10 Offbeat Towns To Visit In Alabama
Bounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the US State of Florida in the south, and the states of Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi to the north, east, and west respectively, Alabama is a topographically diverse state in the American Southeast. Steeped in American history and boasting rugged forest-covered mountains, expansive undefiled coastal plains, stretches of white sand beaches, and multiple interesting sites, Alabama is an idyllic destination that everyone would want to travel to.
While the state’s bustling urban metropolises such as Mobile, Montgomery, Huntsville, and Birmingham do attract a lot of vacationers yearly, countless off-the-beaten-path towns that dot the state are excellent places to visit outside these big cities. To experience unforgettable moments in the Yellowhammer State, do not forget to add these Alabama towns to your itineraries.
Fairhope
The principal town of the ‘Daphne-Fairhope-Foley Metropolitan Area,’ Fairhope is located on the eastern shores of Mobile Bay, about 6 miles south of Daphne and 10 miles south of Spanish Fort in Alabama’s Baldwin County. Founded by the Fairhope Industrial Association in 1894 as a Georgist single-tax colony, this scenic Gulf Coast town has gradually transformed into an inspiring haven for artists, entrepreneurs, writers, and craftsmen.
Vacationers must tour the town’s iconic Fairhope Municipal Pier; and browse the numerous boutique clothing stores, antique shops like Copper Roof Antiques, locally-owned bookshops like Page & Palette, and art galleries like Seeley’s Gallery by the Bay. Also, learn about the town’s glorious past at the Fairhope Museum of History, grab delicious meals served by the town’s top-notch eateries like Panini Pete’s Cafe, and Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina, and enjoy the nature trails at the expansive Mobile-Tensaw Delta located half an hour away from Downtown Fairhope.
Tuscumbia
Colbert County’s seat, Tuscumbia is one of the state’s oldest towns situated in Northwest Alabama’s Muscle Shoals area along the Tennessee River, roughly 65 miles west of Huntsville. Initially incorporated as “Ococoposa” in 1820, the town was rechristened ‘Tuscumbia’ in honor of the Chief Rainmaker of the indigenous Chickasaw people. Famed for being the hometown of Helen Adams Keller, the internationally acclaimed blind and deaf American author and political activist, Tuscumbia’s most noteworthy attraction is Ivy Green - the author’s birthplace and childhood home, currently operated as a historic house museum. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tuscumbia Historic District spread over 232 acres comprises 461 contributing properties in various architectural styles.
Some of the district’s important buildings include the Colbert County Courthouse, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Deshler Stadium, etc. Additionally, visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia Railroad Depot Museum, Belle Mont Mansion, and Spring Creek Golf Course. Outdoor lovers can reconnect with nature at the Cane Creek Canyon Preserve, Hidden Creek Campground, and Spring Park with its amazing cascading waterfall. Every year, the town hosts multiple events like the Helen Keller Festival, the Oka Kapassa Native American cultural festival, It’s a Dickens Christmas Y’all Celebration, and the Belle Mont Quilt Show.
Eufaula
Set upon a bluff overlooking the 46,000-acre Lake Eufaula (dubbed the “Bass Capital of the World”) in southeastern Alabama’s Barbour County, Eufaula is located about 90 miles southeast of Montgomery, along the Alabama-Georgia state line. Heritage lovers are drawn to the town’s numerous National Register-listed historic buildings including the Eufaula First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Eufaula, Shorter Mansion, Holleman-Foy House, Fendall Hall, etc. Currently, Eufaula’s Seth Lore & Irwinton Historic District comprising 667 architecturally significant structures is considered to be Alabama’s second-largest historic district and the biggest historic district in East Alabama.
Drawing thousands of visitors to Eufaula each spring, the Eufaula Heritage Association sponsors the Eufaula Pilgrimage – one of the longest-running historic home tours in the country. Moreover, Lake Eufaula (also known as the Walter F. George Reservoir) and other protected areas such as the Lakepoint Resort State Park and the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge attract outdoorsy types for their excellent boating, camping, trophy fishing, and wildlife-watching opportunities.
Gulf Shores
The state’s southernmost settlement, Gulf Shores is a tranquil resort town along the Gulf of Mexico in Baldwin County. Having year-round warm weather, this beachside haven caters to residents and vacationers from worldwide with its spotless sugar-white beaches, unparalleled ocean views, water-based recreation opportunities, profuse shopping, family-friendly entertainment, and dining options.
In addition, one can soak in the beauty of the Gulf State Park, spend some time at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or Waterville USA amusement waterpark, and play a round of golf at Kiva Dunes Golf Course or the Gulf Shores Golf Club. Revelers must participate in the annual National Shrimp Festival held in the second weekend of October and the three-day Hangout Music Festival on the white sand beaches during the third weekend of May.
