Central Alabama Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Barber Motorsports Park featuring interior views
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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

Irondale

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

Irondale
Vulcan Statue featuring 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
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 NZ$193 per night from 28 May to 29 May
NZ$193
per night
28 May - 29 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,127 reviews)
"Small issue that was taken immediately. Very close to the airport which I loved!"

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, an IHG Hotel
Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
4 out of 5
808 20th Street S, Birmingham, AL
The price is NZ$281 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
NZ$281
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (820 reviews)
"Enjoyed our time"

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
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 NZ$281 per night from 29 May to 30 May
NZ$281
per night
29 May - 30 May
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! (1,004 reviews)
"I will definitely stay here again. My check in process was easy and convenient."

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
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 clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (136 reviews)
"Wonderful place And Location just hard to find Parking."

Reviewed on 24 May 2024

Mint House Birmingham - Downtown
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! (84 reviews)
Good time!
"this was the perfect for 4 class of 1978 men on the 'guys weekend." The quiet location is incredible. we enjoyed the porch and the floating dock. We took the short trip to the brewery in Opelika and drove through the auburn campus as well."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

cozy cabin directly on beautiful Lake Martin
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 Birmingham Zoo and The Summit are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Ideal for a couple
"Although "Tiny" this place is much larger than a standard hotel room with the convenience of a washer/drier, kitchen and more space to enjoy. Parking right outside the front door was very convenient. The only thing we didn't like were the microfibre bath towels."

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Charming Tiny House W/ Free Parking
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