Best Places to Visit in Alabama
Alabama is a state rich with history, natural beauty, and Southern charm, making it a wonderful place to explore. Having traveled through its cities, coasts, and countryside, I’ve found that Alabama offers a little bit of everything, from scenic beaches and vibrant music scenes to historic landmarks and outdoor adventures.
I discovered lively towns filled with culture, peaceful trails that showcase the state’s natural beauty, and coastal spots perfect for a relaxing escape during my four week road trip. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways and hidden gems off the beaten path, Alabama has something for every kind of traveler. Here are the places I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Dauphin Island
I think that Dauphin Island is one of the best places to visit in Alabama. Why? The island swept me away with its barefoot charm, its sugar-soft white sand beaches stretching for miles, the Gulf’s shimmering blues, salt marshes alive with seabirds, and fiery sunsets that melted straight into the horizon.
A quick drive across the bridge from mainland Alabama landed me on this tranquil barrier island. You can explore Audubon Bird Sanctuary trails, climb atop historic Fort Gaines, bike to hidden beaches, and linger at the Dauphin Island Pier.
- Location: Map & Directions
One of my favorite stops was the Alabama Aquarium, a true personal highlight. Learning about the Gulf’s marine life and ecosystems made the experience even more meaningful, especially knowing how connected the island is to nature.
2. Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals is a small Alabama town with an outsized legacy, where the Tennessee River bends like a shimmering ribbon and music history hums through every brick and recording booth. Known as the “Hit Recording Capital of the World,” this is where legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd cut timeless tracks, powered by the groove of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (“The Swampers”).
A scenic drive along U.S. Highway 72 brought me here, and I based myself for two days to soak in the magic at GunRunner Boutique Hotel. I toured the iconic Fame Recording Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, wandered the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and traced soulful history through the Shoals’ streets. Between the music stops, I found peaceful trails at the TVA Reservation along the river, enjoyed a lazy afternoon at McFarland Park, and tucked into Southern comfort food at family-run eateries like Donna and Friends that made me feel like a local.
- Location: Map & Directions
3. Fairhope
Fairhope charmed me right away with its storybook streets shaded by giant live oaks, the sweeping vistas of Mobile Bay, and an easy blend of small-town friendliness and artistic spirit. I think that Fairhope is one of the best places to visit in Alabama. Why? With its dreamy sunsets and quirky Southern charm, this bayside town feels like a gentle pause button on the Gulf Coast.
A breezy drive down U.S. 98 delivered me into this creative enclave, where I lingered for two days at Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear soaking up its art-filled energy and coastal calm. I strolled along the flower-lined Fairhope Pier at golden hour, browsed the town’s independent art galleries and bookstores, biked along the Eastern Shore Trail, and enjoyed lingering meals of Gulf seafood at cozy waterfront cafés.
- Location: Map & Directions
The sunsets over Mobile Bay were absolutely spectacular and were my highlight.
4. Florence
Florence drew me in with its riverfront beauty, rich musical pulse, and blend of old-South tradition with youthful creativity. Nestled along the Tennessee River in “The Shoals,” it’s a town where historic brick streets lead to funky coffee shops, where Frank Lloyd Wright architecture sits alongside live music bars, and where the spirit of the river seems to fuel both art and life.
A short drive across the O’Neal Bridge brought me here, and I gave myself two days to soak it all in. You can tour the Rosenbaum House (Alabama’s only Frank Lloyd Wright design), wander on the leafy University of North Alabama campus, explore quirky shops downtown, and tap your toes to live blues and soul echoing from local venues.
- Check prices at The Stricklin Hotel.
- Location: Map & Directions
Strolling along the Tennessee River at McFarland Park as the sun set felt like pure Shoals magic and was my personal highlight.
5. Gadsden, Alabama
Looking for natural beauty and small-town charm on the Coosa River? I always think of Gadsden. After 27 years of travel writing, I’ve found few places that mix waterfalls, riverside views, and quiet streets quite like this northeastern Alabama gem.
I spent two daysat the 3-star Hampton Inn Gadsden, balancing adventure with relaxation. My first stop was the iconic Noccalula Falls Park, where a 90-foot waterfall plunges into a lush gorge... the walking trails and botanical gardens around it made for a perfect afternoon. I kayaked along the Coosa River, browsed the antique shops downtown, and tucked into comfort food at family-owned diners that completely won me over.
