Summertime in Alabama is out of the world, from rocket-fueled North Alabama to the magical white sands of our Gulf Coast beaches. In between, you'll explore lush greenery in wide swaths across Appalachian foothills, intriguing Deep-South storytelling, and local lore woven into arts and historic sites. It may go without saying our restaurants offer the best Southern comfort food as rich as butter dripping off a fluffy biscuit. We also have a growing host of more refined dining options when you need a break from the world-famous barbecue (but really, do you?).
While there are so many things to do in Alabama in summer, don't break a sweat trying to decide where to go and what to do! We have gathered a list of handpicked destinations and events to guide your adventures.
Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Alabama
So many cities and small towns in Alabama are perfect for unforgettable summer experiences. To get you started discovering them, we chose one great summertime destination for each large region of the state, from the beaches to the mountains. If you're planning a road trip to these places, make the most of it with our Road Trip Essentials Guide.
1. Orange Beach, AL
Location: Orange Beach, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: The Wharf is a top spot for food, shopping, and fun and has one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the Southeast (112 feet!).
Stroll the sugary sands and gaze across the turquoise waters of this beautiful coastal destination on Alabama's Gulf Coast. Ideal for summer getaways, Orange Beach overflows with family-friendly activities, water sports, and beachfront dining, entertainment, and shopping.
2. Birmingham, AL
Location: Birmingham, AL
Popularity: Very popular
Need To Know: Birmingham's Civil Rights District is one of the city's most significant destinations and includes the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Discover the magic of the Magic City, Alabama's vibrant cultural hub and largest metro area. Birmingham has so much to offer indoors and out, including some of the state's best dining and entertainment options. Highlights include popular city parks like Railroad Park southeast of the downtown core and City Walk BHAM right in the heart of it; Birmingham Museum of Art; the Birmingham Zoo; Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and McWane Science Center.
3. Fort Payne, AL
Location: Fort Payne, AL
Popularity: Hidden gem
Need To Know: The music band ALABAMA originated in Fort Payne, and there is an ALABAMA Fan Club and Museum you can visit in town. Admission fees benefit Toys for Tots.
This lovely community in the Appalachian foothills has some of the most striking natural beauty in the state alongside sublime geography that was made for unforgettable outdoor adventures. To get your summertime nature fix of waterfalls, wildflowers, and lush forests, head straight to Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park. In Fort Payne proper, you'll experience a charming, artsy downtown worth exploring for eats and other treats.
Best Beaches, Lakes & Rivers To Visit In Alabama This Summer
Summers in Alabama are legendary for their astonishing humidity – and no one has time for that kind of negativity. Thank goodness for the quantity, quality, and beauty of our lakes, rivers, and beaches – all replete with coves, waterfalls, and sparkling swimming holes.
4. Fort Morgan, AL
Location: Fort Morgan, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Fort Morgan was active during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II. It replaced Fort Bowyer, which was built during the War of 1812.
Fort Morgan is an unincorporated community at the mouth of the Mobile Bay and home to a historic fort of the same name. While most folks visit to explore the historic fort, they quickly discover the nearby beaches are some of the most beautiful on the entire Gulf Coast. By all means, visit the fort for the history and then stay for the sunbathing, fishing, or just relaxing along the shore.
5. Lake Martin, East Central AL
Location: Tallapoosa, Elmore, & Coosa Counties, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Lake Martin has over 880 miles of shoreline, and several cities share it, including Alexander City, Dadeville, and Eclectic.
At one time the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Martin is a recreational paradise in East Central Alabama. Expect unmatched sunsets, incredible fishing, easy paddling, and boating – all with gorgeous scenery across the lake's 44,000 acres.
6. Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, AL
Location: Guntersville, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Lake Guntersville is one of the top bass-fishing lakes in the country.
Lake Guntersville adds a beautiful, shimmering skirt to Alabama's Appalachian foothills, where people in the know go for some of the best fishing, boating, and scenic views in the state. Consider a stay at Lake Guntersville State Park, which has a comfortable lodge with sweeping lake views, plus cabins, chalets, and traditional RV and tent camping sites.
Parks To Visit In Alabama This Summer
As lucky as we are to have gorgeous natural water destinations in Alabama, we have even more refreshing summer solutions beyond what nature gave us. Alabama has many awesome parks that only add to our options for fun ways to beat the heat.
7. Montgomery Whitewater Park, Montgomery, AL
Location: Montgomery, AL
Popularity: Busy on weekends
Need To Know: All skill levels are welcome, and there are lessons and equipment rentals available.
Experience the thrill of whooshing rapids in the heart of the state capital at Montgomery Whitewater Park, an urban whitewater oasis. This refreshing destination is perfect for adrenaline-seekers and supportive spectators alike. While whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular choices here, you can also opt for flatwater activities like stand-up paddleboarding. Pick your pace and skill level for endless summer fun.