Fort Payne
DeKalb County’s administrative center, Fort Payne is situated in the Cumberland Plateau region’s narrow Big Wills Valley in between Sand and Lookout Mountains, around 70 miles southeast of Huntsville. Christened in honor of Major John Payne, the town was originally an important Cherokee settlement that underwent rapid development in the later years after the arrival of the European-American settlers. While touring this “Sock Capital of the World,” do not forget to observe the ruins of the old Fort Payne, watch theatrical performances at the Fort Payne Opera House, learn about local history at the Fort Payne Depot Museum and Alabama Fan Club & Museum, discover the wonderful Manitou Cave, and explore the DeSoto State Park and the nearby Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Apart from being a popular stop on the world’s longest yard sale, Fort Payne hosts various events such as the DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention on the first weekend of August, the DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair, and Boom Days Heritage Celebration in September, and an annual Christmas in the Park celebrations.
Mentone
Mentone is an attractive alpine town set atop the western rim of Lookout Mountain in Northeast Alabama’s DeKalb County. Labeled after the French commune of Menton, the town is famed for its large number of private summer camps. Besides these camps, Mentone is home to the Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church, the Mentone Inn – a classic 12-room bed & breakfast, the Groovy Goat gift shop, Mentone Market, Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Hatter Café, Mentone Arts & Cultural Center, Wildflower Café, and the nearby Old Union Crossing Covered Bridge over the West Fork of the Little River. Located about a quarter-mile from Mentone’s center is Brow Park, from where one can enjoy sweeping views of the setting sun over the mountains.
Cullman
Cullman County’s seat of government, Cullman is placed atop the Brindley Mountain plateau along Interstate 65, about 55 miles south of Huntsville and 50 miles north of Birmingham. Founded by a German immigrant named Colonel John G. Cullman in 1873, the key buildings in the town strongly reflect the town’s German heritage. Cullman’s most notable attraction is the National Register-listed Ave Maria Grotto, a 4-acre park featuring splendid miniature reproductions of famous religious buildings created by Brother Joseph Zoettl in an ancient quarry on St. Bernard Abbey grounds.
Furthermore, visit the Cullman County Museum to know more about the town’s bygone days, taste high-quality craft beers at Goat Island Brewing, enjoy picnics at Sportsman Lake Park, and partake in the town’s annual Bloomin’ Festival and “Rock the South” country music festival.
Magnolia Springs
This tranquil town, located at the headwaters of the Magnolia River in the southern portion of Baldwin County, forms a part of the Daphne-Fairhope-Fole Metropolitan Area. With a population of only 811 residents as per the latest US Census, Magnolia Springs is esteemed for its natural splendor. Aside from offering abundant recreational activities, the Magnolia River is an indispensable resource for the town's inhabitants and the sole river route for mail delivery in the entire continental US.
History buffs should also peruse the numerous landmark structures in the Magnolia Springs Historic District including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sunnyside Hotel, Governor’s Club, and Magnolia Springs Community Hall. When in Magnolia Springs, savor some recently harvested seafood at Jesse’s Restaurant and spend a night at Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast.
Orange Beach
The easternmost settlement on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Orange Beach is a tiny resort town occupying the southern portion of Baldwin County, approximately 56 miles from Mobile and 35 miles from Pensacola. Bordered by Florida’s unincorporated community Perdido Key to the east and Gulf Shores, Alabama to the west, Orange Beach welcomes visitors to enjoy its pristine sugar-white beaches and a multitude of recreations on land as well as on water. Outdoor enthusiasts must check out the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system through the Gulf State Park providing biking, skating, jogging, rock climbing, and wildlife-watching opportunities.
The town’s other prominent attractions include The Wharf, Orange Beach Welcome Center, three stops on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, Adventure Island amusement park, Orange Beach Waterfront Park, Indian & Sea Museum, Alabama Point East, Coastal Arts Center, and Orange Beach Sportsplex. The annual two-day Orange Beach Festival of Art in March features visual and performing artists besides musicians, food vendors, and an interactive ‘Arts Alley’ where children get to create their art.
Dauphin Island
Aptly upholding its motto, the “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” this enchanting Mobile County town is situated on its namesake barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, around 30 miles south of Mobile. Named after the “Dauphin of France” the great-grandson and heir of Louis XIV of France, the town with a current population of 1,778 inhabitants forms a part of the Mobile Metropolitan Area. Having a rich colonial history and a strong marine culture that dates back several centuries, both the town and the island were initially crucial trading centers, and over the years developed into a relaxed resort destination.
Connected to the Alabama mainland by the 3-mile-long Dauphin Island Bridge, the town entices travelers to tour its many noteworthy points of interest like the Historic Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island Sea Lab & Estuarium, the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Shell Mound Park, Isle Dauphine Complex, and Arts of Dauphin Island gallery. Moreover, Dauphin Island also offers miles of uncrowded public beaches, a marina that is a one-stop shop for all water-based recreations, golfing options at Isle Dauphine Golf Club, an array of independent retail outlets, condominiums, private residences, and eating joints serving freshly harvested mouthwatering seafood. Every year, the Dauphin Island Heritage & Arts Council organizes the Dauphin Island Native American Festival to celebrate the Native American heritage of the island town and abutting areas.
From the incredibly beautiful Magnolia Springs to the impeccable beaches of Gulf Shores, the top-rated small towns in the nation’s 30th-largest and 24th-most-populous state are ideal locales for weekend escapades as well as long vacations. With gorgeous sceneries, historic architecture, plenty of outdoor recreation, and heartwarming Southern hospitality, the offbeat towns in the “Heart of Dixie” are indeed worth a visit.
