Not many things can compete with a good old fashioned road trip. Here in Alabama, there are several attractions that are perfect for including on a road trip. From beautiful state parks to award-winning restaurants, the options are endless. Listed below are 11 amazing road trip stops to make while driving through Alabama.

Please note, Highlands Bar & Grill is temporarily closed.

  1. U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Huntsville

google/John Dekker The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabama’s top paid tourist attraction. It attracts people from all over the world, and it’s often referred to as “Earth’s largest space museum.” This popular attraction is also home to Space Camp.

  1. Cheaha State Park - Delta

google/Lisa Sarver Established in 1933, Cheaha State Park is Alabama’s oldest continuously operated state park. Covering nearly 3,000 acres, it’s also situated atop of Cheaha Mountain - the state’s highest natural point. To experience Alabama’s most incredible views, you’ll want to visit Cheaha State Park.

  1. Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne

google/Gang Shu Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is located atop of Lookout Mountain, is one of the state’s top outdoor attractions. Covering more than 15,000 acres, it’s also home to Little River Falls - one of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls.

  1. Dreamland Bar-B-Que - Tuscaloosa

google/Clint D It’s no secret that barbecue is one of Alabama’s most popular foods. A great place to get this Southern favorite is Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Well known for its ribs, this award-winning restaurant, which has multiple locations, belongs on every barbecue lover’s dining bucket list.

  1. Birmingham Zoo - Birmingham

google/Kasi Stone The Birmingham Zoo, which attracts people from all across the Southeast, is home to approximately 550 animals of 180 species. It’s also home to a variety of endangered species from six continents. The Birmingham Zoo is a definite must-visit for animal lovers of all ages.

  1. Ave Maria Grotto - Cullman

tripadvisor/Jenny W Alabama’s Ave Maria Grotto is located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman. Covering four acres, this rock garden features 125 miniature reproductions of famous religious structures. It’s also one of the Southeast’s most unique outdoor attractions.

  1. Huntsville Botanical Garden - Huntsville

google/Dottie Burke The Huntsville Botanical Garden covers 112 acres and is one of Alabama’s most beautiful outdoor attractions. It’s also home to the Purdy Butterfly House - America’s largest open-air butterfly house.

  1. Highlands Bar & Grill - Birmingham

google/Craig LaCava Highlands Bar & Grill is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in French-inspired Southern cuisine. In 2018, it won the James Beard Foundation Award for “Outstanding Restaurant.” Since opening for business in 1982, Highlands Bar & Grill has welcomed guests from all across the United States.

  1. Mobile Carnival Museum - Mobile

google/Frank Modarelli In 1703, the birthplace of America’s Mardi Gras happened in Mobile, Alabama. You can learn all about the history of this celebration at the Mobile Carnival Museum, which has parade floats, elaborate costumes, and so much more on display.

  1. Gulf Coast Beaches - Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

flickr/Matthew Guay Alabama is well known for its gorgeous white-sand beaches. Over the years, two particular towns that have become quite popular among beach lovers are Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition to their beautiful beaches, both of these towns also offer incredible shopping destinations, wonderful restaurants, a variety of recreational activities, and so much more.

  1. Peach Park - Clanton

flickr/Ralph Daily And of course, no trip to or from Alabama’s Gulf Coast is complete without a stop at Peach Park. Established in 1985, Peach Park sells a variety of fresh produce, including some of the best peaches you’ll ever eat. Speaking of peaches, Peach Park is also well known for its homemade peach ice cream and fried peach pies.

Have you ever visited any of these places in Alabama? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Also, please share with us any other places you believe belong on this list.

google/John Dekker

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabama’s top paid tourist attraction. It attracts people from all over the world, and it’s often referred to as “Earth’s largest space museum.” This popular attraction is also home to Space Camp.

google/Lisa Sarver

Established in 1933, Cheaha State Park is Alabama’s oldest continuously operated state park. Covering nearly 3,000 acres, it’s also situated atop of Cheaha Mountain - the state’s highest natural point. To experience Alabama’s most incredible views, you’ll want to visit Cheaha State Park.

google/Gang Shu

Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is located atop of Lookout Mountain, is one of the state’s top outdoor attractions. Covering more than 15,000 acres, it’s also home to Little River Falls - one of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls.

google/Clint D

It’s no secret that barbecue is one of Alabama’s most popular foods. A great place to get this Southern favorite is Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Well known for its ribs, this award-winning restaurant, which has multiple locations, belongs on every barbecue lover’s dining bucket list.

google/Kasi Stone

The Birmingham Zoo, which attracts people from all across the Southeast, is home to approximately 550 animals of 180 species. It’s also home to a variety of endangered species from six continents. The Birmingham Zoo is a definite must-visit for animal lovers of all ages.

tripadvisor/Jenny W

Alabama’s Ave Maria Grotto is located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman. Covering four acres, this rock garden features 125 miniature reproductions of famous religious structures. It’s also one of the Southeast’s most unique outdoor attractions.

google/Dottie Burke

The Huntsville Botanical Garden covers 112 acres and is one of Alabama’s most beautiful outdoor attractions. It’s also home to the Purdy Butterfly House - America’s largest open-air butterfly house.

google/Craig LaCava

Highlands Bar & Grill is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in French-inspired Southern cuisine. In 2018, it won the James Beard Foundation Award for “Outstanding Restaurant.” Since opening for business in 1982, Highlands Bar & Grill has welcomed guests from all across the United States.

google/Frank Modarelli

In 1703, the birthplace of America’s Mardi Gras happened in Mobile, Alabama. You can learn all about the history of this celebration at the Mobile Carnival Museum, which has parade floats, elaborate costumes, and so much more on display.

flickr/Matthew Guay

Alabama is well known for its gorgeous white-sand beaches. Over the years, two particular towns that have become quite popular among beach lovers are Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition to their beautiful beaches, both of these towns also offer incredible shopping destinations, wonderful restaurants, a variety of recreational activities, and so much more.

flickr/Ralph Daily

And of course, no trip to or from Alabama’s Gulf Coast is complete without a stop at Peach Park. Established in 1985, Peach Park sells a variety of fresh produce, including some of the best peaches you’ll ever eat. Speaking of peaches, Peach Park is also well known for its homemade peach ice cream and fried peach pies.

For additional information about Alabama’s Ave Maria Grotto, be sure to take a look at the following article: Alabama’s Rock Garden And Grotto, Ave Maria Grotto, Is A Work Of Art.

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Address: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, USAAddress: Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USAAddress: Little River Canyon National Preserve, 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USAAddress: Dreamland BBQ, 5535 15th Ave E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, USAAddress: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, USAAddress: Ave Maria Grotto, 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055, USAAddress: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, USAAddress: Highlands Bar & Grill, 2011 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USAAddress: Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602, USAAddress: Gulf Shores, AL, USAAddress: Orange Beach, AL, USAAddress: 2300 7th St S, Clanton, AL 35046, USA