The many choices of things to do in Alabama in spring are as dazzling as the landscape this time of year. As springtime settles in, the state transforms into a scene of Southern charm and natural beauty. Memories of white patent leather Easter shoes come to mind when thinking about it. The sweet scents of blooming magnolias and azaleas fill the air. Vibrant pops of pink, purple, and white blooms color the horizon line between lush green grass and robin egg blue skies.
Spring cleaning is even kind of fun. It starts with our front porches and back patios – the prime spots for sweet tea breaks while tackling the other chores. As you sip, consider our top picks among Alabama spring activities and plan to do as many as possible. The chores can wait, honey! They will be there when you get back.
Flower Blooms In Alabama
Alabama's diverse landscapes range from the Appalachian foothills to the white quartz sand beaches created by runoff from that same mountain range – and everything in between. With that, spring means so many different and beautiful scenes. You get everything from mountain trails lined with flowering trees and blankets of wildflowers underfoot to fertile farmland for cultivated flowers. Then add one of the most biodiverse free-flowing rivers in the world, and you aren't all that surprised to hear you have the largest stand of Cahaba lilies anywhere. Here are a few places to see our different types of flower power when it's springtime in Alabama.
1. DeSoto State Park
Location: Fort Payne, Alabama
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free to visit the park. There is a $4 parking fee at the picnic area.
Some of the best outdoor experiences for mountain land lovers can be found in DeSoto State Park. Located on Lookout Mountain in the Appalachian foothills, the park is gorgeous year-round and especially colorful in spring. Trails light up with blooms like trillium, bloodroot, mountain laurel, and delicate pink lady slipper orchids. Visitors can explore the park's more than 35 miles of hiking trails to see this color play, wildlife, and waterfalls. If you visit the first weekend of May, you can attend Wildflower Saturday, which has been happening for over 30 years.
2. Hubert Farms
Location: New Market, Alabama
Popularity: Popular and busiest on weekends
For an unforgettable experience (and a delightful view!), head to Hubert Farms in New Market, where visitors can pick their own tulips from a field of over 200,000 flowers of many dazzling colors and varieties. All you have to do is grab a basket, pull each flower you want to add to your bouquet. and take them to the wrapping station for payment and wrapping. Tip: Bring a bucket of water if your travel time home is more than an hour. This family-owned farm also offers special weekend activities during the short you-pick season, which started in mid-March. You may get to take hot air balloon rides, feed petting zoo animals, or board the Tulip Trolley.
3. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Location: West Blocton, Alabama
Popularity: Busy on weekends
Price: There is no charge to visit the refuge. Guided canoe tours must be reserved by phone or online and are $20 for Cahaba River Society members. Not a member? Register for $20 for a total cost of $40 for the tour. Children 11 years old and younger can take the tour for free and must be accompanied by an adult.
The best time to see Alabama's unparalleled stand of rare and endangered Cahaba lilies is from mid-May to late June at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. A good time to remember their blooming period is to know it's almost always between Mother's Day and Father's Day. Way to go, showing up for the parents! You can book a guided canoe tour with the Cahaba River Society to see the lilies up close. And while you're at it, discover the refuge's other natural wonders, including birds, butterflies, and native plants. This stunning display should definitely be an Alabama bucket list item for residents and visitors alike. It's the largest stand of these flowers on earth!
Botanical Gardens In Alabama
Few things say springtime in Alabama than taking a leisurely stroll through a garden of fragrant blooms. While wearing your best seersucker suit or dress is entirely optional, it's one good way to feel on-brand and extra fancy. You're welcome to just come as you are to the beautiful botanical gardens in Alabama and see what’s unfolding as the weather warms up. Here are the three best to start with this spring.
4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Location: Theodore, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: General admission is $16 for ages 13 and older and $10 for ages 5 to 12. Complete garden and home tickets are $25 for ages 13 and older and $17 for ages 5 to 12. Children ages 4 and younger are admitted free. Active military personnel and their immediate families receive a 10% discount for general admission tickets when showing a valid government ID.
