This holiday season we’ve decided to highlight the incredible places, spaces, events, and happenings that Alabama offers. This gift-guide is uniquely curated to provide thoughtful experiences rather than physical presents! Make those around you feel extra special with a memory they’ll never forget.

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Founded in 1881 as the Negro Normal School in Tuskegee, Tuskegee University was built on a dream from Booker T. Washington and Lewis Adams to provide a top-tier educational institution for African Americans. Since then, the school has consistently been ranked as one of the country’s top five HBCUs by the U.S. News and World Report. Tuskegee University is also the only college campus designated as one of the National Park Service’s National Historic Sites. 

Beauty queens, a parade, blue-ribbon cooking contests, livestock shows, carnival rides, musical performances—and of course, goobers—are all part of the attraction at the 77th National Peanut Festival in Dothan, from Friday, November 5–Sunday, November 14.

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Bois d’Arc Farm in Perry County will celebrate food, family, and fun with a fall festival on October 9, part of a larger effort to expose more people to the organic farm that applies old-school principles to modern agriculture. Better known as BDA, the organically-raised vegetables, pastured meats, and free-range eggs the farm produces have built a loyal following among customers at Birmingham’s Pepper Place farmers market and the city’s most-lauded chefs including Frank Stitt (Bottega, Chez Fonfon, Highlands), Chris Hastings (Hot and Hot, OvenBird), Rob McDaniel (Helen), and Chris Newsome (Ollie Irene.)

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement changed the course of history in America forever. Many of the places that created the environment for such monumental change are right here in our own backyard. Alabama’s role in the Civil Rights Movement is undeniable. All across the state, our cities and towns became the backdrop for sit-ins, marches, demonstrations, and protests that opened the world’s eyes to the inequality, injustice, and bigotry prevalent throughout our country. Nearly 70 years later, the sacrifices many Americans made to advance the cause for equality are more important than ever. And now more than ever, it’s important to reflect on that history. 

Dream Ranch is located just outside of Huntsville and within an hour of Birmingham in Guntersville, Alabama. This convenient location makes it a top destination for weekend getaways, corporate events, weddings, day hunts and captivating experiences without the hassle of extensive travel arrangements.

If you thought you’d have to leave Alabama to get a cozy mountain town experience, think again. Nestled in the woodlands of Lookout Mountain, Mentone is our state’s highest city—and also one of the most fun to visit. Its location in the northeast corner of the state, teetering near the Georgia state line, renders it a gateway to the Appalachians. But it’s also the gateway to years of history and culture built by the mountain people who call it home. With gorgeous natural surroundings to explore—on foot, skis, or horseback—plus plenty of colorful shops and restaurants, Mentone is ideal for a refreshing retreat. Here’s our guide to spending a day in Mentone. 

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Alabama’s prosperous Black Belt has taken note of the wise words and utilized the regions’ local treasures to produce some of the state’s most delicious flavors from sweet confections to savory sausages. Named for its rich, dark, nutrient-rich soil, the 23 counties wrap the state’s midsection like a belt, tying together Alabama’s Civil Rights history and a celebration of southern tradition.

If the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo were an animal, it would be a cat with nine lives. Since opening in 1989 as Zooland Animal Park, the beloved zoo has survived six major hurricanes—plus a pandemic—and lived to tell the tale. The most destructive of the hurricanes, Hurricane Ivan, which hit in 2004, forced a total animal evacuation, causing more than $500,000 in damage and a 14-month closure. The zoo’s incredible story of survival attracted the attention of The Animal Planet, which chose it as the subject for a 13-episode documentary series called “The Little Zoo That Could” that aired in February 2006. 

Fact: Few things in life are better than Alabama barbecue. The North Alabama Barbecue Trail has many mouth-watering options, but here are a few of our faves to get started with.

If you’re looking for a new place to grab a drink, then you need to add Busted Oak Bourbon Society in Albertville to the top of your list. A hidden gem in a refurbished downtown area, Busted Oak offers a casual atmosphere with plenty of elegance and sophistication—and maybe just a touch of intrigue, as well.

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As it turns out, delicious BBQ is a perfect reason for the entire family to get out of the house and celebrate the end of summer. Gather your family and friends on August 28 to enjoy good music, Alabama’s best BBQ and fun activities for all ages!

You don’t need a time machine to go back in time. In the heart of historic downtown Montgomery lies a microcosm of life in 19th century America. Old Alabama Town is a collection of more than 50 restored 19th and 20th century structures and buildings meant to replicate the architecture, history, and lifestyle of the time. The buildings of Old Alabama Town are spread across six downtown blocks and show off an array of styles from high-end townhouses to rural pioneer cabins. 

Made up of six wineries nestled within the mountains and valleys of North Alabama, the trail creates a breathtakingly scenic road trip.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement changed the course of history in America forever. Many of the places that created the environment for such monumental change are right here in our own backyard. Alabama’s role in the Civil Rights Movement is undeniable. All across the state, our cities and towns became the backdrop for sit-ins, marches, demonstrations, and protests that opened the world’s eyes to the inequality, injustice, and bigotry prevalent throughout our country. Nearly 70 years later, the sacrifices many Americans made to advance the cause for equality are more important than ever. And now more than ever, it’s important to reflect on that history.