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
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Alabama, United States
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. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,251 reviews
A motorcyclist's dream, this museum has 750 vintage and modern motorcycles displayed on walls, two-tiered platforms and just about everywhere you look. The bikes are displayed randomly, rather than by date and year, adding an element of unpredictability to the viewer's experience.
Reviewed By jwtraveller2015
If you have a love of motorcycles do not miss this. 900 on display. Wonderful day. Norton’s! Vincent’s! Broughams! Ariels! And a plethora of the usual suspects. Several mint Goldstars and some awesome sidecar setups. Plus “The Porsche Experience “.
2. Dexter Parsonage Museum - Dr. Martin Luther King home
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 534 reviews
Martin Luther King's residence from September 1954 to February 1960.
Reviewed By Bearwife - Shoreline, United States
Arrive on the hour or arrange in advance for a group tour of this important civil rights site. This is where Dr. King lived from 1954 to 1956 as the pastor of the Dexter Street church, and was the President of the Montgomery Improvement Association, which led the bus boycott after Rosa Parks’ arrest. The parsonage was bombed and subjected to 40 plus telephone death threats during that time too. Down the street is the very important Harris house and behind the interpretive center is a thought provoking garden.
3. U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 341 reviews
Located in Huntsville Alabama, The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum is one of the premier military museums in the world. The exhibits of memorabilia, artifacts, and military equipment range from the American Revolutionary War to present day. Included in the collection are many rare and important artifacts including the oldest surviving jeep: the Ford Pygmy.
Reviewed By N7085FQjohnm
This museum has so many artifacts from the Revelotionary War era to the modern-day. The volunteers at the museum were very helpful and clearly have a passion to see the history on display in the museum maintained and shared. My family of 5 with 3 kids under 7 thoroughly enjoyed it! The museum would very much benefit from a larger, updated space and some money to upgrade the exhibits. They clearly are doing the best with the money they have. I hope the city or some other group will help this museum, as they have plenty of artifacts to be a world-class museum; they just need some money to take the next steps.
4. Folklore Brewing & Meadery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 75 reviews
We are Dothan's only local brewery. We have beer on draft and in bottles throughout Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Auburn and Opelika. At the brewery you can see the equipment, meet the staff and sample up to 12 different brews. Many of which are not distributed due to experimental nature and seasonal one-off batches. When visiting, food will be available, usually for donations only. Bring valid I.D. and taxi service is available. Call for help arranging pickup or dropoff. Oh yeah, we are in the middle of our old family farm on the south side of Dothan. When you are coming and you think you are not going the right way...you're almost there! Tshirts and Pint glasses are available in the tasting room. The patio is open while improvements are being made. Live music is scheduled for several festival dates through out the year. Friendly Pets on leash and Designated drivers 16 and up are welcome.
Reviewed By Y1132JVglennc
Having a beer at Folklore is like going to a good friend's house for a cold one. The people are super friendly, the area clean and the beer is fantastic! Jeremy, the Brewmeister, is frequently there and he enjoys spending time with his customers (actually friends would be a better description as there appears to be no such thing as a stranger at Folklore). And the food is great! They also have special events and bands. During nice weather, it is wonderful to sit outside and enjoy the bands. Even when it is cold, there are several fire pits around to warm yourself. And after a day at the gun show or visiting the numerous antique shops around Dothan, it is a great place to chat with a friend about your finds! And to top it off, Folklore is DOG FRIENDLY!
5. Hank Williams Memorial - Oakwood Annex Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Grave sites of Hank Williams, his wife, mother and sister in the Oakwood Cemetery Annex. Managed by the Hank Williams Museum. 118 Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. This is one of the most famous and most visited graves in Alabama.
Reviewed By R3683IUsandrah - Alabama, United States
I came in from Las Vegas to visit family in Montgomery. Being a fan, i enjoyed the visit to pay respect to an American country music icon. It touched my heart that this plot is for Audrey also. A family plot. This made it more special. I saw Audrey with Hank Jr in the late 60s. This was an experience I enjoyed and will never forget. Well worth the visit.
6. The F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
This historic house honors novelist F. Scott, best known for "The Great Gatsby," and his wife, Zelda, artist and author. The museum operates out of the last surviving home they lived in during their lives together. The structure was saved from demolition in 1986. It is the location where Scott worked on "Tender is the Night", and Zelda on "Save Me the Waltz". You can now stay in the house in either Scott or Zelda Suite. Please see the museum website for Airbnb details and availability.
Reviewed By 171judim - Philadelphia, United States
If you are in Montgomery and want a break from all of the Civil Rights venues, this museum is a good break and place to take your mind off of the horrors of slavery. The small museum is located in a home whee the couple briefly lived. It is filled with artifacts from Zeda, Scott and others. Most interesting to me were the actual letter they wrote to each other. I ws also amazed by the quality of elda's paintings. The museum is a work in progress. It is obvious they need money to restore and update the building. But if you follow F. Scott and love his books, this is a place to visit. And even if you aren't a Fitrzgerald expert it is a great example of what life was like in the early 20th century. Put it on your to do list in Montgomery
7. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
A 6,000-acre nature preserve with a number of endangered species.
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
Bon Secour NWR is one of the best kept secrets on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. The Refuge is located a few miles down the Fort Morgan Peninsula Highway 180 (aka Fort Morgan Road) from Gulf Shores. The Refuge consists of a really nice Nature Center and two great hiking trails. The Jeff Friend Trail is the shorter trail and runs partially along Little Lagoon and also features a kayak/canoe launch. The Pine Beach Trail is the longer trail and is very diverse including deep woods, Little Lagoon and even the Gulf beach area. BSNWR is fantastic for hiking, birding or just enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you are a local or a visitor, invest some time here if you are looking for some diverse outdoor activity away from the crowded beaches and attractions. This would be a great option for spending at least part of a day doing something a bit different from typical "beach vacation" fare. NOTE: As an added bonus, admission is entirely FREE! Also be aware the only public restrooms are at the Nature Center and part of the way down the Pine Beach Trail. There are no restrooms at the Jeff Friend Trail.
8. Little River Canyon National Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
The deepest canyon east of the Mississippi is surrounded by the scenic beauty of Lookout Mountain.
Reviewed By TKinney - Mount Pleasant, United States
Great weekend getaway for beautiful scenery close to the small town of Fort Payne Alabama. Gorgeous falls and rock formations. Easy to take pictures and railings for safety along the walks.
9. Noccalula Falls Park & Campground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
Large park featuring waterfalls.
Reviewed By pirate013
Saw the sign for the falls & campground.... Free entry.... $6 to visit the park area with petting zoo, animal displays, historic buildings, train ride around park! Found the gorge trail & down I hiked! Suspension bridge, roaring river, dramatic waterfall, statue, chapel, playground, campground..... absolutely breathtaking scenery! Highly Recommend
10. Ivy Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
The birthplace of Helen Keller, this site provides tours and information and includes the historic pump that provided the "miracle" breakthrough.
Reviewed By MacedoniaAL - Section, United States
You are greeted when you walk in and asked to sign in. Ladies are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their job. You get a pleasant account of Helen Keller's life and accomplishments. She was an interesting lady who overcame many obstacles. Facilities are on site in case you need a restroom and they are clean and well maintained. This is my second time here and it was well worth the repeat trip. I suggest parking across the street on in the rear of the buildings.
