Sunrise at Cheaha State Park, Talladega National Forest, Alabama

Things to do in  Alabama

Where the skies are so blue

Alabama might be the 22nd state, but it’s number one when it comes to rocket production, college football, and boiled peanuts. Cities like Birmingham bring hip vibes to its evolving multicultural community while towns along Mobile Bay retain a more laid-back Southern charm—relaxing things to do here include fishing, boating, and beach bumming. Montgomery is the birthplace of the civil rights movement and African American history is showcased throughout the state. Music lovers should pay a visit to Muscle Shoals while foodies will do well to dine in Birmingham.

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Top 8 attractions in Alabama

#1

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

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Experience military history at Mobile's Battleship Memorial Park, where you can step aboard World War II vessels. Highlights include theUSS Alabama battleship,USS Drum submarine, and dozens of military aircraft—as well as the on-site memorials where you can pay tribute to military veterans.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

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With over 7,000 acres of undeveloped coastline and hundreds of species of birds, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is arguably the most scenic and relaxing spot on the entire Alabama coastline. Much of this refuge looks is completely unchanged since man first arrived on the coast, and sea turtles still lay their eggs in the sand as they have for thousands of years. Because there are limited roads in the area, one of the best ways to search for wildlife is exploring the refuge by kayak, where you silently paddle amidst the reeds and network of coastal dunes. Keep an eye out for the endangered and skittish Alabama beach mouse, which makes its home on this isolated shoreline away from the Gulf Shores development. You can also find ospreys, kingfishers, and herons that cruise down the white sand shoreline, and there’s also a network of hiking trails for exploring the refuge on foot.More
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#3

GulfQuest: National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

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Set in a replica container ship overlooking the Gulf Coast of Alabama, GulfQuest: National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is home to 90 interactive exhibits about the history and culture of America's Sea. Learn about the gulf’s economy, marine archeology, shipwrecks, hurricanes, and more in exhibits spread throughout the ship.More
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#4

US Space and Rocket Center

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Sometimes billed as “Earth's largest space museum,” the US Space and Rocket Center showcases a collection of more than 1,500 items, including rockets, engines, spacecraft, and other artifacts relating to the US space program. Visitors learn about the program’s achievements through simulators and interactive exhibits.More
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#5

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

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From musicians to songwriters, management, and publishers, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to the many Alabama natives that have had a major impact on the music industry. The hall honors these legends with exhibits detailing their accomplishments, bronze stars on its Walk of Fame, and inclusion on its roster.More
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#6

Rosa Parks Museum

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The Rosa Parks Museum is arguably the best place in the US to learn about one of the most famous civil rights activists in history—both her life and her legacy. Located in downtown Montgomery at the site where Parks was famously arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in 1955, it’s the only museum in the United States that is solely dedicated to Rosa Parks.More
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#7
Brandon Styles Showroom

Brandon Styles Showroom

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For a variety show on the Gulf Coast, head to the Brandon Styles Showroom and catch performances that mix magic, impressions, ventriloquism, and audience participation. The showroom is located at Downtown OWA in Foley, where you can find dinner, arcade games, and even shopping—all steps from this Vegas-style performance.More
#8
Old Alabama Town

Old Alabama Town

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Old Alabama Town gives visitors a glimpse into the state’s past. The village features authentic 19th- and early 20th-century homes and buildings that have been saved from demolition, carefully restored, and reopened to the public as a history museum. You’ll get a good feel for how people used to live and work in Central Alabama.More

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Top activities in Alabama

3hr Private Driving Civil Rights Tour

3hr Private Driving Civil Rights Tour

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47
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$350.00
per group
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Tour in Sheffield Alabama

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Tour in Sheffield Alabama

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140
From
$20.00
Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise
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Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise

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1110
From
$25.00
Orange Beach Sunset Sailing Cruise
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Orange Beach Sunset Sailing Cruise

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208
From
$60.00
Orange Beach Dolphin Eco Boat Tour
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Orange Beach Dolphin Eco Boat Tour

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332
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$25.00
Dolphin and Nature Sunset Cruise from Orange Beach

Dolphin and Nature Sunset Cruise from Orange Beach

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From
$40.00
Orange Beach 90-Minute Sunset Cruise on a Tiki Bar
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Orange Beach 90-Minute Sunset Cruise on a Tiki Bar

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135
From
$69.55
2-Hour Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour from Orange Beach

