All Other Destinations and Attractions in Alabama

Decatur was founded in 1823 but reduced to four buildings during the Civil War in 1865. Then a yellow fever epidemic hit in 1888 but the town continued through it all. The city has the Old Decatur District, a Victorian-era neighborhood, which occupies the original town site that was settled in 1820.

Wetumpka was an important cotton shipping point but with improved modes of transportation much of the town's trade shifted to Montgomery, thus ruining the town's chances for state capital.Wetumpka is known as "The City of Natural Beauty", this stems from nearby Lake Martin, one of the world's largest man-made lakes and Lake Jordan. These lakes attract boating and fishing enthusiasts. The nature trails are perfect for outdoor recreation.

Booker T. Washington was the first principal of Tuskegee Institute in 1881. Located on the campus of Tuskegee University, it is also the place where the United Negro College Fund began.Tuskegee was used to train pilots for the military, they were known as the Tuskegee Airmen and became a center for African-American pilots during WWII to learn to fly and maintain combat aircraft.

Tuscumbia was originally named Big Spring for the spring at the foot of Main Street which produces 55 millions gallons of cold water daily. The town was the site of the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains. Tuscumbia is the birthplace of Helen Keller and home to the Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, graves of prized coonhounds.

Talladega National Forest is divided into two sections, eastern Alabama near the Georgia border and southeast of Tuscaloosa in west-central Alabama. Hiking opportunities, wildlife managements areas and the Tallega Scenic Drive are found within the forest.Abundant wildlife include squirrels, bobcats, white-tailed deer, grouse, rabbits and turkeys. Numerous birds have been recorded in the Talladega National Forest such as warblers, tanagers, woodpeckers, indigo buntings and other songbirds that pass through during spring migration.

Scottsboro was named for its founder, Robert Scott. The town was founded in 1850 and a courthouse was built in 1868. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad was completed in 1856 and still stands today, with bullet holes in the brick walls and wooden cargo doors from the Civil War.

Located in the McWilliams-Smith House built in 1848, the Prattaugan Museum and Heritage Center houses historical items belonging to families who lived in the home.The central hallway of the house contains painting of notable people from Autauga's past as well as a life-size bust of Daniel Pratt, carved from the wood of a catalpa tree. Scenic watercolors and old photographs are also on display.The backyard of the Prattaugan Museum features an artesian well. At one time, these were a common sight throughout Prattville, which lead to the name "The Fountain City".

Guin is a small town in northwestern Alabama, a community of good living that has been that way since 1889. In April 1974, the town of Guin was destroyed by a tornado but residents stayed and rebuilt.The two main attractions are Guin-Hayden Riley Park and the Guin Waterpark.

The City of Fort Payne was originally known as Will's Town, named after the Cherokee Chief "Red-Haired" Will Weber in 1780. Captain Payne took control of the fort after the Cherokees were rounded up and held in the stockades at Fort Payne in 1838. This became the famous Trail of Tears. The town name officially changed to Fort Payne in 1869.Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne offers recreational opportunities that include kayaking, rock climbing, bird watching, mountain biking, hiking and swimming.

Eufaula was named after one of the three Creek tribes that inhabited the are, Lake Eufaula was also greaced with the name. Eufaula is home to numerous historic structures in the Seth Lore-Irwinton Historic District, with many listed on the National Register. The structures include examples of Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian architecture.

A group that had been politically exiled from France founded Demopolis in 1817. The name means "city of the people". The area prospered between 1820 to 1870 as cotton became a money crop and gracious mansions were built.Demopolis is located at the confluence of the Tombigbee-Black Warrior Rivers, which became an important factor for industry.

The wonderful Bellingrath Gardens with thousands upon thousands of azaleas, lies 20 mi south of Mobile on Mobile Bay.Bellingrath Gardens was patterned after the formal gardens of Italy, France and England. The brick and wrought-iron mansion, built in 1935, features a collection of decorative arts, furniture, porcelain, rugs, china and crystal.The Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain is located at the center of the garden. The gallery houses the largest collection of Boehm porcelain in existence.

Auburn University began in 1856 with 80 students and a faculty of five. The name of the university has changed 4 times over the years. The present enrollment stands at 23,300.The original building burned in the fire of 1887 and was replaced by Samford Hall in 1888. The campus includes Haley Center, the clock tower and the university chapel.

