Alabama
Alabama's beauty, history, culture and adventure
Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip
![Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1280x720/public/images/featured_media_image/2018-08/e3fcd305401ddff6cf5f99a6033a2e21.jpeg?itok=yLEMHi3A)
Rich Southern History
It was in the river city of Montgomery, under the white dome of the State Capitol, where the breakaway Confederate States of America were born, leading to the U.S. Civil War. Alabama is also famous for its role in the struggle for equality between black and white Americans. It’s here that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, marched and changed history. In Montgomery, Rosa Parks challenged segregation by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man.
One-of-a-Kind Attractions in Alabama
Alabama is filled with unique destinations that will thrill the whole family. Tour grand, columned antebellum homes located across the state. Visit space and motor sports museums for a visceral thrill. Head to Phenix City for exciting whitewater rafting. Scenic mountains and waterfalls are found in Mentone, Fort Payne and Gadsden.
Alabama’s top museums include the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and the legendary studios of Muscle Shoals, where famous musicians have recorded since 1959.
Great Food, White Sand, Mardi Gras and More
Alabama is one of the greatest food destinations in the USA. Here, you can sample slow-cooked Southern dishes, elegant fine dining and fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood.
The southern tip of Alabama is best known for Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast beaches. Mobile is where Mardi Gras got its start in the USA. During Carnival season, downtown streets are filled with marching bands and brilliantly colored floats.
Along with white-sand beaches, Alabama offers state parks crossed with trails to explore. Each resort town has a large variety of restaurants, bars and nightlife. Play your way through 26 golf courses and 468 holes across the state, including world-class golf on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Alabama is the physical heart and the cultural soul of the Deep South. Montgomery and Birmingham are a 2.5-hour drive from Atlanta, while Mobile and the beaches of Gulf Shores are about the same distance from New Orleans. The Alabama cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals and Huntsville are only a few hours’ drive from Nashville.
Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip
![Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip Alabama Tourism Department Statewide Road Trip](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1280x720/public/images/featured_media_image/2018-08/e3fcd305401ddff6cf5f99a6033a2e21.jpeg?itok=yLEMHi3A)
Fun Fact
![A slice of Alabama pecan pie A slice of Alabama pecan pie](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_680x680/public/images/facts_image/2017-01/PecanPieFunFactImage_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=XalbJJt0)
The state nut is the pecan – be sure to try a slice of succulent pie.
![Brittany Howard, lead vocalist for Alabama Shakes Brittany Howard, lead vocalist for Alabama Shakes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_680x680/public/images/facts_image/2017-01/AlabamaShakesFunFactphoto_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=hgX1cuds)
Alabama Shakes is a Grammy-winning blues rock band based in Athens, Alabama.
![In a Muscle Shoals recording studio In a Muscle Shoals recording studio](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_680x680/public/images/facts_image/2017-01/MuscleShoalsFunFactphoto_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=A9r1zhe4)
In the 1960s and ’70s, artists including Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones came to record in Muscle Shoals, then called the “Hit Capital of the World.”
Must see places
![Antique cars are the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park & Museum Antique cars are the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park & Museum](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSee%201_Barber%20Vintage%20Motorsports%20Park%20%26%20Museum_Mobile_AL_5036_Web72DPI_0.jpg?itok=Uc1HOAYQ)
![A recording studio in the Muscle Shoals region A recording studio in the Muscle Shoals region](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2017-01/MuscleShoalsMustSeePlacesImage_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=ybqpgORA)
![Plaque commemorating the former home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama Plaque commemorating the former home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2017-01/MLKMontgomeryMustSeePlaces_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=nvVgO1Ds)
![Space Camp graduation at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville Space Camp graduation at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2017-04/b71979856ad87b1205f82c2b331a994c.jpeg?itok=3QRoNUHu)
![USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSEE%203_%20USS%20Alabama%20Battleship%20Memorial%20Park_Mobile_Web72DPI.__72%20DPI_0.jpg?itok=iH1wO4Ms)
![Waterfall at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne Waterfall at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSEE%204_Desoto%20State%20Park_StateParkDeSotoFalls_Web72DPI.__72%20DPI.jpg?itok=8bnRUnw7)
![The Ross Bridge course in Birmingham, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail The Ross Bridge course in Birmingham, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSEE%205_%20Robert%20Trent%20Jones%20Golf%20Trail_RTJGolfRossBridgeGOLF0011_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=5cPlpDHy)
![Dusk at Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores Dusk at Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSEE%206_Gulf%20State%20Park_GulfShoresPublicPierAtDusk_Web72DPI.__72%20DPI.jpg?itok=yKyViVgO)
![Relics of ancient Native American civilizations at Moundville Archaeological Park Relics of ancient Native American civilizations at Moundville Archaeological Park](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2016-10/MustSEE%207_Moundville%20Archaeological%20Park_MoundvilleParkAerial_Web72DPI.__72%20DPI.jpg?itok=AMMBnmhh)
![Kayaking among the marsh and reeds in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Kayaking among the marsh and reeds in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_2800x2100_/public/images/attraction_image/2017-01/MobileTensawDeltaMustSeephoto_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=kTdiOqae)
Explore Alabama destinations
![Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/hero_full_width_1280x350/public/images/cities-background/2017-07/30c553cb7afd6bfba53fa30a779bc3b2.jpeg?itok=CNQr2VjH)
Explore Alabama destinations
![A Route 66 sign in the desert A Route 66 sign in the desert](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/hero_full_width_1280x350/public/2016-10/3d9e1c05e87822d8811b81e0b752ef52.jpeg?itok=5Jh8Gzuc)
Explore trips
Ask a Local
![Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1280x720/public/2020-01/4c0a20d1-99f3-401b-aa4c-581dd94266bc.jpeg?itok=jNm0KEVR)
![Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1280x720/public/2020-01/4c0a20d1-99f3-401b-aa4c-581dd94266bc.jpeg?itok=jNm0KEVR)
Official Alabama Travel Sites
Explore more
![Family fun on the beach in Alabama Family fun on the beach in Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2016-10/01.AlaTourism2013-884_5_HighS.jpg?itok=CVIYg5Bt)
Experience
Adventures in the Great Outdoors
![The fictional town of Spectre from Big Fish The fictional town of Spectre from Big Fish](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2019-08/61f953abd88509f8a462c2f3717a5fc6.jpeg?itok=J9SbwZbc)
Experience
Spectre Set Ruins
![The Drive-Thru Museum The Drive-Thru Museum](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2019-08/e4500ccced17f50405efffc56f4bb87b.jpeg?itok=dyDmYC4b)
Experience
The Drive-Thru Museum
![Neversink Pit Neversink Pit](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2019-08/ffce9e1ca14f8aa9d6ccea666f9ebe3b.jpeg?itok=umxZ4jaQ)
Experience
Neversink Pit
![24 hours in Orange Beach, Alabama 24 hours in Orange Beach, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2016-11/3b3342c14f12491cc90e282827256155.png?itok=mSM3mT-s)
Experience
24 Hours in Orange Beach, Alabama
![Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2017-01/Getty_479604202_State_Louisiana_NewOrleans.jpg?itok=2EsNrLyq)
Experience
History of Mardi Gras in the USA
![Jet-skiiing in the Gulf of Mexico Jet-skiiing in the Gulf of Mexico](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2017-01/HERO_Jet%20skiing%20in%20Orange%20Beach%20Alabama_Web72DPI.jpg?itok=KKwRSY0u)
Experience
5 Must-See Gulf Coast Beaches
![Simulator space rides at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Simulator space rides at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2017-05/5f5f148105cec4ac96469ccdf518b35f.jpeg?itok=OsqUpvYJ)
Experience
7 Spots for Family Fun Around the USA
![Visiting the historic Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama Visiting the historic Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218174518im_/https://www.visittheusa.com/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_470x264/public/images/hero_media_image/2016-11/07.06.14_DexterBaptist0045-Edit_Web72DPI_1.jpg?itok=7Ax5lDSc)
Experience