8 Undiscovered Small Towns In Alabama
Alabama, a topographically varied state in the Southeastern US shares boundaries with the contiguous states of Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida, besides a short coastline along the Gulf of Mexico (via the Mobile Bay) in the state’s extreme southern end. Drenched in American history, this idyllic destination flaunting in the north a luxuriant agricultural valley of the Tennessee River, followed by the jagged sylvan Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, a strip of lowland prairies (known as the Black Belt), a southern stretch of piney woods, immaculate coastal plains, and white sand beaches, is where every holidayer would yearn to vacay in. While congested metropolitan centers such as Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, and Birmingham are top choices for most tourists, the innumerable teeny communities of the Yellowhammer State are many a time overlooked. Pack your luggage and set out to discover these attractive towns in the Heart of Dixie.
Guntersville
‘Alabama’s Lake City,’ Guntersville is an enchanting lakefront paradise that occupies the kernel of Marshall County at the Tennessee River’s southernmost point, bounded by Lake Guntersville - the state’s most expansive lake. Founded by an affluent salt mine owner named John Gunter and primarily incorporated as ‘Gunter’s Landing,’ the all-year-long mild temperatures and over 1,000 miles of shoreline, make this Marshall County seat ideal for a laid-back retreat. Aside from imbuing in the town’s small-town charm, adventurous souls can engage in ample water-based recreation at Lake Guntersville and traverse the many miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, sandy beach areas, and woodlands of the Lake Guntersville State Park. Also, do not forget to peruse the unique gift shops, antique stores, event spaces, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants such as Rock House Eatery lining Main Street.
Fort Payne
Dubbed the ‘Official Sock Capital of the World,’ this seat of government of DeKalb County is set betwixt Sand and Lookout Mountains in the Big Wills Valley of northeastern Alabama’s Cumberland Plateau region, approx. 70 miles southeast of Huntsville. Fort Payne, named after Major John Payne, was a significant Cherokee settlement at the outset, which in the later years developed rapidly after the advent of the European-American settlers. When visiting the town, holidayers must observe the ruins of the ancient Fort Payne, acquire knowledge about local history at the Alabama Fan Club & Museum and Fort Payne Depot Museum, enjoy amazing theatrical performances at Fort Payne Opera House, survey the Manitou Cave, and explore the adjoining DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve. In addition to being a famed stop on the world’s lengthiest yard sale, Fort Payne draws visitors to its numerous annual events, including the DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention, DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair, and Boom Days Heritage Celebration.
Fairhope
A photographic Gulf Coast settlement in Baldwin County, Fairhope sits along the eastern shores of Mobile Bay, around 10 miles south of Spanish Fort and 6 miles south of Daphne. Founded as a Georgist single-tax colony in 1894 by the Fairhope Industrial Association, this primary community of the ‘Daphne-Fairhope-Foley Metropolitan Area,’ has progressively changed into a creative retreat for artists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and writers. Sightseers should not miss the emblematic Fairhope Municipal Pier; acquire information about the town’s illustrious past at the Fairhope Museum of History; peruse the umpteen antique stores like Copper Roof Antiques, art galleries like Seeley’s Gallery by the Bay, domestically owned bookshops like Page & Palette, and world-class eateries like Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina, and Panini Pete’s Café; and traverse the nature trails of Mobile-Tensaw River Delta just half-hour from Downtown Fairhope.
Monroeville
Initially named ‘Walker’s Mill & Store,’ then ‘Centerville’ for a short time and finally rechristened in honor of US President James Monroe, this teeny community in southwestern Alabama serves as the seat of government of Monroe County. As the native land of legendary wordsmiths including Cynthia Tucker, Truman Garcia Capote, Mark Childress, and Nelle Harper Lee, Monroeville has been justly designated by the State Legislature as the ‘Literary Capital of Alabama.’ While in town, the Old Monroe County Courthouse & Heritage Museum, Atticus Finch Monument, Truman Capote Historical Marker, Monroeville Veterans Memorial Park, Monroeville Market, and the sublime town square are must-visits. Every May, cultural connoisseurs get to watch an amateur performance on the courthouse premises based on Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ presented by the Monroe County Heritage Museum.
Mentone
Mentone, baptized after the Menton commune of the French Republic, is a picturesque hillside hamlet in northeast Alabama’s DeKalb County, perched atop the Lookout Mountain’s western rim. Home to 319 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, the town is acclaimed for its huge number of private summer camps. Along with the summer camps, Mentone’s notable landmarks include the Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church, Mentone Arts & Cultural Center, Wildflower Café, Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Hatter Café, Mentone Market, Groovy Goat gift shop, and the proximate Old Union Crossing Covered Bridge spanning the West Fork of the Little River. Rest for the night at the Mentone Inn - a cozy 12-room bed & breakfast and make sure to attend the Annual Mentone Fall Festival on October 18th and 19th, 2024, at the campus of the iconic Moon Lake School building currently housing the Moon Lake Village.
Cullman
Cullman, the biggest city, and administrative center of Northern Alabama’s Cullman County, sits alongside the Interstate 65 Highway, atop the Brindley Mountain Plateau, approx. 50 miles north of Birmingham and 55 miles south of Huntsville. Established by Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullman - a German businessman who emigrated to the US, the noted buildings in this 18,213-inhabitant town strongly reflect the town’s German lineage. Ave Maria Grotto - a landscaped park on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey displaying marvelous miniature models of well-known religious buildings assembled by Brother Joseph Zoettl is the town’s most noteworthy site of interest. Moreover, stop by the Cullman County Museum to learn about the glorious past, have fun during picnics at Sportsman Lake Park, sample premium craft beers at Goat Island Brewing, and attend the annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts & Craft Fair and ‘Rock The South’ country music festival.
Gulf Shores
The southernmost settlement of Alabama, Gulf Shores is a laid-back resort destination on the Gulf of Mexico in Baldwin County. Having warm weather conditions throughout the year, this coastal haven spellbinds vacationists with its phenomenal ocean scapes, miles of undefiled sugar-white sand beaches, uncommon attractions, exciting water-based recreations, and plenty of dining, shopping, and family-centric entertainment options. Additionally, spend some quality time at the Waterville USA amusement waterpark or the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo - home to more than 300 animals; enjoy a game of golf at the Gulf Shores Golf Club; and acknowledge the prettiness of the Gulf State Park. Merrymakers must partake in the three-day Hangout Music Festival held yearly on the third weekend of May on the town’s pristine white sandy beaches and the four-day National Shrimp Festival on the second weekend of October.
Magnolia Springs
Forming a portion of the Daphne-Fairhope-Fole Metropolitan Area, Magnolia Springs is a serene community occupying the southern part of Baldwin County at the source of the Magnolia River. Apart from offering plenty of recreational activities for residents and tourists alike, the Magnolia River is an essential resource for the native inhabitants and is the lone river route for postal delivery in the whole continental US. Travelers visiting Magnolia Springs must taste fresh seafood at Jesse’s Restaurant; tour the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Magnolia Springs Community Hall, and other landmark properties in the Magnolia Springs Historic District; and unwind after an eventful day at Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast.
From Monroeville - the ‘Literary Capital of Alabama’ to the exquisite Magnolia Springs, the gorgeous towns in the 24th most populous and 30th largest state of the country offer a quiet escape away from the hubbub of noisy metropolises. With breathtaking natural settings, marvelous architectural landmarks, myriad recreational activities, and gracious Southern warm-heartedness, there is something indisputably irresistible about these Cotton State towns.