2-Hour Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour from Orange Beach

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From
$30.00
Birmingham Civil Rights Tour- Riding & Walking

Birmingham Civil Rights Tour- Riding & Walking

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646
From
$63.85
Dolphins and Wildlife Kayak Experience from Gulf Shores

Dolphins and Wildlife Kayak Experience from Gulf Shores

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$73.34
Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion

Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion

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125
From
$82.50
Polaris Slingshot Rental in Orange Beach

Polaris Slingshot Rental in Orange Beach

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$302.50
per group
Big Fun Dolphin Cruise & Sealife Experience ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA

Big Fun Dolphin Cruise & Sealife Experience ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA

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549
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$28.00
Downtown Mobile Food Tour

Downtown Mobile Food Tour

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$65.00
Orange Beach Sun and Sailing Cruise aboard Catamaran
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Orange Beach Sun and Sailing Cruise aboard Catamaran

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65
From
$40.00
Orange Beach 1.5-Hour Bay Cruise

Orange Beach 1.5-Hour Bay Cruise

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$66.00
4-Door Convertible Jeep Rental in Orange Beach

4-Door Convertible Jeep Rental in Orange Beach

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From
$302.50
per group
Skip the Line Mobile Carnival Museum Ticket

Skip the Line Mobile Carnival Museum Ticket

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28
From
$8.21
6 Hours Private Civil Rights Tour of Montgomery

6 Hours Private Civil Rights Tour of Montgomery

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21
From
$500.00
per group
Walking Tour: Civil Rights History -The Church, Children & Community
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Walking Tour: Civil Rights History -The Church, Children & Community

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From
$65.99
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All about Alabama

When to visit

Alabama stretches from the Gulf of Mexico up to the Appalachian Foothills, offering year-round things to do. In the summer months, the coast is full of beachgoers and boaters. In the winter, hiking, fishing, and hunting around Huntsville is ideal. Make sure you perfect your Roll Tide rally cry during football season, too. The Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama has one of the deepest football fan cultures in the NCAA and their tailgates for home games are legendary.

Getting around

Alabama is well-connected with five major interstates running through all major cities. Getting around Alabama is best with a private car, as there is no metro or train system beyond limited Amtrak stations. In most cities, rideshare and taxis are available, but public transport often does not serve remote parts.

Traveler tips

Visitors to Birmingham may be left open-mouthed and empty-stomached to realize that many city restaurants are closed on Mondays. Look out for Alabama white barbecue sauce, fried green tomatoes, and the ever-classic roadside snack, boiled peanuts. For those driving throughout the state, it’s critical to remember that it’s illegal to hold a mobile device while driving, even if you’re not using it.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
CDT (UTC -6)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
8
Tours
104
EN
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People Also Ask

What is the number one attraction in Alabama?

The United States Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is Alabama’s number one tourism attraction. Part of NASA, the USSRC opened in Huntsville in 1950 to produce some of the first satellites and rockets to orbit the Earth. The USSRC is open nearly every day for visitors to view museum exhibits.

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What is the prettiest place in Alabama?

One of the prettiest places in Alabama is Cathedral Caverns State Park. It earned its name from its cathedral-like rock formations. Also within the cave system is a large stalagmite forest which features a 45-foot (13-meter) stalagmite called Goliath, one of the largest in the world.

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What is something unique in Alabama?

Each year, Alabama and Florida meet at their beachfront state line and host a competition to see who can throw a mullet fish farthest. It’s called the Flora-Bama Mullet Toss and it takes place during the final full weekend of April each year.

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What food is Alabama famous for?

Depending on what part of Alabama you visit, you’ll be spoiled with their unique home-cooked cuisine. Southern classics such as fried green tomatoes and fried chicken are found in most cities while shrimp, grits, oysters, and shrimp are best by the Gulf. Be sure to try classic Alabama White BBQ sauce, too.

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What is the most fun city in Alabama?

Birmingham is the most fun city in Alabama thanks to its multicultural community, local restaurants, and wealth of nightlife options. No other city in the state has as much diversity in urban activities, though many locals will admit that the beaches can be just as fun for sunseekers.

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Where should I stop in Alabama?

If you’re traveling Interstate 10, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Beach are two of the best on the Gulf of Mexico. When traveling I-20, stop in Tuscaloosa for a University of Alabama football tailgating experience. Visit Point Mallard Park off of I-65 for its wave pool, golf course, and hot air balloon festival.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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