Alabama Attractions and Activities

There's a reason so many great writers are from the South. Our unique culture breeds creativity. It also produces some fantastic cultural landmarks, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the sixth-largest Shakespeare festival in the world, which Variety called "an oasis of optimism and growth." If you're looking for more musical fare, catch some of America's hottest acts at huge concert venues in Birmingham, Montgomery or Orange Beach, to name a few. Or find the next Taylor Hicks at one of Alabama's hundreds of live music spots, where top upcoming talent is constantly on display.

Alabama offers literally every type of outdoor adventure imaginable, from hiking, camping, cycling, canoeing and kayaking to horseback riding, fishing, scaling boulders and rappelling down canyons.

Alabama Mountains

Alabama Mountains is a region in the north of Alabama. Here the famous places are:

Athens - the "chicken stew capital of the world".
Cullman - home of the Ave Maria Grotto.
Huntsville - home of Marshall Space Flight Center.
Muscle Shoals - Alabama's Music capitol.
Tuscumbia - Helen Keller's home.

Other attractions:

Talladega Scenic Drive - winds approximately 26 miles along the backbone of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The drive climbs to Cheaha Mountain and Cheaha State Park, the highest point in Alabama. In fall, this drive bursts with color as the oak, maple, hickory, and persimmon change color. In spring, the dogwood and redbud are equally beautiful.

Sipsey Wilderness: The Sipsey Wilderness in northwestern Alabama is the third largest Wilderness area east of the Mississippi. The wilderness has an abundance of waterfalls, and the color of the water in the streams is opal blue. Naturally, the Sipsey Wilderness has a good deal of camping, hiking and canoeing options.

Metropolitan Alabama

Metropolitan Alabama is the central region of the U.S. state. The famous places in this region are:

Birmingham - the largest city in Alabama.
Gadsden - Noccalula Falls and Lookout Mountain.
Tuscaloosa - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ.

River Heritage

River Heritage is the southern region of Alabama, excluding the Gulf Coast region in the south west. The famous places in this region are:

Montgomery - the capital of Alabama.
Auburn - home to Auburn University.
Georgiana - birthplace of Hank Williams Sr.

Alabama Gulf Coast

The famous places in Alabama Gulf Coast region are:

Foley - home to Lambert's Cafe.
Gulf Shores - Gulf Coast beaches (part of Pleasure Island).
Mobile - Alabama's only major port and largest city near the Gulf.
Orange Beach - Gulf Coast beaches (Part of Pleasure Island).

The must sees in Alabama are:

Audubon Bird Sanctuary (Dauphin Island, AL, USA): 160-acre sanctuary with trail system to freshwater lake, dunes, gulf beaches, swamp, hardwood forest. One of top birding locations in nation. Also includes nature interpretive trail loop.

Bankhead National Forest (Double Springs, AL, USA): Brushy Lake Recreation Area. Open camping with water provided Apr. 1-Sept. 30. Spend one day or several in scenic forest. Hiking trails, fishing, boating and camping areas.

Bear Creek Lakes (Russellville, AL, USA): 4 lakes. Fishing, boating, sand beaches, swimming, pavilions. Canoe floatway open weekends, holidays. Cabin rentals are available for your enjoyable stay.

Daphne's Bayfront Park (Daphne, AL, USA): On Mobile Bay. Pier with beach seating, boardwalk, gazebo with surrounding seating, meeting facility, restrooms. Listed on AL Coastal Birding Trail. Beautiful sunsets, good fishing.

Gulf Beaches (Orange Beach, AL, USA): Discover the real beauty of Alabama's Gulf Coast. Spectacular beaches. Outstanding accommodations. And all the time in the world to kick back and enjoy each other.

Gulf Beaches (Gulf Shores, AL, USA): Enjoy 32 mi. of breathtaking emerald gulf water and sugar-white sand. Championship golf, fishing, dining and more.

Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores, AL, USA): Lakefront picnic area. Plus 18 hole golf course with snack bar. Gulfside beach pavilion with snack bar.

