In Anniston, located an hour east of Birmingham, you can learn all about the Freedom Riders’ harrowing journey as they protested segregated bus seating. On May 14, 1961, seven members of the Congress of Racial Equality boarded a Greyhound bus in Atlanta on its way to Birmingham.

Fourteen miles from The University of Alabama’s bustling college campus lies the site of another thriving community. More than 900 years ago, Moundville, nicknamed The Big Apple of the 14th Century by National Geographic, was once America’s largest city north of Mexico and one of the most powerful prehistoric communities of all time. Today, what remains of this huge settlement of Mississippian culture is one of the nation’s most important Native American heritage sites. This hidden historical gem is now managed by The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences and is open to the public to visit seven days a week.  

When people think of America’s most notable music cities, several Southern cities come to mind. There’s New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz; Memphis, where rock ‘n’ roll got its start; and Nashville, our nation’s country music capital. But there’s one more place that should be added to the list of legendary music towns, and it’s Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Located in North Alabama, the Florence-Muscle Shoals metropolitan area includes Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield. Together, the four cities make up The Shoals, an area with rich music traditions dating to the 1960s and extending into present day. 

With its extraordinary natural beauty, the North Alabama region is the perfect setting for a dreamy wedding. Imagine saying “I do” against the most picturesque of views; sparkling lakes, lush vegetation, soaring mountains. The internationally acclaimed music and food facilities, along with a broad selection of beautiful and historical sites will make the most magical of days for the happy couple!

Paul Attaway retired from a 30-year career as a small business entrepreneur to pursue his calling as a writer. In his debut novel, “Blood in the Low Country,” Paul tells the story of Monty Atkins who attended college at The University of Alabama, and yes, thinks Bear Bryant walks on water. He’s a good man who loves God and his wife and kids. But he also loves the Lowcountry, Charleston specifically, golf, baseball, college football and Shrimp ’n Grits.

Condé Nast Traveler has released their annual list of best places to travel in the upcoming year, and Birmingham tops the list of 22 destinations. Included in the food travel category, Birmingham sits alongside Serbia and Trøndelag County, Norway. Some of the other destinations on the list—broken into categories of Arts & Culture, History, Transportation, Sustainability, and Outdoors & Beach—include Charleston, South Carolina; London; Querétaro, Mexico; The Great Lakes; and Singapore.

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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