Alabama

Compelling & Colorful Big Cities

Alabama’s capital Montgomery is one of the most historic cities in the USA. A statue of Rosa Parks marks the beginning of a kilometer-long avenue includes to a former slave auction site, the birthplace of the Confederate States of America, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s church, the place where Rosa Parks began her famous ride and the ending point of the Selma-to-Montgomery March. Immerse yourself in this powerful history, then explore Montgomery’s compact downtown featuring hotels, museums, restaurants and attractions.

About an hour and a half north, you’ll find Birmingham, Alabama’s largest metropolitan area. This foodie destination calls itself the “Dinner Table of the South” for its many diverse, chef-driven restaurants. Pay a visit to Vulcan, the world’s largest cast-iron statue at Vulcan Park and Museum. From here, take in views of the whole city including its five entertainment districts in and around downtown and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Birmingham is also home to the world’s largest collection of motorcycles at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

Cultural Destinations in North Alabama

Nicknamed “Rocket City,” Huntsville is home to the world’s largest space museum, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and the all-inclusive Space Camp. Visit the largest privately owned arts facility in the southeastern USA at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, hear live music at the Orion Amphitheater and take a stroll through Big Spring International Park.

A little over an hour away, discover “The Hit Recording Capital of the World” in the region known as The Shoals. This collection of four small towns – Muscle Shoals, Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia – in the northwest corner of Alabama known for its recording studios, where some of the greatest hits of the 1960s and ‘70s were created. Tour legendary FAME Recording Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Nearby, visit Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s Home & Museum, and tour the W.C. Handy Home & Museum.

History & Natural Beauty on the Coast

Home to the USA’s first Mardi Gras celebration, Mobile boasts an exciting blend of flavors, cultures and traditions as rich as the gumbo served in local restaurants. The city was founded by the French as the first capital of the Louisiana-Territory then became a colony of Great Britain and Spain. Long a key port city, this is where the last slave ship, the Clotilda, was known to arrive in the USA and where its occupants formed the historic community of Africatown.

About an hour south of Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are located at the southern tip of Alabama along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. This area is warmed by sunshine, friendly people and unspoiled natural beauty. These resort towns have 52 kilometers of sugar-soft, white-sand beaches, as well as laid-back cafes and lively beach bars featuring live music. For a particularly pristine beach day, explore Gulf State Park, which separates these two towns with 2,600 hectares of protected ecosystems including 3 kilometers of beachfront.