Best things to do in Alabama

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum encompasses an impressive motorcycle museum and a world-class racetrack. The museum's collection includes over 1,200 vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars, half of which are on display at any given time. You can view bikes from the U.S. and abroad dating back to 1904, as well as top-of-the-line creations from today. Don't miss the Lotus race cars. The racecourse features 3.8 km (2.4 mi) of track and 16 turns. Check online to see if any races are being held during your visit.

Orange Beach dolphin and whale watching excursions provide an ideal way to sail the placid waters of the Gulf of Mexico and spot a range of native land and marine animals. Pick your favorite time of the day and the most appealing watercraft--boat, jet ski, or kayak--and prepare to meet the underwater community of some of the most intelligent marine creatures in the world. Exploring with an informative guide, you'll learn about their eating and breeding habits and have plenty of chances to capture their acrobatic stunts on camera. Most tours last from 90 minutes to 3 hours.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, informally known as the National Lynching Memorial, is a national memorial to commemorate the black victims of lynching in the United States. It is intended to focus on and acknowledge past racial terrorism and advocate for social justice in America. Founded by the non-profit Equal Justice Initiative, it opened in downtown Montgomery, Alabama on April 26, 2018.
It consists of a memorial square with 805 hanging steel rectangles representing each of the U.S. counties where a documented lynching took place. It also includes several sculptures depicting themes related to racial violence.

The monument was positively received by architectural critics, activists, and the general public. Philip Kennicott of The Washington Post described it as "one of the most powerful and effective new memorials created in a generation".

Home to what's thought to be the largest cast-iron statue in the world Vulcan Park and Museum tells the history of steel production in the city. Created for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and made of 100,000 pounds of iron, the statue was modeled after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge. It represents the spirit of the city and symbolizes its origins in iron. Tour the museum to learn about the impact of steel production on this area. Climb to the top of the observation tower for a view of the city, but make sure to bring a jacket or sweater since it can get windy. There is a jogging path at the bottom of the hill, picnic areas throughout the park, and free parking available.

Enjoy white sand beaches, three lakes, an 18-hole golf course, and a network of hiking and biking trails at Gulf State Park. The park combines unspoiled nature with amenities, such as restaurants and Wi-Fi coverage. For longer stays, you can rent a cabin or a cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, satellite television, and fishing pier. If you want to camp with a tent or an RV, the park offers campgrounds with running water, sewage facilities, electricity, picnic tables, and grills. If you prefer to be surrounded by unspoiled nature, primitive camping sites are also available. Make reservations via telephone, and check online for discounts.

Walk the decks of USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, the highly decorated U.S. Navy ship that served for 37 months in World War II, now a museum at Battleship Memorial Park. The ship is half as long as the Empire State Building is tall and weighs 44,500 tons. Initially, the military intended to scrap the ship in 1962 due to its maintenance costs, but Alabama school children and corporate fundraising saved the ship and brought it back to its home state in 1964. After you’ve explored the historical vessel, you can step inside a World War II submarine, see cockpits of military aircrafts, or even enjoy a picnic on the park’s grounds.

See authentic rockets and artifacts, experience G-forces and weightlessness, and pose questions to NASA experts at U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Billed as "Earth's largest space museum," it opened in 1970, so everyone could have the opportunity to be an astronaut for a day. You can peruse exhibits, explore Space Shuttle engines, and watch dome screen and high-definition 3-D presentations. Various rides and simulators add to the fun.

Tracing the journey of one of American's most volatile times as a nation, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute researches and showcases the lessons learned during the Civil Rights Movement. Via interactive exhibits and archives, you can follow numerous events and racial struggles that have taken place in Birmingham from the 1950s until today. Take a self-guided tour through 5,400 sq m (58,000 sq ft) of galleries that present dramatic images of inequity and segregation. You'll hear true stories about the fight for equality and see life-sized displays and multimedia presentations. You'll also discover the positive events that changed the world. This museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

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Immerse yourself in the beauty of flowers, annual and perennial plants, and reconstructed ecosystems at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Covering 45 ha (112 acres), the center features a selection of themed gardens where you can see plants that range from Alabama natives to exotic species. The botanical garden is home to many birds, frogs, turtles, and other animals. One of the garden's main attractions is a large, open-air butterfly house. Many programs and facilities are aimed at kids, including a special garden that features different play areas and a splash pool. The garden has a restaurant as well as picnic areas. Most attractions are outdoors.