Category: Alabama Top List USA
Source: https://top-list.co/top-best-things-to-do-in-alabama-v2474.html
- Learn Something New At The U.S. Space & Rocket Center
- Experience GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
- Go Brewery Hopping in Huntsville
- Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House Museum
- Marvel at the ‘Glowworms’ in Dismals Canyon
- Photograph The Otherworldly Neversink Pit
- Search for Lost Treasures at the Unclaimed Baggage Center
- Go Underground at Cathedral Caverns State Park
- Go Hiking & Swimming in Little River Canyon
- Eat Your Way Through Alabama’s Foodiest City
- Learn About History at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- Go Back in Time at Moundville Archaeological Park
- Go Rock Climbing at Cherokee Rock Village
- Hold a Baby Alligator at Alligator Alley
- Bike Around Dauphin Island
Learn Something New At The U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a museum run by the state of Alabama that displays rockets, achievements, and relics from the United States space program. This Smithsonian Affiliate in Huntsville also serves as the official visitor center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. One of the top Alabama attractions is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, which has one of the world’s greatest collections of rockets and space memorabilia. Visitors can learn everything there is to know about space, from the historic Space Race to the progress of the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station.
Two camp programs of The U.S. Space & Rocket Center allow guests to stay on the site and learn more about spaceflight and aviation. The United States Space Camp provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the space program through the use of simulators, lectures, and training exercises. Aviation Challenge simulates military fighter pilot training, including lectures, simulations, and survival drills. Both camps offer educational programs for children and adults in both residential and day camps.
The Apollo 16 capsule, Gemini and Mercury capsule trainers, a Skylab solar array, interactive exhibitions, and space flight simulations are also part of the collection. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center also hosts touring exhibits, and visitors can watch movies on the city’s only full-dome IMAX® Theater or the National Geographic Theater’s high-definition screen on a daily basis. A bus tour of the Redstone Arsenal is also available. This can be seen as one of the Best Things To Do In Alabama.
Address: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States
Phone: +1 800-637-7223
Opening hours: 9AM–5PM
Ticket price: Adult & Senior: $30 · Child: $20 · Members: FREE · Children 4 & under: FREE.
Rating: 4.7/5.0, 10,404 Google reviews
Website: https://www.rocketcenter.com/
https://travelwithsara.com/
https://abc3340.com/
Experience GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
GulfQuest/National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, which opened on September 26, 2015, is a non-profit interactive nautical museum dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico’s maritime legacy and culture. The 120,000-square-foot museum on the riverfront in downtown Mobile, Alabama, is meant to seem like a ship sailing into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The museum has 90 interactive exhibits, simulators, theaters, and artifact displays, as well as antiques and memorabilia displayed across “several decks” inside a full-sized reproduction of a container ship, as if dockside. GulfQuest also has a museum store, a museum café, and a number of event rooms.
GulfQuest National Maritime Museum is a must-see site with simulators, interactive exhibits, displays, and theaters. It is the world’s first marine museum dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico’s economic, historical, and cultural significance. The container ship SS McLean of GulfQuest exemplifies the concept of “containerization,” which was established in the 1950s.
GulfQuest, located downtown on the Mobile River, is one of the country’s only interactive marine museums. The exhibits are situated on the decks of a life-sized container ship replica, so there is plenty to see and do, as well as plenty of places to enjoy the view of the Mobile River and port.
Address: 155 S Water St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States
Phone: +1 251-436-8901
Opening hours: 10AM–4PM
Ticket price: Adults (18-64): Individuals $16.00, Groups* $13.00 ; Youth (5-17): Individuals $13.00, Groups* $11.0
Rating: 4.6/5.0, 539 Google reviewsWebsite: https://www.gulfquest.org/
https://mobilebaymag.com/
https://www.thisismysouth.com/
Go Brewery Hopping in Huntsville
Alabama is doing something right when it comes to artisan beer. There are numerous unique breweries around the Yellowhammer State, but if you want to go brewery hopping, Huntsville is your best chance!
Start your drunken tour with Campus No. 805, a renovated school building that now houses a variety of fashionable eateries, pubs, and stores. The first tenants to sign on for the new project were Straight to Ale Brewery and Yellowhammer Brewery. Matheny-Goldmon Architects and Interior Designers were entrusted with upgrading the school building and designing additional brewery, restaurant, entertainment, and retail areas to complement the campus look and feel. Salty Nut Brewery, an up-and-coming microbrewery, is located here, and you should try their popular Imperial Moustache Red.
After that, visit Yellowhammer Brewing, which has been producing beers with a Southern twist since 2010. Yellowhammer also shares a space with a wood-fired pizza joint, in case you need something to soak up the alcohol!
Straight to Ale, where you may sample their legendary Monkeynaut IPA, is also located on Campus 805. If you’re looking for something a little more, Pints & Pixels is just down the road. This is the ideal place to end your tipsy tour of Huntsville, with a solid menu of local brews and a variety of ’80s arcade games. It is hard to deny that this is one of the Best Things To Do In Alabama.
Address: 2620 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States
Phone: +1 256-519-6212
Opening hours: 7AM–2AM
Rating: 4.7/5.0, 1,948 Google ratings
Website: https://campus805.com/
https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/
https://properties.schrimshercompany.com/
Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House Museum
Architecture enthusiasts should add a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House Museum to their Alabama bucket list. The single-family home was built in 1940 for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The only Wright building in Alabama and one of only 26 pre-World War II Usonian residences, it is a notable example of his Usonian house concept. According to Wright scholar John Sergeant, it is “the clearest example of the Usonian.”
The Rosenbaums lived in the house until 1999, when they donated it to Florence, Alabama. The house, which is a prime example of Wright’s Usonian style, was designed to be both economical and functional, and it is the first of dozens of such Usonian residences.
Take a tour of the Rosenbaum House to see its Wright-designed furniture, multilevel steel-cantilevered roofs, and Wright’s creative use of natural cypress wood materials. Another distinguishing characteristic of the Rosenbaum House is the extensive use of glass and natural materials, which allows each room to merge in with the surrounding natural environment and create an indoor/outdoor living experience.
Address: 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, United States
Phone: +1 256-718-5050
Ticket price: $10 per Adult. $5 per Senior and Student
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 356 Google reviews
Website: https://www.wrightinalabama.com/
https://www.wrightinalabama.com/
Marvel at the ‘Glowworms’ in Dismals Canyon
Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge in Franklin County, Alabama, near Phil Campbell. In May 1974, it was designated as a National Natural Landmark. Dismals Canyon is one of the few sites in the world where insects known as dismalites can be found. To attract food and mates, the larval versions of these flies emit a strong blue-green light. One of the most unusual things to do in Alabama is to visit Dismals Canyon at night. This is because dismalites, which are exceedingly uncommon fly larvae, can only be found in a few spots on the earth.
Searching for fly larvae may sound disgusting, but when the sun goes down, the unusual insects generate a bluish-green light, transforming the pitch-black countryside into an exotic light display! The dismalites, or “glowworms,” thrive in the 85-acre nature conservatory, which is coated in moss. You can schedule a 45-minute guided night tour to Dismals Canyon if you wish to observe this unusual natural phenomenon for yourself.
Dismals Canyon also has two cascading waterfalls and some of the world’s tallest Canadian Hemlock trees, making it an excellent place to hike throughout the day. You can hike the 1.5-mile canyon floor walk, which takes you past tunnels, gigantic boulders, gushing waterfalls, and towering trees.
Address: 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, United States
Phone: +1 205-993-4559
Opening hours: 10AM–5:30PM
Ticket price: Adult – $12, Over 60 – $11, Under 12 – $8.75
Rating: 4.6/5.0, 967 Google reviews
Website: https://www.dismalscanyon.com/
https://www.dismalscanyon.com/
Photograph The Otherworldly Neversink Pit
It’s no surprise that this unique geological wonder is one among the coolest Alabama attractions – it’s breathtaking! Neversink is a sinkhole and cave hybrid that is 40 feet wide at the top and dips 162 feet to the floor. Not only is this a famous climbing location, but photographers come here all year to create spectacular shots. Take a picture at this place can be one of the Best Things To Do In Alabama.
One of the most interesting aspects of Neversink is that the scenery on the way down changes depending on the season. In the spring, you might see waterfalls, while in the summer and winter, you might see lush ferns and ice sheets.
You’ll have to trek up the mountainside for 30 minutes to get to Neversink. However, your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views from inside the limestone formation. Unfortunately, unless you’re an expert climber with vertical caving skills, you can only repel down (and climb back up) Neversink. If you have what it takes, all you have to do is apply for a special permit through the online permit system and you’re ready to go!
