Located in America’s Deep South, Alabama is best known for its soulful food, warm hospitality and civil rights history. But the state is full of unexpected delights too, from breathtaking natural wonders and stunning coastal havens to incredible musical heritage and outdoor adventures. Here’s why you should make this surprising state your next destination to discover.
Where American history was made
Alabama was central in the American Civil Rights movement, with pivotal movements, including the Selma to Montgomery protest marches of 1965 and the Montgomery bus boycott – sparked after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move from her seat – taking place in the state.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Rosa Parks Museum and The Legacy Museum, along with historic landmarks like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, are a reminder of Alabama’s role in the struggle for equality, and how the state’s history helped shape the present day United States.
Alabama also played an important role in the history of space exploration. It was in Huntsville, known as “Rocket City”, where engineers developed the Saturn V rocket that took US astronauts to the moon in 1969. You can see a full size Saturn V, one of only three in the world, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the largest museum in the world dedicated to space flight.
More than barbeque
You don’t have to spend long in Alabama to catch your first whiff of hickory smoke drifting through the air. The state is famous for its barbecue, and there’s plenty of places to enjoy it.
Barbecue bucket-list spots include Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, open since 1925 and the birthplace of the state’s famous white bbq sauce; Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, known for its legendary hickory-smoked ribs; and Golden Rule in Irondale; which dates all the way back to the 19th century. Those serious about their smoked meats can combine a culinary adventure with a road trip by following the Alabama BBQ trail. Upscale barbecue can also be found in Huntsville at the Michelin-recommended restaurant Salt Smokehouse with a creative take on barbecue, blending classic smoked meats with flavours inspired from around the world.
As moreish as it is, there’s so much more to Alabama’s cuisine than barbecue. The Gulf Coast offers up some of the best seafood in the south, with the port city of Mobile – the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the USA – something of a culinary hotspot. Meanwhile, in Birmingham, renowned chefs blend the traditional with the innovative in Michelin-recommended restaurants like Bottega, Automatic and Chez Fonfon.
The sound of the South
Great food isn’t the only thing the state is famous for. Alabama gave the world Hank Williams, Nat King Cole and Lionel Richie, and, in the 1960s and 1970s, attracted an astonishing number of musical legends. Muscle Shoals Studio was home to legendary session musicians The Swampers, and acts including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Cher and The Rolling Stones recorded there – Keith Richards even called it “rock and roll heaven”. Today, you can tour the studio, as you can the nearby FAME Recording Studios, which captured the sound of legends including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Etta James.
Country music fans can follow the Hank Williams trail, visiting spots including his childhood home, favourite hog-dog joint and a museum dedicated to the singer, which includes his famous blue Cadillac.
The great outdoors
Perhaps one of the most surprising things about Alabama is the diversity of its landscapes, which include Appalachian Mountains, canyons, caves, waterfalls, forests and glorious coastline. Home to 21 state parks, it’s one of the most biodiverse states in the United States, with an extensive network of hiking, biking and paddling routes to explore.
Bankhead National Forest in North Alabama spans 180,000 acres and offers 45 miles of trails, taking in the dramatic terrains of the Sipsey Wilderness. Little River Canyon National Preserve is home to iconic Lookout Mountain, a dramatic site of American Civil War historical interest. Feeling energetic? Scale Mount Cheaha, Alabama’s highest peak. Or go underground to explore incredible natural wonders like Cathedral Caverns.
On the Gulf Coast, the pristine white-sands and aquamarine waters of Orange Beach are ideal for both families and water sports lovers.
Whatever you’re looking for, whether its rich history, diverse culture or striking landscapes, you’ll find it all in Alabama — plus a whole lot more.
