ALABAMA
Alabama Vacation – Visit the Gulf State

Alabama Hotels, Beaches and mountains are the highlights of a state immortalized in a song, Sweet Home, Alabama. Trouble is, Californians (in general) don't know much about Alabama till they've been there. It's kind of sad that such a beautiful state with so much to offer gets overlooked as being just another far away place.

Locals say that something magical happens when you visit this charmed destination who's state flower is the camellia. In California we know a lot about this beautiful flower and we celebrate it with several camellia festivals and beautiful blossoms in the Huntington Library and Gardens Camellia Garden, or at the California State Capitol. You see, you have more in common with Alabama than your realize if you love camellias.

Alabama is 330 miles long and 190 miles wide at its most distant points, making the highlights an easy drive.

Alabama is known for its history and Birmingham, Alabama's largest city (Birmingham-Hoover Metro Area exceeds 1.5 million residents,) has a Civil Rights District and an Institute for Civil Rights
The Dining Table of the South
Downtown Theater District
Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham Civil Rights District
Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum features the largest private collection of motorcycles in the world.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

There are around 70 hotels to choose from and no shortage of character, comfort and charm among them.

Home to the Civil Right movement, many museums, trails and monuments commemorate the emancipation of individuals. Alabama was a battleground during the U.S. Civil War and offers a glimpse into that era at Fort Morgan, the site of the Battle of Mobile Bay. From great dining to beach sunbathing, R&R, mountain hiking, museum tours, road trips on its easy highways and stops along the way, you can get to Alabama from many airports that fly into its major airport facilities.

Getting there:

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport - BHM Huntsville International
Mobile Regional
Montgomery Regional
Dothan Regional
Headland Municipal Airport
Tuscaloosa Municipal

Gulf Shores offers relaxing beaches, as does Orange Beach with its 20 or so hotel options. championship golf courses, deep-sea charter fishing trips from Dauphin Island, dining and shopping galore. Hike through one of our Alabama wildlife areas complete with gators and shorebirds.

Hotel and motel chains offer the accommodations at affordable prices travelers seek in Alabama.

Alabama covers 52,423 square miles, making it the 30th largest of the 50 states, and includes 67 counties.

Attractions:
Gulf Beaches (Gulf Shores) – 32 miles of breathtaking emerald gulf water and sugar-white sand. Championship golf, fishing, dining and more. Beachfront accommodations and public beach access available.

Dauphin Island Cruises (Dauphin Island) – Excursions around parts of Dauphin Island. Cruise by historic Fort Gaines, shrimp boats, Sand Island lighthouse, dolphins at play in the Gulf of Mexico.

Walter F. George Lake (aka Lake Eufaula) (Eufaula) – Known as Big Bass Capital of the World.” Excellent year-round opportunities for fishing, boating and other outdoor recreation.

Bankhead National Forest (Double Springs) Brushy Lake Recreation Area. Open camping with water provided Apr. 1–Sept. 30. Spend one day or several in scenic forest. Hiking trails, fishing, boating and camping areas provided.

Events: Orange Beach October Fishing Rodeo, Annual National Shrimp Festival, Mobile International Festival, Alabama Coastal BirdFest, Lake Guntersville Wild Irish Run, Guntersville Boat Parade 20th Annual Stars on the Lake

More info: Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel