equal Justice Initiative Museums
• USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
• Talladega Superspeedway
• Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• McWane Science Center
• Point Mallard Park

Everything Alabama has to offer —in one easy place!

Looking for information on state parks, hot spots to have fun in the sun, or the best places for fishing or bird-watching? How about the world’s best museums or science centers? The Alabama Vacation guide will help you discover so many new and unique experiences. No matter where you’re headed or what you feel like doing, the Alabama vacation guide will get started on the right path.

Fill out your information below to receive a printed guide and Alabama state highway map in the mail. Note: Currently we only send mail inside the United States. All fields are required unless otherwise specified.

• 1 Your Info

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

20 Most Beautiful Places In Alabama, According To A Native Alabamian

Getty Images

The Yellowhammer State didn’t earn the moniker Alabama the Beautiful for nothing. From white-sand beaches on its southern coast to majestic mountains up north, the state is overwhelming blessed with gorgeous scenery . As one of the country’s top five most biodiverse states, Alabama’s great outdoors offer not only a breath of fresh air and beautiful views aplenty, but also a chance to get acquainted with a huge range of biomes and species. With more than 50,000 square miles to explore, you could spend years crisscrossing the state and still have more to see. Dense forests, Appalachian foothills, intricate cave systems, winding rivers, sparkling lakes, marshy swamps, and expansive plains—you name it, Alabama has it. And that’s not even mentioning all the hidden gems in the state’s large cities and tiny towns. 

As a born and raised Alabamian , I’m lucky enough to have had easy access to Alabama’s beauty for years. I was 3 when I took my first trip to the Gulf Coast beaches , and I've made countless other since. I spent my high school years exploring nearby state parks with friends. And in adulthood, I’ve continued that trend, taking weekend trips to discover new places and check off more locations on my ever-growing Alabama bucket list. Keep reading to learn about some of the most beautiful places in Alabama, and let me know where I need to go next!

Noccalula Falls

Gadsden, Alabama

There’s a longstanding legend behind the rushing cascades at this well-known waterfall. As the story goes, a Native American woman named Noccalula jumped from the ledge of Black Creek Falls rather than have to marry a chief from a neighboring tribe. Her father renamed the falls for her, and it’s been known as such ever since. At 90 feet tall, the falls are impressive from above, but the better vantage point can be found behind the falls. A short climb into ravine will lead you on a path behind the waterfall, where you'll be able to feel the cold spray tickle your skin.

noccalulafallspark.com ; 1500 Noccalula Road, Gadsden, AL 35904; 256-549-4663

Majestic Caverns

Childersburg, Alabama

There are thousands of years of history buried deep inside the twists and turns of this cave system. Majestic Caverns, formerly known as DeSoto Caverns, became the country’s first recorded cave in 1796, but its use far predated that. Now operated by fifth generation owners of the same family that bought the cave in 1912, dozens of family-friendly attractions have been added to the park. Its biggest draw remains its collection of onyx-marble stalagmites and stalactites that hang from the ceiling and rise from the ground inside the cave. There’s a whole underground world to explore, but make sure you spend plenty of time in the Healing All Cathedral, the cave’s largest room which was given the name “Kymulga,” meaning “healing all” by Native Americans.

majesticcaverns.com ; 5181 DeSoto Caverns Parkway, Childersburg, AL, 35044; 256-378-7252

Ave Maria Grotto

Cullman, Alabama

See a bit of manmade beauty at an incredible public art display in North Alabama known as Ave Maria Grotto. Located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, the only Benedictine monastery of men in the state, the grotto is a landscaped hillside covered in 125 miniature stone and cement replicas of famous buildings from all over the globe. Each work was created by Brother Joseph Zoetl, a longtime monk at the Abbey. Take a walk along the path and you’ll discover South African shrines, German castles, Spanish missions, and even the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

avemariagrotto.com ; 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman, AL 35055; 256-734-4110

Cahaba River

One of the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the entire country, we’re beyond blessed to have the Cahaba River running through the central portion of the state. A recreation hub, folks use the river year-round for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, floating, and fishing, but the best time to see the waterway is during the small window between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, or mid-May to mid-June. That’s when the river’s large population of native Cahaba lilies bloom. The striking white flowers pop up directly out of the water, since they can only survive in swift-flowing water over rocks. The blooms are so picturesque that my husband even thought to propose among them seven years ago.

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

Courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

The Sunshine State gets a lot of credit for having gorgeous beaches, but Alabama’s most popular beaches , Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, are every bit as beautiful. This 32-mile stretch of white sand abutting blue-green ocean has long been a haven for Alabama families, as well as folks from all over the country. There’s absolutely nothing prettier than a sunset over the water, and that’s something every Alabama kid (this one included) comes to learn at a very early age.

Monte Sano State Park

Huntsville, Alabama

This mountaintop in the northeastern portion of the state has beckoned visitors since the late 1800s thanks to its stunning views and mineral springs. The 2,140-acre park is beautiful in all seasons, but it’s especially lovely during fall when the trees are swathed in autumnal color and during the spring when native azaleas are bursting into bloom. With 20 miles of hiking trails, 14 miles of biking trails, and plenty of camping options (from cabins to glamping tents), there are plenty of ways to explore this natural escape.

alapark.com/parks/monte-sano-state-park ; 5105 SE Nolen Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham, Alabama

With 67 acres and more than two dozen separate garden spaces, the Magic City’s botanical gardens have long been a backdrop for all of life’s special moments, both big and small. From springtime strolls to weddings, graduations, and everything in between, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens see it all. Especially popular areas include the Japanese Garden and the bamboo forest.

bbgardens.org ; 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223; 205-414-3950

Bellingrath Gardens & Home

Theodore, Alabama

Once the private home and gardens of Duncan and Bessie Bellingrath, owners of the Mobile Coca-Cola bottling company, Bellingrath now welcomes thousands of visitors each year. There’s plenty to explore across the 65-acre estate, but specific points of interest include the Live Oak Plaza, which features a series of fountains and runnels surrounded by lush landscaping, and a boardwalk overlooking a natural bayou.

bellingrath.org ; 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road; Theodore, AL 36582; 251-973-2217

Old Live Oak Cemetery

Selma, Alabama

A cemetery might not be high on your list of most beautiful places to visit, but this burial site in Selma is special. For one, it’s listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It’s also the final resting place of prominent Selma natives like former Vice President William Rufus King and Benjamin Sterling Turner, the first African American U.S. congressman from Alabama. Go to pay your respects and take a stroll under the giant arms of ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

If you love the Gulf Coast, there are few places more scenic. Stroll to see historic homes on streets lined with live oaks. Get lost in the European-inspired alleys of Fairhope’s charming, walkable downtown. If you’re not staying at the legendary Grand Hotel, at least make a stop to see its well-landscaped grounds and vibrant bougainvillea. One last thing to note: Fairhope sits on bluffs that overlook Mobile Bay, so you're never far from a view of the water.

