20 Things To Do In Alabama

 20 Things To Do In Alabama

Alabama is an intriguing destination for many, with its traditional Southern friendliness and a plethora of interesting things to see and do.

Alabama has succeeded in discarding the baggage of its Civil Rights era in recent decades, blossoming into a flourishing region rich in culture and entertainment, while never forgetting its often volatile – but always fascinating – past. If you're thinking about visiting Alabama soon, we've compiled a list of 20 of the best sites and activities the state has to offer.

1. US SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER

For many people, space holds a special interest, and visitors to Alabama may enjoy the next best thing to a trip into space by spending the day at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The centre, which is one of the state's most prestigious educational facilities, displays more than 1,500 items and relics, many of which were collected from legendary space missions such as the Apollo program, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle program. Daily space-themed movies are also presented at the National Geographic and IMAX theaters on-site.

2. CHEAHA MOUNTAIN

Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama, is nestled within the enormous expanse of Cheaha State Park and provides a compelling reward for those who climb it, surrounded as it is by granite boulders, wind-warped ancient trees, and breathtaking vistas for miles. Hikers can reach the mountain's peak by hiking a one-mile portion of the Lake Trail, or driving up park roads to the stone observation tower that marks the mountain's highest point.

3. THE ROENBAUM HOUSE

The Roenbaum House is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable constructions by legendary American architect Frank Llyod Wright. The building, which was built in 1940 as a family home for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum, features horizontal lines, glass windows, and cantilevered roofs, and is considered a key example of Wright's 'Usonion' design style, which emerged after the Great Depression to provide affordable, functional homes that blend in with their surroundings. Today, the structure has been converted into a museum that is open to the public without reservations.

4. THE CIVIL RIGHTS TOUR IN BIRMINGHAM

Few states have played as important a role in America's civil rights struggle as Alabama, and few cities have played as important a role as Birmingham. A guided Civil Rights tour of Birmingham is available for those interested in learning more about this important moment in history. The three-hour tour visits some of the most important places where battles were fought, protests were staged, and the lives of millions of people were transformed forever. Hotel pick-up, transportation, and on-board commentary are all included in the tour price.

5. HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Huntsville Botanical Garden, which receives over a quarter-million visitors each year, is a real oasis of horticultural beauty and tranquility. The fascinating venue is split into several zones, including a biblical garden, fern glade, daylily garden, and herb garden, and is open all year, rain or shine. A fascinating nature walk, a butterfly house, and a special Jurassic-themed dinosaur garden are among the many kid-friendly activities.

6. BIRMINGHAM ZOO

Birmingham Zoo, which opened its doors in 1955 and today houses over 800 animals representing 200 different species, is always a popular choice for a family day out. The Kangaroo Kountry, Predator Building, Flamingo Lagoon, Primate Building, Lorikeet Aviary, and Alligator Swamp are among the most popular attractions, with more adventurous visitors even having the opportunity to ride a real camel at certain times of the year.

7. ALLIGATOR ALLEY

If the comparably limited number of alligators on display at Birmingham Zoo isn't enough to quench your need for ‘gator action, travel to Summerdale, which boasts its own alligator farm known as Alligator Alley. The humanitarian project, which began in 2004 as a natural home for rescued alligators, has grown in size and now houses 450 alligators in its swampy surroundings. Visitors are welcome to wander about the facility at their leisure and even participate in supervised feedings.

8. NATURAL BRIDGE

Because of its young age as a nation, America is frequently criticized of being short on history in comparison to its Old World competitors. The Natural Bridge, on the other hand, is a landmark that defies this stereotype. The bridge was built out of iron ore and sandstone over 200 million years ago and is surrounded by lush vegetation and awe-inspiring rock formations in what is now known as the William Bankhead National Forest. While walking across the bridge is prohibited for safety reasons, tourists can admire it up close — and even stroll under it if they dare.

9. BIRMINGHAM MUSUEM OF ART

Birmingham art lovers are in for a treat, thanks to the presence of one of Alabama's finest cultural institutions in the city. The Birmingham Museum of Art is home to a beautiful collection of over 25,000 works of art from all over the world. African, Asian, American, and European cultures, as well as Native American and Pre-Columbian cultures, are represented. The museum also has collections of Renaissance, Wedgwood, and Baroque art, as well as a well-known Vietnamese ceramics collection.

10. MOBIL CARNIVAL MUSEUM

The exact roots of Mardis Gras, like other cultural phenomena, are widely debated. One of the most popular theories is that the carnival's true birthplace is none other than Mobile, Alabama's Gulf Coast port city. As a result, Mardi Gras is celebrated in a boisterous manner every year, and the city even has its own museum dedicated to the history of the festival. The Mobile Carnival Museum is housed in a restored historic mansion and features 14 immersive galleries that allow visitors to see firsthand the intricate designs and artistry of majestic crowns, scepters, and robes of Mardi Gras monarchs, learn about the art of costume design and float construction, glimpse video clips of parades and balls, browse a gallery of images dating back to 1886, and even climb onboard a swaying float to get a behind-the-mask view of a Mardi Gras street party.Glimpse movies of parades and balls, browse a gallery of images dating back to 1886, and even climb onboard a swaying float to get a behind-the-mask view of a Mardi Gras street party.

