Top Things to do in Alabama
Top Hotels in Alabama
- 1. Best Western Premier The Tides
- 2. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel
- 3. Perdido Beach Resort
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville at the Space & Rocket Center
- 5. Best Western On The Beach
- 6. Drury Inn & Suites Birmingham Grandview
- 7. Hotel Capstone
- 8. Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel
- 9. Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler
- 10. Drury Inn Mobile
Countries
Things to do in Alabama, United States: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
If you head for the hills in the state you’ll end up in the northern sector where the inspiring mountains and attractions like the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, the Blue & Gray Museum in Decatur and the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman represent the diversity of experiences available in the area. In the middle of the state you’ll find Birmingham, an urban center with great attractions and museums, and Tuscaloosa, the quintessential college town and home to the University of Alabama. For beach lovers, sandy destinations like Dauphin Island near Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer beautiful beaches, superb golf, fantastic seafood restaurants and heaping helpings of Southern hospitality.
For those who love to chase the white dimpled ball, Alabama offers one of the best golf values anywhere. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of 468 holes at 11 different sites across the state, features top-notch, championship style courses at affordable rates.
Restaurants in Alabama
1. Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 471 reviews
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used the pulpit of this unassuming red brick church to lead the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott, which ignited the civil rights movement. Steeped in history, this church, where Dr. King served as pastor from 1954 to 1960, was also the site of many civil rights meetings during that era.
Reviewed By IdaIllinois
In early March we visited this historical site in the shadow of the State Capitol in Montgomery where Martin Luther King, Jr. was pastor from 1954 to 1960 and organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott from his basement office. There is a tour of the church and parsonage on Tuesday through Saturday at specific times; the fee is very reasonable. Since we arrived halfway through a tour, we were privileged to be a part of two tours with a group of two college student classes. Our docent was Wanda Howard Battle who was a very personal guide to each person and had us all feeling like part of a larger and better group. She made the sanctuary, the basement, MLK’s lectern, and his office come alive with her words of history, culture, spiritualism, art, music, and humanism. It was a very uplifting hour tour, and one which you need to experience when you are in Montgomery.
2. Alabama Barn Quilt Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
The Alabama Barn Quilt Trail is a collection of hand painted barn quilts displayed on barns across north Alabama.
Reviewed By 725suzip
Alabama really is a lovely state, and the barn quilt trail provides a reason to take that scenic drive! The quilts are beautifully painted and are easily seen from a distance. It is such fun watching them come closer and waiting for that lovely quilt block to come into view! I love the fact that many of the quilts are replicas of treasured family quilts. The combination of rural farm heritage and colorful quilt blocks makes for a treat that any traveler would enjoy. The map makes it super easy to find your way. Spend the day, take a picnic, and be delighted by this quilt trail!
3. Court Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Historic area of the Civil Rights Movement.
Reviewed By sumaksito - Houston, United States
Historical site that contains both the Court Square Fountain (site where the slave market in Montgomery used to be) and the location where Rosa Parks boarded the bus, refused to give up her seat, and was later arrested where the current Rosa Parks museum is located. The Court Square Fountain is beautiful and clean, and it’s the intersection of point of several streets. From the fountain you can see in the distance the Alabama State Capitol, for a nice picture opportunity. Also, in the northern part of the square is the Rosa Parks but stop, where a plaque clearly marks the spot. In late 2019, a life-size statue of Rosa Parks was installed nearby, for another perfect photo op. It’s surreal and very symbolic to see Rosa Parks there perpetually standing waiting for the bus with the Alabama State Capitol in the background.
4. Fairhope Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
The main shopping area in this picturesque resort town.
Reviewed By Kimberly_Ambrose - Fairhope, United States
I feel it’s one of most beautiful places ever! The trees lit up gorgeously, always beautiful flowers and great places to eat and shop!
5. Ave Maria Grotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Four-acre park providing a natural setting for 125 miniature reproductions of historic buildings and shrines created by a Benedictine monk of the St. Bernard Abbey in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Reviewed By RVingSnowbirds - Colebrook, United States
Definitely a must see! The detail on these miniature structures is amazing. Take your time strolling through the Grotto, take lots of pictures and marvel at the talent, creativity and work that was involved in creating these replicas.
6. Toomer's Corner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
The heart of downtown Auburn and its university has been a special gathering place for college students, visitors and politicians over the years.
Reviewed By pameatlanta
This is in the heart of Auburn and a landmark location if you visit the campus. No better place than Toomers after an AU win to watch the TP'ing of the iconic oaks. Great lemonade and a fair selection of Auburn merchandise.
7. Edmund Pettus Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Site of "Bloody Sunday" where more than 600 civil rights marchers on March 7, 1965 were attacked by state and local lawmen.
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, United States
We walked the bridge from the Selma side to honor the history of those that marched for civil rights. The bridge path itself is moderately wide, however, cars travel fast across it and exiting the bridge on the opposite side of the river is very narrow and tight next to the road. We paired it with a visit to the Selma interpretative center for the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and the civil rights park on the opposite side of the river.
8. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Historic iron manufacturing facility
Reviewed By bruggesfc - Miami Beach, United States
After reading the reviews on Trip Advisor we decided to visit Sloss Furnaces and found it to be very, very interesting. The visit is well laid out and the movie at the Welcome Center gives nice background to the entire grounds. The Sloss Furnaces really gives background to the history and background of Birmingham. Highly recommend a visit....our favorite on our recent visit to Birmingham.
9. Civil Rights Memorial Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
The Civil Rights Memorial Center is sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center in downtown Montgomery. It includes a great deal of educational information about the Civil Rights Movement, an original 20 minute film about the Movement, and the Civil Rights Memorial. $2.00 admission charged for adults, under 18 FREE.
Reviewed By sumaksito - Houston, United States
Very worthwhile museum to visit, which provides information on the struggle for civil rights for all, and for counteracting hatred across the globe. The outside ground of the museum are very beautiful and every installation you see has a meaning. The initiative is promoted via testimonials, videos, and historical evidence that seeks to reach a consensus for mutual respect and dignity. The end of the museum is the highlight, where you are presented with the imposing Wall of Tolerance. This is an actual giant video monitor with names that appear and scroll in different directions. These names are people who are committed to fighting hatred, and you can enter your name that will appear on the screen as well. On the side of the wall is the mission that you sign up for. This is a symbolic yet powerful commitment to fight hatred worldwide. Excellent museum.
10. Gaineswood
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Described by the Smithsonian Guide to Historic America: The Deep South as "one of the three or four most interesting houses in America", Gaineswood was built over an 18 year period. Between 1843 and 1861, Gaineswood evolved from a dog-trot cabin into an elaborate home. The builder, General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, was a planter and 'Renaissance man'. He acted as his own architect, engineer, foreman, and sometimes craftsman. Owned by the Alabama Historical Commission, Gaineswood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974 and opened to the public in 1975. Open for guided tours of the house & self-guided tours of the grounds Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Closed state holidays. Admission: adults $7, 18 and under $3. ***Main entrance door located on East Morgan Street side of house***
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