Gulf State Park

Robbie Caponetto

Gulf Shores, Alabama

With the Gulf of Mexico on its Southern border, 3.5 miles of white sand beaches, three lakes within the park, and nine ecosystems on its 28-mile paved trail system, Gulf State Park is popular with anglers, beach bums, and naturalists alike. Visitors can fish, swim, and paddle on Lake Shelby, see native flora and fauna at the Nature Center on Middle Lake, and flit around the Butterfly Garden east of Little Lake. At nearly 2,500 feet long, the Fishing and Education Pier is the largest in the Gulf as well as Alabama’s only public gulf pier. Normally open for fishing or strolling, the pier is currently undergoing reparis and is expected to reopen in summer 2024.

alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park ; 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Fort Payne, Alabama

There aren’t any national parks in Alabama, but the National Park Service’s presence is alive and well thanks to Little River Canyon, a national preserve located atop Lookout Mountain in Northeast Alabama. The expansive preserve is known for its forested uplands, canyon rims, boulders, sandstone cliffs, breathtaking bluffs, and mesmerizing waterfalls. Visitors can drive the 23-mile Little River Canyon Parkway, which includes eight overlooks, four trails, and several rock climbing access points. The park’s most popular spots are its three waterfalls: Little River Falls, Little Falls, and Graces High Falls. The first two flow into popular summertime swimming holes, while Graces High holds the title of being the tallest above ground waterfall in the state at 133 feet high.

nps.gov/liri ; 4322 Little River Trail NE Ste 100l, Fort Payne, AL 35967; 256-845-9605

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Woodville, Alabama

Another underground wonder, Cathedral Caverns knows what it means to make a grand entrance. The entrance to the cave measures a whopping 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Take a cave tour to see giant stalactites and stalagmites, including Goliath, a 45-foot-tall stalagmite that’s 243 feet around and is one of the largest in the world. When you’re ready to re-emerge from the dark cave’s year-round 60-degree temperature, you can explore more of the 493-acre park on marked hiking trails and warm up in the sun.

alapark.com/parks/cathedral-caverns-state-park ; 637 Cave Road, Woodsville, AL 35776; 256-888-0230

Dauphin Island

Located three miles south of Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island has clear blue water and powdery white sand galore. It's connected to mainland Alabama by a bridge, or you can take a ferry ride over. The island is a boon for history and nature. Visit the 164-acre Audubon Bid Sanctuary to see migrating birds in the spring. Head to Shell Mound Park to see beautifully preserved shell mounds dating to 1100-1500 AD, and swing by Historic Fort Gaines, a 19 th century bread seacoast fortification.

Alabama is known for its rolling green hills, but in the northeastern corner of the state, just a few miles from the Georgia border, the tiny village of Mentone is decidedly a mountain town. Located on Lookout Mountain, one of the best times to visit Mentone is during fall when native poplars, dogwoods, maples, and hickories begin to turn, creating a bold patchwork of red, orange, yellow, across the mountainside. It’s a sight that keeps many Alabamians coming back year after yar.

Railroad Park

 Getty Images

The opening of this beloved 19-acre greenspace in the heart of downtown Birmingham was a defining moment for the city. Founded in 2010, the park transforms the area around a rail viaduct (historically a bisector of the city) into a beautiful community gathering space where folks of all ages and walks of life come together to enjoy the outdoors. For one of the most scenic views in the city, take a stroll around the park's lake during golden hour. With pink muhly grass and yellow coneflowers in your forefront and the downtown skyline behind, you won’t find a prettier picture in all of Birmingham.

railroadpark.org ; 1600 1 st Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233; 205-521-9933

Magnolia Springs

I couldn’t leave out the place that’s time and time again named as Alabama’s prettiest town. Magnolia Springs is tucked away on the Magnolia River in South Alabama. Even though it's known by some as a pass-through town on the way to Gulf Shores, Magnolia Springs has its own heart, with stories that date back to its settlement as a Spanish land grant in 1800. There’s no denying that the town’s got Southern charm in spades, but nowhere is it more apparent than the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, a 1897 Victorian home with a wide front porch and prime location on cheery, tree-lined street.

Cheaha State Park

Delta, Alabama

This “island in the sky” is the tallest point in Alabama and the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountain chain. There’s plenty to do and see in this 2,799-acre park, which is also the state’s oldest, but the one thing you can’t miss is the view from Bald Rock Outlook. There, you can take in the glory of the surrounding Talladega National Forest and Cheaha Wilderness from the top of a towering granite boulder that rises 2,407 feet above sea level. The silhouette of wind-warped ancient trees against the sunset creates a scene so majestic you might confuse it for Lion King’s Pride Rock.  

alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park ; 2141 Bunker Lp, Delta, AL 36258

Lake Guntersville

Lake Guntersville State Park /Facebook

Though Alabama has some prime real estate on the coast, the Gulf isn’t the only body of water the state has in its repertoire. Lake Guntersville in northeast Alabama is a shining example of the state’s excellent collection of lakes. The largest in the state, Lake Guntersville is popular for fishing, swimming, boating, and more. For one of the best views of the water, head to The Lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park and spend some time on its back deck. You won’t be sorry.

Lake Martin

About 150 miles south of Guntersville Lake, you’ll find Lake Martin, another of the state’s most popular recreational lakes. Technically a reservoir, the manmade body of water was formed by the creation of the Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend with a boat, be sure to take a cruise to Chimney Rock, a large rock formation that resembles a chimney and is a popular spot for daredevils looking for a thrill. Folks often climb 60 feet to a platform on the rock formation and dive into the deep blue water below.

Related Articles

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Shake off the winter blues and come chase waterfalls and spring's beautiful colors. North Alabama is a beautiful springtime destination.

Welcome to North Alabama

Find the best place to throw a line. Get the scoop on a can't-miss play. Relive the history of this rich region. Your perfect adventure awaits. North Alabama boasts majestic natural wonders, picture perfect waterfalls, sparkling rivers and lakes, fun-filled festivals, colorful and vibrant art scenes, internationally-acclaimed music and food, a diverse cultural scene and rich and compelling history. Whether you’re hopping on a hot air balloon, enjoying a regional delicacy, or shaking it to some soul music, there’s always something festive happening in North Alabama.