Springtime is particularly beautiful at this 65-acre estate garden in south Alabama 25 miles south of Mobile. Visitors can explore the gardens at their own pace, taking in the beauty of the rose garden, conservatory, Asian-American Garden, and other special botanical spaces. The estate also features a historic home that offers a glimpse into the lives of the Bellingrath family and the history of the property.
5. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: Free
With its focus on conservation, education, and horticulture, this 67-acre oasis in the heart of Alabama's largest city bursts with color in spring. See tulips, daffodils, and azaleas in abundance as well as other plants throughout more than two dozen gardens. One uniquely Alabama space is the Southern Living Garden created by the magazine of the same name. Its designers focused on establishing a space that celebrates the intimacy of Southern home gardens. While you’re in the area, tack on a visit to Oak Mountain State Park just 15 miles south in Pelham for more outdoor bliss in the mild spring temps.
6. Huntsville Botanical Garden
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular
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Step into spring wonder at this 112-acre collection of more than 20 gardens and special spaces to explore. The garden is home to the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house and picture-perfect aquatic garden with a placid water lily pond. Its pretty paths include a tranquil dogwood trail that's a must in spring. The herb garden alone has several mini-gardens, including a biblical garden with plants mentioned in the Bible. As the summer season approaches, don't miss the daylily garden with around 800(!) cultivars. And if you're more into literal star gazing than stargazer lilies, be sure to also visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when you're in town.
Parks To Visit In Alabama This Spring
When spring rolls around, people don't need much urging to get out and explore all of our incredible state, national, and local parks in Alabama. We have many fine ones full of outdoor activities here in the Yellowhammer State. Here are a few that are sure to satisfy even being so vastly different from one another, from the Gulf Coast to the state capital to one of our prosperous college towns.
7. Gulf State Park
Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: Day parking passes at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion cost $5 for four hours and $10 for all day. There's ample space for RV's, too.
Spring break and beach trips are almost synonymous, and we have you covered for those experiences with our beautiful Gulf State Park. High on the list of fun family things to do in spring in Alabama, this park is close to plenty of recreation, shopping, and dining in the surrounding communities. You can spend a day on the beach and then scoot to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, or Mobile to see all they have to offer. Be sure to check their events calendars before you go! For example, one of the area's biggest festivals, the Bama Coast Cruisin’ in Orange Beach goes down at The Wharf on April 26th and 27th.
8. The Park at Manderson Landing
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Popularity: Hidden gem
Price: Free
You can't beat a spring day at a park, and The Park at Manderson Landing offers an experience you don't see just every day. The University of Alabama maintains its approximately 16 acres, which includes a lovely walking trail along the Black Warrior River. What makes it so special in spring is you're likely to catch the university's rowing team cutting across the water. The team's boathouse is located within the park, where it also practices and competes. Another insta-worthy spot is the park's 30-foot statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. The university dedicated the sculpture in 2019 to commemorate its bicentennial.
8. Montgomery Whitewater
Location: Montgomery, Alabama
Popularity: New and increasingly popular
Price: Free to visit and watch. Adult activity passes for ages 11 and older are $49, and youth activity passes for ages 8 to 10 are $39. Special events may have entry fees.
This world-class outdoor adventure destination opened in 2023 and is a must-visit in spring 2024. The park hosts the U.S. Olympic Team trials in April when you can watch the nation’s top paddlers compete for a spot on the Olympic team. Get in on the paddling action yourself, too! The park offers events and activities for visitors of all skill levels, from relaxing, flat-water fun to thrilling whitewater rapids. The capital city's downtown and Riverfront Park areas are also pretty places to visit in spring. Plan a weekend getaway and explore the city's civil rights trail.
