Things to do & places to visit in Alabama, United States


Alabama cover image
If you head for the hills in the state you’ll end up in the northern sector where the inspiring mountains and attractions like the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, the Blue & Gray Museum in Decatur and the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman represent the diversity of experiences available in the area. In the middle of the state you’ll find Birmingham, an urban center with great attractions and museums, and Tuscaloosa, the quintessential college town and home to the University of Alabama. For beach lovers, sandy destinations like Dauphin Island near Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer beautiful beaches, superb golf, fantastic seafood restaurants and heaping helpings of Southern hospitality. For those who love to chase the white dimpled ball, Alabama offers one of the best golf values anywhere. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of 468 holes at 11 different sites across the state, features top-notch, championship style courses at affordable rates.

Alabama #37 destination in United States 2023. The average rating score is 4.46 based on 92.7k traveler reviews, of 1.535 attractions. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 3:43.

Top things to do (48)

Top destinations in Alabama 100

See more 88 destinations » « Show less

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

  1. 5.0 The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises (2.075 reviews)
    - Great Relaxing time!
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Boat Tours • Boat Rentals • Private Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours
    The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises image
    This was a spur of the moment decision to ride. Booked the night before online for the 9am next day and it was super simple with detailed plans sent to text and email. The ride was soothing and laid back with several opportunities to see dolphins in multiple areas. Captain Rusty and Deckhand Morgan were great! Morgan did great with all the kids on the boat,remembering each of their names and checking on them throughout the ride. Though we personally did not partake in the water war, it was entertaining watching from inside the boat. Cap'n and Morgan were right in the mix of it. I guarantee you will Enjoy! See more..
  2. 5.0 Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (1.284 reviews)
    - A Massive, Stunning Collection of Beautiful Machines!
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Auto Racing Tracks
    Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum image
    A motorcyclist's dream come true, this museum houses the world's largest collection of motorcycles and Lotus racecars with 1,000 vintage and modern motorcycles on display. In addition to the motorsports collection, The Museum houses the Barber Advanced Design Center. The Barber Advanced Design Center is an 11,000-square-foot hub for creation and design. See more..
  3. 5.0 Breakout Games - Birmingham (985 reviews)
    - Breaking Out is Fun
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games
    Breakout Games - Birmingham image
    This isn’t your average outing or everyday experience—Breakout is for those who would rather solve mysteries than watch someone else have all the fun. With different rooms that follow unique story-lines, you and your friends will have 60 minutes to escape your adventure of choice by cracking codes, solving puzzles and following clues. Part problem solving, part adrenaline, end-to-end fun! See more..
  4. 5.0 Bryant Denny Stadium (668 reviews)
    - Look no further for college gameday.
    Arenas & Stadiums
    Bryant Denny Stadium image
    If you're a college football fan, then Tuscaloosa is Rome, and all roads lead here. Bryant Denny is the Colosseum, Nick Saban is the emperor, and the Crimson Tide is the most feared gladiatorial regime in the empire. That being said, I am not really a college football fan. I came down here to see my team (Vanderbilt) get absolutely annihilated. My point is that it was still an incredible experience. I make the above analogy to give weight to how significant this stadium is to the world of sports. Even with the hype, the experience did not disappoint. The roar of the crowd as so many die hards lived and died play-by-play was incredible. There aren't words to describe it, you simply have to immerse yourself in it. This needs to be a bucket list item for anyone remotely considering themself a college football fan. Appreciatively, Clayton Cohn See more..
  5. 5.0 Dexter Parsonage Museum - Dr. Martin Luther King home (544 reviews)
    - A view into the past
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites
    Dexter Parsonage Museum - Dr. Martin Luther King home image
    Martin Luther King's residence from September 1954 to February 1960. See more..
  6. 5.0 National Memorial for Peace and Justice (536 reviews)
    - Hits like a punch in your stomach
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues
    National Memorial for Peace and Justice image