Cathedral Caverns

Us space & rocket center - huntsville, unclaimed baggage center, birthplace of helen keller ivy green.

Plot your North Alabama journey today to experience the blue waters, soaring mountains, rich cultural history, and amazing attractions that millions of travelers enjoy every year.

Motorcycle Trail

Waterfall trail, north alabama destination passport, rickwood caverns state park.

State Park with a mile long cave tour, swimming, hiking, camping, gem mining, picnic areas, and a playground

Tigers for Tomorrow

The Preserve is open all year long on the weekends and we do add additional hours during holidays and Spring-Summer -Fall.

You can visit the preserve by purchasing general admission- allows you to spend as much time as you want on a walk about of the preserve

Unexpected Adventures

May Festivals

• 3 minute read

Berry Delicious Fun in North Alabama

• 6 minute read

April Festivals

• 7 minute read

April Walking Tours in North Alabama

Glamping in north alabama.

• 2 minute read

Panoply Arts Festival

Music, art, and fireworks are in store the last weekend in April when the annual Panoply Arts…

Dining In the Dome

• Recurring every 3 days

https://www.retreet.fun/star-dome-dining

Glass In Flight

• Recurring daily

From May – October 2024, Huntsville Botanical Garden invites you to embark on a whimsical…

Working Women’s Wenesday

• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Recurring weekly on Wednesday

Join Huntsville Botanical Garden and Star 99.1 in celebrating the incredible hardworking women of…

Gardening 101: Beginning Gardening Series

• Recurring weekly on Thursday

Looking to cultivate your green thumb but unsure where to begin? Whether you're a novice or have had…

Global Rhythm & Blooms

Global Rhythm & Blooms is an enriching event series dedicated to celebrating the vibrant…

Golden Hour

Thursdays and Fridays April 18 – September 27 5:00 PM – Dusk We’re changing things up…

• Alabama Strawberry Festival

Not one, but two fun-filled days are planned in May when the North Alabama town of Cullman gears up…

First Friday in Downtown Gadsden

April - October Downtown Gadsden is the place to be the First Friday of the Month! Stores stay open…

Strawberry Festival Moulton

• Strawberry Festival

May 3-4, 2024 Moulton’s berry delicious event returns the first weekend in May for two days of…

Chad Hoover's North Alabama

Tina's travels.

Follow Tina as she visits unique places in North Alabama.

Charlotte's Adventures

Explore our, local adventures, #visitnorthal.

Download Your

Adventure Guide

Sign Up For Our

E-Newsletter

Alabama Podcast

The 15 Best Places to Propose in Alabama for a Romantic Engagement

• Emily is a freelance health, lifestyle and entertainment writer living in Charleston, South Carolina.
• Emily has worked with an array of print and digital publications, including: Women's Health, PEOPLE, Runner's World, POPSUGAR and more.
• Emily graduated with a degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University.

Alabama is a gem of the South. Also known as The Yellowhammer State, its diverse scenery—from mountains to beaches–if it plays an important part of your love story, you are likely starting your search for the best places to propose in Alabama.

"Alabama is the perfect spot to pop the question—imagine proposing amidst diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to moss-covered oaks and serene lakes," says Jennie Tewell of Jennie Tewell Photography . "Plus, our weather sets the scene just right, nearly year-round. We boast some stunning sunsets that add that extra touch of magic to your special moment."

Adds Eleanor Stenner , wedding and portrait photographer in Birmingham, Alabama, "Alabama is an underappreciated state—from the beaches of Gulf Shores and state parks of Birmingham to the history of Montgomery and the appeal of Huntsville, it's a state full of charm, nature preserves, adorable historic towns and more. You really can't go wrong when choosing a place to propose."

Whether you're just starting to think about your Alabama proposal (or plan to have your wedding in Alabama ), here's everything you need to know about proposing in Alabama. (Check out the The Knot Vendor Marketplace for proposal photographers , proposal planners and proposal packages in Alabama.)

How to Decide Where to Propose in Alabama

The best time of the year to propose in alabama, the best places to propose in alabama.

Alabama has endless places to propose, so it's important that you start your search with a meaningful location.

"When selecting the location for your proposal, I first suggest that you select a location that is special to you and your partner," says Anne Canon , a wedding and portrait photographer in Fairhope, Alabama. "Once you think about that, I would then consider if you would like somewhere private, or if you are okay having a variety of people around to witness your event."

If you are stumped, don't be afraid to ask for help."For the inside scoop on the best proposal spots, reach out to local photographers," says Tewell. "They're always exploring the most picturesque settings for shoots and know all the hidden gems."

With that in mind, you should take into consideration the time of year when you plan to propose in Alabama. "If you are planning to propose along the Gulf Coast/Mobile bay, be sure to keep your eye on the forecast and be prepared for the unexpected," says Canon. "July is typically the rainiest month on the Gulf Coast."

Summers can be exceptionally hot and humid, so also keep that in mind. Canon adds that if you are planning to have the moment photographed, be sure to talk with your photographer regarding the exact location and time of day in order to have the best lighting.

Fall is a particularly pretty time, especially in Alabama's more mountainous areas. "Are you adventurous? Maybe go on a hike at Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham and pop the question right at the top," says Stenner.

Starting your search for the perfect place to have your proposal in Alabama? This comprehensive list will help you discover the best places to propose in Alabama.

Cheaha State Park, Delta

Do you and your partner love the mountains? Cheaha State Park is the best one to get the best mountain vibes in Alabama. "Cheaha is the highest mountain located in Alabama, situated in the Talladega National Forest. With many overlooks, winding trails, a lake, waterfalls, dense woods, pavilions and other facilities to use for elopements and weddings - it's hard to not love," says Dakota Chasity , an Alabama wedding and elopement photographer. "It offers some of the most beautiful views in the entire Southeast! It's also 30 minutes away from nearby towns, attractions and Airbnbs if you need accommodations or want to plan a more elaborate engagement/proposal experience."

The Grand Hotel Resort and Spa, Point Clear

Plan a weekend visit or dinner with you love at The Grand Hotel Resort and Spa , located right on the shores of Mobile Bay. "The Grand Hotel at Point Clear is absolutely breathtaking and right on the bay—it's the ideal backdrop for a sunset proposal," says Tewell.

Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores

Plan a hiking or camping trip together at Gulf State Park , enjoying the natural beauty of Lake Shelby or biking or walking the miles of trails. "At Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, you can choose between bay and gulf views," says Tewell. "It's spacious enough to find a secluded spot for some privacy."

