State of Alabama Travel

The state of Alabama is also referred to as "The Heart of Dixie."  This is because the state is an important part of southern heritage.  Tradition co-exists seamlessly with the state-of-the-art technology in the place.

A. Tourist Attractions in Alabama

1. Ave Maria Grotto located in Cullman- this 4 acre park is also called "Jerusalem in Miniature." This was built by a Benedictine monk named Brother Joseph Zoetti. It houses 125 miniature reproductions of famous shrines and historical structures all over the world.

2. The “Peanut city” of Dothan. Most of the state’s peanuts are grown here. They have a yearly Peanut Festival in November.

3. Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile – this is where the battleship USS Alabama and USS Drum are displayed.  It also exhibits various tanks and airplanes.

4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home – this is a 65-acre garden estate that provides tours and river cruises. They are famous for its rose garden.

5. Birmingham Museum of Art – the biggest museum in the entire state with an art collection of more than 21,000 pieces.

6. Old Alabama Town in Montgomery has 40 restored buildings including a tavern and a drug store. The structures are all from the 1800s. There are some restored residences also. Most of the restored homes have slave's quarters and kitchens outside the house.

7. DeSoto Caverns Park – the biggest cave found in the state of Alabama. It stands 12 stories high and as large as a football field. Several recreational facilities are provided outside the cave. Oprah included the cavern in her list of Wacky Family Attraction.

8. Russell Cave in Bridgeport is where a prehistoric man more than 10,000 years old was discovered.

9. Early Works Museum Complex -  This is a complex of three history museums.

10. International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum – it contains various pieces pertaining to motorsports. One display is the Budweiser rocket car which was the first automobile to ever break the speed of sound.  The Talladega Super Speedway, a venue for motorsport racing, is located here.

11. Noccalulua Falls Park – this is a 250-acre public park with various recreational facilities.

12. Dauphin Island – another must see place in Alabama.  It has pristine beaches and a Dauphin Island Sea Lab that showcases marine life.

13. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – this is the biggest golf course ever made with 400 holes all over the state of Alabama.

14. US Space & Rocket Center – it has the biggest collection of pieces from space and various rockets.
The state of Alabama plays a key role in the South.  Its amazing tourist attractions and the numerous recreational facilities along with its historical significance makes this state truly distinctive and unique.