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ALABAMA

Delve a little further into Sweet Home Alabama and you’ll soon learn that ‘sweet’ is an understatement for this southern State. It is, in fact, a jam-packed, vivacious state of historical pioneers and legendary activists as well as a lively, outpouring of music and entertainment, exemplified in the Muscle Shoals region, once known as the ‘The Hit Recording Capital of the World’, and Mobile’s Mardi Gras.

OUTDOORS IN ALABAMA

From the underground caverns in Alabama’s North East region to the Gulf of Mexico in the South, Alabama is a place of wondrous, natural phenomena. A wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, the biodiversity and opportunity to come up close to some of the world’s most endangered species is second-to-none.

TOP OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

01: DAUPHIN ISLAND

01: DAUPHIN ISLAND

Reached by bridge or boat, Dauphin Island is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico famed for its clear blue waters, fine white sands and stunning sunsets. It’s also a site of historical significance – Fort Gaines was active during the Civil War while the Shell Mound Park preserves remnants from Native American life as far back as in AD 1100.

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02: MOBILE TENSAW-DELTA

02: MOBILE TENSAW-DELTA

You’re in with a chance of spotting alligators and bald eagles on this kayak tour of the Mobile Tensaw-Delta, often referred to as the USA’s Amazon. A sprawling wetland wilderness that encompasses marshes, swamps and bayous, it boasts more aquatic biodiversity than any other river in the world.

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03: BON SECOUR WILDLIFE REFUGE

03: BON SECOUR WILDLIFE REFUGE

Serving as a sanctuary for endangered and threatened wildlife, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge was set up in 1980 to conserve an undisturbed beach and dune ecosystem. It provides a haven for around 400 species of birds as well as the rare Alabama beach mouse and the most endangered species of sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley.

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04: LAKE SHELBY, GULF STATE PARK

04: LAKE SHELBY, GULF STATE PARK

Gulf State Park is a mecca for outdoor activities including paddleboarding, parasailing, hiking and cycling. Hop on a bike to cover as much of the park’s 6,500 acres as possible and seek out its most famous residents, the alligator. End your cycle with a plunge in Lake Shelby, a stunning freshwater lake.

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05: CATHEDRAL CAVERNS

05: CATHEDRAL CAVERNS

Alabama has over 4,000 caves and, Cathedral Caverns, originally named Bat Cave, is one of the most impressive. It gets its name from the majestic entrance and cathedral-like appearance and is famed for a stalagmite that betrays physics at 27ft tall and a mere 3 inches wide. Look out for the seemingly frozen waterfall and stalagmite forest.

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KEY CITIES IN ALABAMA

HUNTSVILLE

Where they invented the “Bang! Pow!” that sent us “To the Moon!” Some cities just have bigger dreamers than others. The Rocket City, famous for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and its part in the race to the Moon, is once again blasting off. Continuing to attract the country’s best scientists and engineers, this beautiful city is also enjoying a renaissance. Restaurants, shops, craft breweries and other social hotspots are popping up everywhere and thriving.

MUSCLE SHOALS

Lying on the banks of the Tennessee River, the sleepy town of Muscle Shoals catapulted to fame in the sixties when the iconic FAME studios was opened, followed by Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. The town came to be known as "The Hit Recording Capital of the World". You can also visit Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, author, activitist and disability rights advocate; as well as the birthplace and musuem of "Father of the Blues", W.C. Handy.

BIRMINGHAM

It’s possible to keep everyone happy. All it takes is a little Magic City. The largest city in Alabama is, unsurprisingly, not short on things to do. Visit the world's largest motorycle museum, The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum; eat at James Beard award-winning restaurants; catch your favourite artist at the world-famous Alabama Theater; explore the world of science and discovery at the McWane Science Center; and uncover the history of Civil Rights across the city. Birmingham’s central location makes it a handy hub to reach Alabama’s other great spots.

MONTGOMERY

Those who study the past will define the future. The setting for many significant moments of the Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery understands its role in preserving these historical sites so that their lessons will continue to be told. Follow along the Civil Rights Trail and reexperience the events that changed the world. The state’s capital city is also home to a thriving arts and entertainment scene. Check out many of the city’s theaters and museums or take yourself out to the ballgame and go root for the Biscuits.

MOBILE

Funky, feisty, and festive, historic, hip, and happening, or colorful, cool and cultured—you can call this coastal town a lot of things when you have a vibrant 300-year history with lots of stories to tell and long-standing traditions celebrated on a regular basis. Mobile is home to the longest-running Mardi Gras celebration in the US , a WWII-era battleship, the USS Alabama, and acts as the gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

Huntsville

Muscle Shoals

Birmingham

Montgomery

Mobile

KEY CITIES IN ALABAMA

Huntsville

Where they invented the “Bang! Pow!” that sent us “To the Moon!” Some cities just have bigger dreamers than others. The Rocket City, famous for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and its part in the race to the Moon, is once again blasting off. Continuing to attract the country’s best scientists and engineers, this beautiful city is also enjoying a renaissance. Restaurants, shops, craft breweries and other social hotspots are popping up everywhere and thriving.

