• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Birmingham Botanical Gardens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
© bonniemarie/stock.adobe.com

2. The Alabama State Capitol ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Alabama State Capitol
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

3. The United States Army Aviation Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
The United States Army Aviation Museum
© The United States Army Aviation Museum

4. The Bartram Canoe Trail

Category: Activities
The Bartram Canoe Trail
© yossarian6/stock.adobe.com

5. The Alabama Booksmith

Category: Shopping
The Alabama Booksmith
© The Alabama Booksmith

6. The Birmingham Museum of Art

Category: Museums & Culture
The Birmingham Museum of Art
© The Birmingham Museum of Art

7. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Activities
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
© eikotsuttiy/stock.adobe.com

8. Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Category: Activities
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
© Tim/stock.adobe.com

9. Cheaha Mountain

Category: Activities
Cheaha Mountain
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10. Alabama Farmer's Market

Category: Shopping
Alabama Farmer's Market
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11. The Civil Rights Memorial

Category: Attractions
The Civil Rights Memorial
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12. Dothan Forever Wild Trails

Category: Activities
Dothan Forever Wild Trails
© dragonstock/stock.adobe.com

13. Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit

Category: Kids & Family
Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit
© ketkata/stock.adobe.com

14. Hank Williams Memorial and Grave

Category: Attractions
Hank Williams Memorial and Grave
© Dragana Gordic/stock.adobe.com

15. Little River Canyon National Preserve

Category: Activities
Little River Canyon National Preserve
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

16. The Museum of Fond Memories at Reed Books

Category: Shopping
The Museum of Fond Memories at Reed Books
© milkovasa/stock.adobe.com

17. The Museum of Wonder

Category: Museums & Culture
The Museum of Wonder
© atosan/stock.adobe.com

18. The Natchez Trace Parkway

Category: Activities
The Natchez Trace Parkway
© J. Michael Jones/stock.adobe.com

19. Neversink Preserve

Category: Activities
Neversink Preserve
© dsheremeta/stock.adobe.com

20. Shakespeare Gardens and Amphitheater

Category: Activities
Shakespeare Gardens and Amphitheater
© THANANIT/stock.adobe.com

21. Sloss Furnaces

Sloss Furnaces
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

22. The MOOseum

The MOOseum
© Talitha/stock.adobe.com

23. William B. Bankhead National Forest

Category: Activities
William B. Bankhead National Forest
© RIck/stock.adobe.com

24. The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic
© IgorZh/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • Alabama is best known as the home base of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, home to major landmarks such as the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and the Rosa Parks Museum.
  • Visitors can explore a number of Civil Rights-related sites in the city for free, including the Alabama State Capitol Building, the terminus of the famed 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.
  • Beautiful free-admission wilderness areas abound, including the William B. Bankhead National Forest and Talladega National Forest, home to Cheaha Mountain, the state's highest peak.

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