A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Alabama Gardens
The floral beauty of gardens across Alabama simply invites visitors to gaze upon the variety of colors. Alabama’s variety of flora include rare species native to the state, curious wildflowers among bogs, as well as familiar varieties such as azaleas, camellias, daylilies, hydrangeas, and mums. Unique shopping experiences and tours are found around seventy public gardens spanning Alabama. Significant gardens include the 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden, the 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens with a full calendar of year-round events, and 67 acres of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Alabama Key Areas
The mountain region of northern Alabama sports a lush landscape of waterfalls, glistening lakes, and tree-topped mountains. The Florence/Muscles Shoals area in northwest Alabama has several weeks’ worth of activities that satisfy a wide range of vacationer interests. In the area, the Tennessee River area is home to fishing garr fish, croppie, and brim, as well as the more famous catfish and small and large mouth bass. Boating is also popular along the Tennessee River and Lake Wilson; a special treat is Wilson Dam, a very large single lift lock. Participation and spectator sports are embraced in Florence such as golf, soccer, and the NCAA Division II Football Championship game. Walking trails are plentiful and historic walking tours offer a step into Florence’s past. Muscle Shoals is a popular tourist destination, known for its music recording and the birthplace of the “Father of the Blues,” W.C. Handy. Muscle Shoals also hosts a variety of annual festivals honoring Helen Keller and W.C. Handy, and is home to a portion of the Robert Trent Jones Golf trail. Huntsville is the location of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and plenty of Civil-War era history. Huntsville’s calendar is filled with annual activities celebrating the multicultural diversity of the area.

The metropolitan area of Alabama, including Birmingham, is home to a multitude of vacation interests. Catch a NASCAR race at the famous Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, in a large-capacity stadium. Talladega National Forest, consolidated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, has approximately 7500 acres for camping, a recreational area, and is home to the southernmost portion of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Visionland is a two-park entertainment facility with rides, shows, and attractions in Birmingham. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center at the University of Birmingham offers music, theater, and live dance from around the world. In this region, civil rights history has been made, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute documents this history from after World War I through today via cutting-edge multimedia presentation. The non-profit McWane Center in Birmingham promotes adventures in science through interactive exhibits, programs, and an IMAX theater. Truly, there is something for everyone in this Alabama region.

The River Region includes the Alabama state capital of Montgomery with extremely significant Confederate and civil rights history. The Choctaw County Historical Museum features a one-room log cabin from the 1840’s, Civil War rifles, and farming tools. Montgomery’s Alabama Shakespeare Festival is known the world over, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art includes art from the 1800’s and 1900’s, works with Southern regional flair, along with an interactive art gallery/studio where children can participate. Don’t miss the up-to-date Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, depicting the early years of the civil rights movement including the historic bus stance. The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute is located in Selma, as well as the related Slavery and Civil War Museum. The 16,000 acres of White Oak Plantation host a year-round hunting, shooting, fishing, and recreational resort located along Opintlocco Creek. Summer programs include bird watching and nature trail hiking through varied terrain of rolling hills, pine plantations, crop lands, and dense wooded and swamp lands.

The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach face the Gulf of Mexico and are graced with stunningly white sand beaches, and plenty of vacation rentals for family, friends, and romance. Fresh seafood is available in various forms, and therefore a local area favorite, but you can also sample Cajun Creole, barbeque, and traditional Southern cooking. Deep-sea fishing and an array of water sports beckon from the surf. In the Orange Beach area, travelers can try a dolphin-watching excursion off of a 65-foot boat. Several area golf courses tempt those looking for a challenging 18 holes to play. The long-running Shrimp Festival here during the fall season is the biggest food festival in Alabama and offers a wealth of arts and crafts dealers.

Sites and tours to see

Walking tours of Twickenham historic district, state's largest collection of pre-Civil War homes (Huntsville)
Children’s Museum of the Shoals (Shoals area)
Cathedral Caverns near Grant
Lake Guntersville
Lake Wheeler
Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman
Museum of Mobile in Mobile
Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island
USS Alabama
Horseshoe Bend National Park in Dadeville
Sloss Furnaces outside downtown Birmingham
Pioneer Museum of Alabama in Troy
Landmark Park in Dothan
Wiregrass Museum in Houston County