6 Whimsical Towns To Visit In Alabama
If you want to know the real Alabama, skip the state’s busy beaches and crowded cities and head for its small towns. These charming southern communities are packed with personality. Quirky, quaint, and inviting, they’re must-see destinations full of family fun and unique attractions. Snap a selfie at Alabama’s answer to Stonehenge, see the world’s only monument to a bug, spend an afternoon in the aptly-named Museum of Wonder — whatever you’re up to in these quirky Alabama towns, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget.
Elberta
If you’ve ever wanted to see the ancient druidic site of Stonehenge but can’t make it to England, you’re in luck. Plan a trip to the tiny town of Elberta to see the next best thing — Bamahenge. This whimsical monument is a full-scale fiberglass replica of its British counterpart, making it the perfect place to stargaze or take a selfie.
Bahahenge is located on the grounds of the Barber Marina just south of town, so you can admire the view of Bay la Launch while exploring. This is also a great place to pick up a fishing or sightseeing charter where you can cruise the bay, see the local wild dolphins, and try your luck catching trout, snapper, or mackerel. For a different kind of day out in Elberta, visit the Baldwin County Heritage Museum, a five-acre piece of parkland that includes a 1908 church, display barns, a blacksmith shop, vintage tractors, wagons, and other historical memorabilia.
Enterprise
Where else but Alabama can you find a town that celebrates a beetle? The people of Enterprise definitely have a whimsical sense of humor, erecting a statue of a Greek goddess holding aloft a weevil in the heart of downtown. The Boll Weevil Monument, built in 1919, is a nod to the town’s history. In 1915, the boll weevil decimated the local cotton crop, forcing farmers to diversify their agriculture. The result was a boom time for the town as the local economy soared. The town adopted the weevil as a symbol of resilience in overcoming misfortune.
Learn more about Enterprise’s history at the Pea River Museum, located in the old Enterprise Railway Depot. This tiny museum has a large collection of fascinating artifacts from the late 19th century, including clothing, furniture, agricultural tools, and weapons. The town also has a specialty museum, the Army Aviation Museum, where visitors can browse over 164 military aircraft.
Brilliant
Brilliant takes its whimsical name from its history as a coal mining town bolstered by the presence of the Brilliant Coal Company. In the late 1800s and 1900s, the town thrived as the coal economy grew. You can catch glimpses of Brilliant’s past all around town, look out for the 19th century train depot, the Dickinson store, built in 1906, and the United Methodist Church, built in the early 1920s by coal miners. Visit Brilliant in spring to see the town’s annual Coal Fest, a two-day celebration featuring local food vendors, live music, car shows, rides, and games.
Seale
The small town of Seale in southeastern Alabama is a hidden gem with a lot of personality. It’s also where you’ll find Alabama’s only ‘Museum of Wonder,’ a specialty museum packed with odd curiosities, unusual trinkets, and rare collectibles. The museum began life as a taxidermy shop in the 1970s but then morphed into a one-of-a-kind attraction where you can see exhibits including the world’s largest gallstone and a sasquatch footprint, as well as a striking display of mixed media artwork.
After spending a morning browsing the fascinating Museum of Wonder, try a different kind of adventure at the East Alabama Motor Speedway which hosts regular races and events, or visit the Old Russell County Courthouse, a beautiful 1868 building that is open for tours by appointment.
Tuscumbia
Quaint Tuscumbia is a charming small town with storybook streets that wouldn’t look out of place in a period drama. In the heart of its historic downtown, you’ll find Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller. The house, built in 1820, is now a museum which contains original furnishings from the Keller family.
Another must-see historical landmark is the Belle Mont Mansion. Built around 1828, this gorgeous Palladian-style home is on the National Register of Historic Places and furnished with pre-Civil War antiques. If you haven’t had enough history, switch it up with a visit to a very different kind of museum. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to local stars such as Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris, The Commodores, Nat King Cole, and Hank Williams. The greats are honored with displays, exhibitions, and musical memorabilia.
Dauphin Island
Known by its whimsical nickname, ‘the sunset capital of Alabama,’ Dauphin Island is one of the most scenic small towns in the state. The island itself is a barrier island located where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico and is accessible via ferry or a bridge from the mainland.
Fort Gaines, built in 1821, is a must-see stop, providing beautiful views over the water, military reenactments, and a chance to learn about Civil War history in the fort’s museum. In the middle of the island is the beautiful Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 137-acre sanctuary with a 3-mile trail system for hikers and bird watchers. The reserve is an important rest stop for migrating species, and over 400 different birds have been documented on the island. Hikers and birders will also enjoy Indian Shell Mound Park, a pristine subtropical habitat for many rare plants and birds.
Alabama Magic
Wonderfully weird and whimsical, these Alabama towns don’t take life too seriously. They’re a great place to escape the rat race, soak up some southern charm, and enjoy the warm local sense of humor. Whatever your travel personality, whether you’re a nature-lover, an outdoor adventurer, a keen historian, or an art aficionado, you’ll find the perfect vacation experience in the heart of Dixie as you get to know her welcoming small town communities.
