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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. 

Although Harper Lee was very protective of her privacy, you can get a closer look into her life by visiting her hometown of Monroeville in South Alabama.

Located just north of Montgomery on the Coosa River, Wetumpka’s historic Southern charm paired with its recently revitalized downtown make it the perfect place for a day trip.

With more than 1,500 items of space hardware in its permanent collection, as well as several rotating exhibits and dozens of interactive experiences that make you feel like you’re truly out of this world, the Space & Rocket Center is a must-visit for anyone in the area.

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Pursell Farms is steeped in history. Even its location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is part of the story. Pursell Farms is located on the east side of Sulphur Mountain. On the west is Talladega Springs, a former resort town that hit its peak in the early 1900s when visitors flocked to its luxury 100-room hotel for a stay while enjoying the supposed healing powers of the area’s many sulfur springs. Today, Pursell Farms carries on the resort town tradition with its 40-room boutique inn, cottages, and cabins.

In the Mount Rushmore of Alabama cities, Mobile has more than staked its claim. Founded in 1702 as the capital of French Louisiana, this coastal city has a similar cultural identity and roots to the Big Easy, but with a more family-friendly spin. Its prime location near Alabama’s famous white-sand Gulf Coast beaches makes it a common stop for travelers passing through, but with an increasingly accomplished food scene and plenty of activities to fill a weekend twice over, there’s considerable reason to make Mobile your main stop. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Mobile. 

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If you grew up in Alabama or have spent any amount of time in the state, then you likely know a little about Helen Keller’s life here. After suffering a severe illness at 19 months, she was left deaf and blind. For the next five years, her world was dark, lonely, and utterly silent until Anne Sullivan entered her life. On a spring day in 1887, the teacher made a breakthrough when she successfully taught Helen the word “water” by repeatedly pumping cool well water into her hand while tapping out an alphabet code spelling the word into her other. By the end of the night, Helen had learned 30 words.

It may be best known as host to one of the Southeast’s biggest music festivals, but The Hangout in Gulf Shores has been showing crowds a good time for far longer than the Hangout Music Festival’s 10-year tenure.