Sweet Home Alabama

White sandy beaches, gentle climate and an affinity for the sea marks the lifestyle in the Gulf Coast Region. World-class golf courses, parks, preserves and seaside resorts are common, and Mobile, the state’s oldest city, is the center of attention. Dine on unique Southern dishes with Zydeco music in the background as you take some time to explore just a few of the most popular attractions:

• Oakleigh’s Historic House Museum—one site with three museums honoring antebellum society and architecture (Mobile).
• Richards DAR House Museum—Take tea at this preserved 1860s home and museum (Mobile).
• USS Alabama battleship—Take a tour aboard the ship and see all the weaponry (Mobile.)
• Mobile Museum of Art—Check the available array of permanent and traveling exhibits spanning 2,000 years of cultural history (Mobile).
• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo—Discover 300 species of exotic animals in lovely observation-friendly exhibits (Gulf Shores).
• Orange Beach—Beach resort area to entertain the whole family (Gulf State Park).
• Turtle Point Environmental Center—Center for wetlands education with interactive exhibits (Flomaton).
• Mowa Choctaw Cultural Center—Education center dedicated to preserving Native American culture in the area, with artifacts and exhibits (Mt. Vernon).

Laced with rivers and lakes both large and small, the River Region of Alabama has always been a stronghold for agriculture, historical events and culture. Today, these qualities are still apparent, as the area attractions constantly strive to educate and entertain. Cities such as Auburn, Montgomery and Selma top the list of must-visit cities in this area. Consider visiting these attractions: 

• Alabama State Capitol—Revisit the state’s role in Native American history, the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement at this structure (Montgomery).
• Civil Rights Memorial Center—Honors the contributions and events of the Civil Rights Movement (Montgomery).
• Alabama Shakespeare Festival—The sixth-largest Shakespeare theater in the world; theatrical productions (Montgomery).
• Hank Williams Trail—Follow the historic life of this country music legend (Montgomery to Georgiana).
• Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson State Historic Park—Living history actors recreate life at a 1700s French fort in this lovely location (Wetumpka).
• Alabama Rural Heritage Center—Showcases folk arts and crafts, all Alabama-made (Thomaston).
• Selma Historic Area—More than 1,200 historic structures are preserved and open for touring, from pre-Civil War to post-Civil Rights (Selma).
• Auburn University—As the heart of the city, this university has everything from museums to awesome sports events.

The pace of life definitely picks up in this area of Alabama. Thriving metropolitan areas and urban sprawl have created a haven for shopping, dining and recreation. Fine art, big sports events and live music make cities such as Jacksonville, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa hip hotspots any time of year. No trip to Alabama would be complete without visiting some of these attractions: 

• Birmingham Museum of Art—More than 20,000 works in a variety of genres (Birmingham).
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute—Multimedia exhibits educate on the racial history of the region (Birmingham).
• Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame—Get immersed in the history, tales and legends of this unique American music (Birmingham).
• Talladega Superspeedway—Join hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans (Talladega).
• Kentuck Arts Festival—Almost all forms of art are represented here, with hundreds of arts, food, music and games (Tuscaloosa).
• Moundville Archaeological Park—Artifacts and ancient mounds on display (Moundville).
• DeSoto Caverns—Tours through the caverns, plus paddle boats, mini golf and more (Childersburg).
• Oak Mountain State Park—Swim, camp, picnic, fish, bike or hike in this lovely setting (Pelham).

This beautiful region lies in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and boasts some of the most picturesque scenery in Alabama. But nature is only part of the reason the area attracts so many visitors every year. A blend of primitive beauty and cutting edge events make cities like Huntsville and Athens a unique and exciting destination. Make time to visit some of the more prominent attractions: 

• U.S. Space and Rocket Center—Exhibits, demonstrations and multimedia presentations of the history and future of the space program (Huntsville).
• Huntsville Botanical Gardens—Acres of walking trails through immaculate gardens, with a butterfly house as well as seasonal events (Huntsville).
• Harmony Safari Park—Drive right in among camels, zebras, kangaroo, buffalo, crocodiles and more (Huntsville).
• Princess Theater—Restored historic landmark that hosts local and regional performing arts (Decatur).
• Alabama Music Hall of Fame—Become immersed in the lives and contributions of native Alabamian music stars (Tuscumbia).
• Lake Guntersville State Park—Camp, picnic, hike, golf and observe the winter home of the American bald eagle amidst amazing natural beauty (Guntersville).
• Gorham’s Bluff—See the Alabama Ballet company perform in a lovely outdoor theater and enjoy fine dining as well (Pisgah).
• Cathedral Caverns State Park—Tour the amazing geologic features in the massive cave (Woodville).