Spring Hikes In Alabama
If you can choose only one of the best things to do in Alabama in spring, just rely on your own two feet. The Yellowhammer State has many networks of fantastic hiking trails from top to bottom. Here are a few favorites where you are certain to see some of the state's prettiest natural scenes.
10. Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail
Location: Madison, Alabama
Popularity: Hidden Gem
Price: Free
The Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve is tucked away near a residential neighborhood in the rapidly growing North Alabama city of Madison, which owns the property. The Land Trust of North Alabama manages the nine short trails, which total just over three miles in length. While this area isn't quite as rugged as trails to the northeast, they're challenging enough and full of interesting features. The 1.53-mile Rainbow Loop Trail is the most popular and a dazzler in spring for its wildflowers. Bottom line: This preserve is an easily accessible, lesser-known retreat into nature where you can walk peacefully and appreciate the progression of spring.
11. Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Location: Dauphin Island, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: Free
The three-mile National Recreational Trail at this sanctuary is nothing short of incredible for birdwatchers every spring. It is one of the top four sites in North America for watching neotropical migrant birds that make the long journey across the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. Dauphin Island is a sliver of barrier island off Mobile Bay and the Alabama Gulf Coast, just west of Fort Morgan Historic Site. The protected land offers visitors the rare opportunity to see thousands of birds making a safe stopover to rest and refuel before continuing their annual journey northward.
12. Cane Creek Canyon Natural Preserve
Location: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Popularity: Locally popular
Price: Free
See waterfalls, cliffs, wetlands, and springs in this pristine, privately-owned natural area in Northwest Alabama. All you have to do is park and sign in at the kiosk to explore over a dozen miles of trails across the 700-plus acres of woodlands and wildlife. The trails offer varying levels of difficulty, so there are options for every skill level. Another nearby spot to appreciate nature in this neck of the woods is Dismals Canyon, which is just 25 miles south in Phil Campbell.
Spring Picnic Spots In Alabama
First, pack a basket 'til it almost overflows with your favorite flavors. Next, take it to the next level with one (or all) of these destinations in Alabama for an unforgettable picnic. With these views, it may be one of the most romantic things to do in Alabama in spring. All are equally enjoyable with your family or just you!
13. Little River Canyon Falls Park
Location: Fort Payne, Alabama
Popularity: Popular and busiest on weekends
Price: Free
You’ll drive through one of the state’s most beautiful areas to reach this park, and it only gets better. Settle in at a picnic table, set up, snack, and enjoy views of the 45-foot Little River Falls. The park is popular for outdoor adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and, in the summer, swimming. For a simple spring picnic, all you have to do is drive right up and enjoy a feast for the senses.
14. Delano Park
Location: Decatur, Alabama
Popularity: Hidden Gem
Price: Free
This city park dates to 1887 and transports you back in time in so many ways. The historic WPA Rose Garden is a highlight of the park, with its carefully reconstructed design. Spring is especially spectacular, with hundreds of hydrangeas exploding around the old stone walls. Besides two picnic shelters, the park has a vast, tree-lined lawn ready for your for blankets and baskets on the west end of the park. Add the splash pad, tennis courts, whimsical playground, and walking trail for a perfect outing with family and friends.
15. Vulcan Park
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Popularity: Very Popular, Hidden Gem, Busy on weekends.
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Dine atop Red Mountain and beneath the world's largest cast-iron statue with a picnic at this iconic park in the heart of Alabama. The Vulcan statue, created for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, towers over the park, and visitors get almost as lofty perspectives on the city of Birmingham below. Spring is an especially lovely time to relax at the park or take leisurely stroll along the Vulcan trail, taking in the colorful flowers and lush greenery.
What are your favorite things to do in Alabama in spring? As you can surmise from our round-up, it is a true nature lover's paradise. We have wildflowers that wow, hiking trails for every skill level and pace, and delightful city parks. We hope you'll make time to explore them all to fully embrace the spring season. Be sure to use our road trip essentials packing list ahead of time to make your experience a breeze.
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