The One With All The Love For Alabama

Okay, I have to sneak this post in before we get any further into college football season. By October I will deny ever having said anything good about Alabama.

But seriously, what Alabama lacks in good football, they make up for in charming towns!

I’m sure some will consider this blasphemy coming from a girl who bleeds orange, but I think Alabama might be my new favorite state. (Until recently, that title has been reserved for South Dakota.) Vol fans, calm down; hear me out; and then decide for yourself. Trust me, you can still wear orange and sing Rocky Top in most parts of this state.

Admittedly, we haven’t explored every inch of the state…yet. However, it’s a situation of ‘the more you know, the more you want to know.’ So far, from everything we’ve seen, we’re pretty smitten. Here’s a quick run down on our favorite spots.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is the best kept secret ever. Trust me, I’ve tested a ton of beaches! A few reasons we love Gulf Shores:

• All the destinations of a tourist town without feeling touristy
• The majority of its beachfront property is a State Park. Even in the height of summer, the beaches in the State Park aren’t crowded.
• Located between Mobile and Pensacola, you have the amenities of a bigger city within a 45 minute drive.
• Small town charm with a very welcoming community feel.
• Some of the most beautiful water and sand that you’ll find anywhere!

Huntsville, Alabama AKA Rocket City

Recently US News & World Report named Huntsville the #1 city in the United States for families. After 2 months, we wholeheartedly understand why it received the accolade. The town is clean, smart and pours a ton of effort into community resources.

Three quick examples that we’ve been able to take advantage of:

• Huntsville has 312 miles of connected greenway trails.
• The library system is the best we’ve ever seen. Our branch has a ‘Creator Studio’ with 3D printers, Cricut Machines, sewing machines, laser engravers and poster printers. There’s also a coffee shop right in the library and tons of great programs for kids and teens.
• The Park and Recreation resources are incredible. All of the facilities are top notch and they have so many programs!

Additionally, Huntsville offers fantastic museums (most famous, The Space and Rocket Center), great food, and a beautiful botanical garden. Overall, it’s just a gorgeous city that sits in the foothills of the mountains. Oh, and did I mention that the Tennessee River passes by Huntsville just south of the city?

Dauphin Island, Alabama

Unless you’re into marine science or fishing, you may not know that Dauphin Island exists. However, it’s a hidden gem on the very southern edge of Mobile Bay. Due to its location, Dauphin Island is an epicenter for marine life.

There’s a great Sea Lab and Aquarium located on the island. Additionally, Fort Gaines sits on the southern end of the island and played a large role in the Civil War. As a whole, the Island is ideal for both learning and relaxing.

Florence and Muscle Shoals, Alabama

These two towns are right next to each other and they should be on your ‘must visit’ list for several reasons. Here are a few of our favorite places to visit in this area:

• Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (super famous! Look it up if you think you’ve never heard of it because I can assure you, you can sing many lyrics to songs recorded here!)
• Helen Keller Birthplace Museum
• Frank Lloyd Wright House
• Rattlesnake Saloon– a restaurant in a cave

This area is incredibly memorable!

Fairhope, Alabama

If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark movie then you know exactly what Fairhope looks like. It’s true perfection. The location itself is on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, giving Fairhope prime position for gorgeous sunsets. On top of that, the downtown street is full of historical charm and magical lights.

This is a great destination if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax for a few days, eat some delicious food, and do a little boutique shopping.

While Fairhope is adorable year round, there’s truly nothing like seeing it decorated for Christmas!

Honorable Mention

There are a few specific destinations that we’ve been to in Alabama that we really liked. Here are the spots that should go on your list too:

• Carnival Museum (Mobile)
• Unclaimed Baggage Store (Scottsboro)
• USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (Mobile)
• State Capitol Building (Montgomery)
• College campuses: Auburn and University of Alabama (as much as it pains me to say it- we love spending time visiting other schools.)

Alabama on our Bucket List

While both our boat and our car have been all over this state, there are still a lot of places on our bucket list that we want to visit. For example, we’ve spent tons of time in Birmingham, but mostly with friends and not as tourists. Here are some additional places in Alabama to have on your radar:

• Talladega Speedway
• Birmingham Zoo
• Cathedral Caverns State Park
• Cheaha State Park
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Any Alabama experts want to add to our list? If so, I’d love for you to leave a comment!

As always thanks for keeping up with our adventures! You might also enjoy reading:

South Dakota, My New Favorite State

7 Places To See In Every State

Beyond Magnolia Market: Waco, Texas

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