Alabama

Best time to visit Alabama

The best time to visit Alabama depends on your interests and preferences.

The best weather can be found in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) which offer the most comfortable temperatures. Spring and autumn are also the best seasons for outdoor activities as the cooler temperatures offer the best conditions for hiking, biking, and exploring state parks.

If you are interested in a beach vacation, summer is probably the best time for you to visit as it offers the warmest weather which is great for enjoying the Gulf Coast beaches.

For budget-minded travellers, winter offers lower prices on accommodation and flights making it a great time to explore this wonderful state for less.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Alabama depends on your individual preferences and what you hope to experience during your trip.

Discover Alabama

Nestled in the heart of the American Deep South, Alabama has a flavour of its own and is a perfect fly-drive destination whether that is combining it with the neighbouring states of Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana or just exploring Alabama on its own. Rich in music heritage, international superstars including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and The Rolling Stones all came to Muscle Shoals, the ‘Hit Recording Capital of the World’ to record songs in the 60’s and 70’s.

Alabama also played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement which changed America. Montgomery, the state’s capital was home to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Rosa Parks Museum tells this inspirational story. Visit the authentic and cosmopolitan city of Birmingham and the moving Civil Rights Institute which tells the story of racial segregation in the USA and the Civil Rights Movement.

For thrill seekers, the U.S. Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville has simulators that allow visitors to experience a space shot, G-force, and weightlessness. The port city of Mobile is home of the very first Mardi Gras which took place in 1703 and is still celebrated today. End your adventure in Alabama by relaxing on the picture-perfect, powder-white sands of the Gulf Shores and the resort of Orange Beach, playing golf, getting out on the water in a boat, or going in search of dolphins on a cruise.

Highlights of Alabama

What is Alabama famous for?

• Huntsville
• Birmingham
• The Shoals
• Montgomery
• Mobile, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Swipe left or right to learn more about each destination.

Huntsville

Huntsville is America’s ‘Rocket City’, home to the popular and incredible U.S. Space and Rocket Centre which celebrates the history and future of NASA. See a full-size Saturn V Rocket and space shuttle and experience simulators and rides. It also has its own ‘Space Camp’ that adults and children nine years and older can enroll in, where they can build robots, design space suits and rockets and experience the weightlessness of a spacewalk. Huntsville continues to boom and is regularly voted ‘one of the best cities to live in America’. Other must visits include the pretty Botanical Gardens, and the Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, the largest privately owned arts facility in the USA.

Birmingham

Alabama's largest city was named after Birmingham, UK and is known for its foodie scene, lively entertainment districts, arts, and attractions. First stop when visiting the city should be Vulcan Park and Museum, home to the Vulcan, the largest cast iron statue in the world which has fabulous views of the city. Birmingham is home to some important civil rights sites such as the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where on the 15 September 1963, a bomb planted by the Ku Klux Klan tragically killed four young girls, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which tells the powerful stories of the struggles and successes of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Shoals

The Shoals are made up of the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia and Sheffield. Music is at the heart of The Shoals, with attractions such as W.C Handy’s Birthplace, Museum and Library in Florence. W.C Handy was the ‘Father of the Blues’ and you can see his log cabin house filled with memorabilia including his piano, sheet music and trumpet. Visit the Fame Recording Studios founded by Rick Hall and tour the studios where artists including Etta James, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin created hit songs. Also, visit Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where Tina Turner recorded and discover the secret room. Alternatively, you can learn more about Alabama’s music icons at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Montgomery

Sitting on the beautiful Alabama River, the compact and pristine city of Montgomery is regarded as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. One of the biggest attractions to visit is the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, where you can learn about the story of the crucially important Bus Boycott. See the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, a mass meeting point for the Bus Boycott, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as Pastor. See the impressive architecture of the grand Alabama State Capitol Building on a free tour and for music fans, the Hank Williams Museum pays homage to the country music icon, where you can view his baby blue 1952 Cadillac convertible.

Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Home of the original Mardi Gras, charming Mobile is also the gateway to the pristine white sands of Alabama’s Gulf Shores and nearby Orange Beach. Mobile is a melting pot of cultures with French, Spanish and African influences showcased in museums, cuisine and architecture. Mobile was home to the first Mardi Gras in 1703, meaning February is a magical time to visit the city to experience the colour and fun of Mardi Gras, or if visiting at other times of the year, you can get a taste of Mardi Gras at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The turquoise waters and the white soft sands of the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the idyllic places to end your time in Alabama, with some of the best beaches in the USA, it also boasts great golf courses, water-sports, tasty seafood and the chance to spot dolphins.