Magnolia Springs, Magnolia Springs

Looking to propose under the lushest mossy oak trees? Make your way to Magnolia Springs for some of the best. "Don't miss Magnolia Springs, where roads are beautifully shaded by mossy oaks," says Tewell.

Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville

One of the most romantic places to propose in Alabama is the Huntsville Botanical Gardens . "With tiny vignettes everywhere and blossoming flowers, the Huntsville Botanical Gardens is 118 acres worth of interactive, relaxing and gorgeous gardens," says Stenner.

Crest Road, Birmingham

Crest Road in the English Village of Birmingham is a less well-known location that oozes romance and gorgeous scenery. "Crest Road in English Village, Birmingham.has the most magnificent overlook of the 'Magic City' (as they call it) on a road lined with English-inspired mansions," says Stenner. "It gets the most impeccable sunsets, and every summer the city skyline is masked by green trees that crest the hill."

The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, Orange Beach

Combine your love for the art and the water with a proposal at The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach . "The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is a local art gallery operated by the City of Orange Beach located along Wolf Bay," says Canon. "The main building is designed to look like a stunning two story Southern Home with a large wrap around porch. To the side of the main building are several cottages painted in soft coastal colors. The front lawn has large oak trees. Once you make your way around to the back of the property you are treated to a beautiful lawn with more oak trees, a boardwalk along the water and a newly renovated pier over the water."

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

This serene escape within Birmingham is a quiet and romantic place to get down on one knee. "There are so many special places within the Birmingham Botanical Gardens that would make for the perfect proposal location, with 26 different gardens on site," says Canon. "From the Japanese garden, to the conservatory, to the formal lawn, the possibilities are endless."

Avondale Brewing Company, Birmingham

Grab a meal or a great beer at Avondale Brewing Company . Catch a live show as well. It's a great place to propose Downtown Birmingham, and is a favorite of Chasity's.

Noccalula Falls Park, Gadsden

Propose under the waterfalls of Noccalula Falls Park . It's bound to be an incredibly romantic setting that the two of you will always remember. "Noccalula Falls is a well-known tourist stop, but a lot of people never make it out to the trails and only see the falls from the top," says Chasity. "The falls are incredible, surrounded by dense woods and rock walls. Even if you proposed at the top of the falls, you could explore and adventure at the base after with a picnic, some bubbly and watch the sun go down."

The Lyric Theatre, Birmingham

Built in 1914, this historic theater downtown is a stunning location for a proposal, says Chasity. Pop the question after taking in a symphony concert or one of many live shows hosted there.

Alabama Theatre, Birmingham

Another exquisite theater to propose at is the Alabama Theatre in Downtown Birmingham, says Chasity. This movie theater was built in 1927, and has stunning interiors in rich fabrics and colors. Pop the question after watching one of your favorite movies together.

Oak Hollow Farm, Fairhope

Spend a day exploring the 300 acres of Oak Hollow Farm . Outdoor lovers can try out skeet shooting or pheasant hunting before you propose.

NorthRiver Yacht Club, Tuscaloosa

Take a boat out on the water together for a sunset cruise from the NorthRiver Yacht Club . It's the perfect location to celebrate your proposal together on Lake Tuscaloosa with friends and family.

Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham

With over 100 historic aircrafts to explore, the Southern Museum of Flight is a unique place to propose to your love. Even if you don't love to fly, it's the perfect place for your love story to "take off".

• Anniston/Gadsden

Alabama legend Will Reichard becomes 1st kicker picked in 2024 NFL Draft

• Updated: Apr. 27, 2024, 4:22 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 4:20 p.m.

• Nick Alvarez | [email protected]

He’s kicked his name into Alabama football history. He set the all-time points record for the Southeastern Conference, then the entire NCAA. He was called an assassin by his head coach. He earned a key to the city of Hoover. And on Saturday, Will Reichard got a call from Minnesota.

The Vikings drafted Reichard in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft (203rd overall).

He was the first kicker off the board and ninth player from Nick Saban’s final Alabama team to be selected this weekend. He’ll join former teammate Dallas Turner, Minnesota’s first-round pick along with Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Reichard returned to Tuscaloosa for a final year to, in part, improve his draft stock. He had demonstrated consistency (547 total points) and rose in big moments, like a 2022 game-winner at Texas. Reichard converted 84 of 100 field-goal tries and 295 extra-point attempts.

“Will’s been as good a college kicker over the last 2-3 years as anybody could ever ask for,” Saban said last August.

Reichard’s goal in 2023 was to better his touchback rate. Reichard produced a career-high 59.7% (min. 87 attempts) of his kickoffs in which opponents didn’t return it. That was nearly 10% better than his 2022 rate. Reichard must now adapt the NFL’s new kickoff rules, incentivizing kickers to boot it out of the endzone.

Alabama’s last specialists drafted were long snapper Thomas Fletcher (2021, Carolina Panthers) and punter JK Scott (2018, Green Bay Packers). The last Tide kicker picked was David Ray in 1966.

Three Tide players have heard their names called on Day 3: Justin Eboigbe , Jase McClellan and now Reichard.

Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks

• 7. JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
• 17. Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings
• 24. Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions
• 41. Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
• 57. Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 80. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
• 105. Justin Eboigbe, Los Angeles Chargers
• 186. Jase McClellan, Atlanta Falcons
• 203. Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings

See more from AL.com's Crimson Tide beat writers

• Nick Pringle announces transfer from Alabama to South Carolina
• ‘Mr. Irrelevant’: Alabama’s Jaylen Key is final pick of 2024 NFL Draft, goes to New York Jets
• Alabama’s Jase McClellan taken by Atlanta Falcons in NFL Draft’s 6th round
• NFL Draft: Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe drafted by Los Angeles Chargers in 4th round
• Alabama WR Jermaine Burton taken by Bengals, picked 80th overall in NFL Draft

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter  @nick_a_alvarez  or email him at  [email protected] .

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cosmopolitan

The Most Beautiful Places in All 50 States

Posted: April 28, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

America is full of incredible sights, both natural and manmade, but not all sights are created equal. Dive into our list of the most beautiful places in all 50 states, and you might just find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Alabama: Bellingrath Gardens & Home

This 65-acre garden , designed by prominent Mobile, Alabama, architect George B. Rogers, is full of brightly colored blooms and edible crops. Walter Bellingrath , the successful owner of a Coca Cola bottling franchise, and his wife Bessie, called the land home up until the 1950s. You can still tour their 10,000-square-foot mansion today.

See more beautiful places around the world.

Alaska: Creek Street

Although Creek Street was once what is politely referred to as a red light district, it currently serves as a scenic boardwalk with quaint tourist spots. Visitors of this beautiful and historic walkway can spot wildlife (think otters, eagles, and large schools of salmon) and browse quaint shops and galleries along the way.

Arizona: Antelope Canyon

The rock formations in Arizona's Antelope Canyon look absolutely surreal. Operated by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department , the canyon was formed by fast-flowing flash flood waters . Bring your best camera if you decide to tour the location — the sunbeams play off the canyon walls to create colors you'll want to capture.

Arkansas: Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel

Designed by Fayetteville, Arkansas, architects E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings, the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel sits on a quiet hilltop overlooking Bella Vista's Lake Norwood. The chapel's 15 main arches stand 50 feet tall, and its walls are made of 4,460 square feet of glass. If you're already imagining your wedding or vow renewal taking place here, you're in luck: The chapel can be reserved for special ceremonies.

California: Sequoia National Park

You've heard of California's renowned redwoods, but did you know about its sequoias? While redwood trees stand as the tallest trees in the world, sequoias are the largest. The biggest sequoia in the world , a tree fondly known as General Sherman, can be found in the state's Sequoia National Park. Believe it or not, General Sherman is 275 feet tall, 102 feet wide, and weighs 2.7 million pounds.

Colorado: Mesa Verde National Park

Not only is Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park beautiful, but it also gives us a chance to travel back in time. The 5,000 archaeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings that make up Mesa Verde give us a closer look at the Ancestral Pueblo community that made the land their home for 700 years, and the park staff continues to preserve them today.

Connecticut: Mystic

A small seaside village with a ton of character, Mystic, Connecticut , is full of beautiful restaurants, galleries, shops and homes like the one pictured here. Visitors will also enjoy taking in the location's rich history: Settled in 1654, Mystic is home to what is known as the nation's leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport .

See more of the best small towns to visit in 2016.

Delaware: Hagley Museum and Library

What was once the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont is now a stunning educational center in Wilmington, Delaware. A Smithsonian affiliate, the Hagley Museum and Library works to further the study of business and technology. The institution also owns 235 acres of land along Delaware's Brandywine Creek.

Florida: Naples Pier

Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Florida, the Naples Pier serves as an excellent spot for fishing, dining, and simply taking in the ocean views. We're also willing to bet this pier is the perfect spot to watch a sunset.

Georgia: Bonaventure Cemetery

Savannah, Georgia is full of charm—and ghost stories. So of course it's home to some of the most beautiful cemeteries (yes, cemeteries; stay with me here!) in the world. All 100+ of Bonaventure Cemetery 's acres are stun-ning ! The stone carvings, the surrounding nature, the serene quiet—it's no wonder the over 170-year-old destination tops the list of must-sees for anyone staying in-town. Pro tip: Check out the schedule of free guided weekend tours by the Bonaventure Historical Society to plan your visit.

Hawaii: Sea Caves Along the Na Pali Coast

Along the island of Kauai's Na Pali Coast , you will find a number of gaping sea caves. Formed by harsh waves slamming into the island's porous lava rock, the caves now provide the perfect place for kayakers and other adventure-seekers to get up close and personal with the land.

Idaho: Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh

From April to June, Idaho's Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh is the epitome of a wildlife sanctuary. The Camas Creek is completely filled, a field of purple camas lilies begins to bloom, and waterfowl flock to the marshy area. Consider this spot a must-see if you enjoy bird-watching.

Illinois: Bahá'í House of Worship

The Bahá'í House of Worship House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, is the oldest of the seven Bahá'í temples that exist around the world today. With nine sides, a massive dome and a beautiful garden, the temple serves as a house of worship for believers in the Bahá'í faith, which was founded in Iran in the mid-1800s.

Indiana: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Believe it or not, Indiana is home to one of the country's most stunning beaches. With 15 miles along Lake Michigan's southern shore and 15,000 acres belonging to the national lakeshore area , the dunes offer visitors a variety of beautiful landscapes — dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests included.

Iowa: Amana Colonies

The historic Amana Colonies are made up of a total of seven villages. Settled by German Pietists who lived a communal lifestyle until the 1930s, the colonies are approximately 150 years old. Today, they attract visitors with charming brick and clapboard homes, blooming gardens, and locally made beer and wine.

See more of the most historic houses in America.

Kansas: Baker Wetlands

Located just south of Lawrence, Kansas, the Baker Wetlands are home to many types of wildlife. The water, which drains out to the Wakarusa River via Mink Creek, supplies the perfect environment for a variety of flowers, plants, birds, and insects. Visitors using the surrounding trails might just be able to catch a glimpse of a beautiful blue heron.

Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park

Underneath the rolling hills of Central Kentucky lies Mammoth Cave — the world's longest known cave system — where more than 400 miles of it have been explored. Visitors can tour the cave, then choose from nearby activities including horseback riding, biking, and camping.

Louisiana: Garden District

If Southern charm is what you're after, look no further than the Garden District of New Orleans . In this gorgeous neighborhood, classically constructed mansions and lush green gardens line the streets. You might even recognize a house or two from a movie you love — the Garden District has been featured in a number of films including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt.

Maine: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Located at the entrance to the Muscongus and Johns Bays, the stunning Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is going on 200 years old. (President John Quincy Adams commissioned the structure in 1827.) If you were ever a state quarter collector, you might also recognize this landmark from Maine's 25-cent piece.

Maryland: George Peabody Library

Baltimore's George Peabody Library is so much more than a home for books: It also serves as an extravagant wedding and event venue for those willing to rent the space. With five tiers of balconies and more than 300,000 volumes of reading material, the library offers an elegant setting for wining, dining, and, of course, researching.

Massachusetts: Motif No. 1 Fish Shack

Of all the charming structures and beautiful landscapes in the tiny coastal village of Rockport, this little red fish shack is perhaps the most well-known. Known as Motif No. 1 since early 20th-century illustrator Lester Hornby deemed it so, the building has been recreated by several artists.

See more of the most beautiful places in the world.

Michigan: Turnip Rock

This fascinating rock formation off the coast of Port Austin, Michigan, came to be after many years of waves wore down the stone. The land surrounding Turnip Rock is privately owned, however, so the only way to get up close and personal with the island is via water. Note that the area is especially shallow, so stepping out of a kayak to take a beautiful photo like this one is doable.

Minnesota: Minnehaha Falls

As the centerpiece of Minneapolis's Minnehaha Regional Park, this 53-foot waterfall is an extraordinary find in the Twin Cities area. Its name, Minnehaha, comes from words meaning "waterfall" in the Dakota language, according to the Minnesota Parks & Recreation Board .