    I visited many important sites from the civil rights movement during this recent trip through Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery. None had as much an impact as my visit to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. The layout is very simple, but so powerful. As you enter you pass through the 816 columns (each representing a county where a racial lynching was recorded). 816 counties in 32 states as I was told while here. The first columns are at ground level, just like tombstones. As you move through the museum, the columns are gradually raised, until the end where they are high off the ground, as lynched bodies would appear. Outside there is a second set of columns, which I believe are laid out to represent coffins. I spent about 2 hours here and the $5 admission (yes, only $5) includes entry into to the nearby Legacy Museum, which was almost as important. I will definitely visit again the next time I am here. See more..
  7. 5.0 Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church (482 reviews)
    - Must see, important part of history
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
    Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church image
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used the pulpit of this unassuming red brick church to lead the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott, which ignited the civil rights movement. Steeped in history, this church, where Dr. King served as pastor from 1954 to 1960, was also the site of many civil rights meetings during that era. See more..
  8. 5.0 Gulf Shores Welcome Center (478 reviews)
    - Must stop in Gulf Shores!!
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers
    Gulf Shores Welcome Center image
    Both welcome centers are open seven days a week. The centers are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. See more..
  9. 5.0 WildNative Tours (465 reviews)
    - Half Day Gulf Shore Kayak Tour
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Boat Tours • Boat Rentals • Hiking & Camping Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Kayaking & Canoeing
    WildNative Tours image
    Great half day kayak tour of wildlife (including plenty of dolphins) along the Intercoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. Guide was very sweet, super knowledgable and totally 'on it'. Great stuff. Highly recommended. See more..
  10. 5.0 Legacy Museum (454 reviews)
    - Very well put together Museum
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums • History Museums
    Legacy Museum image
    This is the first time me coming back to this Museum since they moved from their old location. This museum is very nicely done. You cannot take pictures inside the museum but you can take pictures at the Justice For Peace Memorial. The admission is $5 for both museums and has a shuttle that will take you to both locations See more..
  11. 5.0 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (445 reviews)
    - Who would have thought
    Churches & Cathedrals
    Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception image
    Amazing cathedral! Never thought I would find such a beautiful church and cathedral down south. One of my favorite stained glass windows including the ones I’ve seen in France and Spain. It represents the Infant Mary being presented to the priest. Her expression of sublime admiration is so incredible she looks like she is in a state of ecstacy. The level of admiration is only possible when one practices the height of purity and humility See more..
  12. 4.5 USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park (3.962 reviews) from $37.00
    - Great day out
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Military Museums • Ships • History Museums
    USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park image
    At Mobile’s Battleship Memorial Park, you don’t have to look very far to find heroes. From the Battleship USS ALABAMA to the Submarine USS DRUM and over 25 aircraft, the spirit of military pride is alive and well.Aboard the battleship you will be able to explore 12 decks. Among those, you can climb inside gun turrets, get locked in the Brig, man a 12mm gun and much more.Also at the park, you will be able to go below and explore inside the oldest Submarine on display, Submarine USS DRUM. In the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion as well as in the park, you will be able to view many rare and historic aircraft. A few in our collection include: A-12 Blackbird Spy Plane, OS2U Kingfisher, F-86L Sabre Jet, B-52 Bomber, just to name a few. While in the pavilion, don’t forget to take a ride on the Flight Simulator and experience flight without ever leaving the ground. It’s an unforgettable experience for the entire family. All tours are self guided. Allow approx. 2.5 hours. See more..
  13. 4.5 U.S. Space and Rocket Center (3.221 reviews)
    - Worth the Visit
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Science Museums • Observatories & Planetariums
    U.S. Space and Rocket Center image
    Home to Space Camp, Aviation Challenge, Space Camp Robotics, U.S. Cyber Camp and NASA's Official Visitor Information Center for Marshall Space Flight Center; The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. See more..
  14. 4.5 Gulf State Park (1.420 reviews)
    - Best Campground on the Gulf!
    Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Beaches
    Gulf State Park image