Joe Wheeler State Park (Rogersville, AL, USA): 18-hole golf, camping, marina, boat rentals, overnight docking. Pavilions, picnicking, grills, playground, beach, fishing, hiking, tennis, basketball, horseshoes. Convention facilities. Waterfront cottages are available over here.

Lake Martin (Alexander City, AL, USA): 44,000-acre lake. Boating, swimming, fishing, camping, golfing. Top choice for retirees.

May Day Park & Pier (Daphne, AL, USA): Opened in 1887 and was festival site for over 60 years. Bandstand, pier, playground, picnic tables, boat launch, restrooms, moss-covered trees, beautiful sunsets.

Point "A" Lake and Park (Andalusia, AL, USA): 700-acre lake and recreational park. Fishing, skiing, swimming, picnicking, camping. RV hookups, showers, grills, tables, fishing piers and beaches.

Wharf, The Orange Beach (Orange Beach, AL, USA): 220-acre resort on Intracoastal Waterway. Stylish accommodations, upscale shopping, dining, spa, marina, open air amphitheater, beach club, private 18 hole golf course.

Some other attractions of Alabama are: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Fort Morgan Historic Site, Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead, Montgomery Zoo, Noccalula Falls Park & Campground.

Some of the events held in Alabama are:

  1. Butterflies of Lake Guntersville [Guntersville] [Jul 19, 2008-Jul 19, 2009]: Guntersville State Park - Butterfiles flock to the wildflowers, rhododendron, wild azaleas, sweet shrub and other blooming species of plants in the park. Take a guided nature hike and view these magnificent winged creatures in action.

  2. Annie Warbucks [Guntersville] [Jul 10-19, 2009]: Directed by Diane Duboise, Christopher Carter, with assistance from Melissa Trebus The action picks up right where "Annie" leaves off, when Child Welfare Commissioner Harriet Doyle arrives on the scene to inform Daddy Warbucks he must marry in sixty days so the newly adopted Annie can have a proper mother. In the end, Daddy Warbucks' whirlwind search for a fitting bride uncovers not only a plot by Doyle and her daughter to strip him of his fortune, but also his true feelings for Grace Farrell.

  3. Summer Performances [Rainsville] [Jul 10-19, 2009]: Rainsville Summer Performances.
    The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Scottsboro] [Jul 10-19, 2009]: Tom Bevill Lyceum-Northeast AL Community College--An encore performance of 2007's hit production in which three actors will bring shortened versions of all 37 of Shakespeare's work to life.

  4. Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, 77th Annual [Dauphin Island] [Jul 17-19, 2009]: 77th annual rodeo featuring the nation's largest saltwater fishing tournament. Sponsored by Mobile Jaycees with more than 3000 fishermen.

  5. Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, 7th Annual Porsche 250 Race [Birmingham] [Jul 17-19, 2009]: Event featuring the annual Porshe 250 presented by Legacy Credit Union. The spectacular 2.3-mile racetrack provides a challenging course for competitors in a scenic setting.

  6. Saturn V/Space Camp Hall of Fame Reunion Weekend [Huntsville] [Jul 17-19, 2009]: Come celebrate the 6th annual Saturn V and the 3rd annual Space Camp Hall of Fame induction. The reunion weekend will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.

  7. Kids Adventure Day Camp [Fort Payne] [Jul 20-22, 2009]: Kids Outdoor Adventure Day Camp- Ages: 8-12 This three-day camp introduces kids to the many possible outdoor adventures and activities around beautiful Dekalb County. Shut down the video games and turn off the TV then learn and experience what it's like to.

  8. Tannehill Trade Days [McCalla] [Jul 21-22, 2009]: Giant outdoor market with some 300 dealers buying, selling or trading anything from antiques to new items.

  9. Monroe County History Tour [Monroeville] [Jul 22, 2009]: Monroeville Monroe County History Tour, Free. Old Courthouse Museum--The workshop will give teachers and history enthusiasts a chance to tour sites that are not accessible to the public. Attendees will learn about historical events and sites that focus on early Alabama history, etc.