- Location: Map & Directions
Evenings brought riverside strolls and that soothing sound of water everywhere, a personal highlight.
6. Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores wowed me with its sugar-white sands, emerald Gulf waters, and an upbeat beach-town vibe that blends relaxation with just the right dash of fun. It’s the kind of place where families build castles in the sand, anglers cast from piers, and live music drifts from open-air beach bars as the sun sinks into the horizon.
I gave myself three days at The Lodge at Gulf State Park to fully sink into the coastal rhythm. Days started with barefoot walks along the Gulf State Park Beach, followed by bike rides through its 28 miles of trails weaving past lakes and pine forests. I boarded a dolphin cruise from the marina, and sampled fresh Gulf shrimp.
- Location: Map & Directions
I capped evenings with sunsets on the water, a personal highlight.
7. Mobile
Mobile offers a blend of Southern charm, coastal breezes, and a unique history that feels both grand and approachable. Draped in centuries-old live oaks and bursting with Mardi Gras spirit (it’s actually the birthplace of the celebration in the U.S.), the city moves at a rhythm all its own — a mix of port-town energy, cultural flair, and bayfront beauty.
I spent three days at 4-star The Battle House Renaissance Hotel to dig in deep. I strolled along the oak-lined streets of the Historic District, with their stately antebellum homes, ducked into the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn the backstory of parades and pageantry, and explored the USS Alabama battleship at Battleship Memorial Park. Afternoons meant wandering along Dauphin Street’s artsy boutiques and cafés, and evenings often ended with fresh Gulf oysters at places like Wintzell's Oyster House.
- Location: Map & Directions
8. Auburn
I thought that Auburn had a a mix of small-town warmth, SEC football fever, and a charming downtown that pulses with youthful energy thanks to Auburn University. Nicknamed “The Loveliest Village on the Plains,” the city feels like a perfect blend of tradition and fresh spirit, where history, sports, and Southern hospitality come together.
I spent two days here soaking in both the campus and the town. A stroll through Auburn University was a must — from Toomer’s Corner (where fans roll the oaks after a big Tigers win) to the historic Samford Hall and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. In the afternoons, I wandered downtown Auburn’s boutiques and cafés, hiked a peaceful trail at Chewacla State Park, and capped the evenings with hearty Southern meals followed by live music at a local bar.
- Location: Map & Directions
9. Birmingham
Birmingham immediately struck me as a city of contrasts, modern and bustling, yet deeply rooted in history that reshaped America. Known as the “Magic City” for its explosive growth in the early 20th century, today it shines as both a hub of Southern culture and a living monument to the Civil Rights Movement.
I spent three days at Redmont Hotel balancing reflection, exploration, and good eats. The most powerful stop was the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, an interactive museum that takes you through the struggles and triumphs of the 1960s — walking past jail cell replicas, freedom rider buses, and multimedia exhibits left me humbled and inspired. Across the street, I paused at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, a solemn place of remembrance that carries weight and hope.
But Birmingham isn’t only its past — it’s a vibrant present, too. I explored the Railroad Park green space downtown, browsed the Market at Pepper Place for artisan finds, and sampled the city’s buzzing food scene.
- Location: Map & Directions
Dinner at El Barrio was a highlight: bold Mexican flavors with a creative Southern twist, served in a colorful, artsy space that felt as lively as the city itself.
10. Decatur
Decatur is a river town with a soul. Perched along the wide Tennessee River, it’s a place where Southern history, outdoor adventure, and small-town friendliness flow together seamlessly. Known as “The River City,” Decatur balances its industrial roots with charming neighborhoods, waterfront parks, and a lively calendar of festivals.
I spent two days at the 3-star DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront, leaning into both nature and culture. My first stop was Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, where thousands of migratory birds — from sandhill cranes to bald eagles — create a spectacular scene in winter. Evenings were best spent strolling the Tennessee Riverwalk or catching sunset views from Rhodes Ferry Park.
- Location: Map & Directions
Downtown Decatur was my personal highlight with restored 19th-century architecture, antique shops, and cozy cafés.
Conclusion
Here you have it, my best places to visit in Alabama! Exploring Alabama showed me just how diverse and inspiring this state truly is. From the sugar-white sands of Gulf Shores to the historic streets of Mobile, every stop carried its own character, and I loved how each destination offered something joyful and memorable.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
