7 Picturesque Towns In Alabama For A Weekend Retreat In 2024
Variety is the spice of life, and for those who do little more than work, eat, sleep, and repeat for the majority of their typical week, it can often feel like a vicious cycle. Sure, you have the weekends, but those are for bigger chores that take longer than the time available during the workdays. Even the odd barbeque with friends or trip to a local hotspot feels mundane after a while.
You need an escape, even if it’s only one weekend every couple of months, to shake things up and get out of the rut. Life is for enjoying and Alabama has lots of enjoyment to be had if you know where to look, if you love the beauty of nature and stunning scenery, and if you don’t mind a worthwhile commute.
Guntersville
While Guntersville alone is top-to-bottom gorgeous, with some of the most elegant and opulent houses in the state, the big draw to this darling town about an hour south of Chattanooga, Tennessee in the Northeast part of the state is the lake. Part of the Tennessee River valley system, Lake Guntersville is registered as one of Alabama’s state parks and is lined almost completely along its roughly 1000 miles of shoreline by trees, adding to the remote beauty.
Renowned as the best smallmouth bass fishing lake in the country, anglers of all skill levels flock to these pristine waters to catch their limit year-round. B&Bs welcome visitors with an inescapable southern charm that makes everyone feel at home. Top-rated restaurants on the shoreline treat all who enter to chef-quality cuisine, and if you don’t want a hotel, stay in the forested area of the park in a cabin or even a treehouse.
The waters, while full of unique fish such as paddle nose and sturgeon, are calm and very safe for swimmers. Some select areas even have trampolines in the water. Those who want to go a little deeper can rent kayaks and paddleboards at numerous shops near sandy beach spaces where families picnic and make happy memories.
Decatur
In the center of the northern border, Decatur sits up against Wheeler Lark, the second-largest lake fed by the Tennessee River. The lake is named after a Civil War General, “Fighting” Joe Wheeler, who made his home nearby after he retired. It is the product of a massive hydroelectric dam approved by the Tennessee River Authority just before WW2.
As you might imagine, much of the beauty of the area comes from its proximity to the lake and the seemingly endless forests, but Decatur has taken great strides to give it more to appeal to those seeking an experience that is more than just visual. Although, if you have come to Decatur for the scenery but would prefer not to brave the river, Point Mallard Park is close and has waterparks, golf, and plenty of hiking and biking trails to give you your nature fix.
Decatur's gorgeous and historic downtown area is always a crowd pleaser, with lovingly maintained architecture and plenty of town events such as the River Clay Fine Arts Festival and Monthly Community Block Party. Downtown is undergoing some fantastic renovations to draw even more eyes and attention, giving visitors more inspiration to return just to see what the designers dream up.
Muscle Shoals
Nestled in the Northwest corner of Alabama, all Lynard Skynyrd fans have heard of Muscle Shoals, but they might not know why the band added it to the song celebrating the state. Muscle Shoals is part of an area lovingly titled “the Shoals” by locals and encompasses Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Florence, and Sheffield, giving those who venture here four towns for the cost of one trip.
Muscle Shoals is best known for its hand in the music scene and has been the stomping grounds for recording artists such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and Bono. Tour FAME studio and see where many of the popular music stars of today and yesteryear achieved their humble beginning. After, it's dinner time and for those wishing for a birds-eye-view of the area, the best place for your evening respite has to be 360 Grille Revolving Restaurant in nearby Florence.
Pack your fishing license if you wish to drop a line in Pickwick Lake. With a total length of 50 miles and encompassing parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, you will never have to fight for free shore space to fish. Charters are available to get you into deeper waters, but it isn’t necessary to spend the extra cash. The lake has deep drop-offs you can access from the shore to hook a prize bass or catfish.
Eufaula
Most recently adopting the name Lake Eufaula with respect to the Native American tribe that once called this area home, Eufaula sits on the border of Alabama and Georgia. The lake itself is known as the “Big Bass Capital of the World,” and many of the bed and breakfasts and hotels in town see an almost endless stream of eager anglers hoping to bring in a lunker.
