What are the top 20 most popular Alabama tourist attractions? With Alabama’s diverse range of attractions and things to do, it can be difficult to know where to start when planning your vacation itinerary.
From waterparks to world-class museums, here are the top 20 most Alabama tourist attractions you should visit next time you’re in the state!
Established in 1819, Mobile was Alabama’s first capital city and also the third oldest in the U.S.
These days, Mobile might not be the biggest or most visited city in the state, but it boasts plenty of attractions both historical and cultural that should definitely make their way onto your travel bucket list if you’re visiting Alabama anytime soon!
To help you get started on planning your trip to Mobile, here are 20 of its top tourist attractions.
List Of Top Rated 20 Alabama Tourist Attractions
Alabama offers some amazing sights to see, whether you’re traveling along the coast or checking out the cities, towns, and landmarks across the state.
No matter where you go, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stop and enjoy your time in Alabama. Here are some of the top 20 most Alabama tourist attractions in no particular order. If you have time on your trip, definitely consider adding these to your sightseeing list!
1. The Hangout Gulf Shores
The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to two fantastic coastal communities, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. While these beach towns are stunning during any season, there’s one time of year that makes them even more spectacular: summer.
And if you’re planning a vacation at some point in 2018, then you definitely want to add The Hangout to your itinerary. This legendary beachside spot is one of Alabama tourist attractions for a reason.
Even if you live near the beach already, it might be worth making a day trip out here just to see what all the fuss is about. But don’t take our word for it; check out our list below and find out why everyone keeps coming back for more!
2. USS Alabama
The USS Alabama is a World War II-era battleship that is now a museum in Mobile, Alabama. Home to many special events and even weddings, it’s also great for sightseeing tours.
You can take a self-guided tour or book an all-inclusive VIP trip that lasts about 2.5 hours. The ship welcomes almost 700,000 visitors per year and you can be sure that you’ll see some incredible views from its decks.
If you’re in Mobile, it’s not something to miss!
3. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Located in Huntsville, Alabama, just off I-565 on Highway 411. This space and rocket museum includes exhibits about human spaceflight, rockets, exploration and astronomy.
Visitors can also see real spacecraft, including NASA’s Saturn V moon rocket and learn about future plans for deep space exploration.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabama tourist attractions with 1 million annual visitors making it a popular vacation destination and a great place to spend a day on your next vacation to Alabama.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a huge attraction that is educational as well as entertaining.
4. Gulf State Park
Alabama is home to Gulf State Park, which attracts more than 2 million visitors each year.
The park offers 20 different cabins, including a family cabin that can accommodate up to 12 people and an executive cabin that can hold as many as 6 adults.
Cabins feature air conditioning, private bathrooms and kitchens with all appliances needed for cooking meals. There are also fireplaces in all cabins for those times when you just want to kick back and relax by a warm, crackling fire.
Whatever your preference may be, Gulf State Park has accommodations suited to your needs!
5. Gulf Shores Public Beach
A beach lover’s paradise, Gulf Shores Public Beach is among Alabama tourist spots. The island in Gulf Shores has a pier, which makes it easy to spot birds, fish and dolphins in their natural habitat.
This beach is family-friendly—there are areas for surfing and sunbathing as well as an area for children to play safely in shallow water with sand dunes behind them.
You can bring your own food and drink or rent a chair from one of the local vendors; there are also snack shops on site. Parking is free but limited at peak times so get there early if you want a place to spread out.
6. Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is located in Homewood, Alabama and has been around since 1907. The Birmingham Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals from around the world, including a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles.
There are nine habitats at the Birmingham Zoo for visitors to explore; visitors can see everything from red pandas and zebras to sea lions and tiger cubs in their natural environments. The zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
To make a visit even easier on guests with mobility issues, there are special parking spaces available near each entrance and helpful staff members throughout. As an added bonus, admission is free on Sundays!
For anyone who loves animals or nature, The Birmingham Zoo offers an opportunity to interact with wildlife up close. Make sure to come by and explore when visiting Alabama!