    Gulf State Park's two miles of beaches greet you with plenty of white sun-kissed sand, surging surf, seagulls and sea shells, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into. Inside Gulf State Park there is a brand new Gulf Front lodge and Conference Center, beach pavilion, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World Cottages, tennis courts, camp sites, 28 miles of paved/enhance trails and a fishing pier that is 20-feet wide and extends 1,512 feet into the Gulf. This and much more make Gulf State Park the perfect in-state vacation or out-of-state adventure. See more..
  15. 4.5 Vulcan Park and Museum (1.394 reviews)
    - Don't miss Vulcan for some Birmingham history
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Lookouts • Parks • History Museums
    Vulcan Park and Museum image
    The largest cast-iron statue in the world created for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair placed on top of Red Mountain with a beautiful view of downtown Birmingham. Also, inside Vulcan Center, is an interactive museum that contains the historical timeline of the city of Birmingham. See more..
  16. 4.5 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (1.294 reviews)
    - Civil Rights history- must see
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM History Museums
    Birmingham Civil Rights Institute image
    This historic museum traces the journey of the civil rights advocates of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the course of American history. The struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled here, from the Jim Crow laws in the 1800s to the freedom rides, sit-ins and demonstrations of the 1960s. See more..
  17. 4.5 Gulf State Park Fishing Pier (1.117 reviews)
    - Cold and windy but nice to see
    Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Piers & Boardwalks
    Gulf State Park Fishing Pier image
    The Gulf State Park Pier offers features such as indoor seating for concession area, indoor retail area for tackle and souvenirs, comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier (seen in picture above) and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. The new pier has 2,448 feet of fishing space available along the rails. See more..
  18. 4.5 FORT MORGAN HISTORIC SITE (1.024 reviews) from $37.00
    - Fun for history buffs!!!
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Battlefields
    FORT MORGAN HISTORIC SITE image
    Located on Mobile Point, at the end of Scenic Fort Morgan Peninsula, the site has a diverse number of activities to make your vacation a memorable one. Preceded by another fort, Fort Bowyer during the War of 1812, Fort Morgan is a Third System masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. Standing guard where the bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, the fort played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Used intermittently through the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, the site showcases the evolution of seacoast fortifications and adaptations made by the U.S. Army for the defense of the country. See more..
  19. 4.5 McWane Science Center (957 reviews)
    - Closed early but fun outing
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Science Museums • Aquariums • Children's Museums
    McWane Science Center image
    Fun and learning never end at McWane Science Center, a nonprofit, hands-on museum and IMAX(R) Dome Theater. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder - from an amazing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental showcases, imaginative early childhood playgrounds, and an awe-inspiring aquarium. The energy and excitement of discovery spring to life through an extensive lineup of science demonstrations performed daily by talented educators. The adventure intensifies in the IMAX(R) Dome Theater, where wide-eyed visitors experience the sights and sounds of breathtaking films on a 5-story-tall screen surrounded by 3 tons of high-intensity speakers. See more..
  20. 4.5 Huntsville Botanical Garden (904 reviews)
    - Lovely gardens
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens
    Huntsville Botanical Garden image
    The 118-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and contains a diverse ecosystem of meadows, upland and bottomland forest, and wetlands, as well as a variety of specialty gardens and native plant collections. The Mathews Nature Trail contains the largest accredited trillium collection in the U.S. and the Anderson Education Center is home to the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. The Native Plants Teaching Garden is a public space that highlights the way local plants, soil, pollinators, and birds create distinct communities and how they interact to form a diverse, sustainable, and attractive landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the North American Plant Collections Consortium, and the American Horticultural Society, as well as an ArbNet-accredited arboretum. See more..
  21. 4.5 Bellingrath Gardens and Home (831 reviews)
    - WOW
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Walking Areas • Gardens
    Bellingrath Gardens and Home image
