Things to Do in Alabama

With over 7,000 acres of undeveloped coastline and hundreds of species of birds, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is arguably the most scenic and relaxing spot on the entire Alabama coastline. Much of this refuge looks is completely unchanged since man first arrived on the coast, and sea turtles still lay their eggs in the sand as they have for thousands of years. Because there are limited roads in the area, one of the best ways to search for wildlife is exploring the refuge by kayak, where you silently paddle amidst the reeds and network of coastal dunes. Keep an eye out for the endangered and skittish Alabama beach mouse, which makes its home on this isolated shoreline away from the Gulf Shores development. You can also find ospreys, kingfishers, and herons that cruise down the white sand shoreline, and there’s also a network of hiking trails for exploring the refuge on foot.

Experience military history at Mobile's Battleship Memorial Park, where you can step aboard World War II vessels. Highlights include theUSS Alabama battleship,USS Drum submarine, and dozens of military aircraft—as well as the on-site memorials where you can pay tribute to military veterans.

Set in a replica container ship overlooking the Gulf Coast of Alabama, GulfQuest: National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is home to 90 interactive exhibits about the history and culture of America's Sea. Learn about the gulf’s economy, marine archeology, shipwrecks, hurricanes, and more in exhibits spread throughout the ship.

From musicians to songwriters, management, and publishers, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to the many Alabama natives that have had a major impact on the music industry. The hall honors these legends with exhibits detailing their accomplishments, bronze stars on its Walk of Fame, and inclusion on its roster.

Sometimes billed as “Earth's largest space museum,” the US Space and Rocket Center showcases a collection of more than 1,500 items, including rockets, engines, spacecraft, and other artifacts relating to the US space program. Visitors learn about the program’s achievements through simulators and interactive exhibits.

Old Alabama Town gives visitors a glimpse into the state’s past. The village features authentic 19th- and early 20th-century homes and buildings that have been saved from demolition, carefully restored, and reopened to the public as a history museum. You’ll get a good feel for how people used to live and work in Central Alabama.

For a variety show on the Gulf Coast, head to the Brandon Styles Showroom and catch performances that mix magic, impressions, ventriloquism, and audience participation. The showroom is located at Downtown OWA in Foley, where you can find dinner, arcade games, and even shopping—all steps from this Vegas-style performance.