Muscle Shoals

Lying on the banks of the Tennessee River, the sleepy town of Muscle Shoals catapulted to fame in the sixties when the iconic FAME studios was opened, followed by Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. The town came to be known as "The Hit Recording Capital of the World". You can also visit Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, author, activitist and disability rights advocate; as well as the birthplace and musuem of "Father of the Blues", W.C. Handy.

Birmingham

It’s possible to keep everyone happy. All it takes is a little Magic City. The largest city in Alabama is, unsurprisingly, not short on things to do. Visit the world's largest motorycle museum, The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum; eat at James Beard award-winning restaurants; catch your favourite artist at the world-famous Alabama Theater; explore the world of science and discovery at the McWane Science Center; and uncover the history of Civil Rights across the city. Birmingham’s central location makes it a handy hub to reach Alabama’s other great spots.

Montgomery

Those who study the past will define the future. The setting for many significant moments of the Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery understands its role in preserving these historical sites so that their lessons will continue to be told. Follow along the Civil Rights Trail and reexperience the events that changed the world. The state’s capital city is also home to a thriving arts and entertainment scene. Check out many of the city’s theaters and museums or take yourself out to the ballgame and go root for the Biscuits.

Mobile

Funky, feisty, and festive, historic, hip, and happening, or colorful, cool and cultured—you can call this coastal town a lot of things when you have a vibrant 300-year history with lots of stories to tell and long-standing traditions celebrated on a regular basis. Mobile is home to the longest-running Mardi Gras celebration in the US , a WWII-era battleship, the USS Alabama, and acts as the gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

OTHER EXPERIENCES IN ALABAMA

ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of 468 holes of championship-caliber golf at eleven sites across Alabama.

Renovated in 2008, The Highlands course has been restored to its original Scottish Links design. Completely opposite in design is the River course, the only Robert Trent Jones layout without a single bunker. The Highlands course is one of the gems of the Trail. The finishing holes are scenic and challenging.

US Space and Rocket Centre

Spend a day out of this world at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Explore the history of space exploration or get hands-on at the interactive exhibits. People of all generations can feel like an astronaut for the day or the week! See the National Historic Landmark – an authentic Saturn V moon rocket – one of only three on display in the world!

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio/FAME

In the sixties and seventies, Muscle Shoals was the epicenter of popular music thanks to two iconic recording studios, FAME Studios, founded by Rick Hall, and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, founded by The Swampers - the original FAME house band. Both studios welcome visitors from around the world to stand in the spot where legendary artists such as Arethra Franklin and The Rolling Stones recorded global hits.

US/Alabama Civil Rights Trail

The heart of the Civil Rights Movement during the mid-20th century was founded here. Go behind the scenes of the lives of those that started a movement. From Rosa Parks’ refusal to take the back seat to the courageous Freedom Riders, Alabama is home to some of the most pivotal moments in history

Mobile Mardi Gras

The Mobile Mardi Gras was the first to take place in the US, and lasts over two and a half weeks, concluding on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliantly colored floats and, of course, teeming crowds of parade-goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders festooned in satin and sequins, and armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, MoonPies, doubloons and candy.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

US Space and Rocket Centre

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio/FAME

US/Alabama Civil Rights Trail

Mobile Mardi Gras

OTHER EXPERIENCES IN ALABAMA

ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of 468 holes of championship-caliber golf at eleven sites across Alabama.

Renovated in 2008, The Highlands course has been restored to its original Scottish Links design. Completely opposite in design is the River course, the only Robert Trent Jones layout without a single bunker. The Highlands course is one of the gems of the Trail. The finishing holes are scenic and challenging.

US Space and Rocket Centre

Spend a day out of this world at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Explore the history of space exploration or get hands-on at the interactive exhibits. People of all generations can feel like an astronaut for the day or the week! See the National Historic Landmark – an authentic Saturn V moon rocket – one of only three on display in the world!

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio/FAME

In the sixties and seventies, Muscle Shoals was the epicenter of popular music thanks to two iconic recording studios, FAME Studios, founded by Rick Hall, and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, founded by The Swampers - the original FAME house band. Both studios welcome visitors from around the world to stand in the spot where legendary artists such as Arethra Franklin and The Rolling Stones recorded global hits.

US/Alabama Civil Rights Trail

The heart of the Civil Rights Movement during the mid-20th century was founded here. Go behind the scenes of the lives of those that started a movement. From Rosa Parks’ refusal to take the back seat to the courageous Freedom Riders, Alabama is home to some of the most pivotal moments in history

Mobile Mardi Gras

The Mobile Mardi Gras was the first to take place in the US, and lasts over two and a half weeks, concluding on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliantly colored floats and, of course, teeming crowds of parade-goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders festooned in satin and sequins, and armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, MoonPies, doubloons and candy.