Unseen USA

Yellowhammer State

Alabama travel guide

Sugar-white Gulf beaches, rockets and the deepest chapters of civil rights history.

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Capital
Montgomery
Best time to go
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Daily budget
$ about $120–170 a day
Fly into
BHM Birmingham
HSV Huntsville

BeachesHistory

Top places to visit in Alabama

  1. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

    Soft white sand and warm, calm Gulf water.

  2. U.S. Space & Rocket Center

    Huntsville's giant rocket park, home of Space Camp.

  3. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

    Moving museum across from the 16th Street Baptist Church.

  4. The Legacy Museum, Montgomery

    Powerful memorial to the history of racial injustice.

  5. Little River Canyon

    Waterfalls and cliffs on top of Lookout Mountain.

What to eat in Alabama

  • White-sauce barbecue
  • Fried green tomatoes
  • Gulf shrimp & oysters
  • Banana pudding

When is the best time to visit Alabama?

Mar–May, Sep–Nov is usually the best time to visit Alabama. Budget-friendly: about $120–170 a day for one person, including a shared hotel room and meals.

More of the South

ArkansasDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMississippiNorth CarolinaOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWest Virginia

Budgets are rough mid-range costs per person, including a shared hotel room and meals. Always check opening times and prices before you go.