11. GULF SHORES

On the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Gulf Shores is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and one of the top beach spots in the state. There are 32 miles of white-sand beaches where you can go parasailing, kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, paddle boarding, surfing, and scuba diving. There are also various hiking paths, a pier, a golf course, and a zip line that runs through the dunes. Sea turtles and migratory birds thrive in the area's coastal ecosystems, making wildlife sightings a major thing.

12. BIRMINGHAM FOOD TOUR

Birmingham has a wonderful food scene and visitors can get a taste of its diverse culinary landscape by booking onto a food tour. From quintessential Alabama barbecue to locally-brewed craft beer, this small-group tour of up to six people will fill you up with the city’s best bites as your guide regales you with fascinating stories and facts about the origins of Birmingham’s food history. The tour runs for around 2.45 hours and the price includes downtown hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation and live onboard commentary, all food samples and lunch.

13. ALABAMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, which spans a 12,500-square-foot exhibition hall, was established to honor the state's long-standing tradition of creative creativity in the realm of music. The venue displays a large collection of memorabilia and other objects from the lives and careers of some of Alabama's most famous musicians, including Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris, the group Alabama, The Commodores, Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy, and Hank Williams, spanning numerous genres. Inductees are also honored with a permanent bronze star in the museum's "Walk of Fame" on the lobby floor.

14. MUSIC SHOALS SOUND STUDIO

Head to the Shoals area in the state's northeastern reaches for a different kind of musical legacy. The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, which is still in operation, has produced hundreds of hit singles by artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, and Rod Stewart over the years. Music fans can take a professionally led tour of the studio, where they will learn about the venue's storied history and have the opportunity to play the exact instruments used by rock legends. Every hour, tours depart.

15. GHOST TOURS

Birmingham, like many other cities, is steeped in centuries-old tales of strange happenings, and those daring enough can join a small-group ghost tour to see if any of the city's apparitions are still around today. Guests are taken by van from one (allegedly) haunted location to the next, including hotels, theaters, cemeteries, and mansions, while your guide tells chilling tales of the city's eerie past. Hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation, and your guide are all included in the trip price.

16. ALABAMA MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL IN GREENVILLE

Enter the Kingdom of Dragon Croft via the gates of the Alabama Medieval Fantasy Festival, where 21st-century life fades into the cool woodland countryside. Visitors are welcomed into a world of exploration and adventure, as well as a place of enjoyment, creativity, laughter, and enchantment. Hundreds of costumed actors recreate a 9th century European marketplace, complete with entertainment, food and drink, handcrafted products, and vendors from all over the world. Join good King Gregory and his lovely Queen Annwynn for a fantastic kingdom trip.

17. FURNACE FEST 

If you're in Alabama in August, the nationally recognized Furnace Fest will be celebrating its 20th year, with all the punk, emo, and hardcore musical activity you can take. The three-day festival, which will take place in the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham for the first time since 2003, promises to be as wild and boisterous as everyone recalls. A fantastic lineup of over 90 bands will perform in front of a rowdy throng of music fans over three stages. Face to Face, Taking Back Sunday, Underoath, Killswitch Engage, Emery, Zao, Anberlin, Beloved, Further Seems Forever, Living Sacrifice, and Emery, Zao, Anberlin are among the major acts due to perform.

18. FAIRHOPE 

Alabama boasts a liberal scattering of towns and villages outside of its big cities that ooze genuine small-town American charm. Fairhope is one of the most popular. Because of its sandy beaches, pleasant public parks, and sweeping panoramic vistas of gorgeous Mobile Bay, the town has acquired the unofficial moniker of "the jewel of the Eastern Shore." The downtown sector is packed with colorful boutiques and trendy eateries, and the town has a thriving arts culture, with art walks and festivals held on a regular basis.

19. MOORESVILLE

Mooresville, Alabama, is the epitome of the term "little but perfectly made," with a population of only 50 people. Mooresville is located in Limestone County in northern Alabama. The tiny village, which exudes exquisite old-world charm, is officially included on the National Register of Historic Places due to its amazing quantity of centuries-old landmarks. The major attraction is a restored tavern that has been converted into a museum that welcomes visitors to go back 200 years in time. Other attractions include a restored tavern that has been converted into a museum that invites visitors to journey back 200 years in time.

20. MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER

The McWane Science Center is filled to the rafters with entertaining and engaging exhibits and hands-on activity stations designed to ignite and develop an interest in science among children, making it a great attraction for one of Birmingham's (if infrequent) rainy days. There are almost half a million artifacts on display here, representing a wide range of scientific disciplines. The Shark and Ray Touch Tank, the Fox 6 Weather Lab, a dinosaur zone, and an 80-foot whale fossil are among the attractions.