Weekend Getaway in Alabama

Nicknamed “the Magic City,” Birmingham has a lot to love about it. This is Alabama’s largest city, and is quite diverse. It has a lively downtown area and world-class culinary scene, featuring award-winning restaurants. Historic theaters like Alabama Theatre and the Lyric Theatre have recently been restored, so you can watch rock, blues, and jazz acts perform in epic settings with excellent acoustics. Birmingham is also home to plentiful green space, like the 19-acre Railroad Park, which offers a lake, streams, a birch grove, skate park, and a bike share system. Moreover, due to its central location, Birmingham is a great jumping-off point for trips to other spots, such as a hike into the Appalachian Mountains.

Alabama played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, with Montgomery a stage for historic events that would change the future of the country. Visit the Civil Rights Memorial Center, tour the State Capitol building, see the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and stop by Alabama State University and the Rosa Parks Museum. Or follow the Selma-to-Montgomery National Historic Trail, dedicated to the famous, 54mi. Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March. Montgomery continues to inspire and still attracts many artists, performers, and writers, resulting in a lively arts and entertainment scene. Lovers of history and art will feel right at home here!

Huntsville, or “the Rocket City,” is most famous for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, sometimes billed as “Earth’s largest space museum.” Huntsville played an important role in the race to the moon, and this is a great place to get to know all about the U.S. space program. You can also visit a Space Camp and several other space-related sites in and around the city. Huntsville also has more to offer. It boasts several cultural, historic, and culinary attractions, such as a thriving local craft beer scene, and a range of quirky dining and entertainment venues. Follow the local Craft Beer Trail, which connects many breweries and beer shops.

Many historic events of great importance took place in Alabama. This is the state where Rosa Parks refused to take a back seat and inspired the Civil Rights movement, this is where the space race and the moon landing were orchestrated, and where the Tuskegee Airmen were trained. Throughout the state of Alabama you’ll find many landmarks that bring those important events back to life and allow you to explore history.

Creativity thrives and many artists have found their inspiration in Alabama. Harper Lee's iconic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is set here, and this is the state where legendary artists such as Lionel Richie and Nat King Cole were born. Visit the Muscle Shoals studios where Aretha Franklin recorded her hits and which Keith Richards referred to as “Rock and Roll Heaven,” or watch contemporary artists display their talent in one of the many theaters and festivals that can be found all over Alabama.

The beaches of Alabama, located around the Gulf of Mexico, are surprisingly unknown considering their stunning beauty. You’ll find many stretches of powdery white sand lined with pleasantly warm turquoise waters. Some favorite beaches are Gulf Shore and Dauphin Island.

Alabama has a generally warm and humid climate, with hot summers and mild winters – pack accordingly! Unless you’re going up into the Appalachian Mountains, you won’t need anything too warm.

If you’re going to really explore Alabama's nooks and crannies, expect to walk or hike. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes, or hiking boots if you'll be headed to the mountains.

Don’t forget to bring your camera with fully charged batteries, so you can record all your special moments.