Mississippi: Red Bluff

Behold: The prettiest, coolest hike ever!! Nicknamed the "Little Grand Canyon," The scenic trail around the red clay canyon is full of stunning views, a creek, and...a road that the still-eroding canyon sort of ate up. Basically: It's Instagram Gold.

(Photo credit: IcknieldRidgeway .)

Missouri: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Directly across the state from St. Louis's gleaming Gateway Arch is the equally stunning Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts , located in the heart of downtown Kansas City. The 285,000-square-foot building, which was designed by architect Moshe Safdie and opened in 2011, regularly hosts operas and performances by the Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Symphony.

Montana: Lake McDonald

As the largest lake in Montana's photogenic Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald spans 10 miles and sinks 472 feet deep. Formed by Ice Age-era glaciers, the lake has a still, reflective surface that provides the perfect mirror for the surrounding mountains. Visitors might even spot a bighorn sheep, elk, or black bear, as they are known to tour the area.

Nebraska: Holy Family Shrine

An isolated Catholic chapel, the marvelous Holy Family Shrine is located off Interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln in Nebraska. At its highest points, the chapel's roof reaches 49 feet tall, and the windowed walls give visitors a stretching view of the surrounding prairie. Although special ceremonies like weddings and baptisms are not permitted to be held at this location, guided tours are offered and a regular mass is held on Saturdays.

Nevada: Fly Geyser

Because the Fly Geyser was previously located on private land, travelers had to drive along Nevada State Route 34 to view it. Earlier this month, though, the Burning Man festival purchased the land, which means the formation will eventually be available for closer public viewing.

New Hampshire: Blair Covered Bridge

At 292 feet long, New Hampshire's rustic Blair Covered Bridge is the second longest in the state. The original bridge, which was built in 1829, burned down before the current bridge was constructed in 1869. Although it's been weathered and worn by travelers and hurricanes, the state of New Hampshire and the town of Campton continue to put in the effort to restore this historic site .

New Jersey: Island Beach State Park

New Jersey's Island Beach State Park , which spans nearly 10 miles of the Barnegat Peninsula, is a popular place for ocean swimming and surf fishing. And with its maritime forests, tidal marshes, and rolling sand dunes, the undeveloped barrier beach provides an incredible backdrop for these and other recreational activities.

New Mexico: White Sands

Although photos of New Mexico's rolling white sand dunes look almost too fantastic to be real, visitors can indeed find the White Sands National Monument in the heart of the Tularosa Basin. The sand is made of gypsum, which gives it its clean white color, and covers 275 square miles of desert. The photo opps — and opportunities for activities like sledding and hiking — are endless.

See more places in nature so beautiful you won't believe they're real.

New York: Ausable Chasm Bridge

Discovered in 1765 by a man named William Gilliland, the Ausable Chasm is sometimes referred to as "the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks." The remarkable vertical-walled canyon is made of 500-million-year-old rock and provides visitors with opportunities to hike, bike, raft, rock climb — or simply enjoy the magnificent view of the chasm and this stunning steel arch bridge.

North Carolina: Inn at Rodanthe

Does this oceanfront vacation home look familiar to you? If it does, you might have seen it in the 2008 Nicholas Sparks film starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, Nights in Rodanthe . The Inn at Rodanthe was built in the 1980s, when it originally stood 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. But the water crept ever closer and the home was put in great danger, so it was moved to this location in 2010, where it's now available to rent.

North Dakota: Sunflower Fields

North Dakota grows more of these cheery blooms than any other state (51 percent of the nation's crop, to be exact), and you can find many fields of them growing in the center of the state. This sunflower field , located near Michigan City, North Dakota, is particularly beautiful, but wherever you choose to go to view the flowers is well worth the trip.

Ohio: Union Terminal

An Ohio State icon, Union Terminal stands in Cincinnati as a proud example of the Art Deco period. Visitors admire the 1933 building's large half-dome architecture and stunning fountain display, all of which cost $41 million to build. Visitors can tour the building and its many exhibits or, you know, take a train.

Oklahoma: Philbrook Museum

Today, the Philbrook Museum stands as a museum for modern and contemporary art and is a cultural institution in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the 1930s, however, the artfully constructed building was home to oilman Waite Phillips and his wife, Genevieve. It was in 1938 that the couple gifted their 72-room mansion and its surrounding 23 acres to the city of Tulsa and asked that it be made into a center for the arts.

Oregon: Crater Lake

As the deepest and perhaps most pristine lake in the United States, Oregon's Crater Lake inspires awe in all who visit it. The body of water sits atop the volcanic Mount Mazama, which erupted 7,700 years ago and resulted in the formation of the lake. Now, fed by ice and snow, Crater Lake's water is some of the clearest in the world.

See more photos of the world's clearest lakes.

Pennsylvania: Boathouse Row

Boathouse Row along Philadelphia's Schuylkill River provides one of the city's most remarkable nighttime views. The 12 buildings making up the row house some of the city's local boating clubs, a recreation center, and a private social club.

Rhode Island: Cliff Walk

This 3.5-mile walk along the eastern shore of Newport, Rhode Island, merges natural with the architectural wonders of this coastal city. From the Cliff Walk path, walkers can take in the city's many historic and elaborate mansions, as well as local wildlife and shoreline views.

South Carolina: Angel Oak

Located on Johns Island, the massive live Angel Oak is a sight for any traveler to behold. Estimated to be somewhere between 400 and 500 years old, the oak is 66.5 feet tall, produces 17,200 square feet of shade and serves as the perfect stop on the way to a vacation on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

South Dakota: Spearfish Canyon

With its 1,000-foot limestone walls, Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota's Black Hills is home to a wide array of wildlife. Hoping to see a wild porcupine or bobcat in its natural habitat? This nature area, which also features the majestic Roughlock Falls, is your place.

Texas: Hamilton Pool Preserve

Just a short drive away from Austin, Texas, you'll find the magical (and historic) Hamilton Pool Preserve . Hamilton Creek spills out over a limestone overhang to create a 50-foot waterfall and underlying pool, which is a popular swimming spot. It's so popular, in fact, that Travis County Parks has started taking visitor reservations for it.

Tennessee: Cades Cove

This scenic valley is settled in the middle of Tennessee's section of the renowned Great Smoky Mountains. And all those hoping to tour Cades Cove need is a car: An 11-mile looped road circles through the valley and offers visitors picturesque views like the one you see here. Biking, hiking, and camping opportunities are also available.

