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 Alabama Theater.

Downtown Birmingham
Default Image

Homewood

Travellers come to Homewood for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Birmingham Zoo and Pete Hanna Center 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

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
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 Vulcan Statue or Vulcan Park and Museum while you're exploring the area.

Five Points South
Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham

Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham

2 out of 5
1800 Riverchase Dr Birmingham AL
The price is NZ$120 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
NZ$120
4 Jan - 5 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
Room was clean and nice.

Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria Birmingham AL
The price is NZ$253 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
NZ$253
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,336 reviews)
Good experience.

Reviewed on 31 Dec 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 Birmingham AL
The price is NZ$132 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
NZ$132
4 Jan - 5 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (538 reviews)
Wonderful

Reviewed on 25 Dec 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, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Everything was wonderful!!

Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Landing Midtown

Landing Midtown

4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Heaviest Corner on Earth and McWane ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (47 reviews)
Couldn't have been cleaner and so spacious! We love this place!

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Landing Midtown
Luxury 1BD | A+ Downtown Location | King Bed Condo

Luxury 1BD | A+ Downtown Location | King Bed Condo

Birmingham AL
Stay at this apartment in Birmingham. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and balconies. Popular attractions Heaviest Corner on Earth and McWane Science Center ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Had a great couple of days in Birmingham. Location is convenient & good restaurants close by. Will definitely stay here again when in Birmingham.

Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025

Luxury 1BD | A+ Downtown Location | King Bed Condo
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

Explore a world of travel with Expedia