The Most Picturesque Small Towns in Alabama
Welcome to the “Heart of Dixie,” the unofficial nickname of the state of Alabama. The name was chosen after a PR campaign in the early 1950s to choose a more distinct nickname than the “Cotton State.” It didn’t take long before the name appeared on Alabama license plates. Today, Alabama is home to various picturesque small towns and diverse landscapes ranging from stunning mountains and lush farmland to clear rivers and pristine coastlines in the South. It is home to several literary giants, numerous unique festivals, and incredibly well-preserved historic properties.
Fairhope
Fairhope’s history is unique, to say the least. It was founded in 1894 by 28 settlers who wanted to create a utopian society where land was leased instead of owned. Today, the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation still owns most of the land in the town and leases it to residents and businesses. As a result, the town of Fairhope is known as a community that values artistic expression, educational innovation, and public welfare. Learn more about the town’s fascinating history with a visit to the Fairhope Museum of History.
With stunning views of Mobile Bay, Fairhope is often called “The jewel of the Eastern Shore.” It has a pretty downtown area with an eclectic collection of boutique shops and cafés, like Panini Pete’s Café & Market—an institution in Fairhope and the modern market Provision; and art galleries like the Eastern Shore Arts Center, which is really like five galleries in one location, showcasing photography, painting, sculpture, and more. The Fairhope Municipal Pier and Park is Fairhope’s “town square,” where visitors will discover a waterfront park, a rose garden and fountain, a sandy beach, and a paved walking trail. The Beach Park Tree Trail has 500 species of trees, including the Alabama State Champion Swamp Tupelo and Hazel Adler, and is a popular spot for amateur photographers.
Eufaula
Famous for its antebellum architecture, Eufaula is a picturesque town with historic homes on the Alabama side of the Alabama-Georgia border. Every spring, the town hosts the Annual Eufaula Pilgrimage—the state’s longest-running historical home tour—which showcases its heritage. The town boasts more than 700 structures listed on the National Historic Register, including the Shorter Mansion, one of the town’s most opulent mansions, and Fendall House, a historic house-turned-museum in the Italianate architectural style.
The town of Eufaula was an important trading port during the late 19th century when steamboats due to its position on the Chattahoochee River. Anglers from across the United States visit Eufaula, known as the “Bass Capital of the World,” to fish on what’s officially named Walter F. George Lake but is more commonly referred to as Lake Eufaula. Surrounded by natural beauty, outdoorsy types will love the 11,184-acre Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, home to American alligators, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, coyotes, osprey, and great blue herons. The refuge offers an 8-mile wildlife drive with a viewing platform and observation tower along the way, or visitors can hike or bike along the wildlife drive.
Mooresville
With a population of less than sixty residents, no painted street lines, and a 15 mph speed limit, visitors to Mooresville will think they’ve stepped back in time. Known as Alabama's oldest incorporated town, Mooresville is a picturesque town founded in 1818 with well-preserved 19th-century buildings, the 1840s-era Mooresville Post Office, and charming tree-lined streets. In fact, the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the post office is the oldest operating post office in Alabama and one of the oldest in the U.S. The town is also home to two beautiful historic churches: the Brick Church, built in 1839, and the Church of Christ, built in 1854, where James A. Garfield, the twentieth President of the United States, once preached.
Visitors to historic Mooresville can experience life in the early 1800s at the storied Stagecoach Inn and Tavern. It was the original Mooresville post office, then a rooming house, then an antique glass repair shop, and is now a museum. At Lyla's Little House, you can shop for homemade divinity candy, pecan pralines, and a unique assortment of vintage housewares.
Tuscumbia
In the northwesternmost corner of Alabama, in the musical area of The Shoals, Tuscumbia lies along the Tennessee River, adding to its scenic and historic appeal. With roots that date back to the early 19th century, Tuscumbia is home to some of Alabama’s most impressive antebellum architecture. The best example of this 19th-century architectural style is the Belle Mont Mansion, which is now a museum offering guided tours and hosting events like “Music at the Mansion” in July 2024 and the famous “Belle Mont Quilt Show” every October.
The small town of Tuscumbia was also the birthplace and home of Helen Keller, and it is a popular tourist destination. Her house, “Ivy Green,” pays tribute to her life and legacy as “America’s First Lady of Courage” and contains artifacts of her life and a side garden full of gifts sent to Helen from around the world. Learn more about the music that shaped the state’s cultural landscape at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, which celebrates the contributions of musicians like Nat King Cole and the Commodores. Finally, visit the Coldwater Stagecoach Stop—a one-room log cabin that dates back to the pioneer days of 1815 to 1820.
Mentone
The quaint mountain town of Mentone is a haven for nature lovers. It is idyllically located atop stunning Lookout Mountain and boasts panoramic views of nearby Georgia and Tennessee. Less than two hours from Birmingham, the small town of less than 330 residents is also near DeSoto State Park, where visitors can kayak, fish, swim, cycle, and literally stop to smell the wildflowers growing everywhere on the mountainside. A scenic 2-mile out-and-back trail near Mentone is the Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook. The moderate hike takes about 48 minutes to complete, but it is worth the effort for the view from the overlook. En route, visitors can explore an ice cave and take a swim. Another trail is the easy Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail, which is excellent for birdwatching.
Downtown Mentone is home to several quirky stores and cafés, such as the Groovy Goat, the Gourdie Shop, which sells whimsical gourds, and the one-of-a-kind Wildflower Café. The Mentone Log Cabin Village—a cluster of art and antique shops—is also worth visiting. Finally, Mentone is host to several fun events throughout the year, like the annual Mentone Rhododendron Arts and Crafts Festival, and is on the map of The World’s Longest Yard Sale, which takes place the first Thursday - Sunday in August every year, spanning six states (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama) and 690 miles.
Monroeville
Known as the “Literary Capital of Alabama,” Monroeville has produced a few notable literary giants, including Truman Capote, who wrote the classic true-crime novel, “In Cold Blood,” and Harper Lee, who were childhood friends in the small town. Harper Lee’s award-winning book, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” set in the fictional town of Maycomb, is rumored to be based on Monroeville. A monument in honor of Atticus Finch, the central figure in Lee’s book, sits in front of the town’s Old Monroe County Courthouse, and nearby, visitors will find the Truman Capote Historical Marker in front of the Faulk family house where he lived. Today, the courthouse is the Monroe County Museum with exhibits on both Lee and Capote, the courthouse’s significance in literature, and the civil rights movement.
In addition to its rich literary charm, Monroeville’s downtown is where visitors can find unique gifts, books, antiques, and local crafts. Indulge in Southern cuisine at David’s Catfish House & Gulf Seafood, Double D’s Brickhouse BBQ, or Hunters Run Bar & Grill.
Parting Notes
These six towns represent Alabama's picturesque and culturally rich towns, like the utopian community of Fairhope, the exquisite antebellum architecture of Eufaula, and the state's oldest incorporated town, Mooresville. Alabama is also home to several artistic and cultural sites, like the birthplaces of Harper Lee and Truman Capote in Monroeville and the musical contribution made by Nat King Cole in Tuscumbia’s Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