Utah: Golden Cathedral Hiking Trail

Hikers, rejoice: This 9.2-mile trail in Utah's Neon Canyon will end with one of the most incredible destinations you've ever seen. Although the hike requires a decent amount of skill, it'll all be worth it upon seeing the domed pour-off known as the Golden Cathedral , where water from the canyon's Escalante River has formed extraordinary pothole arches. Hike on clear day to watch sun pour through the formation's three openings.

Virginia: Mabry Mill

Located off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 176.1, Mabry Mill stands rustic and proud — and rightfully so, as the location is perhaps one of the most-photographed in America. The historic mill, built by Edwin Boston Mabry in the 1800s, has been restored so visitors can enjoy live exhibits and demonstrations of the milling process. During summer Sunday afternoons, the mill also comes alive with musicians and dancers.

Vermont: Stowe

Settled among forest, fields, streams as well as Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the Vermont, Stowe, is the perfect resort destination for those wanting to escape to a tiny New England town. Visit Stowe for recreation (think mountain biking in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter), relaxation, and a number of festivals.

Washington: Naches Peak Loop Trail and Tipsoo Lake

This popular alpine hiking trail is a nature lover's dream come true: Wildflower fields, the beautiful Tipsoo Lake, and a striking view of Washington's Mount Rainier all greet hikers along the Naches Peak Loop . Late-summer visitors will find more blue lupine, white bistort, and magenta paintbrush than those who visit at any other time of year.

Wisconsin: Ice Caves

Who knew these fantastical ice caves could be found right in Wisconsin's Apostle Islands? Although the ice doesn't grow strong enough for sightseers to hike out to them every year (this year, for example, hiking is prohibited), the formations that do grow during the coldest years are impressive. Make a trip out to the Mainland Unit of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore after an especially chilly winter.

West Virginia: The Greenbrier

At The Greenbrier in the mountains of West Virginia, a National Historic Landmark meets a world-class resort. The gorgeous 11,000-acre resort, which has hosted guests since 1778, offers golf, fine dining, outdoor activities, a luxurious spa — and has even played host to 26 of our 44 presidents.

See more historic mansions that are open to the public.

Wyoming: Grand Prismatic Spring

If you have yet to make it out to Yellowstone National Park, let this phenomenal photo be what pushes you to make the trip. The Grand Prismatic Spring , aside from being unbelievably beautiful, is the largest natural hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the entire world.

More for You

Average US annual salary by age revealed – see how you compare

30 food items that you might not know are banned in America

Donald Trump has saved Nato – and the West

I’m a Bank Teller: 3 Times You Should Never Ask For $100 Bills at the Bank

I’m a psychologist and mom—here are 3 phrases I wish more parents would say to their kids

223 vs 556: What's the Difference?

Martin Lewis issues warning to people choosing air fryer over oven

Scientists discover gigantic 'structure' under the surface of the Moon

This is the ideal sleep temperature for older adults, new study finds

Social Security 2025 COLA Forecast: Here's the Good and Bad News

Here is the average credit score at every age in the U.S.—see how yours stacks up

Red and Rover by Brian Basset

She helps hoarders clean up, and she has thoughts on your mess

Baking Soda Makes a Great DIY Weed Killer—Here's How to Use It

T.J. Hockenson trade results finalized: Here’s what Detroit Lions got

A man who 'hopes he runs out of money' before he dies explains why you may not need as much cash to retire as you think

Check Out the Original Invoice on This 1928 Ford Model A

What Do All the Heart Emojis Mean? A Guide To Using the Symbols of Love

14 Things You’re Not Buying from Walmart—But Should

12 Curved Sofas That Instantly Elevate Any Living Room

• CBSSports.com
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• CBS Sports Home
• Champions League
• Motor Sports
• High School
• Horse Racing 

Men's Brackets

Women's Brackets

Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy football, football pick'em, college pick'em, fantasy basketball, fantasy hockey, franchise games, 24/7 sports news network.

• CBS Sports Golazo Network
• PGA Tour on CBS
• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• Italian Serie A
• Watch CBS Sports Network
• TV Shows & Listings

The Early Edge

A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast

With the First Pick

NFL Draft is coming up!

• Podcasts Home
• The First Cut Golf
• Beyond the Arc
• Eye On College Basketball
• NFL Pick Six
• Cover 3 College Football
• Fantasy Football Today
• My Teams Organize / See All Teams Help Account Settings Log Out

2024 NFL Draft start time, date, schedule, location, TV channel, live stream, how to watch streaming online

Everything to know about the 2024 nfl draft.

The 2024 NFL Draft is officially here! The first round kicked off Thursday night , and the action will continue through Saturday as 257 young men will hear their names called as professional football players.

On Thursday night, the first several picks went as expected before things started to go off the rails. By far, the biggest surprise of Round 1 was the Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick despite recently signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. Another huge surprise was six quarterbacks being selected in Round 1 (an NFL record) and the first 14 picks being spent on offensive players (another record). 

While Round 1 is in the books, we've got two more days of draft coverage in front of us. Here's everything you need to know about the next two days of the 2024 NFL Draft: 

When is the draft?

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25-27. The specific start times (Eastern) for each day are as follows:

• Thursday, April 25: Round 1 (8 p.m.)
• Friday, April 26: Rounds 2-3 (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 27: Rounds 4-7 (12 p.m.)

Where is the draft?

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit. 

How to watch

The 2024 NFL Draft will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. It will also be live-streamed on fubo .  CBS Sports HQ , CBS Sports' 24/7 streaming network, will also provide coverage before, during and after the event.

With The First Pick Newsletter

Prepare for the upcoming nfl draft with the day’s big stories + mock drafts, big board updates and more., thanks for signing up, keep an eye on your inbox., there was an error processing your subscription., 2024 nfl draft order.

There are only three teams without a first-round pick as part of the 2024 NFL Draft: the Cleveland Browns , Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans . Here's the full order for the first round. You can check out the entire seven-round draft order with all 257 picks, here .

1.  Chicago Bears

Team needs:  QB, WR, EDGE, IOL, DT, LB, IOL

2.  Washington Commanders

Team needs:  QB, OT, EDGE, CB, WR, S, LB, IOL

3.  New England Patriots

Team needs:  OT, WR, QB, CB, WR, OT, LB, DL, TE

4.  Arizona Cardinals

Team needs:  WR, RB, EDGE, DL, CB, IOL, LB, WR

5.  Los Angeles Chargers

Team needs:  WR, CB, DL, OT, LB, WR, RB

6.  New York Giants

Team needs:  IOL, WR, RB, LB, S, CB, QB

7.  Tennessee Titans

Team needs:  OT, DL, EDGE, LB, IOL, WR, CB, TE

8.  Atlanta Falcons

Team needs:  EDGE, CB, DL, LB, S, WR, CB

9. Chicago Bears

10.  new york jets.

