When most people start planning a vacation, their first thoughts are usually of places like Florida, California, New York, Hawaii or Nevada. These states are all popular tourist destinations with well-known attractions. Hawaii is, of course, famous for its surfing, while Nevada is famous thanks to Las Vegas and the Strip. If you are not that interested in surfing or gambling at casinos, however, then you perhaps you should think about Alabama as a possible vacation destination. The rest of this article will cover the many tourist destinations to be found in Alabama that you are to enjoy if you were to go there for your vacation.

Gardens in Alabama

If you enjoy strolling through picturesque gardens, then you are sure to love the Theodore-Bellingrath Gardens. These gardens, found in the Gulf Coast, Alabama, will take your breath away. The masterful landscaping and sheer beauty of the gardens has left many visitors stunned and speechless, only able to take in the magnificent view before them. This is a must-see if you choose to visit Alabama for your vacation.

Wildlife in Alabama

If you like observing wildlife in their natural states, then Alabama has much to offer you in the way of birding. It has long been known among birdwatchers as a paradise for observing birds in their natural habitat. The various beaches, meadows, swamps, forests, and mountains offer a wide variety of habitats in which you can go to bird-watch. While bird watching in Alabama, you also stand a chance of seeing the red-cockaded woodpecker, which is on the endangered species list. Besides that, there is a list of more than 400 unique species of birds for you to watch.

Shopping in Alabama

For the shopping addict, the Summit in Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise. This is truly a spectacular and unique shopping center, being open-air and offering a wide variety of shopping choices as well as other entertainment options. You are sure to have a memorable shopping experience here, no matter whether you are looking to keep up with the latest fashions or you are simply looking for gifts for the people back home.

Food in Alabama

If you would like a taste of true Southern food, you are in the right place. Alabama is home to one of the oldest and most famous Southern dining establishments. It is located in Birmingham, and boasts some of the best baked beans and BBQ you will ever taste, along with a great variety of other dishes that are sure to leave you feeling full and very contented.

Fishing in Alabama

If you are a fishing enthusiast, then Alabama has much to offer you. The state is home to some of the best fishing to be found anywhere in the country. Not only will you be able to fish to your heart’s content, you will be able to do it in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery. The Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes are home to the largemouth bass, which is a truly challenging fish to catch. Bass fishing is extremely popular in Alabama and if you are lucky enough to hook a largemouth bass, you will certainly see why that is.

By now, it should be obvious that Alabama has a great many things to offer you, whether you are interested in food, shopping, or the great outdoors. Whatever your fancy, you are sure to find it in Alabama.

Birmingham was assimilated in 1871, and it soon grew to become famous as a center for the manufacture of steel, thanks to its location and natural resources. The railways are proof of the production of iron, iron ore, steel, limestone and coal there. In recent times, however, the city has changed dramatically. No longer is steel the main product of its economy, though there are still large companies that were founded there that have since diversified into a wide variety of interests. Birmingham is also one of the most popular city destinations in the state of Alabama.

Must See & Do in Birmingham

Because of its roots, Birmingham is still viewed by many as an industrial city. Among the many places of interest there is the Civil Rights district, where you can walk through an area involved steeped in history. Besides that, there are also the Museum of Art, the Industrial Museum, Red Mountain, and the Hall of Fame. Another great attraction is the state park at Tannehill, which features a 19th century style village. The Hall of Fame is dedicated to the jazz movement in music, and features a variety of musical instruments, various photo collections, musical concerts, and deco or art nouveau.

In addition to the jazz Hall of Fame, there is also a Hall of Fame dedicated to sports. This is the perfect place for anyone who loves sports. For others whose passion is automobiles, there is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, where visitors can have a great time viewing exhibits of cars, motorcycles, and even carriages. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens boasts a library and a great many displays of various flora and fauna.

Birmingham for Children

If you have children with you, then you should stop by the Birmingham Zoo. Kids are sure to love the many family-oriented and kid-oriented activities to be found at the zoo. There are also many great animal exhibits to be found at the zoo. Another stop that the kids are sure to love is the McWane Science Center. Among the many activities you and your kids can take part in there are visiting the aquarium, watching a film in the IMAX theater, or simply walking through the many scientific and technological attractions and exhibits.

If you are looking for a more exciting and fun adventure, then the local theme park, Visionland, is an excellent place to bring the whole family. The many rides and activities are sure to excite the kids. For more traditional outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and golf, then the Oak Mountain state park is the perfect place for you. The sheer natural beauty of the area will surely capture your heart. The area is also home to a small town or village. The Rickwood Caverns state park also offers various water-based activities. You can also choose to go on a cave exploration while you are there or simply relax and take in the beauty of the natural surroundings of the area.

