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Alabama

Alabama captivates travelers with its storied past, soulful music, and genuine Southern charm. From the bustling streets of Montgomery to the serene shores of Lake Martin, come here to explore the state’s complex history, southern cuisine, and scenic beauty.

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Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Alabama.

Read Before You Go
Brick home on a green lawn
History + Culture
5 Black History Landmarks in the U.S. You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
There’s plenty of Black history in the buildings and streets around you—if you know where to look.
June 17, 2024 04:28 PM
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Chloe Arrojado
Sand dunes in Gulf State Park, Alabama, USA.
U.S. Beaches
Skip the Summer Crowds at These Underrated U.S. Beaches
April 22, 2024 02:58 PM
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Chloe Arrojado
Cody's Warren Street at dusk, with several motorcycles; parked cars line sides of street
Where to Travel Next
The Most Charming Small Town in Every U.S. State
January 12, 2024 09:01 AM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
32 miles of beautiful coastline await
Outdoor Adventure
12 Reasons Alabama Beaches Are Perfect for Families
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Exploration opportunities abound along Alabama beaches.
Outdoor Adventure
Why This Under-the-Radar Coastal Paradise Makes the Ultimate Spring Getaway
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Journeys
The marsh and water at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama
Journeys: Family
The Ideal Weeklong Southern Beach Trip for Families
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A plate full of garnished Gulf Coast oysters on a bed of salt
Journeys: Food + Drink
A 4-Day Itinerary for Food Lovers in Alabama’s Beaches
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Hotels
The lobby of JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District
Art + Architecture
Engage with Compelling Art at These Top Southern Hotels
From Savannah, Georgia, to Birmingham, Alabama, immerse yourself in inspiring art collections at these hotels and then explore the thriving creative scene of each destination.
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Resources to help plan your trip
Art + Culture
In Gee’s Bend, Alabama, Women Are Quilting for Change
A new generation of Gee’s Bend quilters are stitching to uplift their community.
October 23, 2023 12:36 PM
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Zoey Goto
Fall 2023
Discovering a Different Side of the South on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
Traversing 15 states and connecting more than 130 significant landmarks, the trail marks places where some of the nation’s most important events occurred.
October 20, 2023 10:54 AM
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Lynn Brown
U.S. Beaches
This Southern State is the Most Underrated Beach Destination in the U.S.
No, it’s not on the East or West Coast.
March 23, 2023 06:51 AM
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Victoria M. Walker
U.S. Beaches
5 Ways Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Reward Nature Lovers
Home to one of the nation’s largest artificial reef systems and a maze of hiking trails, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer a dreamy outdoor escape.
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Cities We Love
Little Cities That Think Big: 8 Forward-Thinking Destinations Across the U.S.
Major metropolises are often known for their innovation and creativity, but these smaller towns and cities punch above their weight.
October 17, 2022 06:11 PM
 · 
Elaine Glusac
Hiking + Cycling
Hiking With History: A Pilgrimage Along the Selma to Montgomery Trail
What can we learn from retracing the steps of the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama? One traveler laces up his boots.
February 25, 2022 01:59 PM
 · 
Joseph Palmer
Art + Architecture
6 U.S. Cities With Powerful Murals That Show the Fight for Justice Never Stops
A visit to any of these bold works of art, emblazoned on city walls across the country, is a reminder of the urgency of our many different battles for equal rights, both past and present.
April 17, 2019 07:29 PM
 · 
Maya Kroth
History + Culture
How Alabama’s New Memorial to Victims of Lynching Could Change America
Lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson talks about opening the National Memorial to Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, and why every American needs to experience it now.
July 30, 2018 04:55 PM
 · 
Christine Ajudua
UNESCO World Heritage
The Powerful New Lynching Memorial: Why Now Is the Time to Visit Montgomery, Alabama
A long-awaited monument to victims of racial terror has finally opened to the public. If you’ve never visited historic sites of the civil rights movement, and even if you have, it’s time to head to Montgomery.
April 30, 2018 07:41 PM
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Larry Bleiberg
Epic Trips
What It’s Like to Go to Space Camp—as an Adult
The debut of NASA’s Adult Space Academy means you’re one small step closer to achieving your space-travel dreams.
March 15, 2018 09:33 AM
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John Scott Lewinski
Restaurants + Cafés
Birmingham’s Food Scene Is Growing—Fast
The Southern city is carving out its place on the culinary map.
August 17, 2017 02:09 PM
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Anna Mazurek
History + Culture
Alabama’s National Lynching Memorial Takes Shape
The structure will contain the names of more than 4,000 lynching victims engraved on suspended concrete columns.
February 21, 2017 12:57 PM
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Matt Villano
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