Activities
Highlights
Top Events
- Jan 1-Feb 28, 2012
Winter Camellias - Jan 3-Feb 28, 2012
Can We Move Beyond Stereotypes: Dedicated to Improving Human Relations - Jan 22-Mar 2, 2012
Art of the State Exhibition - Jan 27-Dec 2, 2012
Culinary Boot Camp - Feb 3-4, 2012
African American Leadership Conference - Feb 10-12, 2012
Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend
Explore Alabama Trails
Take a journey back in time, explore our rich cultural heritage, see the wonder of the spring or fall bird migration, or just enjoy a peaceful drive through a blend of brilliant autumn foliage. Alabama has great adventures for every interest on the many tours and trails just waiting for you.
A Circle of Colors
Follow every curve of the highway to a scenic journey in Alabama. Beginning at Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham, this trail takes you to the best places to view fall color in the northern half of the state. You'll wind through picturesque areas such as Bankhead National Forest, the Natchez Trace Parkway and Lookout Mountain Parkway, taking in sights like Noccalula Falls and Little River Canyon. This autumn adventure offers plenty of quaint, enjoyable stops along the way.
Covered Bridge Trail
Connect with your favorite covered bridge in Alabama on the Covered Bridge Trail. From one of the highest covered bridges in the nation to one of the longest in the region, you'll discover some of the state's links to the past. Marvel at the construction materials and techniques as well as the scenic beauty surrounding them. In addition to the restored originals, you can also visit some new covered bridges and learn more about the history of these structures.
Food & Wine Trail
If you set out to discover the "100 Dishes To Eat in Alabama Before You Die," you're guaranteed to find some of the most distinctive cuisine in the country, if not the world. Down-home favorites such as barbecue, grits and local veggies abound, and Alabama's Gulf Coast provides a bounty of succulent seafood. Get a taste of traditional Southern desserts, such as peach pie and banana pudding, as well as innovative originals like peanut butter and jelly in phyllo.
Alabama Birding Trail
The most notable birding trail in the state is the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. It loops around delta bottomlands, Mobile Bay and the sandy terrain bordering the Gulf of Mexico and includes road signs identifying each of the 50 birding sites. A number of other birding trails stretch from the mountains of North Alabama to the gently unfolding fields and forests of the Chattahoochee River Valley of southeastern Alabama. Explore them all here.
Alabama Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail
The Black Belt is named for the rich black soil that grew superior cotton during the 19th century. The collapse of the plantation economy during the Civil War left a legacy of "soul food" cooking, art fashioned from found materials, vast stretches of pristine river bottomland and the Civil Rights Movement. With terrain formed by the meanderings of the Black Warrior, Tombigbee and Alabama rivers, the region is also home to biologically diverse state parks and other natural habitats.
Alabama Civil Rights Museum Trail
Visit the many places in Alabama that were battlegrounds of the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 to 1965. The museums featured here are the best places to examine the roles of Alabamians in that struggle. Learn of those whose sacrifices and bravery changed the world. In fact, while exploring Alabama's trail, you might even encounter people who were active in the movement and will share their unique perspectives on this American achievement.
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Take a paddleboat or motorboat along the Alabama Scenic River Trail, and you'll find yourself in the midst of beautiful backcountry river sections where creeks flow from protected lands. Parts of the trail, the longest in any single state of the country, also flow past some of Alabama's best-known cities. Parks and campsites border much of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, affording places to stop and rest. The trail includes recreational river lakes that offer excellent fishing
Civil War Trail
Alabama's Civil War heritage is as complex and diverse as the land itself. The roots of that bitter conflict are entwined in the very fabric of our state. Step back in time and tour antebellum homes, historic residences, museums, the first White House of the Confederacy, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan and many other points of interest. Discover the state's Confederate past and the role Alabamians played in shaping the country as we know it today.
Fall Color Trail
As the greens of summer surrender to glittering yellow poplars, scarlet dogwoods, orange maples and golden hickories, Alabama unfolds its patchwork quilt of color in the fall. This blend of brilliant autumn foliage, coupled with cooler temperatures and an occasional gentle breeze, makes for an unforgettable experience. Plan your drive or hike to marvel at the scenery from vantages such as the Ave Maria Grotto, Joe Wheeler Dam and the highest point in the state, Cheaha State Park.
Hank Williams Trail
Often called "The Father of Contemporary Country Music," Hank Williams was one of the most influential country musicians of all time. Born in Mount Olive in 1923, a star at age 25 and dead at 29, Williams lived a life as troubled and reckless as that depicted in his songs. This trail will take you to many significant spots, including the Hank Williams, Sr. Boyhood Home & Museum in Georgiana and his final resting place at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery.
Native American Trail
For thousands of years prior to white settlement, the place that is today called Alabama was home to many different culture groups of Native Americans. The Native American Trail documents the battles and conflicts that occurred during the settlement of Alabama. It also features archaeological sites preserving even older cultures. Located in four different regions of the state, the trails are the Trail of Tears, the Creek Indian War Trail, the Mound Builders Trail and Red Eagle's Trail.
West Alabama Hunting & Fishing Trail
Positioned where the Appalachian Mountains meet the coastal plain and the Black Warrior River, West Alabama is well known for its fishing and hunting. The abundance of lakes, rivers and hunting areas throughout the region makes it perfect for a recreational getaway or a relaxing vacation. Whether you want the thrill of reeling in a largemouth bass or enjoying some of the best white-tailed deer hunting in the country, you are sure to find what you're looking for on this trail.
Alabama's Hunting & Fishing Trail for People with Physical Disabilities
This trail is a network of public and private recreational sites throughout the state, providing accessible fishing, shooting and hunting opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. It was developed by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in cooperation with a broad range of sponsors. Hunting sites on the trail are provided by various public and private entities. Participants may bring a nonhunting partner to assist as needed.
Alabama Antique Trail
The Alabama Antique Trail is an online photo tour, description and map of 132 antique shops in Alabama. It's the perfect way to find the antique you have been searching for – and many items you weren't looking for but cannot resist. This trail is an experience in Southern hospitality as well as a visual treat of the architectural and geographical features of the state and its small-town and downtown charm.
Saturday Walking Tours
Experience the culture and history of Alabama this spring with Saturday Walking Tours. Some 25 towns across the state are offering free guided walking tours each Saturday morning in April. Each tour begins at 10 a.m. and is approximately one hour long. Community leaders will escort you through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns, sharing their personal remembrances and some tall tales from the old days.
