The southeastern state of Alabama in the US of A, offers a unique travel experience. Alabama is synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement. This cosmopolitan state still clings to its vibrant history. Alabama is pulsating with a kind of raw energy that is hard to find in any other state in the US. Alabama is home to numerous world class attractions which include the Battleship Memorial Park, the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Read on, to discover some of the best tourist attractions in Alabama.
Here Are 10 Exciting Places To Visit In Alabama:
1. Step Back In Time At The Battleship Memorial Park
Embark on an incredible journey and get a stellar opportunity to delve in America’s remarkable military history by visiting the Battleship Memorial Park. This military history park –cum- museum is situated along the coast of Mobile Bay, in Mobile, Alabama.
The Battleship Memorial Park opened its doors to the general public in 1965.
One of the top attractions of this park is the USS Alabama, the 680 feet long South Dakota class warship, which played a pivotal role in World War II. Other top military attractions of this park include numerous aircrafts (including a spy plane) and weaponry from all divisions of the military.
2. Visit The Birmingham Zoo
The 122 acre, Birmingham Zoo, is a top notch zoological park which is located in the state of Alabama. This park which was inaugurated in 1955 is home to over 950 animals which belong to 230 different species.
The main aim of this zoo is to inspire passion for the natural world.
Some of the notable animal attractions of this zoo include the black footed penguins, African elephants, koalas and the komodo dragons (to name a few animal exhibits). Besides getting up close and personal with the exotic animal species at this world class zoological center, the Birmingham zoo also offers many exciting activities for the whole family, like train rides, carousel rides, animal shows, safari zip line adventure and wild slide. The awesome cafes within the precincts of this zoo allow visitors to grab a quick bite.
3. Have Plenty Of Fun at Gulf State Park
Enjoy the sun speckled sand crunching beneath your feet, greet the surging surf as it tickles your toes and listen to the raucous cries of the sea gulls at the picturesque Gulf State Park.
This state park and recreation area is situated in the beautiful city of Gulf Shores in southern Baldwin Country, Alabama.
The Gulf State Park comprises of 6,150 acres of land. The park offers numerous recreational facilities which include hiking, fishing, swimming, water skiing and surfing. Tourists who want spend a couple of days to soak up the unimaginable natural beauty of this park, can opt to stay in the numerous cottages, cabins and camping sites which are located inside the park.
4. Enjoy The Tranquility Of Huntsville Botanical Garden
Huntsville Botanical Garden which is open to the public all year round, conmprises of 112 acres of tranquility. This botanical garden is located in Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville, Alabama.
The park was officially inaugurated in May 21, 1988. Some of the top notch attractions of the Huntsville Botanical Gardens include the numerous well laid out nature trails, the beautifully landscaped children’s garden, the charming aquatic garden, the awe-inspiring nature center and the stunning butterfly house.
The botanical garden also hosts numerous entertaining shows throughout the year like the Scarecrow Trail, Huntsville Bloom and the stunning Galaxy of Lights.
5. Be Mesmerized By The Exhibits At Birmingham Museum Of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art which was founded in 1951 is a vibrant museum located in Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard in Alabama. The museum is spread over 3.9 acres of land right in the heart of the cultural district of Alabama.
This world class museum houses over 27,000 priceless works of art.
The Birmingham Museum of Art which offers an unparalleled educational and cultural experience to visitors, exhibits a mind boggling array of sculptures, painting, prints and drawings which date from the prehistoric period to the modern era.
6. Explore The McWane Science Center
McWane Science Center which is located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama is an awesome place for children of all ages to explore and learn. Millions of visitors flock to this state of the art science museum and research archive since it opened its doors back in 1998.
The main aim of the McWane Science Center is to give children, adults and teachers an insight into the intricacies of science through hands on learning experience.
Afew of the permanent exhibits of this museum include Fox 6 Weather Lab, High Cycle, Shark and Ray Touch Tank, as well as Science on a Sphere. The 280 seat John. W Woods Imax Dome Theater in McWane Science Center is the ideal place to enjoy the ultimate movie experience.
7. Tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute through its permanent exhibits aims to educate the general public about the life of the inhabitants of Alabama from the late 1800’s to the modern era.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute also brings into focus through its numerous galleries the glaring differences in the lives of the black and white populate of this southern American State in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The most important gallery of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is the Movement Gallery. This gallery is dedicated at giving the modern generation a compelling insight into the Civil Rights Movement.
8. Soak Up The Serenity Of Cathedral Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a Roman Catholic Church is located in Mobile, Alabama. The corner stone of this beautiful church was laid in 1835. Besides spending some quiet time at this beautiful place of worship visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the colossal double rows of fluted Doric columns, its spectacular barrel vaulted ceiling, the stunning Italian marble altar and the exquisite German stained glass windows.
9. Be Awestruck By The U.S Space And Rocket Center
The U.S Space and Rocket Center is located in tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama. The U.S Space and Rocket Center functions as an associate of Smithsonian Institution and the official NASA visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center. A visit to the U.S Space and Rocket Center gives visitors a chance to study artifacts and exhibits which are related to space travel. This place also gives tourists an in-depth insight into the evolution and the growth of the Space Shuttle Program.
10. Commune With Nature At Noccalula Falls Park
The grand Noccalula Falls which is surrounded by a 250 acres of parkland and a beautiful recreation area is located in Gadsen, Alabama. This beautiful waterfall, which attracts thousands of visitors all year round, tumbles down from a height of 90 feet from the western end of Lookout Mountain. Besides enjoying the majestic beauty of these falls visitors can also explore the numerous hiking trails, picnic areas and the lush botanical garden which is located right next to the falls.