    Enjoy 65 acres of year-round floral pageantry in a Southern estate garden with blooms and beauties every day of the year. It is our passion at Bellingrath Gardens and Home to preserve and enhance the 65-acre garden and grand estate home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. See more..
  22. 4.5 Tanger Outlets Foley (819 reviews)
    - Fun shopping trip after a long soccer tournament
    Thursday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Factory Outlets
    Tanger Outlets Foley image
    Find great savings on merchandise from your favorite designer and name-brands direct from the manufacturer at stores like: Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Talbots, White House Black Market, Nike, Chico's, Kenneth Cole, Reebok and many more. Before you travel, check out the Tanger Outlet website to find the latest Coupons & Sales Offers for Tanger Outlets in Foley. Or, when you arrive at the outlets, make your first stop Shopper Services to learn about the benefits of joining TangerClub (Tanger Club information is also available online). In Shopper Services you can purchase a coupon book full of great savings or if you are already a TangerClub member pick up a coupon book for free! Think Outlets, Think Tanger. See more..
  23. 4.5 Rosa Parks Library and Museum (758 reviews) from $23.00
    - Worth the time to read, reflect and appreciate the bravery of all involved in the boycott.
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM History Museums
    Rosa Parks Library and Museum image
    Come witness Rosa Parks’ arrest, view a 1955 Montgomery city bus, and learn for yourself how a group of willing men and women led by the Montgomery Improvement Association fueled the resolve of a movement. Visitors will also view a 1956 station wagon used as the basis for an extensive carpooling system. While traveling through time, you’ll meet Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and see the mass effect the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Civil Rights Movement had on the world. See more..
  24. 4.5 Noccalula Falls Park & Campground (720 reviews)
    - LOVE!!!!!!
    Parks • Waterfalls
    Noccalula Falls Park & Campground image
    Large park featuring waterfalls. See more..
  25. 4.5 Mobile Bay Ferry (718 reviews)
    - Sunset Ferry Ride
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:15 PM Spent < 1 hour Ferries
    Mobile Bay Ferry image
    The Mobile Bay Ferry crosses beautiful Mobile Bay, Alabama and connects SR 193 at Dauphin Island on the west side with SR 180 at Mobile Point on the east. Considered “the Gulf-Coast’s Most Scenic Drive”, the ferry saves travelers hours of driving time plus the high cost of fuel by providing a travel link across the mouth of Mobile Bay. The trip between Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan at Mobile Point provides wonderful views of the two historic forts that have long guarded the entrance of Mobile Bay. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes and is a great way for passengers to view birds, sea life and other boats and ships. The ferry service utilizes two ferries, the Fort Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole to carry passengers and vehicles across the Bay. At least one ferry operates year-round with both ferries operating during the busy summer months. See more..
  26. 4.5 Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (673 reviews)
    - Estuary Win!
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Science Museums • Aquariums
    Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab image
    The Alabama Aquarium is an exciting educational public aquarium highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, a 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk. This facility has 31 aquariums totaling over 30,000 gallons with more than 100 species on display. The Alabama Aquarium showcases the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats. Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the aquarium will leave you with a broader understanding of the interactions that take place in Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States. Tickets are available online at: https://disl.yapsody.com/ See more..
  27. 4.5 Fairhope Municipal Pier (586 reviews)
    - Beautiful spot on the Bay
    Piers & Boardwalks
    Fairhope Municipal Pier image
    The bayfront centerpiece of the town features duck ponds, a fountain and an award-winning rose garden. See more..
  28. 4.5 First White House of the Confederacy (581 reviews)
    - A quick detour to 1861
    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Historic Sites
    First White House of the Confederacy image
    Historic House Museum located beside the Alabama Archives and History and across from the Alabama State Capitol Museum. See more..
  29. 4.5 Mobile Carnival Museum (580 reviews) from $8.21
    - Great intro to Mobile
    Thursday: Speciality Museums
    Mobile Carnival Museum image
    This museum documents Mobile's long affair with the winter carnival. See more..
  30. 4.5 Little River Canyon National Preserve (558 reviews)
    - Stunning!
    National Parks • Canyons • Parks
    Little River Canyon National Preserve image
    The deepest canyon east of the Mississippi is surrounded by the scenic beauty of Lookout Mountain. See more..
See more places to visit in Alabama »

