Growing up in the south, we would visit the beach every summer – sometimes twice! But now that I live in the Midwest, it’s not as easy to get to the beach. It’s at least a day’s drive from our home in Illinois. But, one of the locations that everyone from here travels to is Alabama. Did you know Alabama has fantastic BBQ, beautiful beaches, and the southern hospitality everyone loves?! I sure didn’t until I heard everyone talking about it! There’s a whole state full of amazing things to do that is fun for the whole family! So, when the Alabama Tourism approached me and asked me to share with you some of the amazing places to visit in Alabama, I was more than happy to! I’m sure looking forward to visiting on our next family vacation. I think there’s more than enough for us to explore and enjoy!
Here’s the Top 5 Places To Visit In Alabama that you may consider for your next family vacation!
1. Gulf Shores Sugar-white beaches, fresh seafood, championship golf courses, charter fishing trips, wildlife areas and historic sites are just a few of the treasures Gulf Shores has in store for its visitors. Foley, a town about 20 minutes from the Gulf, is a water-sports paradise. Surrounded by back bays and rivers, there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation and fresh seafood. This area is the perfect getaway and has a little something for everyone.
2. Fort Morgan State Historic Site The massive fort contains more than 40 million bricks and pays tribute to the skilled masons, many of who were enslaved African-Americans. The fort features an active living history program that interprets all the military periods and holds an annual event commemorating the Battle of Mobile Bay.
3. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Hit a tee shot from a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River, over what seems to be a bottomless ravine. Stand in the fairway and aim at twin greens bisected by an 80-foot waterfall. From a bluff above the Alabama River, watch your drive sail through the clouds then fall to a ribbon of fairway 200 feet below.You’ll find these breathtaking shots up and down the world-famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, which helped transform the state into one of the most popular golf destinations in the world.
4. Scenic Out Doors With endless riverways, 22 million acres of lush forests and diverse vistas that range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian cliffs, Alabama is a paradise for those who love the great outdoors. Recreational opportunities abound, and hunting and fishing enthusiasts will find that the bag limits are generous, the fishing is fine and the scenery can’t be beat. From the majestic mountains of North Alabama to the sugar-white sands of the Gulf Coast beaches, outdoor lovers will find Alabama’s a great place to visit, again and again.
5. Science & Discovery Alabama is a destination for explorers of all ages. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors follow man’s journey into space at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. They experience larger-than-life IMAX films at Birmingham’s McWane Science Center and get back to nature at numerous natural and environmental education centers. Whether you want to see a space shuttle up close or learn about the science of our solar system, let Alabama be the launch pad for your family’s sense of wonder.
Don’t forget the BBQ!
The Alabama Tourism Department is proud to declare 2015 as “The Year of Alabama BBQ”. In light of the popularity of BBQ and Alabama’s reputation, they’re declaring that the BBQ in the state is not only among the best in the US, but is THE best.
Alabama has an existing and solid reputation as a food destination
• Alabama’s BBQ restaurants and traditions are consistently featured as some of the best in the US and in national media publications
• Alabama’s BBQ Bracket has been one of the most popular social media and online events for the Alabama Tourism Department for the past several years
• Alabama was named as the “Most BBQ Crazed State in the US” in 2014, according to Estately.com
• The stories of the men and women who prepare BBQ – the “BBQ Masters”, as we’re calling them – are just as rich, complex and diverse as the flavors themselves
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Alabama Tourism. The opinions and text are all mine.