Enjoying Birmingham Weather all Year round

The weather in Alabama is usually great, although you should definitely plan your vacation such that you take advantage of the months when the weather is at its best. The climate is quite mild, however, and even during the winter the temperature rarely dips below the 35 degree mark. In the months of Spring, you will be treated to the sight of the trees growing new leaves and the flowers blooming and blossoming. In the summer, the temperature may soar up to 100 degrees. It is during this time that many tourists visit Alabama and choose to simply spend all day on the beach soaking up the sun and the warm weather.

Enjoying Birmingham Cuisine

Another one of Birmingham’s claims to fame is the mouth-watering food and great restaurants to be found there. No matter whether you enjoy Mexican, Japanese, Thai, or even Greek cuisine, you are sure to find great food in the city. Barbeque eateries are a famous form of local restaurant and they can be found in Birmingham as well.

With so many fun activities and exciting attractions, it is no wonder so many people are choosing to visit Alabama for their next vacation – you should too!

Alabama boasts some of the best weather to be found anywhere in the country, so it no surprise that its beaches are also a great draw for visitors to the state. Between Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay you will even a pure white beach where the sand is so fine that it could be easily mistaken for grains of sugar. The residents of the Gulf Coast are friendly people and the good weather draws a great number of visitors to the area every year.

Making your way to the beaches in Alabama is not difficult either. You simply need to take the L-10, turn off at Exit 44, and then follow the AL-59 towards the south. 11 miles down the AL-59, you should find County Road #48. Turn left onto that road. Half a mile down you should reach County Road #71. Turn right onto it then head south. Along the way you should see Alligator Alley, a local alligator farm. If you kids are with you on your trip, you should definitely make a stop here to watch the alligators and perhaps even try feeding them.

Once you are done at the alligator farm, get back on the AL-59 going towards the south. Approximately 7.5 miles from Foley, you should take a left turn and drive the several hundred yards down to the L&N Train Depot. The depot hosts a model exhibit of the railroad and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the model trains move along the tracks, making for an interesting sight. It doesn’t cost anything to get in and is a great place to take your family to visit.

A mile to the west of the Train Depot is an area where you can go for a balloon ride. If you have never ridden in a hot air balloon before, then you should definitely take the opportunity to try this very unique form of transport here.

You are now very close to your final destination, and you need only drive a further ten miles to the south from the AL-59 before you reach the beach. You will have arrived at the beautiful white beaches of the Gulf Shore. You will find the Gulf State Park east of Ft Morgan Parkway, and it stretches all the way to the white sandy beaches. The camp site within the park, however, is not located on the beach itself.

Many people would find it quite exhausting or perhaps even boring to simply stay all day on the beach. There are a great many other activities to engage while you are there, however. Waterville, for example, is a great water park that occupies almost 20 acres of land. You can participate in the many water-based activities offered there or simply tan on the shore.

To the north of Waterville lies the zoo. This zoo is unique and offers certain experiences not found at most zoos. There are viewing decks, for example, where visitors are able to get much closer to the animals than they usually would. There is also a petting zoo there where your kids can get up close and personal with various harmless animals.

You can also sign up for a ride in a biplane at Airport Drive. A young driver will accompany you on your ride in the biplane. If you have your kids along, they are sure to enjoy a ride in the electric cars or funny cars for a mere $39 dollars per hour.

The Wharf, located at Orange Beach, is home to a great number of restaurants and shops. Various live concerts and festivals are also held in this area. For more information, you can dial 800 745 7263 for their official hotline or simply search for their site online.

The fun simply doesn’t end in Alabama. Not only are the beaches some of the most beautiful to be found anywhere, the various attractions and activities are great as well. So what are you waiting for? Book your vacation to Alabama now and come enjoy the many wonderful things the state has to offer you.

More and more people are turning to Alabama as a great holiday destination for anyone interested in the great outdoors. This article examines the various things Alabama has to offer you should you choose to head there for your next vacation. If you are someone who loves the outdoors and nature, then you are sure to enjoy the top Alabama destinations- the Alabama State Parks.

Characteristic Features of Alabama State Parks

No matter whether you like to go mountain biking, hiking, boating, fishing, or camping, you are sure to find something new and exciting in Alabama. The great number of state parks in Alabama ensures that you are sure to enjoy yourself in Alabama’s great outdoors. The state parks are extremely beautiful and well taken care of, and you are sure to find it both exciting and relaxing at the same time.

Another wonderful thing about the Alabama state parks is that each possesses its own unique feature. For every park that you visit while in Alabama, you are sure to find something new and different to appreciate about it. If you are traveling with family or simply looking to kick back and relax and you wish to stay at a resort, then Cheaha, Lake Point or DeSoto are the parks that you will want to consider staying at. All of these parks have resort facilities, which is perfect if that is what you are looking for when you visit.

Another feature that draws a great many people to the state parks in Alabama each year is the fact that the parks preserve a great number of animal species. The sheer variety of attractions has made Alabama one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Visitors get to enjoy the charm of a true southern state and also the friendly hospitality of the people there. All of this is sure to make your stay in Alabama an enjoyable and memorable one.

The one great draw in Alabama is the natural beauty it offers visitors. From panoramic views off the rocks bluffs, to the great trees, bubbling streams, and fantastic wildlife – you are sure to find many things to enjoy while you are on vacation in Alabama.

Some people are skeptical about the whole out-of-doors experience, being accustomed to a much more ‘modern’ way of life. This is no problem either, as there are many state parks in Alabama where you will find luxury dwellings in the form of cottages and even large hotel complexes. One thing to remember if you wish to stay in one of these types of accommodations is that you will have to make your reservations early, as they are very popular among visiting tourists.

If you are more of an outdoors person, however, then you can make use of the many modern campsites to be found in the state parks. A great many activities such as hiking and climbing are available in the parks. The hiking trails are spectacular and there are a great many cliffs and mountains for the more adventurous to climb.

Anglers are sure to love Alabama. It offers fishermen a fantastic fishing experience, and Alabama is definitely the place to visit if you love to fish. The many lakes, rivers, and streams that run through the parks will provide you with a wonderful fishing experience that is sure to have you coming back year after year.

Among the other activities you will find at the state parks are mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, water skiing, boating, and even target shooting, to mention but a few. So if you are planning your next vacation and want to spend it taking in the beauty and splendor of the great outdoors, then you should seriously consider heading down to Alabama for your vacation.

The state park of Cheaha is ranked 35th for highpoint and you will also find various facilities in this park such as a nature center, country store, restaurant, and a museum. Cheaha state park is also home to its very own lake. This set of combined attractions has led to Cheaha being one of the top tourist destinations in the state of Alabama today.

For those who like the great outdoors and love to go camping, you will find a number of camping grounds within the park that you can make use of. There are also various cabins and chalets that you can easily find and rent online. Upon entering the park, you will pass through an entrance booth where you should take the time to visit the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum. There is also an observation tower near the entrance that provides you with a spectacular view of the park.

Many people who live in the United States would not at first consider Alabama the most exciting vacation destination. The state has a great many things to offer visitors, however, and traveling to Alabama is extremely easy. You can easily find information about hotels, attractions, restaurants, and anything else you may need to know before going on your trip by contacting the state tourism bureau. You can also approach a vacation planner for help if you find yourself unable to complete the planning for your trip on your own.

Cheaha state park offers you a great experience with the mountains and awe-inspiring views of natural scenery. If you visit Cheaha with your friends or family, you are sure to leave with some great memories of the time you spent there with them. For those looking for a more modern style of vacation, you can also choose to tour the city streets and great beaches instead. The entire state is also peppered with various attractions with historical significance if you have an interest in history.

Before you travel, you must ensure that you have made reservations for your accommodations. This is especially so if you are traveling during the peak periods. You should also ensure that you choose the dates of your vacation carefully. You should plan your vacation such that you do not have to compete with the crowds during the peak travel season.

You should also bring along your appetite as there a great many wonderful restaurants to be found in Alabama. Popular local cuisine includes seafood and barbeque that you should make a point of trying while you are in Alabama.

You are sure to enjoy the great outdoors while you are on vacation in Alabama. From the many campsites to the wonderfully scenic hiking trails, you are sure to have a great time whether you are traveling with your family, friends, or even alone.

If concerts and festivals interest you, then you should do some research so that your visit coincides with a local festival or concert. The state of Alabama is particularly famous for blues and soul music. Some of the more famous musicians who hail from the state include the Temptations, Hank Williams, and Nat King Cole.

The state of Alabama is mostly made up of rolling plains spotted with lakes and criss-crossed by rivers. The quiet country atmosphere attracts a great many visitors who come to take in the peace and quiet as well as enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The state park of Cheaha is a great place if you like activities such as hiking, camping, or simply taking in the local sights.

You should get in touch with the state tourism bureau and find out more about Cheaha State Park and what it has to offer visitors. You should also ensure that you make your bookings in advance so that you do not encounter any difficulties on your trip. And when you leave on your vacation, make sure that you take your camera with you! You would hardly want to miss out on capturing the many sights and attractions with your camera to better preserve your memories of the place.