In our January 2023 issue, we used the letters of the alphabet to come up with a set of uniquely Alabama experiences, in the worlds of art, sports, travel and more, that we thought were worth exploring, for newcomers as well as those who’ve lived here for a lifetime.
We realized we couldn’t do justice to every town and city, venue, product, historical site and destination, so this year we’re trying again – with a fresh set of ideas to keep your family entertained and educated. So pull out your calendars and start making plans!
American Village
This living history educational complex in Montevallo was established to teach young people (and others) about the foundations of American government. Here, students “step into history” and discover the power and drama of America’s journey for independence, liberty, and self-government.
Breweries
In Alabama, beer is about more than drinking. The state’s growing variety of craft brews has provided an economic engine for cities and towns across the state; the industry had an economic impact of $652 million in 2022, according to the Brewers Association. Some of the more popular breweries: Goat Island Brewing, Cullman; Black Warrior Brewing, Tuscaloosa; Good People Brewing, Birmingham; Chattahoochee Brewing Company, Phenix City; and Big Beach Brewing Company, Gulf Shores.
Covered bridges
Lovely covered bridges are scattered around Alabama, many in the northern part of the state, some of which are still open to either vehicular or foot traffic. All make beautiful backdrops for photos. Some notable ones: The Horton Mill Bridge in Oneonta, the Clarkson Covered Bridge in Cullman and the Swann Covered Bridge in Cleveland.
Dogs
Man’s best friend is commemorated in various forms, from the bird dog statue in Union Springs (a visual reminder of the Bullock County town’s claim as the field trial capital of the world) to the Coon Dog Cemetery in rural Colbert County, the final resting place for more than 150 coonhounds. And the Alabama War Dog Memorial at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile honors the service of dogs in U.S. war efforts.
Eagle watching
Alabama is home to both bald and golden eagles, and there’s no better way to view them than during an Eagle Awareness weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. On weekends each January and February, the park features live bird demonstrations, guided safaris for viewing eagles in their natural habitat and speakers who share the history and future of these majestic creatures.
Fishing
Alabama is home to some of the premier fishing lakes in the U.S., including Lake Guntersville, the state’s largest lake, famed for its giant largemouth bass; Lake Wheeler, the second largest lake, with bass, crappie and large blue catfish; and Lake Eufaula, which has a reputation as the “bass fishing capital of the world.”
Glamping
Do you like being outdoors, but aren’t a fan of sleeping on the ground or toting a car full of supplies? Check out one of the many “glamping” experiences in Alabama. Short for “glamorous camp,” these outdoor getaways feature such comfy amenities as beds with memory foam mattresses, linens, a woodburning stove, cooking supplies and more. Some favorites from an Alabama Living story in 2023: Bohamia in Talladega County; The Destination near Lake Martin; Retreet in Scottsboro; and the Alabama State Parks’ glamps at certain parks around the state (visit alapark.com).
Halls of fame
Halls of fame honor, preserve and promote the names and accomplishments of luminaries in various fields. Among them: The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) in Birmingham, dedicated to athletes and other sports personalities; the Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, which celebrates our musicians and the state’s musical heritage; and the Men’s and Women’s halls of fame, which honor men and women whose lives have impacted the state, nation and world. The Men’s Hall of Fame is located at Samford University in Birmingham; the Women’s Hall of Fame is at the University of West Alabama in Livingston.
Ivy Green
Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller, is a biographical and historic house museum in Tuscumbia in northwest Alabama. The deaf and blind author and social activist became a world-renowned advocate of educating the blind and deaf, and also for civil rights and labor reform. On the grounds is the outdoor water pump where Keller had her breakthrough in her ability to communicate. A weeklong festival is held at the home every year at the end of July.
Jackson County
Jackson County, in extreme northeast Alabama, offers many opportunities for recreation, including Russell Cave National Monument, one of the most complete records of prehistoric culture in the Southeast U.S. Or hike to the Walls of Jericho, a unique natural amphitheater at the headwaters of the Paint Rock River. And Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve has a striking 143-foot pit that draws cavers, hikers, photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Kayaking (and other paddle sports)
From half-day to multi-day trips, the state’s waterways offer slow rivers and calm canals great for beginners and stand-up paddleboarders (for those who prefer a leisurely pace), or whitewater rapids for kayakers and canoeists who want a challenging outing. The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) at 631 miles is the longest river trail in a single state and runs all the way from north to south. Alabama has 2,856 square miles of waterways, so there’s plenty of water fun for everyone.
Literature
Alabama has several claims to fame in the realm of literature: To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the world’s best loved novels, is set in Monroeville, where the play is performed every April. Just up Interstate 65 is the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery, the only museum dedicated to the lives and legacies of the famed literary jazz age couple. Author Daniel Wallace is a native of Birmingham and author of six novels, including Big Fish, which was made into a major motion picture that was partially filmed at Jackson Lake Island in Elmore County (the island is privately owned but is open to the public for fishing, kayaking and picnicking).