Address: Fackler, AL 35746, United States
Opening hours: open 24 hours
Ticket price: free
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 12 Google reviews
Website: https://www.saveyourcaves.org/preserve?rowid=neversink-cave-preserve
https://www.flickr.com/
https://places.travel/
Search for Lost Treasures at the Unclaimed Baggage Center
The Unclaimed Baggage Center is a retail establishment in Scottsboro, Jackson County, Alabama, United States. If you’re seeking for unusual things to do in Alabama, the bizarre Unclaimed Baggage Center is a must-see. This is the only retailer of lost luggage in the United States, and it is located in Scottsboro, Alabama, in northeast Alabama. Although it is rare, around 0.03 percent of all checked luggage is lost, which is where the Unclaimed Baggage Center comes in. Unclaimed bags are transported to the Unclaimed Baggage Center after all efforts to locate the owners of unclaimed bags have been exhausted and claims have been paid out to passengers. The products are either recycled, sold, or repurposed.
Visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center, and you never know what long-lost treasures you’ll find. Shopkeepers have discovered a variety of unusual objects over the years, including a camera from the Space Shuttle, an actual Egyptian Burial Mask going back to 1500 BC, and a hand-carved Renaissance lute. Every year, over a million consumers visit the 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) store to peruse some of the 7,000 goods introduced each day. According to Thrillist, most things are sold at a 20-80 percent discount.
You’ll find anything from apparel, jewelry, and handbags to cameras, suitcases, and books if you browse around. If you’re really lucky, you might even unearth your own historic item!
Address: 509 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL 35768, USA
Phone: +1 256-259-1525
Opening hours: 09:00–18:00
Rating: 4,0/5.0, 3,818Google reviews
Website: https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/
https://s.abcnews.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/
Go Underground at Cathedral Caverns State Park
Cathedral Caverns State Park is a state-owned leisure park and natural history preserve near Kennamer Cove, Alabama, about 5 miles northeast of Grant and 7 miles southeast of Woodville in Marshall County. The park’s major attraction, originally called as Bats Cave, was created as a tourist attraction in the 1950s. Cathedral Caverns was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1972 and became a state park in 2000.
Cathedral Caverns State Park is only a 25-minute drive away from Scottsboro. Explore the caves and you’ll come across some amazing natural beauties, such as the large cave entrance, “frozen” waterfall, and massive stalagmite forest. Goliath, a 45-foot-tall stalagmite that is one of the world’s largest, is also found in the caverns!
A tour of Cathedral Caverns is one of the most exciting things to do in Alabama. The 90-minute tour begins with the massive entrance, which is 126 feet wide and 25 feet tall. The paved trail then takes you to all of the cave’s key features before ending in the cave’s famous forest of stalagmites and stalactites.
The cave trip is sure to be enjoyable for the entire family. After that, you can have a bite at the picnic tables or even mine for gemstones and fossils in the mining soil!
Address: 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776, United states
Phone: +1 256-728-8193
Opening hours: 09:00–17:30
Ticket price: 5-12 $8, 13 and up $18
Rating: 4,8/5.0, 987Google ratings
Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/cathedral-caverns-state-park
https://www.alapark.com/
Go Hiking & Swimming in Little River Canyon
Little River Canyon, also known as Alabama State Route 176, Dekalb County Road 148, and Cherokee County Road 275, is a 22-mile scenic drive in northeastern Alabama that follows the 16-mile-long Little River Canyon National Preserve. The roadway was originally established as State Route 275 in 1972, but was later renumbered to State Route 176 on the northern portion east of former Dekalb County Road 81 in September 1980, and then turned back south of former Dekalb County Road 81.
If you’re looking for the top outdoor Alabama attractions, Little River Canyon should be on your list. Little River Canyon, located near Fort Payne in northeastern Alabama, is a lush nature area with the longest mountaintop river in the United States and one of the most popular waterfalls in the South! Little River Canyon has lots to keep you occupied. Hike or mountain bike on the preserve’s 26 miles of trails, rock climb on the sandstone cliffs, or go fishing, kayaking, or swimming in the river.
