Central Alabama Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Birmingham
Barber Motorsports Park featuring interior views
Barber Motorsports Park featuring interior views
Birmingham showing interior views
Barber Motorsports Park
Discover the cultural heart of Alabama in the center of the state, where you will find engaging museums, stunning scenery and thrilling events, including car races and football games.

Experience the culture of southern America’s heartland in Central Alabama, a region that is incontrovertibly shaped by its past while looking forward to a bright future. Famous cities with fascinating historical attractions sit surrounded by scenery that includes picturesque lakes. Smaller towns are shaped by their proudly held traditions.

Start your journey to Central Alabama in Birmingham, the largest city in the state. One of the landmarks in this historic city is the Vulcan Statue, a 56-foot (17-meter) sculpture of the Roman god of blacksmithing, a symbol of the region’s industrial past. Visit the Sloss Furnaces for an enthralling insight into this era of history.

Explore Birmingham’s numerous museums for a complete picture of the city’s multifaceted history. Listen to the music of the greats in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and discover a global array of paintings and sculptures at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Stop by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn about the city’s complex role in the 20th-century movement.

Wander around the historic campus of the University of Alabama in the charming city of Tuscaloosa. The campus area houses a wide array of museums, sports grounds and gardens. Watch the famous Crimson Tide play a thrilling game of football.

Central Alabama also has a proud history of motorsports. Get up close to vintage car models in the Barber Motorsports Park and the Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Join huge crowds of locals at the Talladega Superspeedway, famed for its high-speed NASCAR races.

Explore the landscapes outside the towns and cities of Central Alabama. Stroll through shaded woodland and rest by tranquil lakes in the state parks of the region. Cheaha State Park is the home of the highest point in Alabama and features hiking and biking trails. Cyclists will also enjoy the routes running through scenic Chewacla State Park.

Board a flight to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to land in the heart of Central Alabama. The region remains warm throughout the year, although spring and fall are the best times to avoid the most humid months.

Where to stay in Central Alabama

Birmingham featuring a statue or sculpture and interior views

Downtown Birmingham

Downtown Birmingham is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to McWane Science Center or Regions Field.

Downtown Birmingham
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Homewood

Travellers come to Homewood for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Birmingham Zoo and Red Mountain Park while you're in town.

Homewood
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Vestavia Hills

Visitors to Vestavia Hills enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Birmingham Ballet is worth a stop.

Vestavia Hills
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Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Zoo.

Mountain Brook
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University Area

If you're spending some time in University Area, Paul W. Bryant Museum and Coleman Coliseum are top sights worth seeing.

University Area
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Irondale

Visitors to Irondale enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Train Watching Platform is worth a stop.

Irondale
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
5000 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL
The price is AU$168 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
AU$168
includes taxes & fees
26 Nov - 27 Nov
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,159 reviews)
"bed frame was broken it was too late and I was too tired to swap rooms."

Reviewed on 20 Nov. 2024

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, Birmingham, AL
The price is AU$191 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$191
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
"The stay was exceptional. However, during checkin I was told that I would be able to check out with no additional charge. The morning after when I verified this, I was told it would be a 50.00 charge because the of the late check out."

Reviewed on 21 Nov. 2024

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Sonesta Select Birmingham
Sonesta Select Birmingham
3 out of 5
4300 Colonnade Pkwy, Birmingham, AL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$141 per night from 15 Dec to 16 Dec
AU$141
includes taxes & fees
15 Dec - 16 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Property under construction didn’t have all needed things in room"

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

Sonesta Select Birmingham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Mint House Birmingham - Downtown
Mint House Birmingham - Downtown
4 out of 5
300 18th St S, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, a business center, and onsite car rentals. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (260 reviews)
Weekend stay
"It was clean and super cute! We had a cute kitchen with a two story living room. Security measures excellent. Great communication of check in process. Parking was close. Would recommend bringing a wagon to move personal items from car to room."

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

Mint House Birmingham - Downtown
Charming Tiny House W/ Free Parking
Charming Tiny House W/ Free Parking
Birmingham
Stay at this apartment in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions The Summit and Heaviest Corner on Earth ...
Fantastic
"Really enjoyed how clean and orderly the place was. The communication and check in process was easy. The apartment was near restaurants that were easy to walk to. We had a great stay."

Reviewed on 3 Nov. 2024

Charming Tiny House W/ Free Parking
cozy cabin directly on beautiful Lake Martin
cozy cabin directly on beautiful Lake Martin
Alexander City
Stay at this vacation home in Alexander City. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Wind Creek State Park and D.A.R.E. Power Park are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (95 reviews)
Cabin on the Lake
"It was wonderful and so what 4 friends needed. Sitting on the porch overlooking Lake Martin was picturesque. The cabin was clean and everything we needed was right there for our use. The manager was helpful and friendly. A great place to stay, relax or fish."

Reviewed on 15 Oct. 2024

cozy cabin directly on beautiful Lake Martin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Central Alabama