Alabama is a beautiful state with a lot of natural beauty, history, and adventure. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a week-long vacation, it’s a state that has something for everyone. Despite the fact that Spanish explorers went through the state in 1540, the French were the ones to colonise the area, establishing Mobile in 1702. Alabama is a great spot to go water skiing because of its location on the Gulf of Mexico. The arts, cultural, and entertainment industry of the 22nd state is likewise thriving. In both the southern and northern sections of the state, residents and visitors have a plethora of alternatives for exploring Alabama attractions.
From beaches to botanical gardens, the famed Space and Rocket Center, the Birmingham Zoo, and all in between, the yellowhammer state has it all. There are so many things to do in Alabama that you’ll want to start planning your next trip before you even leave your first to make sure you see all the state has to offer. However, because the state is prone to hurricanes, you should check the weather forecast before going. Aside from hurricanes, Alabama is a fantastic spot to go kayaking on a wild river or learn more about our country’s space programme. If you’re planning a trip to Alabama, be sure to stop by these top ten must-see sites.
Now Coming to Top Tourist Attractions in Alabama
1. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Visit the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL, to learn about the history and respect the sacrifices made. The USS Alabama battleship, the USS Drum submarine, planes, tanks, artillery, memorials, and more may all be seen in the 155-acre park. Mobile’s Battleship Memorial Park is well worth a visit for anybody interested in history, the military, or our country’s duty members. What exactly is there to look at? There are a number of them, but the USS Alabama is by far the most popular. The USS Alabama is a battleship of the South Dakota class that was commissioned in 1942 to serve in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of WWII.
By no means is the USS Alabama the sole vintage military vehicle in the site. The USS Drum is another popular site. The USS Drum was a submarine in WWII that operated from 1942 to 1945. There is also an aeroplane pavilion in the park. There are around 25 vintage planes and military equipment on display inside. There’s also a memorial wall honouring all Medal of Honor winners from Alabama. The grounds of Battleship Memorial Park are littered with more tanks, boats, vehicles, and weaponry. A number of moving tributes may also be seen throughout the park. A Korean Memorial, a Vietnam Memorial, a Fallen Guardian Memorial, a Service Dog War Memorial, a 9/11 Memorial, and others are among the memorials on display.
2. U.S. Space and Rocket Center
If you’re planning a trip to Huntsville, Alabama, chances are a stop at the US Space and Rocket Center is on your itinerary. And if it isn’t, I’m here to tell you that it very certainly should be. This is one of the world’s largest space museums, featuring the world’s greatest collection of space objects. In addition, Huntsville is home to NASA Marshall, one of the primary NASA sites, and the US Space and Rocket Center is located directly next door to NASA Marshall. The location provides guests with several possibilities to engage with space technology, including the opportunity to feel like an astronaut.
Apart from that, there are a slew of additional reasons why you should pay this institution a visit at least once in your lifetime. True, the institution provides space camps that allow everyone to enjoy a personalised astronaut experience. You may play any position on the station, from station engineer to station scientist, and interact with the astronauts who carry out these activities in orbit with the help of a crew trainer. There is also a space museum in the area where visitors may learn about the country’s space exploration past. There are several attractions in the museum, including virtual reality technology to improve the experience.
3. Montgomery Civil Rights Landmarks
There’s little surprise you’ll leave Montgomery with a heart full of memories to share, whether you have one day or many to take in the many significant experiences. Several significant Civil Rights markers may be found in Montgomery, commemorating locations and events that were pivotal in the struggle. The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, which was a gathering site for early Civil Rights activists and was formerly the parish of a young Martin Luther King, Jr., who lived with his family in the parsonage from 1954 to 1960, is the most renowned of them. It has been renovated and is now accessible to the public as the Dexter Parsonage Museum, displaying many of their original possessions.
The Rosa Parks Library and Museum is located in downtown Montgomery, near the site of Parks’ arrest. It includes displays that explain her narrative and describe the public transit boycott that followed her courageous act of resistance. Her original fingerprints from her arrest records, court paperwork, pictures, and a 1955 Montgomery City Bus, as well as one of the station waggons used to carry protestors during the boycott, are among the items on exhibit. The Freedom Rides Museum, located in the former Montgomery Greyhound station, is another major historic landmark. It was the scene of the 1961 attack on the Freedom Riders, who were continuing the campaign that Parks started.
4. McWane Science Center
McWane Science Center is a Birmingham, Alabama-based non-profit science museum. McWane was established in 1992 and was opened to the public in 1998. McWane’s clientele includes people of various ages, colours, genders, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. From an astonishing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental displays, inventive early childhood playgrounds, and an awe-inspiring aquarium, four levels of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder. An wide lineup of science demonstrations presented daily by experienced educators bring the enthusiasm and thrill of discovery to life.
The journey continues at the IMAX® Dome Theater, where guests can see and hear stunning movies on a 5-story-tall screen surrounded by 3 tonnes of high-intensity speakers. The aquarium, which houses numerous kinds of ocean and freshwater life, particularly those local to the region, is one of the museum’s most popular attractions. Water and water-related science, such as erosion, are also discussed in this section.
5. National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
You’ll be interested in the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, which has displays on the fight for voting rights from the 1600s through the Voting Rights Act of 1982. You will locate and study here the figures of African-American political leaders, as well as those individuals who fought hard for voting rights, such as Viola Liuzzo and Marie Foster. You might be interested in looking through the NVRMI’s exhibitions of documents and artefacts from the American Voting Rights Movement, particularly those that emphasise the events that ignited “Bloody Sunday,” the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Civil Rights Movement across the South.