8. Point Mallard Park, Decatur, AL
Location: Decatur, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: As of summer 2024, construction is underway at Point Mallard Park for a large, covered pickleball facility as part of ongoing investments in new park facilities.
America's first wave pool still brings the motion of the ocean alongside many more recreational amenities to this city park covering more than 700 acres in North Alabama. Point Mallard Park is a family-friendly destination with a campground, ball fields, hiking and biking trails, and more. Summertime is full of splashy fun at the waterpark, which includes a lazy river, an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving platform, multiple waterslides, and a riverfront swimming beach.
9. Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL
Location: Pelham, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: You may rend kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal boats at The Marina on Terrace Drive, which also sells concessions and fishing bait.
It may come as no surprise that Alabama's largest state park is home to over 50 miles of hiking trails, lakes for fishing, and a golf course. The most popular spots during the summertime? Two sandy beaches! The largest is off Double Oak Lake, and the other is on Beaver Lake near Flipside Watersports.
Best Free Summer Activities
While many of us have more free time in the summer – at least on vacation – finding fun ways to use that time without breaking the bank always feels like a win. Many of our outdoor activities are free or only require a small parking or park-entry fee to unlock a host of recreation options once you're in. Here are a few more free things to do in Alabama in summer – what an unbelievable value!
10. U.S. Army Aviation Museum and Training Support Facility, Fort Novosel, AL
Location: Fort Novosel, AL
Popularity: Hidden gem
Need To Know: In 2024, Fort Novosel opened the William A. Howell Training Support Facility (TSF), adjacent to the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
This museum near Enterprise, Alabama is a must-visit for history and aviation buffs with multiple indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore. Dedicated to showing the history of U.S. Army aviation, the museum's extensive collection includes more than 160 military aircraft, with a focus on rotary wing technology and the evolution of military helicopters. The museum houses the world's most significant collection of rotary wing technology artifacts.
11. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Pinson, AL
Location: Pinson, AL
Popularity: Popular, especially on weekends
Need To Know: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and all major national holidays.
Looking for one of the state's most beautiful swimming holes? Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is a top spot for taking a refreshing dip thanks to its popular swimming hole, dubbed "Blue Hole." If you aren't in for a full swim, there are plenty of trails where you can cool off to the refreshing spray of waterfalls. More than 130,000 people visit the preserve annually, free of charge. The organization that maintains the park is a nonprofit organization, which gratefully accepts donations for park maintenance and programs.
12. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, AL
Location: Montgomery, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Besides free admission, significant grant funding and other contributions have allowed the museum to offer free art classes and art educational programming.
Showcasing a wide variety of art from artists around the world, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is a wonderful place for inspirational exploration, indoors and out. Roam the grounds to see outdoor exhibitions and installations that evolve with the seasons in the Caddell Sculpture Garden. Then head indoors to roam the permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions. Sharing the grounds is another spectacular cultural institution, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Check the organization's website for world-class dramatic productions as you plan your visit.
Best Summer Events And Festivals In Alabama
Among the many events in Alabama throughout the year, it seems like summertime festivals focus on music in a major way. We've chosen a few of the best festivals of summer that bring people together throughout the state.
13. Rock the South, Cullman, AL
Location: Cullman, AL
Popularity: Replace this text with the correct information.
Need To Know: As of 2024, festival wristbands have RFID tech allowing smoother entry to the festival and adding easy tap-to-pay options.
Are you a country music fan? Every July, head out to the country to celebrate country music along with 100,000 other like-minded folks at Rock the South in Cullman. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has promoted music, camaraderie, and Southern summer revelry and experienced growing star power and attendance every year.
14. Peach Jam Jubilee, Clanton, AL
Location: Clanton, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: While this two-day festival is free to attend, bring money to avail yourself of the treats offered by more than 200 craft and food vendors.
If you agree a plump, sweet, peach is the quintessential symbol of summer, you absolutely must attend the Peach Jam Jubilee in Clanton, the Peach Capital of Alabama. The juicy itinerary over a Friday and Saturday each June includes live music from top national artists, many peach-themed events, and local crafts.
15. W.C. Handy Music Festival, The Shoals, AL
Location: The Shoals Area, AL
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: This festival extends over 10 days and includes more than 200(!) events, so be sure to check the event's official website for full details about programming each year.
You won't be feeling blue if you attend this festival that honors "Father of the Blues" and Florence-native W.C. Handy. The 10-day festival is headquartered in his hometown, and the music and energy radiate far beyond throughout all of The Shoals communities. Events include concerts showcasing blues, jazz, and other musical genres, plus lectures and special events.
Ready to dive headfirst into all the amazing things to do in Alabama in summer ? We are! If you're road-tripping to any of these places, make the most of it with our Road Trip Essentials Guide. Let us know about any of your favorite spots or experiences we may have missed. We'd love to hear about your favorite spots for summer fun in Alabama.
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