アラバマ州 holidays

Follow in the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement, tune into jazz history and taste the rich flavours of Southern BBQ in Birmingham, Alabama.

This Southern seaside getaway is home to some of Alabama’s best beaches, backcountry trails and classic seafood shacks. It’s time to get yourself to Gulf Shores.

The ‘Rocket City’ has built some of NASA’s most legendary spaceships. Yet Huntsville remains down-to-earth, with leafy parks, red-brick buildings and charming neighbourhoods.

Birmingham and Montgomery were home to some of the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Follow the Civil Rights Trail to historic locations across the state, like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. In Montgomery, plan a day to experience the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park.

The limestone caves, sinkholes and canyons of the Cumberland Plateau are some of the most breathtaking things to see in Alabama. Majestic Caverns once hosted an underground speakeasy during Prohibition and now boasts family-friendly activities and tours. In spring and autumn, take a nighttime tour of Dismals Canyon to see the ‘dismalites’, North America’s only native glow-worm.

Alabamians like WC Handy, Nat King Cole and Hank Williams Sr have shaped the sound of American popular music, from country and blues to jazz and R&B. In the small town of Muscle Shoals, artists from Aretha Franklin to Paul Simon have recorded albums with the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. And every year, the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival celebrates up-and-coming talent.

Some people call the Alabama coast the state’s best-kept secret. Once you visit the beaches in Alabama, it’s easy to see why. Look for shells near Orange Beach, or watch the sunset over the Gulf on the beaches of Dauphin Island. Gulf Shores is known for its standout seafood restaurants, plus attractions like dolphin tours and mini-golf.

From the coastal plains in the south to limestone caves and Appalachian foothills in the north, Alabama shows off stunning natural beauty. The dramatic Neversink Pit is one of the most photographed sinkholes in the United States. A tour of Rickwood Caverns reveals breathtaking ancient rock formations. Above ground, Lookout Mountain offers spectacular scenery with cliffs and waterfalls.

The restaurants in Alabama dish up some of the South’s best regional classics, from pit-smoked barbecue to soul food. Try seafood straight from the Gulf, or eat your way along the North Alabama Barbecue Trail. Old-school ‘meat and threes’ dish up staples like fried chicken and hush puppies (savoury doughnuts), while award-winning chefs in Birmingham offer fresh interpretations of old favourites.

The museums in Alabama celebrate the state’s contributions to arts and science, as well as its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. In Huntsville, the US Space and Rocket Center celebrates the wonder of space. Visit the homes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hank Williams Sr and other writers and musicians who called Alabama home.

Late spring into early summer is the best time to visit Alabama, as the state’s beautiful azaleas, Cahaba lilies and other wildflowers burst into bloom. And it’s the perfect time to enjoy Alabama’s hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities. Summer is high season at the beach, so expect crowds. The weather stays mild through autumn and winter.

Planning a cheap holiday to Alabama doesn’t mean missing out on good food or fun. Even in larger cities like Birmingham and Mobile, you can find a meal for under 20 US dollars ($) and a domestic beer for less than $6. Plus, many of the state’s outdoor attractions, like beaches and hiking trails, offer free or low-cost entry and parking.