The museum includes exhibits on the lives and accomplishments of prominent African-American political and social figures like as Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, and President Barack Obama. Additional exhibitions focus on specific sites, such as Albany, GA, Greenwood, MS, and Selma, AL, where historic vote-related Civil Rights actions happened. There are other exhibits that focus on more broad themes and events, such as women’s suffrage, nonviolent protest, and extreme groups like the KKK.
6. Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art has a large permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. Examples of ancient and worldwide folk art and fine art, including decorative arts, may be found in the permanent collection. From traditional figures and ritual headdresses to exquisite beading and batik, the African gallery features a diverse collection of ancient and modern work. Some of the museum’s earliest items, including as bronzes and ancient pottery, may be found in the Asian section.
European art makes up the majority of the permanent collection, which includes fine art by painters such as Pissarro and van Rijn, as well as a wide range of decorative arts such as silverwork, furniture, and ceramics. The museum also presents a number of temporary exhibits that vary on a regular basis and cover a variety of topics, media, and artists. The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden and floral exhibits are located on the three-tiered grounds.
7. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
In 1988, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum was founded as a private collection. The museum, which opened in 1994, focuses on antique bikes and motorcycling history from across the world. The Barber Museum took part in the “Art of the Motorcycle” display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1997. Following the exhibit’s popularity, Barber set out to construct a one-of-a-kind facility replete with a racetrack. Barber contacted world champion racers while planning the facility, and the Barber Museum was transferred to the Barber Motorsports Park in 2003.
Over 1,600 historic and modern motorbikes and racing automobiles are on display at the museum today. It has the world’s largest motorcycle museum as well as the world’s largest collection of Lotus racing cars. Motorcycles from 16 nations and over 140 distinct marques are included in the collection, which dates back to 1904. Barber, a car enthusiast, has a collection of rare and sought automobiles, including many Lotus models. A 930-acre park with a public proving ground and race track is located on the museum grounds, in addition to the museum itself. Tourists may witness major automakers test new models or even shoot a product announcement video here.
8. Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park in Alabama is the peak of natural beauty and wonder. This foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, is known as Alabama’s highest point. It’s no surprise that the native Creek Indians named this area “Chaha,” which means “high spot,” because it’s 2,407 feet above sea level. The park now has a resort inn, pool, restaurant, holiday homes, chalets, contemporary campsite, picnic area, and pavilions. The park’s uniqueness is enhanced by unique plant and rock formations. Trails to Bald Rock, Pulpit Rock, and the Rock Garden are all short walks that may be completed in a few hours.
When most people think of Alabama’s recreational options, they think of the Gulf of Mexico and beaches, but the interior areas and their distinct ecosystems are also worth exploring. Cheaha State Park, Alabama’s oldest park, is a great spot to visit if you want to see Alabama’s hill country. Cheaha State Park also has a number of waterfalls that are perfect for exploring on a hot summer afternoon. From Birmingham or Atlanta, the park is a fantastic weekend escape. Historic lodges, A-frame chalets, and cabins provide lodging for people who do not wish to camp.
9. Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art houses a significant permanent collection of American art. Examples of etchings, watercolours, sketches, engravings, and woodcuts are among its most treasured works, which are notable for their preservation, which is a tough feat for paper-based media. More than 4,000 works of art, including American paintings and sculptures, works on paper, self-taught and folk art, historical porcelain, Studio Art Glass, and Old Master prints, are part of the Museum’s collection. The MMFA has an interactive gallery that complements the permanent collection and is meant for hands-on pleasure, in addition to the typical museum experience.
Blount Cultural Park is home to the Museum. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Hannah Daye Ridling Bark Park are both located in this 175-acre park. Ponds, miles of walking routes, a natural amphitheatre, and beautiful scenery may all be found in the park. Except for Museum and Festival events, it is open seven days a week and closes at dusk. Barganier, Davis, and Sims, a Montgomery architectural company, built the current structure, which opened in 1988. In 1993, an expansion was constructed.
10. Mobile Bay
The Mobile Bay is located in southwest Alabama, near the Mississippi and Florida borders on the west and east, respectively. The bay’s mouth is formed by Dauphin Island in the west and Fort Morgan Peninsula in the east. Dauphin Island, which is located in the Bay, is a barrier island with a tiny settlement of the same name. The historic Fort Gaines, which was constructed in the early 1800s and became an important outpost during the Battle of Mobile Bay, is one of the many things to see and do on this island. A freshwater lake and an Audubon bird sanctuary are also located on the island, which are popular with swimmers.
The town of Fairhope, on Mobile Bay’s eastern side, is another popular vacation attraction. Fairhope Pier is a popular fishing spot, and the town offers a variety of outdoor sports such as golf, tennis, and bicycling. The Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which lies close by, allows amateur naturalists to explore a variety of ecosystems. The elevated boardwalks and paths can be explored with or without a guide. Orange Beach and Gulf Beaches are located on the southeastern shores of Mobile Bay. Gulf Shores is a popular Alabama vacation town with a variety of activities for couples, families, and solo visitors.
We’re confident you’ll find one to add to your list among ten tourist attractions in Alabama from our list. What is your go-to attractions in Alabama? Let us know in the comments section.