9 Most Loved Tourist Attractions In Alabama
With a wealth of tourist attractions that appeal to all tastes, Alabama offers something unique in every region. Numerous museums, monuments, and historic sites in Alabama document the rich civil rights history in several of the state's cities. These include Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute and the famed 16th Street Baptist Church, as well as Montgomery's National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Freedom Monument Sculpture, and the Legacy Museum, which draws on the nation's history of racial injustice. Surprisingly, Alabama is also home to popular beach locations, such as Gulf Shores, which tourists find fascinating. Finally, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville showcases Alabama's ties to the aerospace industry. Take a deep dive into our list of Alabama's most loved attractions for the most incredible locations in the state.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Known as "Rocket City," Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the biggest space museum in the world and the most popular tourist destination in Alabama. As the official visitor center for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate, the center captivates tourists with its vast array of space artifacts and exhibitions. Tickets to this attraction also include activities like Rocket Park and Dare to Explore: Frontiers of Space, designed to intrigue and excite visitors. The INTUITIVE Planetarium, a magnificent location for live entertainment, theater, and astronomical programs, is also located within the facility. For experiences like astronaut training, space lovers can sign up for one of the many space camps and programs.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
One of America's most unique military attractions, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park houses the historic World War II battleship USS Alabama, the submarine USS Drum, and three other vessels. Located in the town of Mobile, this most loved tourist attraction features over 30 historic planes and military vehicles, including the top-secret Mach 3 A-12 Blackbird spy plane and North American B-25 Mitchell. It also serves as a memorial park for the United States military, both past and present. An on-site restaurant, gift shop, and picnic area with outdoor dining huts, just like the ones used in the Pacific during World War II, are just some of the amenities to look forward to when visiting. Other enjoyable features include photo opportunities, a flight simulator, and a virtual reality experience.
Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores offers some of the best outdoor adventures for the ultimate getaway. Perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers, the park features a visitor center, beach pavilion, nature center, an interpretive center, an amphitheater, and a pier. The park also offers recreational activities like hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Multiple lodging options are available for a convenient stay, ranging from The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a beautiful resort with many amenities, to lakeside cabins, cottages, and campgrounds for RVs and tents.
Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum
The 880-acre Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham is home to the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, which Guinness World Records has dubbed the "World's Largest Motorcycle Museum." The museum's unique feature is its collection of more than 1,800 motorcycles, highlighting the distinctive designs of each, from the 1926 Royal Enfield 200 Sport to the 1995 Britten V1000. In addition, the museum has a collection of Lotus automobiles and rare vehicles.
The Legacy Museum
A compelling, comprehensive journey through the history of racial injustice in America can be found at the Legacy Museum in Montgomery. The museum tells the tale of slavery in America and its legacy as it is situated close to the location of one of the nation's most well-known slave auctions and a short distance from the train station that carried tens of thousands of enslaved people at the height of the slave trade. Visitors can explore the past and consider how it has affected society now through interactive exhibits and videos. Museum admission includes access to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is another top tourist attraction in Alabama. Part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, this cultural and educational research facility focuses on Birmingham's Civil Rights Movement. Visitors can see everything from a model of a 1950s segregated city to a Freedom Riders bus replica. It also features the jail cell door where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his well-known "Letter From Birmingham Jail." In addition to its permanent displays, traveling exhibits on the Freedom Rides, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and the 16th Street Baptist Church are also displayed. After a day of exploration, visit the on-site store to shop for a collection of books and gifts centered on African American culture.
McWane Science Center
Birmingham's McWane Science Center is an adventure in science, education, and enjoyment. Across the four-level complex, visitors can spend the day checking out interactive science activities, aquarium displays, an art and technology gallery, hands-on geology and paleontology exploration, and a state-of-the-art theater with engaging presentations. Other noteworthy features include NatureScope, which provides live animal performances and nature programs, and the Itty Bitty Magic City, designed for younger children. In addition to its impressive exhibits and displays, the center also offers a Science Engagement Program with daily programming. The on-site Bean Sprouts Cafe is a perfect dining option to visit before or after a day of exploring.
Huntsville Botanical Garden
The Huntsville Botanical Garden provides an escape into the captivating realm of nature. With its 112 acres of grassy meadows, forest trails, aquatic habitats, and breathtaking flower collections, it provides a fun opportunity to discover a variety of ecosystems. Along the many nature walks, visitors can see native plants from Alabama. The botanical garden also houses the largest outdoor butterfly house in the country, where stunning butterflies are fluttering around. Relax in the cool shade of the trees while listening to the sounds of nature while there.
Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art, one of Alabama's best art museums, has a permanent collection and temporary exhibits that showcase the diversity of art. Find some of the museum's oldest objects, such as bronzes and ancient ceramics, in the Asian gallery. The African gallery has various historical and modern pieces, from traditional figures and ritual headdresses to beading and batik. Most of the permanent collection is European art, including exquisite works by Pissarro and Rembrandt van Rijn. Rotating exhibits, which change frequently, showcase different artists, media, and themes, enriching the museum's offerings. The museum's tiered grounds have a beautiful sculpture garden and botanical displays.
Explore These Top-Rated Attractions in Alabama
Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or curious about science and technology, Alabama's most loved tourist attractions are worth discovering. With its historic museums and monuments, Montgomery and Birmingham take tourists back in time by examining American slavery and the civil rights movement. The vast botanical garden in Huntsville or the sandy beaches, trails, and pier in Gulf Shores offers a leisurely excursion. Be sure to explore the family-friendly McWane Science Center or the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to see some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world. No matter what city you choose to visit, there will always be something to do in Alabama.