Team needs:  WR, TE, OT, RB, S, WR, CB

11.  Minnesota Vikings

Team needs:  QB, DL, IOL, WR, EDGE, CB

12.  Denver Broncos

Team needs:  QB, DL, CB, S, IOL, WR, LB, EDGE

13.  Las Vegas Raiders

Team needs:  QB, IOL, CB, DL, LB, OT, RB

14.  New Orleans Saints

Team needs:  OT, DL, WR, CB, IOL, RB, TE, S

15.  Indianapolis Colts

Team needs:  CB, EDGE, S, WR, LB, CB

16.  Seattle Seahawks

Team needs:  IOL, LB, S, EDGE, DL, TE, IOL

17.  Jacksonville Jaguars

Team needs:  WR, CB, DL, EDGE, IOL

18.  Cincinnati Bengals

Team needs:  TE, DL, IOL, EDGE, CB, WR, OT

19.  Los Angeles Rams

Team needs:  DL, EDGE, OT, RB, CB, S, LB, WR

20.  Pittsburgh Steelers

Team needs:  WR, OT, IOL, S, CB, LB, DL

21.  Miami Dolphins

Team needs:  IOL, DL, TE, WR, IOL, EDGE, CB

22.  Philadelphia Eagles

Team needs:  CB, LB, S, OT, IOL, WR, TE

23. Minnesota Vikings (via trade with  Texans )

Team needs:  QB, DL, IOL, WR, EDGE, CB, DL

24.  Dallas Cowboys  (12-5)

Team needs:  OT, IOL, RB, CB, LB, WR, S

25.  Green Bay Packers  (9-8)

Team needs:  OT, IOL, CB, S, DL, LB, QB

26.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team needs:  IOL, CB, EDGE, LB, S, WR

27. Arizona Cardinals

28.  buffalo bills.

Team needs:  CB, EDGE, OT, IOL, S, WR, LB

29.  Detroit Lions

Team needs:  IOL, CB, WR, EDGE, DL, S, LB, TE

30.  Baltimore Ravens

Team needs:  OT, IOL, CB, DL, EDGE, WR, LB

31.  San Francisco 49ers

Team needs:  OT, IOL, DL, EDGE, IOL, S, CB

32.  Kansas City Chiefs

Team needs:  OT, WR, CB, DL, LB, S, RB, EDGE

Teams without a first-round pick

Cleveland browns.

Team needs:  IOL, OT, WR, RB, LB, DL

Carolina Panthers

Team needs:  WR, EDGE, CB, TE, OT, DL, RB

Houston Texans

Team needs:  CB, TE, LB, WR, IOL, DL, EDGE

For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on  "With the First Pick"  -- our year-round  NFL Draft  podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former  Vikings  general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts:  Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify ,  YouTube , etc.

Mock draft central

Half the fun of draft season is projecting all the different scenarios up top, and our draft experts have you covered with first-round forecasts (and more). You can find updated projections from Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, Josh Edwards and Kyle Stackpole  right here at our mock draft hub .

Top prospects

The 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with offensive talent, particularly at the top. It is a talented, deep quarterback group, but the strengths in this class are offensive tackle, wide receiver and, potentially, cornerback. The weakness of this class is linebacker, defensive tackle and running back.

We've got you covered with CBS Sports prospect rankings of the top 400 players in this year's draft class. Here's the top 10:

Our Latest Nfl Draft Stories

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Sanders, Hunter top 2 picks

Ryan wilson • 1 min read.

There's no sure-thing like Caleb Williams in 2025

Blake brockermeyer • 5 min read.

2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 7

Chris trapasso • 8 min read.

2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 6

Chris trapasso • 10 min read.

2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

Chris trapasso • 12 min read.

NFL Draft: Predicting where remaining QBs will land

Garrett podell • 7 min read, share video.

How to watch 2024 NFL Draft: Time, date, TV, order

NFL Draft winners, losers: New life in Washington

NFL Draft grades: Pats, Chiefs ace test

Overreactions: A new star for the Niners?

Broncos' Nix among biggest reaches

Rams' Stafford unhappy with contract, brass responds

Report: Potential No. 1 pick in WNBA to transfer to USC

Why Cowboys passed on RB in draft; Zeke prospects

Sanders says he won't follow sons to NFL, 'loves' Colorado

Finding best fits for top remaining NFL free agents

Music | Indie-pop sensations Alvvays perform two big…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

Things To Do

• Food & Drink
• Celebrities
• Pets & Animals
• Event Calendar

Breaking News

Music | cal poly humboldt closes campus for rest of semester over gaza protests, music | indie-pop sensations alvvays perform two big northern california shows, alvvays performs in santa cruz, sacramento.

Alvvays delivered one of the best sets of the 2023 Outside Lands music festival, delighting thousands of fans who turned out to see the super-cool Canadian indie-pop act perform at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Now, the band is set to return to Northern California and will play shows at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento on May 13 and the Catalyst in Santa Cruz on May 14. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets start at $89 (subject to change) in Sacramento ( ticketmaster.com ), while the gig begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $32-$37 in Santa Cruz ( etix.com ).

Formed in 2011, Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) released its wonderful self-titled debut in 2014 and immediately garnered a sizable following in the indie/college music scene. The record ended up being shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize (given to the best Canadian album of the year) in 2015, but ended up losing to Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Power in the Blood.”

The group then returned in 2017 with another winning effort, “Antisocialites,” which earned another Polaris shortlist nod. Yet, that 2018 prize would go to Jeremy Dutcher’s “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.”

Alvvays — featuring vocalist-guitarist Molly Rankin, keyboardist Kerri MacLellan, guitarist Alec O’Hanley, drummer Sheridan Riley and bassist Abbey Blackwell – is currently supporting 2022’s excellent “Blue Rev,” which — yes — once again garnered a Polaris shortlist spot, but fell short to Debby Friday’s “Good Luck.”

If you can’t make either of these shows in May — or simply want to maximize the Alvvays experience — the band will return to the area to perform on Aug. 16 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, apeconcerts.com .

• Report an error
• Policies and Standards

More in Music

Music | Jeannie Mai accuses rapper Jeezy of physical abuse amid acrimonious divorce

Music | Stagecoach and Coachella 2024: The differences and similarities of the festivals

Music | Billie Eilish, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews and hundreds more ask Congress to fix concert ticket pricing

Music | Matty Healy isn’t tortured by Taylor Swift’s ‘diss’ track