Places to see in Alabama vacation sights in Alabama Explore things to do in Alabama

Sometimes you just want to get out and explore. We try to strike a good balance of places that you will really enjoy. Finding ideas for family friendly outings, or interesting places to go in Alabama with your friends, both are at your fingertips here with America Top 10. We aim to give you plenty of ideas without you having to do all the research. That way you can easily decide if you want to explore Alabama sites or check out the sites in another state.

You have also heard how it is becoming a lot more popular to have staycations (where you stay home instead of going to far off places) and discover new and interesting places in the near vicinity. We try to make that easier for you. Check out the sites in Alabama that have become local favorites easily with our site.

We hope that we have provided you plenty of choices in Alabama whether this is a new area for you or your own back yard. Something a little different from the typical amusement park. If you really loved somewhere but don’t see them on our list let us know, we are always looking to improve our lists and we can only do that with your help.

McWane Science Center

Birmingham, AL

Designed to inspire a life-long love of learning, McWane Science Center has welcomed millions of visitors since opening its doors in 1998. Explorers – from ages 1 to 100 – flock year-round to see, to hear, to touch, and to experience the wonder of science in one of the South’s most unique venues.

Monte Sano State Park

Huntsville, AL

Monte Sano State Park is located near Huntsville in northeast Alabama. In Spanish, Monte Sano means “Mountain of Health.” In the late 1800s, visitors from across the United States came for “the season” to experience and enjoy Monte Sano’s fresh air, spectacular views and mineral springs.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Leeds, AL

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, is home to over 1,500 motorcycles, is dedicated to restoring, preserving, and exhibiting automotive history. It’s an exciting place to be! Each October, the museum hosts the Barber Vintage Festival, which is the largest vintage motorcycle event in the country. Each May, the museum hosts Barber Historics, which is a three-day weekend celebrating vintage cars and racing. In addition to motorcycles and cars, there are art exhibits throughout the museum and park. The museum also has two pedestrian bridges for museum members to enjoy during certain yearly events.

Railroad Park

Birmingham, AL

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of their great city. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Birmingham, AL

Ruffner Mountain is a privately held 1,038 acre urban nature preserve in the heart of Birmingham. Ruffner Mountain is a wildlife sanctuary for both plants and animals. They believe that their mountains and green spaces are what make the city of Birmingham truly unique. To lose Ruffner would be to lose not only an emerald in the chain of the Appalachians, but a cornerstone of daily life for Birmingham and metro area residents.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Huntsville, AL

Come to Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. Their facilities include Spacedome Theater, Rocket Park, the Education Training Center, which houses NASA’s Educator Resource Center, and more. The Archives of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center contains some of the most interesting information about space, on Earth

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Gulf Shores, AL

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – opened in June 1989 as Zooland Animal Park. Joey Ward of Gulf Shores founded the zoo as a private enterprise. In 1991, the Ward family created the Zoo Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation, and donated the 17 acres of prime real estate that makes up the zoo today. Three years later, the Ward family and the Erie Meyer Foundation graciously donated an additional 13 acres, which are still undeveloped.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham, AL

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, has more than 12,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains 27 unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths. The Gardens features the largest public horticulture library in the U.S., conservatories, a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, the Southern Living garden, and Japanese Gardens with a traditionally crafted tea house. Education programs run year round and over 10,000 school children enjoy free science-curriculum based field trips annually.

Tuskegee National Forest

Tuskegee, AL

The Tuskegee National Forest is a U.S. National Forest. The topography is level to moderately sloping, with broad ridges with stream terraces and broad floodplains. Tuskegee National Forest is the smallest national forest in the U.S. (and one of only six that is contained entirely within a single county), but supports many outdoor activities. There are four main hiking trails within the National Forest and three of these are also mountain biking trails. There are also horse trails, two fish ponds, the Uchee Shooting Range, Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area, primitive camping and the Taska Recreation Area.

EarlyWorks Children’s Museum

Huntsville, AL

EarlyWorks Children’s Museum was designed for children, go ahead, touch, climb, pull, explore. Hear stories from the Talking Tree, play a tune on the giant-sized instruments at the Alabama bandstand and try your hand at building in the Kidstruction Zone. Explore a 46-foot Keelboat, trade your wares at the General Store and try on 1800’s clothing in the federal house. Pre-schoolers will enjoy exploring Biscuit’s Backyard, a touch-and-learn area designed especially for them, which includes a garden, grocery store, water table and even karaoke.