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 centre 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 interior views and a statue or sculpture

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
Vulcan Statue which includes a city

Five Points South

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Five Points South include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Regions Field or Vulcan Statue while you're exploring the area.

Five Points South
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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
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
5000 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL
The price is AU$140 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$140
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,279 reviews)
"I wasn’t crazy about the surrounding area; however, the hotel was clean. My husband and I ate dinner at the hotel. Ordered the pizza, and it was delicious!"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
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$226 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$226
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,154 reviews)
"Average. Good stay"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

3 out of 5
60 State Farm Pkwy, Homewood, Birmingham, AL
The price is AU$141 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$141
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (197 reviews)
"Room was nice. Only issue was that the bed was very squeaky & fairly comfortable"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood
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.
Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley

2 out of 5
215 Cosper Bend Rd, Childersburg, AL
Stay at this cabin in Childersburg. Enjoy free parking, patios, and climate control. Popular attractions Sally West Park and The Meadows Golf Course are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (19 reviews)
"best experience i ever had at a cabin the stuff was very helpful to me for a person with no car or a partner they literally was there for me everytime i needed them i love every last one of them the inside of the cabin is beautiful in has everything you need its also a beautiful fire pit outside ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley
Barsala Midtown

Barsala Midtown

4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions The Summit and Heaviest ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"Consistently consistent. Clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

Barsala Midtown
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 laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wind Creek State Park and Woods Island ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
Very affordable getaway.
"Very nice little lake house. Yes it is dated but it is very affordable for being on the lake. It is everything you need to have a pleasurable vacation."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

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