One of the nicest features of Little Watercourse Canyon is its mountaintop river, which allows for several cascading waterfalls and swimming places. Hiking to Little River Falls and then to the Martha’s Falls swimming hole is one of the most popular activities in the entire state. The rocky walk is only 0.75 miles long and leads to one of Little River Canyon’s most popular waterfalls and swimming spots, where you may cool yourself on a hot summer day.
Location: Alabama, United States
Best time to visit: fall season
Website: https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm
https://www.nationalparks.org/
https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/
Eat Your Way Through Alabama’s Foodiest City
A trip to Alabama isn’t complete unless you try some of the state’s famous BBQ, and Birmingham has some of the best! Birmingham is a large city in England’s West Midlands region, with several landmarks from the Industrial Revolution that attest to the city’s 18th-century history as an industrial powerhouse. It also has a canal network, many of which extend from Sherborne Wharf and are now lined with chic cafes and pubs. SAW’S Soul Kitchen is one of the most well-known eateries in town for its authentic soul food. But if you’re looking for ribs, head to the legendary Dreamland Bar-B-Que or Miss Myra’s.
Birmingham has a plethora of outstanding seafood-focused restaurants thanks to Alabama’s lengthy stretch of coastline. Two of the greatest locations to go for farm-fresh Gulf oysters and locally produced seafood dishes are Automatic Seafood and Oysters and 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar. Try the 72-Hour Grilled Short Ribs with Wild Mushrooms at the elite Hot and Hot Fish Club or the Buttermilk-Fried Chicken with Truffled Potatoes at Café Dupont for sophisticated Southern cuisine. For something a little more low-key, there’s always Yo’ Mama’s handmade chicken and waffles and John’s City Diner’s pulled pork-topped mac & cheese.
If you want to stray from traditional Southern cooking, there are plenty of options. The Pizitz Cuisine Hall is a one-stop shop where you can experience everything from Vietnamese pho to Indian street food to Hawaiian poke bowls!
Best time to visit: spring and fall, from March through May or September through November
Website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/
https://sg.hotels.com/
https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/
Learn About History at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
A visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute should be at the top of every history buff’s Alabama bucket list. Alabama was a hotspot for civil rights campaigners in the 1950s and 1960s, and there’s no better location to learn about it than Birmingham.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a significant interpretative museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama that exhibits the Civil Rights Movement’s struggles in the 1950s and 1960s. The Civil Rights District contains the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, the Fourth Avenue Business District, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Carver Theatre. The Institute officially opened in November 1992, with over 25,000 visitors in its first week. The museum features a variety of interactive installations that teach visitors about the Civil Rights Movement, its main characters, African-American living, and the ongoing fight for human and civil rights worldwide.
There are also sobering relics of segregation, such as separate drinking fountains for White and Black kids. The Institute also conducts a variety of educational activities throughout the year, so check the website to see what’s going on during your stay. If you want to discover more about Alabama’s Civil Rights Movement, go about the Civil Rights District and see the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and other notable Birmingham attractions. This is one of the Best Things To Do In Alabama.
Address: 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
Phone: +1 205-328-9696
Opening hours: 10AM–5PM
Ticket price: $5–15
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 448 Google reviews
Website: https://www.bcri.org/
https://civilrightstrail.com/
https://www.adventurestudenttravel.com/
Go Back in Time at Moundville Archaeological Park
Moundville Archaeological Park, located 20 minutes outside of Tuscaloosa, is one of the top Native American cultural sites in the US and one of the coolest things to do in Alabama! Between the 11th and 16th centuries, the area was the political and ceremonial centre of the Mississippians (a Native American society). Today, 29 platform mounds surround a central square that were formerly utilized as dwellings and public buildings.
Moundville is the second-largest site of the classic Middle Mississippian era in the United States, behind Cahokia in Illinois. As the heart of the traditional Mississippian cultural area, the culture was exhibited in towns and chiefdoms throughout the central Mississippi River Valley, the lower Ohio River Valley, and most of the Mid-South area, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. There is a museum and an archaeological laboratory in the park.
You can roam around the grounds and marvel at these ancient marvels. The setting is breathtakingly beautiful, perched on a bluff overlooking the Black Warrior River. After exploring the grounds and visiting the educational onsite museum, you may take a walk along the half-mile nature trail or enjoy a picnic in the picnic area.
