Over the past several years, North Alabama has seen an incredible amount of growth. With a long and fascinating past, places like Florence and Muscle Shoals have brought an impressive […]

Less than an hour north of Birmingham, Cullman offers great food, a stunning lake, and a handful of important sights to see. Here is SoulGrown’s guide to 24 hours in […]

Summertime is the season of travel: the time to pile all of the kids into one cramped car, roll the windows down, and play the country radio loud. While some […]

Taking place on June 24 & 25, the annual Guntersville Lake HydroFest offers two days of competitive racing as drivers compete for the Southern Cup title. But HydroFest isn’t just […]

The advent of the Airbnb concept has redefined travel for many. Previously, travel could be experienced in a very limited number of ways—hotels, resorts, friends’ homes. Airbnb has given travelers the ability to experience trips in a way that adds a distinct layer of depth and understanding of the area. By being given the option to stay in homes within the community, the experience of the traveler becomes increasingly novel. Alabama boasts a number of interesting and unique Airbnbs throughout the state, and we have put together a list of three must-visit spots.

Brimming with history, nature, and a whole lot to do, Decatur is the perfect place to visit for an authentic Alabama weekend. The county seat of Morgan County, Decatur offers […]

Fairhope is one of Alabama’s most charming towns. Situated along Mobile Bay, the city is a fabulous destination for Alabama locals to spend a day or weekend. Rich with amazing […]

Recently, North Alabama has been stepping up its game. Flourishing downtowns, burgeoning local businesses, and vibrant food scenes make this region worthy to be explored. If you haven’t been to the area lately, or if you’re unfamiliar with North Alabama, it’s time to get acquainted. We recommend starting with Gadsden. Located along the Coosa River between Birmingham and Chattanooga, this town of a little over 33,000 has so much to offer. From gorgeous natural water features to a charming main street, here’s how to spend a weekend in Gadsden. 

If the dinosaur in the museum came to life, it would recognize at least one plant in Anniston’s Longleaf Botanical Gardens—a pre-historic relic, a cycad. These plants date back from 9 to 65 million years and in all probability endured plenty of dinosaur nibbling. With plants that complement the mission of the Anniston Natural History Museum, the Gardens are packed with both native and exotic plants that beautify and mystify those who walk its trails. 

Warren Buffet said someone is sitting in the shade today, because someone planted a tree a long time ago. The City of Decatur has been planting trees for years and […]

There is already so much to explore on the Singing River Trail; so many sights to see, so much history to learn, so many memories to make. What will eventually […]

“Showcase the good.” Three simple words with profound meaning were spoken by Olympic Gold medal winner and track and field superstar Jesse Owens. These words, however, encapsulate that reality that […]

Every year thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Leeds, Alabama to visit Barber Motorsports Park and Museum. Over the past two decades (the park turned 20 in January), the attraction has drawn more than 3 million visitors to the state. If you’ve never been to this gem (it’s only a 20-minute drive from downtown Birmingham), we highly recommend adding it to the top of your Alabama bucket list. Car enthusiasts can check out the 16-turn racetrack. Motorcycle lovers will fawn over the massive two-wheel collection inside the museum. And even those who aren’t so interested in motorsports can enjoy the gorgeous grounds, gardens, and a surprising sculpture park. Here are five fun facts to know about Barber before you visit. 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning something special for the lucky guy or gal in your life. This year, skip the tired old dinner reservation and surprise your sweetie with a completely unique date idea. Here are 10 great Alabama date ideas guaranteed to sweep your partner off their feet. 

Once all the presents are unwrapped, the last of the leftovers have been polished off, and the endless boxes of lights and ornaments are safely stowed away, the holidays can seem like a thing of the distant past. But just because December has come and gone, that doesn’t mean the magic of the “most wonderful time of the year” has to follow suit. 

As the sun begins to set over Lake Guntersville, a bald eagle bullet dives into the water, emerging with a wriggling fish. It heads back towards the ridge, where a nest awaits with a mate overseeing a couple of chicks. On a dock astride the lake, a group watches as the eagles fly in for dinner time. There is something exhilarating about a white head and tail feathers flying overhead. Watching it fish for its young against the orange and red sunset transforms it to mythical status. 

The Festival of the Cranes is an annual three-day event that takes place in January at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur to celebrate the winter migration of over 14,000 Sandhill cranes, as well as endangered Whooping cranes. 

The theme song for the classic show “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson pretty well summarizes how north Alabama celebrates the holidays. Massive light displays, decorated evergreens, and holiday shopping help spread happiness and cheer across the Shoals region and in Alabama’s picturesque mountain towns. Considering a Yuletide road trip in north Alabama? Here are some places and events for the whole family. And since baristas love to celebrate the holidays with special brews, we also suggest a coffee shop in each town. After all, you’ll need to “fuel” this foray.

The holidays are here and there’s nothing more joyful than festive small town cheer. And charming Decatur has plenty to go around this holiday season. From a “tinsel stroll” to a Christmas color scavenger hunt at the natural science museum to a tour of historic tastefully decorated homes, experience the holidays like never before in Decatur.

There are only two places on earth where the natural phenomenon called a jubilee occurs: the Fairhope area and Japan. Dana Maloney has had the good fortune of living in both places. Rather than the bounty of sea creatures lulled out of their watery homes into the shallows, her personal jubilees came in different packages. While others may be snapping up flounder, crab, and shrimp during the brief oceanic wonder, Dana gained more permanent gifts. In Japan, her third son was born. In Fairhope, she realized a dream of owning her own bed and breakfast. Jubilee Suites Bed and Breakfast now welcomes others to enjoy their own personal celebrations whether it is a vacation, gathering, or business that brings them to this elegant lodge overlooking Mobile Bay.

When you bingeing travel shows and watching endless Instagram videos of beautiful destinations is no longer scratching the travel-bug itch, it may be time for a road trip. For those in the central-to-north Alabama region, a multi-day drive up I-22 could be just the thing you need for a fun weekend away. Start your trip in the Magic City with Civil Rights history and a wonderfully revitalized downtown, then make your way up the highway to Memphis where you can get your fill of barbecue and blues. Though it’s only a 3.5-hour drive along I-22 to get where you’re going, it’s the little stops and side attractions along the way that will make this trip truly special. After all, life’s not about the destination but the journey.