7. McWane Science Center
Located in downtown Birmingham, McWane Science Center is an excellent Alabama tourist attractions for all ages. From toddlers to college students, there’s something here for everyone.
There are many different galleries on site including a wildlife gallery with real animals and sea creatures and a lot more. Come out and enjoy. You can even check out your favorite animal at their cafe where you can order anything from buffalo wings to burgers to biscuits & gravy!
The best part about McWane Science Center is that it’s absolutely free! They even have various hands-on exhibits like demonstrations, movies and shows that run year round.
No matter what time of year you come, there will always be something new happening at McWane!
8. Vulcan Park and Museum
When it comes to tourist destinations in Alabama, you can’t go wrong with some of their beautiful parks and museums. One destination that should be on everyone’s list is Vulcan Park and Museum.
This tourist attraction features a replica of one of America’s most iconic statues: Vulcan, or The Birmingham Giant. If you want to learn more about Birmingham’s history then visit Vulcan Park and Museum which sits at a perfect view of downtown Birmingham across Red Mountain.
On top of viewing Vulcan Park, visitors can walk along Lake Lurleen and even rent a boat if they feel like taking an afternoon cruise! Be sure to take advantage of these great deals while visiting this wonderful tourist spot!
9. Fort Morgan State Historic Site
Fort Morgan is a Civil War-era fort that was constructed in 1861 and remained a functioning military installation until 1947.
Today, visitors can walk on its grounds, observe battle reenactments, and tour multiple buildings filled with artifacts and exhibits. As an added bonus, Fort Morgan is also home to Alabama’s official state aquarium!
If you’re looking for Alabama sightseeing opportunities or Alabama tourist spots, Fort Morgan State Historic Site should be at (or near) the top of your list.
10. Oak Mountain State Park
At just over 3,000 acres, Oak Mountain State Park is a great spot for camping and hiking.
Located just outside Birmingham, it features 20 miles of hiking trails as well as access to other parks in Alabama like Lake Purdy, Red Mountain Park and Little River Canyon.
Plus, if you’re looking for some quality time with nature, you can count on plenty of wildlife sightings – deer are a frequent sight here along with squirrels and all sorts of birds.
11. Huntsville Botanical Garden
Located near Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, one of America’s most scientifically advanced cities, Huntsville Botanical Garden boasts over 6,000 species and varieties of plants.
A popular destination for both visitors and locals alike, it is a great stop for those looking to get outside and enjoy nature in Alabama.
With an extensive trail system winding through a forested area filled with unique plants and wildlife as well as several waterfalls and ponds perfect for swimming or fishing—it’s no wonder why so many people love coming here.
If you’re looking for things to do in Alabama that don’t involve chocolate or shopping – give Huntley Botanical Garden a try! You won’t regret it!
12. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
With its stunning floral displays, as well as a full schedule of events, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a favorite among tourists.
Between spring and summer are festivals, but regardless of what time you visit, it’s possible to escape into a soothing world apart from fast-paced life with your own little piece of paradise.
From rare orchids to colorful roses, there’s plenty to see here. It’s worth mentioning that there are also special gardens for kids. They can get their hands dirty in a garden filled with plants they can eat or build their own terrarium in another area.
And if you want something a bit more active, try out one of their many classes on gardening or horticulture topics!
If you love flowers, then Birmingham Botanical Gardens should be at the top of your list when planning an Alabama vacation!
13. Railroad Park Foundation
The Railroad Park Foundation is a non-profit foundation that seeks to preserve, protect and improve upon Railroad Park. Founded in 2012, they have already begun offering events like street painting, live music and other kinds of entertainment.
There are lots of family-friendly activities available at Railroad Park which makes it a great destination for families with children to take their next vacation! It’s one of Alabama tourist attractions.
During warm weather months, families will enjoy renting paddle boats or renting bikes from local vendor Pedal Bike Tours.
14. Talladega Superspeedway
Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway is an automobile racing track that doubles as a NASCAR stadium.
For some Alabama sightseeing, a trip to Talladega Superspeedway is an excellent choice. The racing venue hosts top-tier NASCAR events and can be seen as part of a weekend package in and around Birmingham.
Head to Talladega Superspeedway for a truly unique tour. This NASCAR-themed attraction allows you to take a 45-minute lap on one of four courses, including a few famous twists and turns.
It’s not only fun and exciting, but it’s also a great way to appreciate how cars are engineered. Plus, you can even snap photos of your favorite drivers! This one-of-a-kind experience is an Alabama tourist spot worth visiting in its own right.
15. Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum
Alabama’s Montgomery Zoo, which is owned and operated by the city of Montgomery, prides itself on being one of Alabama’s best family-friendly attractions.
The zoo has hundreds of native animals and plays host to plenty of events such as concerts, circus acts, and birthday parties throughout each year.
If you are looking for somewhere to take your kids over Spring Break or during a long weekend trip to Alabama, consider bringing them down to see some kangaroos and ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Not only will they have fun playing with all sorts of animals from around the world but they’ll also have fun playing with other kids their age.
16. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Want to see something truly unique tourist places in Alabama? Just head over to Barber Motorsports Park and take a tour through their new Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
From vintage bikes and cars to an amazing collection of memorabilia, there’s so much to see and do at their impressive museum that will keep you coming back for more!
A trip through gives you access to both indoor and outdoor exhibits that are sure to leave you drooling. Even if racing isn’t your thing, it’s hard not to be captivated by all things fast.
17. Talladega National Forest
The Talladega National Forest, located near Talladega, is Alabama’s only national forest. The current boundaries were drawn in 1978 and expanded in 2007 to encompass almost 500,000 acres. This national forest is known for its rugged terrain and beautiful waterfalls.
The Talladega National Forest is a large national forest in Alabama, USA. There are several lakes for boating and fishing.
There are also seven campgrounds that host more than 300,000 people every year. It features a number of hiking trails and opportunities to spot wildlife native to Alabama’s wilderness areas.
18. Cheaha State Park
Alabama is a state filled with beautiful sights and sounds, from wild swamps to rolling countryside.
But for many, it’s all about that southern hospitality; whether your visit to Alabama includes its biggest cities or smaller towns, chances are you’ll experience some truly hospitable people.
One of Alabama tourist spots is Cheaha State Park. It has many scenic views including Lake Vista and Mt Cheaha—the state’s highest point at 2,407 feet above sea level.
The park provides opportunities for hiking and picnicking as well as camping and canoeing on nearby Hurricane Creek. There is also a fire tower which offers visitors stunning panoramic views of Cheaha Mountain State Park and beyond!
19. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
A top ten list of Alabama tourist attractions would not be complete without a mention of The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores. The zoo, located just off Highway 59, is home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals from all over Alabama.
Recently, they expanded their grounds to include an interactive petting zoo, making it one of only a few zoos in America with both an educational petting zoo and an on-site wildlife sanctuary.
Located in Fort Morgan at 4160 Fort Morgan Road, you’ll find regular shows and events held throughout each year that are fun for the whole family!
20. Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
Art isn’t just for artists; it’s for everyone. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is one of Alabama’s top tourist attractions because it appeals to a wide range of interests and learning styles.
This non-profit arts center offers classes, workshops and exhibits that focus on everything from painting to metalworking.
Visitors can also take tours of their facilities and watch live performances by local musicians. To learn more about what Alabama has to offer tourists, check out our list of Alabama sightseeing destinations.
Wrapping Up
Alabama has more than its fair share of unique Alabama tourist attractions that attract tourists from all over the world, and this list includes 20 of the state’s best tourist attractions, both well-known and off-the-beaten-path.
From the highest point in Alabama to a great park that is perfect for the whole family, whether you’re visiting Alabama or just trying to plan your next vacation, these are some sights that you definitely don’t want to miss.
