If you’re planning a trip to Alabama, you may want to put together an Alabama travel bucket list.
If the idea of sifting through all of the things to see and do in this state seems overwhelming, don’t worry. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the awesome sites and attractions that we think are bucket-list-worthy. Take a look at these picks, choose your favorites, and make your own list of places to visit as you explore the Cotton State.
Relax on the Beach in Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores features some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire country. Gulf Shores State Park has several options, and it’s a great place to set up camp. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy these sunny beaches!
Camp at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground
Located in Gadsden, Noccalula Falls Park is a lovely vacation destination. The park is home to a nice campground, meaning you can stay on-site and fully immerse yourself. Be sure to see Noccalula Falls as well as the petting zoo, botanical gardens, and trails.
Explore Cathedral Caverns State Park
Cathedral Caverns State Park has incredible caves and you can see them better on one of the daily tours at the park. Gem mining is also available onsite, and a campground is nearby for those who travel by RV.
Attend Mardi Gras in Mobile
Everyone knows about the awesome Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, but Mobile, AL has equally spectacular events. Experience Mardi Gras in Mobile and try a moon pie (they’re also thrown to guests during Mardi Gras parades and are locally made). After that, be sure to visit the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn about the history of this yearly event.
Take a Space-Themed Trip to Huntsville
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville lets anyone be an astronaut for a day. Learn more about space, aviation, and other subjects at this space center.
Go Skiing at Cloudmont
Most people don’t think of skiing when they think of Alabama. But Cloudmont Ski & Golf has manmade snow and is an Alabama institution. It’s a small resort but a fun, unique way to experience the state in winter.
See a Race at Talladega Speedway
The Talladega Superspeedway is a much better-known Alabama institution and a popular draw for people from all over. It hosts NASCAR races, and you can tour the speedway and garage as well.
Drive the Rim of Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River Canyon National Preserve is one of the most beautiful spots in Alabama, and the drive around the rim provides some spectacular scenery.
Stroll Through the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
You’ll find more than 1,000 motorcycles on display at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. It’s even recognized by the Guinness World Record Book as the world’s largest motorcycle collection. The museum also has the world’s most extensive collection of Lotus cars, along with other rare vehicles.
Cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge
On a Sunday in March of 1965, 600 Civil Rights marchers headed out of Selma and were stopped at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. State and local law enforcement attacked the demonstrators with clubs and tear gas. Learn about that day, and the subsequent march with Martin Luther King, Jr. afterward, along with learning lots more about the Civil Rights movement.
Shop the Unclaimed Baggage Center
Ever wonder where everyone’s unclaimed baggage goes? The Unclaimed Baggage Center lets customers shop the bizarre, valuable, and funny things that haven’t been claimed from the lost luggage of American airports.
Explore Moundville
An archaeological park run by the University of Alabama, Moundville was once the home of a great and powerful prehistoric community. See the massive flat-topped earthen mounds constructed by the people who lived here long ago, and learn about the people themselves in the nearby museum.
Tour Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
There was a time when Birmingham was an industrial city. Sloss Furnaces provided employment to the people of Birmingham and kept the city going. The furnaces shut down for good in 1971 but have been well preserved and the site is now used for concerts, festivals, and more.
See the Dismals Canyon Glow Worms
Check out the bioluminescent “glow worms” of Dismals Canyon. You can go on a guided night hike through the canyon to check out the worms, or hike the canyon during the day.
Eat Some Fried Green Tomatoes
No trip to Alabama is complete without a plate of fried green tomatoes. Fortunately, they’re easy to find, but one of the best places to get them is Lulu’s Gulf Shores.
Coast Uphill at Gravity Hill
When you drive to Gravity Hill in Sylacauga, stop at a specific stop sign, put your car in neutral, and watch as it rolls uphill. Some believe this is because the road is haunted, others believe it’s an optical illusion. Either way, it’s pretty fun to experience.
Learn New Things at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Check out a battleship, a spy plane, and a submarine at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. This is the perfect spot for military enthusiasts, but everyone will be impressed by the battleship.
Admire Ave Maria Grotto
Located on the grounds of St. Bernard Benedictine Abbey, Ave Maria Grotto is the handiwork of Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B. It took over 45 years to build and features miniature versions of some of the world’s most important landmarks, as well as many other tiny buildings.
Tour the FAME Studios
The FAME Studios first opened in 1959. Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Paul Anka, and Etta James all recorded there, and artists still use the studios today. Tours are available to the general public.
Enjoy Live Theater
Alabama is home to some great live theater. You can attend the huge Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. You might also enjoy seeing To Kill a Mockingbird in the author’s hometown of Monroeville, or checking out the outdoor production of The Miracle Worker in Tuscumbia, the birthplace of Helen Keller.
Summit Cheaha Mountain
The highest point in the state of Alabama is at the top of Cheaha Mountain, 2,407 feet above sea level. Here, you can check out some incredible views of the Talladega National Forest below.
Walk the Trail of Tinglewood Carvings
Tinglewood Trail in Orr Park features more than 30 faces carved into the trunks of dead cedar trees by artist Tim Tingle. The artwork gives the park a fairytale vibe, making it an enchanting place for a hike.
Try a Bushwacker at the Flora-Bama
Head to the Flora-Bama beach bar at the state line between Alabama and Florida and order their well-known drink, the Bushwacker. It tastes just like a milkshake … but it’s a lot more potent.
Watch a Dauphin Island Sunset
Last but not least, we must mention the sunsets at Dauphin Island. If you’re looking for the most beautiful sunset in the state, and one of the most beautiful in all of the South, Dauphin Island is the place to go. Find a seat on the beach and watch the sun go down, reflecting beautiful pinks and oranges on the water of the ocean.
These are some of our favorite things to do and see in Alabama. You may want to consider renting an Alabama RV in order to see everything in the state that interests you. Renting an RV allows you to move around the state without having to pack up your clothing and switch beds each time you check out somewhere new.