Visitors enjoy driving the streets of the town and marveling at the gorgeous homes that range from modern styles to the more classical architecture that was a staple of Alabama dwelling aesthetic for decades, with Colonial, Victorian, and Edwardian style homes maintained with passion and attention to detail.
Diverse Wildlife calls Eufaula home and can be viewed and appreciated at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, an 11-thousand-acre protected land space with everything from Alligators, deer, blue herons, and even coyotes in attendance. All this exploring and embracing the splendor of Eufaula is guaranteed to work up an appetite, so be sure to try the Cajun Corner for a taste of New Orleans or make a mess on your face and hands at Phil’s BBQ.
Orange Beach
For most of the hard-working population, two places give them true serenity and connect them with a tranquil calm that can only come from nature: the mountains and the beach. To ask someone where they want to reconnect with themselves outside the grind and hustle, one of these, or both, will inevitably be their choice. Alabama has mountains with vast forests, but even they don’t quite compare to the raw, breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from the shores of Orange Beach.
Considered one of the safest towns in Alabama, Orange Beach is at the southern tip of the state and is home to only just over 8000 permanent residents. The sands are clean, the local culture is inviting, and the hospitality is second to none. Sunbathing, snorkeling, and dolphin-watching tours are among some of the most popular activities, and during the summer, the water is like stepping into a soothing bath.
Linked to the town of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach shares much of its character and even its motto, “Small Town, Big Beach,” as it is a total of 32 miles in length within the borders of the two towns. Visitors can stroll the 28 miles of trails at Gulf State Park and remain close enough to smell the water while experiencing an ecosystem flourishing with flora and fauna which is a popular place for cycling.
Dauphin Island
Considered the “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” Dauphin Island is the getaway you need when dreams of escaping to the islands are on your mind, but your budget won’t quite cover the travel fare. It has all the charm and amenities you crave, is easy to access from the mainland by road bridge, and with 2000 residents, is a relaxed and cozy setting.
The biggest draw to the island is the white sand beaches that stretch around most of the 14 miles that make up this long, narrow paradise. Those who are more interested in what’s under the water and less about the surf and sand will find fishing charters and dolphin-watching tours, as well as paddleboard and kayak rentals, at Dauphin Island Marina.
Learn about the Gulf sea life at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium, a public aquarium with touch tanks, exhibits, and home to a Living Marsh Boardwalk. The Gulf is not the only body of water touching the Island, and many visitors venture to Blue Heron Lake for picnics, fishing, and family fun.
Leesburg
Serenity in the mountains, an endless blanket of pines, and quaint southern living embodied by every permanent resident is the short list of why Leesburg should be on your mind when choosing your next weekend getaway. In Cherokee County, Leesburg gives visitors a perspective that can realign your perception of how life can be when you treat every day like a gift.
Outdoor adventure lovers find endless possibilities, including rock climbing on Lookout Mountain, where the brave can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding area and bask in the marvel that is untouched wilderness. View Weiss Lake dam on the Coosa River, do some bird watching and get that heart rate up when you realize that eventually, what went up will have to descend, and Lookout Mountain is no small hill.
The town motto is “Come, Enjoy, and Stay a while,” and it is tough to pull away at the end of a short excursion after consuming the Alabama-style cuisine, especially the BBQ, and engaging with friendly locals who love to share their passions, their experiences, and the town's historical significance with anyone who will pull up a rocking chair and sit a spell.
The “Heart of Dixie” is more than just a state in the south. It is the soul, the essence, and the vehicle for Southern charm and attitude that makes so many people love the South. Its diverse topography, well-stocked waterways, adorable hamlets, and pristine beaches make Alabama one of those few special places that everyone should check out, even if for a weekend, at least once. However, to believe you can get the full sensation and flavor of Alabama on a weekend is like saying you can understand the breadth of Italian culture after eating a single plate of spaghetti. You have to try it all, meet the chefs, hear the stories, and understand what makes it so special. This is how any who ventures to Alabama should view the experience. Take small bites, but don’t think for a moment that is enough. Alabama is here to inspire, to enchant, and to welcome. Where will Alabama welcome you this weekend?