Mountain lakes
North Alabama, also known as the “mountain lakes region,” features picturesque waterfalls, sparkling rivers and lakes, festivals, arts events, a diverse cultural scene and rich and compelling history. The area also promotes its lineup of “trails,” including a wine trail, motorcycle trail and waterfall trail, among others, to introduce visitors to some of the area attractions.
National forests
The state’s national forests are among our most extensive natural treasures, encompassing almost 667,000 acres of publicly owned lands in 17 counties. In addition to offering beauty, recreation and vital ecosystems for native flora and fauna, Alabama’s forests protect municipal watersheds for seven cities.
Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens (1913-1980) gained lasting fame as a track and field star in college and for his four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. Owens’ athletic feats, and his later public relations work in a segregated society, were a source of encouragement and inspiration to the African American struggle for recognition and equality. His life and accomplishments are celebrated at the Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum in his birthplace of Oakville.
Peaches
Alabama’s peach industry is centered in Chilton County. Peaches were first grown in the state in Lowndes County in the 1850s, and they are now the state’s leading commercial fruit. Stopping at Peach Park on I-65 for a basket or two and some homemade peach ice cream is a summertime tradition for travelers headed to and from the beach.
Quilts of Gee’s Bend
In the 1990s, the quilts made by Black women from this relatively isolated Black Belt community garnered national attention as striking examples of American folk art. Traveling exhibitions of the quilts around the U.S. in the early 2000s, along with the creation of the Gee’s Bend Quilt Mural Trail in 2007, further cemented their importance in the art world. Join the community at the Gee’s Bend Airing of the Quilts Festival, an annual celebration in October, which features displays and sales, workshops, guided tours, food, music and more.
Religious sites
Faith-based attractions abound in Alabama and make great educational day or weekend trips. Among the most well-known and visited: Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, where four Black girls were killed in a race-based bombing in 1963; Ave Maria Grotto, on the grounds of Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, where 125 small stone and cement structures depict famous buildings and Christian shrines around the world; and Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, known for its role in the voting rights movement of the 1960s.
Shakespeare
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery is among the ten largest such festivals in the world. ASF broadens the cultural identity of the South by producing about a dozen performances each year, including classics, Shakespearean plays, contemporary works, and pieces for young audiences (and it holds acting classes and a summer camp for youngsters).
Talladega Superspeedway
The largest racetrack in NASCAR often produces the fastest race speeds in the circuit. The grandstand has a seating capacity of more than 140,000, but attendance for the Cup races can climb as high as 170,000, including the infield. The track has a reputation for producing some of the most exciting races in NASCAR, and in the last few years has undergone a $50 million facelift to provide a massive experience for racing fans.
Unclaimed Baggage Center
This popular tourist destination and the nation’s only retailer of lost luggage opened the Unclaimed Baggage Museum in Scottsboro in 2023, displaying more than 70 of the most curious and unusual items they have unpacked from lost bags over their 50+ year history. The center boasts about 1 million visitors annually.
Veterans’ museums
The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens, housed in a 20,000-square-foot building, is a tribute to Alabamians who served in the armed forces and a reminder of the hardships and sacrifices of men and women in uniform. Other veteran and military-themed museums: U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Tuskegee.
War memorials
The Alabama World War I Memorial Building opened in 1940 to house the state Department of Archives and History in Montgomery (and today houses the educational Museum of Alabama). Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile was founded as a memorial park that honors all veterans of all wars. And the 22-acre Alabama Veterans Memorial Park in Mountain Brook, dedicated in 2001, is a tribute to Alabamians who fought and came home, as well as those who died in the wars and conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries.
eXtreme sports
Head outside for some adventure! Alabama has a little bit of everything. Check out Butter and Egg Adventures in Troy (climbing, ziplining, paddling), Whitewater Express Blue Heron Adventure Park in Phenix City (featuring a 12-story zipline), True Adventure Sports in Fort Payne (rappelling, rock climbing, caving and more) and the new Montgomery Whitewater, an outdoor adventure center featuring an Olympic-standard recirculating whitewater channel.
Yuletide
“Yuletide” is the season of an ancient Germanic pagan holiday centering around the winter solstice, but most of us associate it with the Christmas season. Alabama has a number of inspired Christmas and holiday displays and events, including the Weihnachtspyramide in Cullman, a turning, wooden, carousel-like decoration that is one of only three in the U.S.; and CANDYland in Andalusia, a winter wonderland adventure featuring play cottages for kids, train rides, snow tubing, winter skating, Christmas lights and snow shows.
Zoos
Feeling a little wild? Alabama is home to several zoos that offer education and fun. Among them: The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, which became the first U.S. zoo to evacuate its animals during a natural disaster when Hurricane Ivan struck the Alabama Gulf Coast in 2004. The Birmingham Zoo has about 550 animals of 180 species and endangered species from six continents on its 122-acre site. And the Montgomery Zoo’s Mann Museum hosts over 275 exhibits of wildlife, various fresh and saltwater fish, reptiles and insects that are found in North America.