Filter places by Rating

Recommended for you

More Things to do in Alabama 118

  1. Points of Interest & Landmarks
  2. Churches & Cathedrals
  3. Historic Sites
  4. Ancient Ruins
  5. Art Museums
  6. Speciality Museums
  7. History Museums
  8. Fountains
  9. Religious Sites
  10. Bridges
  11. Historic Walking Areas
  12. Gardens
  13. Marinas
  14. Piers & Boardwalks
  15. Waterfalls
  16. Wineries & Vineyards
  17. Nature & Wildlife Areas
  18. Cooking Classes
  19. Speciality & Gift Shops
  20. Private Tours
  21. Taxis & Shuttles
  22. Health Clubs
  23. Scuba & Snorkelling
  24. Boat Tours
  25. Sightseeing Tours
  26. Horseback Riding Tours
  27. Monuments & Statues
  28. Neighborhoods
  29. Bodies of Water
  30. Theaters
  31. Geologic Formations
  32. Beaches
  33. National Parks
  34. Ferries
  35. Hiking Trails
  36. Game & Entertainment Centers
  37. Biking Trails
  38. Scenic Walking Areas
  39. Escape Games
  40. Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
  41. Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
  42. Nature & Wildlife Tours
  43. Walking Tours
  44. Shopping Malls
  45. Water Parks
  46. Amusement & Theme Parks
  47. Beach & Pool Clubs
  48. Children's Museums
  49. Flea & Street Markets
  50. Visitor Centers
  51. Sports Camps & Clinics
  52. Breweries
  53. Lessons & Workshops
  54. Caverns & Caves
  55. Golf Courses
  56. Movie Theaters
  57. Art Galleries
  58. Antique Shops
  59. Sports Complexes
  60. Theatre & Performances
  61. Cemeteries
  62. Military Museums
  63. Forests
  64. Scenic Drives
  65. Valleys
  66. Ski & Snowboard Areas
  67. Libraries
  68. Playgrounds
  69. Arenas & Stadiums
  70. Farmers Markets
  71. Natural History Museums
  72. Kayaking & Canoeing
  73. Bars & Clubs
  74. Fishing Charters & Tours
  75. Lighthouses
  76. Distilleries
  77. Casinos
  78. Convention Centers
  79. Factory Tours
  80. Ghost & Vampire Tours
  81. Bar, Club & Pub Tours
  82. Shopping Tours
  83. Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
  84. River Rafting & Tubing
  85. Dolphin & Whale Watching
  86. Helicopter Tours
  87. Civic Centres
  88. State Parks
  89. Paint & Pottery Studios
  90. Climbing Tours
  91. Missions
  92. Gear Rentals
  93. Symphonies
  94. Wine Bars
  95. Shooting Ranges
  96. Auto Racing Tracks
  97. Department Stores
  98. Off-Road & ATV Trails
  99. Balloon Rides
  100. Boat Rentals
  101. Dinner Theaters
  102. Factory Outlets
  103. Karaoke Bars
  104. Bowling Alleys
  105. Water Sports
  106. Motorcycle Trails
  107. Coffeehouses
  108. Yoga & Pilates
  109. Miniature Golf
  110. Scenic Railroads
  111. Other Outdoor Activities
  112. Dog Tracks
  113. Wedding Chapels
  114. Concerts
  115. Cigar Bars
  116. Comedy Clubs
  117. Food & Drink Festivals
  118. Literary, Art & Music Tours
Load more 106 things to do » « Show less

Destinations nearby Alabama 20