Address: 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474, United States
Phone: +1 205-371-2234
Opening hours: 8:30AM–5PM
Ticket price: Adults $8.00, Seniors: $7.00, Students: $6.00, Children: $6.00, and Under 5: Free
Rating: 4.6/5.0, 318 Google reviews
Website: https://moundville.museums.ua.edu/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
https://moundville.museums.ua.edu/
Go Rock Climbing at Cherokee Rock Village
Cherokee Rock Village is a 200-acre park built on top of Lookout Mountain in northern Alabama. The area is well-known for its massive sandstone rock formations and boulder-strewn environment. Furthermore, its high location provides breathtaking views of Weiss Lake. Unique tall rock formations and caves provide the best adventure and sightseeing opportunities. Its most remarkable characteristics include gigantic, house-sized sandstone boulders and 200-foot-high stone formations dating back 300 million years to the Pennsylvanian Period.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy spending time exploring all of Cherokee Rock Village’s natural attractions. Rock climbing, bird watching, geocaching, and primitive camping are among the activities available. There are 14 miles of hiking and trail running paths, as well as equestrian and mountain biking trails. If climbing is your thing, you’re in luck since climbers from all over the world come here to test their skills on the park’s iconic sandstone cliffs. More than 200 rope routes, as well as chances for trad climbing and bouldering, await experienced climbers.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there are 14 miles of trails to select from, as well as hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian riding. With so much to see and do, you might want to stay in the onsite campsite for a night or two to make the most of your visit in this gorgeous part of Alabama.
Address: 2000 County Rd 70, Leesburg, AL 35983, United States
Phone: +1 256-523-3799
Ticket price: $7 per carload, $15 for passenger vans, and $20 for buses
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 634 Google reviews
Website: https://cherokeerockvillage.com/
https://alabama.travel/
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/
Hold a Baby Alligator at Alligator Alley
If you’re looking for entertaining things to do in Alabama, Alligator Alley is the place to go! The alligator farm in Summerdale was founded in 2004 as a safe home for rescued alligators. Wes Moore, the proprietor of Alligator Alley, started the alligator farm to rescue alligators found in perilous situations. The farm now has 450 alligators ranging in age from hatchlings to adults. These animals have lost their natural fear of humans and have been relocated to Alligator Alley as “nuisance animals.” Visit Alligator Alley now if you’re seeking for a thrilling adventure and to see some of the largest alligators in the world! It can be seen as one of the Best Things To Do In Alabama.
If you take a guided tour of the farm, you’ll be able to see these reptiles swimming in ponds and lounging in the Alabama heat. The elevated boardwalk allows you to stay a safe distance while seeing these species in their natural habitat.
After your guided tour, you can get up close and personal with the gators if you’re feeling brave. Head over to the Gator Station to hold a young alligator. If you’re feeling very courageous, arrange your visit to coincide with feeding times (11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.) and feed the reptiles yourself!
Address: 19950 Co Rd 71, Summerdale, AL 36580, United States
Phone: +1 251-946-2483
Ticket price: $15
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 2,099 Google reviews
Website: https://gatoralleyfarm.com/
https://gatoralleyfarm.com/
Bike Around Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island is a town in Alabama on the same-named Gulf Coast island. It’s famous for its stretches of white sand, such as Public Beach. Fort Gaines, located near the entrance to Mobile Bay, has historic cannons and a blacksmith shop. Migrating birds can be spotted in the Audubon Bird Sanctuary’s forest, dunes, and swamp. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Estuarium features aquariums and a walking boardwalk through a natural marsh.
Biking around Dauphin Island is certainly one of the most enjoyable activities in Alabama. You may easily spend a day or two exploring this magnificent barrier island, which is brimming with white sand beaches, naturally stunning green spaces, and important historic buildings. There are numerous bike rental locations on Dauphin Island. Furthermore, several rental providers will bring them directly to you!
The nicest aspect, however, is that the island is incredibly bike-friendly. You’ll enjoy 15 miles of recreational cycling between the Bienville Avenue Trail and the Lemoyne Drive Trail. If you only have one day, head to the east side of the island to see the historic Fort Gaines, the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, and East End Beach. If you have more time and wish to spend the weekend biking around the island, the west side of the island is home to the picture-perfect Dauphin Beach, the Goat Tree Reserve, West End Beach, and much more!
Location: Alabama, United states
Best time to visit: early April to mid May and from late September to early November
Website: https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/
https://www.travelandleisure.com/
https://ourgulfshoresvacation.com/