Athens is located in the central portion of northern Alabama with a population of almost 19,000. The town was incorporated in 1818 and became known as the "Crossroads of North Alabama" because it is at the intersection of Highway 72 and I-65.Athens began as a small cotton town with agriculture still the dominant industry.

The town of Anniston began as a private town in 1872 for the owners and employees of the Woostock Iron Company. The town was officially open to the public in 1883. Many of the historic structures still remain that were built for this "company" town.

The Tom Bevill Center is housed in a reproduction antebellum home c 1830-1860. Exhibits show the history of the Tombigbee River Valley through photographs, models and audiovisual presentations.The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Snagboat is a 178-foot long vessel built for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1925.

William B. Bankhead National Forest near Double Springs covers 180,000 acres containing the last remaining stand of old-growth hardwood in Alabama. The largest tree in Alabama, a 500-year old, 150 foot tall Poplar, is located in the forest.The forest is home to Alabama's only nationally designated wild and scenic river, the Sipsey. William B. Bankhead National Forest offers opportunity for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, boating, fishing, swimming, and canoeing.A variety of birds and wildlife can be found throughout the forest and wilderness area.

DeSoto Caverns was named for Hernando de Soto who discovered the cave in the 1500s, the cave was also used as a military base by the Indian Chieftain Tuscaloosa and his tribe of Coosa warriors. During the Civil War, DeSoto Caverns became a gunpowder mining center. The caverns were also used as a speakeasy and square dance hall during Prohibition.The grounds of DeSoto Caverns feature 20 attractions that include panning for gems and fossils, a squirt gun maze, archery, and spelunking in the caves.

The Aliceville Museum was established to preserve artifacts from the German prisoner of war camp in Aliceville. Other exhibits include the Aliceville Coca-Cola Bottling Company as well as agricultural history.Letters, uniforms, art, statuary, sculpture, photos, and books are on display to highlight the period during WW II. Aliceville was one of the largest war camps with more than 6,000 German prisoners of war. Many of the works of art were created by the German POWs.

The Boll Weevil Monument is dedicated to the insect who destroyed cotton crops which created diversified farming for which the town was grateful.This unusual attraction was dedicated on Dec. 11, 1919 in downtown Enterprise. The monument consists of a statue featuring a lady wearing a flowing white gown, arms stretched above her head holding a big black boll weevil. The statue stands 13-and-a-half feet above street level and is surrounded by a lighted fountain.

Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury is a 102 ac park with two Confederate cemeteries and a museum that highlights Alabama's role during the Civil War. The grounds were once home to the Confederate Soldiers Home of Alabama, the only Confederate veterans home in Alabama. The facility cared for elderly veterans, their wives and even the widows of veterans. Hiking trails are available as well as shelters for picnics.

The Pre-Civil War Cemetery in Albertville has rows of white marble and granite headstones that date back to the 1700s. The headstones feature unique and fascinating stories not found in school books and libraries. Thomas Albert, the founder of Albertville, and his family as well as other pioneers are buried in the Pre-Civil War Cemetery.

Malbis Memorial Church is a replica of a Byzantine church in Athens, Greece. Malbis Church was named for Jason Malbis, founder of Malbis Plantation. The walls display paintings of Jesus Christ and other key religious figures, the church has high vaulted ceilings and faux marble columns.Items imported from Greece to grace Malbis Memorial Church include the altar, marble pulpit and the bishop's throne.

Fort Mitchell National Cemetery has five archeological sites including prehistoric upland campsites, historic Creek settlements, the Fort Mitchell Military Post and a log school building. The Fort Mitchell cemetery became a national cemetery in 1987 and is the site of military graves from personnel in WWI to Operation Desert Storm.

The Muscle Shoals Area is located on the banks of the Tennessee River. Founded in 1923, the Shoals area is noted for its music recording industry. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Peggy Lee, Bob Seger and the Rolling Stones have recorded in Muscle Shoals. The Shoals area also offers a variety of outdoor opportunities such as golf, bird watching, camping and hiking.

Natural Bridge is a small town noted for an attraction of the same name. Natural Bridge is a 148 ft sandstone and iron ore bridge that rises 60 ft above winding pathways. The bridge was formed over 200 million years ago. Visitors cannot walk across the bridge but can view it from underneath and on the both sides.The park area around the Natural Bridge is adorned with natural gardens.

Historic Blakeley State Park was created to preserve the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, which ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. Prehistoric Indian mounds abound through the 3,800 acres. Re-enactments of the battle are held annually in April.Blakeley State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, bicycle and horseback riding.

The Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation & Center in Thomaston is housed in the former Marengo County High School, built in 1909. The main focus of the center is traditional folk art and crafts from across the state of Alabama as well as musical presentations, exercise classes, lecture series on rural heritage topics, and rural activity demonstrations are offered.

The Pioneer Museum is arranged like a small village on 35 acres with stores, a school and a typical log cabin. 19th and 20th C Southern life are recreated through displays and artifacts.An 1881 wood-burning locomotive, a covered bridge and 15 historic buildings are featured along with 18,000 artifacts.Spinning and weaving demonstrations are offered on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Arab Historic Complex in Arab has seven buildings that include a school from 1935, a 1912 church, grist mill and blacksmith shop. Authentic furnishings fill the structures that date from the 1880s to 1930s. The village was created to pay tribute to the pioneers who settled the area.

A project of the Alabama Power Foundation, the Water Course, presents interactive exhibits and educational displays about the state's water resources. The displays feature waterways and reservoirs, the geography of Alabama, and the affect of water on everyday life.

Over 160 military aircraft are housed in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, including a large collection of military helicopters. There are about 50 one-of-a-kind planes displayed including the first military production helicoptor and an Apache combat helicoptor.

Magnolia Grove is a two story Greek Revival structure built by wealthy planter Colonel Isaac Croom in 1840. The house is furnished with original pieces. There are three original outbuildings and a traditional Southern garden featuring magnolias, camellias, boxwood, and other Southern garden plants.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park was the site of the final battle of the Creek War, over 800 Upper Creek warriors lost their lives defending their homeland. Horseshoe Bend is a tribute to the site of the battle. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking through the hill and valleys, picnicking, canoeing and fishing.

Stevenson Railroad Depot in Stevenson was built in 1872 as a railroad junction although the original building was destroyed, bricks from it were used to complete the existing structure. The Depot houses railroad artifacts as well as a collection of military and agricultural displays.

The Isabel Anderson Comer Museum is home to a replica of the Hodges meteorite, a simulated log cabin, Native American artifacts, WWII memorabilia, photographs and archeological finds from the area. The permanent collection of art is rotated on a regular basis and there are featured exhibits monthly.

The Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center traces the history of the German automaker from an 1880s motorcycle manufacturer to its current state as a world-renowned automaker. Displays include vintage automobiles, racing and sports cars, and interactive exhibits.

Tigers For Tomorrow is a last stop exotic animal preserve. The preserve specializes in exotic cats, lions and tigers but also has other exotic animals. There are 70 large predators that call the preserve home.

The McMillan Museum is located in the Fine Arts Center at Jefferson Davis Community College. Highlights include archaeological artifacts and historical exhibits featuring prehistoric American Indian and Early American military and civilian items.

Conecuh National Forest is noted for its swamps, plant bogs and plain pine forests. Camping, picnicking, hiking and fishing are the recreational activities that can be enjoyed while visiting the Conecuh National Forest in southeat Alabama.

The Jesse Owens Memorial Park is a memorial to Olympian Jesse Owens, an African-American athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin. The site features replicas of Owens' home and the 1936 Olympic torch.

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is located in Hanceville, about one hour from Huntsville. There is a small devotional chapel, a near life-size nativity scene, the Great Hall, and a conference center.

Riverchase Galleria is a shopping center with over 200 stores and an adjoining luxury hotel and office tower. Situated atop a nine-story glass atrium, the center also offers arcades, a NASCAR simulator and a merry-go-round.

Originally known as "Mound State Monument" the site was the ceremonial center of the Moundville Indians. The museum houses artifacts and interpretive exhibits depicting the Moundville culture.

The Museum of East Alabama in Opelika houses over 5,000 historical artifacts from both the 19th and 20th C. The permanent exhibits include medical displays, toys, apparel as well as a piano and organ collection.

Russell Cave, near Bridgeport, is an archeological cave shelter with items on display that have been excavated. The items date from as far back as 9,000 years ago and provide evidence of life for Prehistoric Indians.

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum in Talladega was opened in 1983 as a way of preserving the history of motorsports. The collection features over 100 racing vehicles, memorabilia dating back to 1902 and a research library.

Tuskegee National Forest has a picnic area, campgrounds, fishing opportunities, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails. A replica of Booker T. Washington's childhood home is located on U.S. Highway 29 in the recreational area.

Sequoyah Caverns near Valley Head features reflecting pools with various formations, waterfalls and creeks. The caverns are named for the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet.