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THE 10 BEST Alabama Tours & Excursions

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1. Dolphin and Nature Sunset Cruise from Orange Beach

2. Birmingham Civil Rights Tour- Riding & Walking

3. Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise

4. Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures

5. Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion

6. Orange Beach Dolphin Eco Boat Tour

7. Big Fun Dolphin Cruise & Sealife Experience ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA

8. 2-Hour Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour from Orange Beach

9. 3hr Private Driving Civil Rights Tour

10. Mobile Area Multi-Attraction Pass

11. 90 Minutes Dolphin Cruise from Orange Beach

12. Orange Beach Sunset Sailing Cruise

13. Experience Birmingham - The Historic Highlights

14. Downtown Mobile Food Tour

15. Montgomery Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Self Guided (GPS) Walking Tour

16. Dolphins and Wildlife Kayak Experience from Gulf Shores

17. The Birmingham Ghost Walk - Hotels Churches and Riots Tour

18. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Admission Ticket

19. Dizzy Dauphin Island Scavenger Hunt

20. 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Experience - Black History Matters Walking Tour

21. Birmingham Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Smartphone Audio App Tour

22. Mobile City Multi-Attraction Pass

23. Florence, Muscle Shoals Multi-Attraction Pass

24. Orange Beach 90-Minute Sunset Cruise on a Tiki Bar

25. 6 Hours Private Civil Rights Tour of Montgomery

26. Wild Cave Adventure Tour

27. Selma Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Self Guided GPS APP Audio Tour

28. Huntsville and North Alabama Multi-Attraction Pass

29. Birmingham Area Multi-Attraction Pass

30. Ghosts and Graveyards Driving Tour

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Alabama Extend 50th Anniversary Tour With Charlie Daniels, Exile

By Stephen L. Betts

Stephen L. Betts

Since 1969, pioneering country group Alabama have been delivering an influential brand of high-energy performances that have culminated in numerous Entertainer of the Year honors and membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now, the trio of Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry have added nearly 30 additional stops on their current 50th Anniversary Tour, with shows just announced in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Bangor, Maine; Tallahassee, Florida; and Ottawa.

In addition to the Charlie Daniels Band, others appearing on the tour include the Marshall Tucker Band, John Anderson, Restless Heart, Exile, John Michael Montgomery, Scotty McCreery and Canadian artist Charlie Major. A date with the Beach Boys is also slated to be announced.

“We are very fortunate to have made many friends over the last 50 years,” bass player-vocalist Teddy Gentry said in a statement. “On this tour, we decided to ask some of them to come along and play with us. We have the best of the best. It’s a lot of fun to hang out and watch our special guests every night.”

Alabama launched their first Farewell Tour in 2002, which ran for two years, after which the members recorded solo projects, playing together again in 2005 to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. Lead singer Randy Owen battled prostate cancer in 2010 and singer-guitarist Jeff Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017. By that time, they had reunited, without drummer Mark Herndon, for two lengthy tours and the release of Southern Drawl, their first new album in 14 years.

Alabama’s 50th Anniversary Tour dates:

May 9 – Orange Beach, AL @ The Wharf Amphitheater (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) May 10 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) May 24 – Cherokee, NC @ Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center July 11 – Bossier City, LA @ CenturyLink Center (w/ Exile) July 12 – Rogers, AR @  Walmart AMP (w/ John Anderson) July 19 – Ottawa, Ontario @ The Arena at TD Place (w/ Charlie Major) July 20 – Oro-Medonte, Ontario @ Big Sky Music Festival July 26 – Columbus, GA @ Columbus Civic Center (w/ John Michael Montgomery) July 27 – Bristol, TN @ Thunder Valley Amphitheatre (w/ John Michael Montgomery) August 16 – Lewisburg, WV @ State Fair of West Virginia August 17 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNG Bank Arts Center (w/ Scotty McCreery) August 23 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena (w/ Restless Heart) August 24 – North Lawrence, OH @ The Country Fest’s Neon Nights August 29 – Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) August 31 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) September 1 – Bangor, ME @ Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) September 13 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre (w/ Exile) September 27 – Savannah, GA @ Martin Luther King Jr. Arena September 28 – Estero, FL @ Hertz Arena October 3 – Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) October 4 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) October 10 – Tallahassee, FL @ Donald L. Tucker Civic Center (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) October 11 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) November 1 – Thackerville, OK @ WinStar World Casino & Resort November 8 – Madison, WI @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center (w/ Charlie Daniels Band) November 9 – Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse (w/ Restless Heart) November 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena November 23 –Salisbury, MD Wicimico Civic Center (w/ Exile)

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Alabama tour dates 2024

Alabama is currently touring across 2 countries and has 20 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, after that they'll be at GIANT Center in Hershey.

Currently touring across

Upcoming concerts (20) See nearest concert

Chartway Arena

GIANT Center

Stir Concert Cove, Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel

Vibrant Arena at The MARK

Dekalb Vfw Fair Grounds

Live Oak Bank Pavilion Riverfront Park

Long Leaf Country Music Festival

Prairie Knights Casino & Resort

Dauphin's Countryfest Grounds

Bridgestone Arena

Ohio State Fair

The Amp at Log Still

Freeman Arts Pavilion

Atlantic Union Bank After Hours at the SERVPRO Pavilion

Kickoff Jam

Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey's

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Past concerts

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood

The Sound at Coachman Park

Lucas Oil Live at Winstar World Casino & Resort

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Recent tour reviews

Alabama was AWESOME!! They played all my favorites & moved around the stage interacting with the audience!! Perfect!! We even took our 11 year old to see them for her first concert!! Best night!!

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This was an awesome concert!! I have been a Alabama fan since I was a little girl and this was my first time at their concert. My son bought tickets for my Birthday! I loved the whole show!

Outstanding show!!! Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook still have it after 40 years. Their harmonies are still rock solid. They truly love their music and their fans. No wonder they are legends.

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Alabama Announce ‘Roll On II’ 2024 Tour Dates

Over the past several years, the members of Alabama have weathered their fair share of health challenges and other logistical difficulties, keeping them from the stage. So they never take the opportunity to tour for granted — and they're getting that chance once again in 2024.

On Thursday (March 21), the group announced a lineup of dates billed as the 2024 Roll On II North American Tour, a reprisal of their 2023 tour of the same name. It's a nod to the band's "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)," a hit from 1984, as well as a fitting name for a tour presented by Kenworth Trucking Company.

In a statement, frontman Randy Owen says fans who attend a show in 2024 can look forward to singing along to all their favorite Alabama hits.

"I look forward to singing 'Mountain Music,' 'Tennessee River,' 'Feels So Right' and so many more," Owen relates in a statement. "It's just a matter of getting up onstage and enjoying it. We can't wait to see the fans who made it all possible."

For many of the shows, the band will have some extra musical pals along to make the moment even more special. Diamond Rio , the Marshall Tucker Band, Jamey Johnson , Lee Greenwood and the Bellamy Brothers are all booked to perform on various dates on the tour.

In late 2023, Owen gave Taste of Country a positive update on his health , but he stopped short of committing to tour plans for 2024.

"I'm 73 years old. I just had my tests and everything, and everything came back really good. I had my flu shot. So I'm ready to go," he said at that time, but added that the health setbacks he's suffered in the past have left him cautious — and appreciative of every chance he gets to set foot onstage.

"I just never know. I enjoy every show and thank God I get to do one more show," Owen added.

For ticketing information for Alabama's upcoming tour dates, visit the band's website . More dates are expected to be announced at a later time.

Alabama, 2024 Roll On II North America Tour Dates:

March 23 — Thackerville, Okla. @ Lucas Oil Live April 5  — Clearwater, Fla. @ The Sound at Coachman Park (with Diamond Rio) April 7 — Hollywood, Fla. @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino April 25 — Norfolk, Va. @ Chartway Arena (with Lee Greenwood) April 27 — Hershey, Pa. @ Giant Center (with Lee Greenwood) May 11 — Orange Beach, Ala. @ The Wharf Amphiteatre (with Jamey Johnson) May 17 — Council Bluffs, Iowa @ Stir Concert Cove - Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel May 19 — Moline, Ill. @  Vibrant Arena at the Mark (with the Bellamy Brothers) June 1 — Fort Payne, Ala. @ June Jam XVIII June 15 — Columbia, S.C. @ Southeastern BBQ Showdown at Segra Park June 22 — Gay, GA @ Long Leaf Country Music Festival (with The Marshall Tucker Band) June 27 — Fort Yates, N.D. @ Prairie Knights Casino & Resort June 29 — Dauphin, Manitoba, Calif. @ Dauphin’s CountryFest July 25 — Columbus, Ohio @ Ohio State Fair July 27 — Gethsemane, Ky. @ The Amp at Log Still (with Lee Greenwood) Aug. 8 — Selbyville, Dele. @ Freeman Arts Pavilion Aug. 10 — Doswell, Va. @ Atlantic Union Bank After Hours at Servpro Pavilion Sept. 13 — Stateline, Nev. @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys Nov. 8  — St. Augustine, Fla. @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre Nov. 9 — St. Augustine, Fla. @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre

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Alabama Tourism Department

The official site for industry professionals, the road to freedom.

Travel the road to freedom, from the last slave ship to Dr. Martin Luther King.

Begin this tour in Mobile and take a driving tour of Africatown, still home to a community of descendants of Clotilde, the last slave ship to arrive in America. After emancipation, the former slaves returned from various plantations, bought land and formed Africatown, ruling it according to customary African laws and speaking their own regional language. Tour the Museum of Mobile, a National Historic landmark built in 1857, which contains the rich history of Native American, Colonial, African-American and Antebellum influences on the 300 year old city. Also visit the National African-American Archives Museum which houses many artifacts and special collections that reflect the Black history of Alabama’s oldest city.

Highlights include:

• A driving tour includes several churches of historic interest and Africatown, so named because it was the settlement of the Africans brought to Mobile on the “Clotilde”-America’s last slave ship that came in 1859.
• Museum of Mobile, a National Historic landmark built in 1857, contains the rich history of Native American, Colonial, African-American and Antebellum influences on this 300 year old city.
• National African-American Archives Museum houses many artifacts and special collections that reflect the Black history of Alabama’a oldest city.

Depart hotel and travel to historic Selma, home to Brown Chapel AME Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Voting Rights March. Tour the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute which houses memorabilia honoring the attainment of the right to vote. Also downtown see the Old Depot Museum with artifacts from Native American days up through the Voting Rights era. In the afternoon, visit antebellum Sturdivant Hall, a Greek Revival mansion designed by a cousin of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. See the historic Old Live Oak Cemetery, where Alabama and America’s first black congressman, is buried.

• Brown Chapel AME Church, where Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Voting Rights March.
• National Voting Rights Museum & Institute which houses memorabilia honoring the attainment of the right to vote.
• Old Depot Museum with artifacts from Native American days up through the Voting Rights era.
• Antebellum Sturdivant Hall, a Greek Revival mansion designed by a cousin of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
• Old Live Oak Cemetery, where Alabama and America’s first black congressman, is buried.

Depart hotel for Montgomery traveling over the Edmund Pettus Bridge where law enforcement personnel confronted voting rights marchers. The demonstration and the subsequent struggle known as Bloody Sunday eventually led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Follow the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail. Be sure to stop at the Lowndes County Interpretive Center, the National Parks Museum at the mid-point of the Selma-to-Montgomery March.. In Montgomery visit the Rosa Parks Museum and feel what it was like to be arrested for not moving to the back of the bus. Lunch in downtown Montgomery. Later, visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. King started his ministry. Visit the Alabama State Capitol, the birthplace of the Confederacy and the final stop along the Selma-to-Montgomery March. Nearby see the Civil Rights Memorial Center. Travel only a few blocks and visit the Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum and tour the residence in Montgomery formerly occupied by Dr. King and his family.

• Follow the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail over the Edmund Pettus Bridge where law enforcement personnel confronted voting rights marchers.
• Lowndes County Interpretive Center, the National Parks Museum at the mid-point of the Selma-to-Montgomery March.
• Rosa Parks Museum. Feel what it was like to be arrested for not moving to the back of the bus.
• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. King started his ministry.
• Dexter Avenue Parsonage Museum. Tour the residence in Montgomery formerly occupied by Dr. King and his family.
• Alabama State Capitol, the birthplace of the Confederacy and the final stop along the Selma-to-Montgomery March.
• Civil Rights Memorial

Travel to Tuskegee to Moton Field and Tuskegee Army Air Field, where the Tuskegee Airmen, famed black aviators, learned to fly. They were among the best fighter pilots of World War II. Also visit the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site which includes The Oaks, home of Booker T. Washington; the George Washington Carver Museum, dedicated to the work of the famed scientist; and the historic Tuskegee University campus. Later, see the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center with its photography and videos on the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

• Moton Field and Tuskegee Army Air Field, where the Tuskegee Airmen, famed black aviators, learned to fly.
• The Oaks, home of Booker T. Washington
• George Washington Carver Museum, dedicated to the work of the famed scientist on the historic Tuskegee University campus.
• Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center. Photography and videos on the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

Travel to Birmingham to tour The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Civil Rights Institute is both an embrace and a release. The Institute’s 12 galleries tell the heroic story of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s of how ordinary people overcame centuries old bigotry and racism. A self-directed journey through award-winning multimedia exhibits gives an account in graphic detail of the civil rights struggle utilizing archival material, audio-visual aids and artifacts of the period. Across the avenue from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute stands the city’s most famous Civil Rights Landmark, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. On Sunday morning September 15, 1963, Ku Klux Klansmen bombed the church, killing four little girls preparing for morning worship. Walk across the street to Kelly Ingram Park designed as “A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation.” Sculptures in the park recollect attacks on demonstrators, including ones in which police dogs and fire hoses were turned on the marchers, children jailed for their involvement in the protests, and the clergy’s important role in the Movement. Kelly Ingram Park serves at the gateway to the Birmingham Civil Rights District which includes the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

• The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
• Across the street, historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, a famous civil rights landmark that was bombed by Klansmen in 1963, killing four little girls.
• Also across the street, Kelly Ingram Park with sculptures depicting the reality of the police dogs and fire hoses that were turned on demonstrators who gathered at the park in the 1960s.
• Tour historic 4th Avenue North, location of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Travel to Huntsville to tour the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum at the historic campus of Alabama A&M University; the one place in the state where Black History is brought together, sorted, catalogued and preserved. Hear about the Buffalo Soldiers and how Huntsville was the first city to officially end the state’s policy of “separate but equal” school systems for blacks and whites. Also, visit the 1819 Weeden House Museum where artist and poet Maria Howard Weeden brought to life the faces and voices of the slaves from the 19th century.

• Tour the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum located on the historic campus of Alabama A&M University.
• Tour the Dred Scott Home Site at Oakwood College, one of the most prestigious black colleges in the United States.
• Tour the Weeden House Museum

42 Fun Things To Do & Places To Visit In Alabama

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: November 20, 2020  - Last updated: October 15, 2023

Alabama, known also as The Cotton State and the Heart of Dixie, is a beautiful place with delicious food, delightful natural landscapes, deep historic roots, and of course, football galore!

It’s packed with lots of options for what to see, no matter what you’re interested in, so there is a lot to add to your vacation ideas.

How can you decide what tourist hotspots you’ll want to check out when you arrive?

To help you out, here is our travel guide for 42 things to do and places to visit in Alabama that you should add to your bucket list.

Table of Contents

1. U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Michael Gordon / Shutterstock

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a unique museum that should be among any space-lovers’ list of where to visit in the state of Alabama.

Located in Huntsville , this museum showcases the history of the space program of the United States through information and artifacts.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is both a Marshall Space Flight Center for NASA and a Smithsonian Affiliate, and it’s also considered one of the largest space museums on the planet.

More than 1,500 different artifacts are on display and it boasts one of the biggest collections of its kind.

Among the most exhibits at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center are memorabilia and items from Army rocketry and aircraft, the Apollo program, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle program.

It can tell you all about the Space Race and the evolution of space exploration.

Some of the best things you need to check out are the genuine Apollo 16 capsule, a Skylab solar array, capsule trainers, and space travel simulators.

A number of traveling exhibits occasionally stop by here, and two camp programs are held at the museum.

There are also movies shown every day at the National Geographic Theater and the IMAX Theater, and you can tour the grounds with a bus tour.

All in all, this is one of the most fun things to do in Alabama.

Address: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States

2. Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum

Tim Daugherty / Shutterstock

The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum is one of the key architectural points of interest in Alabama.

It’s one of the most beautiful buildings that the great Frank Llyod Wright created in America and the only one by him at all in the state.

In 1940, the Rosenbaum house was created for one family: Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum.

Until 1999. Mildred would continue to live here, and then the house was entirely donated to the city of Florence.

It stands now as a prime example of the Usonian style of Wright, an aesthetic that only arose following the Great Depression.

“Usonian” is a bit of an acronym, basically meaning “United States of North American”, and the buildings in this style were designed to be affordable, functional, and well-blended with the world around them.

This meant natural materials with lots of horizontal lines, glass windows, and cantilevered roofs.

Wright had this down to a T, with a large open living space, cozy appearance, and even an added extension that fit perfectly when the Rosenbaum family grew to include four sons.

In 1948, more sleeping room was added as well as a Japanese garden, and Wright was extremely happy with this – it was a sign of practicality that the building could be so easily changed and extended.

While not the most fun design of Wright’s homes, a trip here will give you a new appreciation for the architect’s genius.

It definitely should be on your list of places to go!

Address: 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, United States

3. Gulf Shores

Jim Vallee / Shutterstock

Gulf Shores is a beautiful destination to head to this weekend as one of the best beach locations in Alabama.

It’s packed with different options for what to do, no matter what kind of trip you’re seeking.

32 miles of white-sand beaches cover the area.

Local attractions cover things like museums, shopping, art, and golf.

Naturally, there are also plenty of water activities to enjoy, like parasailing, boating, kayaking, jet-skiing, fishing, paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and cruises.

You can also simply lounge on the beach and relax, or work on a tan!

4. Huntsville Botanical Garden

Steven L. Gordon / Shutterstock

Termed as one of the most popular vacation spots , the Huntsville Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Alabama and also one of its top attractions, welcoming about 308,000 visitors on an annual basis.

It’s open all throughout the year, no matter the season, so it’s a great, reliable option.

One of the most loved spots within the Huntsville Botanical Garden is the Nature Center and Children’s Garden, which is the home of the biggest seasonal butterfly house in America.

It’s also specially designed just for kids, with themed spaces like a space garden, dinosaur garden, and storybook garden.

There are also many other gardens for people of all ages, such as the biblical garden, fern glade, daylily garden, and herb garden, and there’s also a cool nature trail to check out.

Seasonal events are often held during the year, such as the Scarecrow Trail, Huntsville Blooms, Galaxy of Lights, and Beaks and Barks.

Check the Huntsville Botanical Garden calendar to see if you’ll be in town at the right time to catch something exciting!

Address: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States

Kevin Ruck / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for places to vacation by the sea, or just want a place with a lot of historical activities, you’ll do well with Mobile , a port city with a rich past.

It sits on Alabama Gulf Coast, providing visitors with southern hospitality, fun attractions, and lots of historic districts to take a look at.

In Mobile, you’ll have your fill of art museums, performance art, and coastal wonder.

Check out the 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, wander the beaches for some relaxation, or check out the carnival.

There’s enough to do to keep you busy this weekend!

6. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

Allard One / Shutterstock

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is where you’ll find the USS Alabama, a ship that began construction on the 1st of February in 1940.

It was completed two years later and showed off in an elaborate ceremony.

Captain George B. Wilson became its commander that year on the 16th of August, and about a year later, it would have its first military engagement.

In 1962, the ship was ordered to be scrapped, and it remained unused for the most part until the Battleship Memorial Park was set up in 1977.

Today, the battleship holds status as a national historic landmark and stands alongside many other historic vessels, including fellow national historic landmark USS Drum, which is a submarine.

Both of the aforementioned ships are vessels from World War II.

The Battleship Memorial Park also has some other interesting features, like a patrol boat used during the Vietnam War, military equipment, fighter and bomber planes, and Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials.

It’s no surprise that this location is one of the most rewarding spots for history buffs, and it’s certainly among the state’s top 10 attractions!

Address: 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36603, United States

7. McWane Science Center

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock

The McWane Science Center is a fun and exciting spot that is one of the main places to see in the state for families with children.

It opened its doors in 1998 and has been thrilling children with informational but entertaining science ever since.

Measuring over 9,000 square feet in total, it is packed with interactive exhibits, a Challenger Learning Center, and an IMAX Dome theater.

Over 500,000 different artifacts are on display here, covering a wide range of different scientific topics.

This includes precious minerals, Native American artifacts, and fossils, like an 80-foot whale fossil that is the official state fossil.

Permanent exhibits are diverse, with favorites like the World of Water Aquarium, Explore! Collections Center, the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, Alabama Dinosaurs, Itty Bitty Magic City, Sea Monsters, the Fox 6 Weather Lab, Science on a Sphere, NatureScope, and High Cycle.

Each one is full of interactive activities that make for a fantastic learning experience.

Address: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

8. Cheaha State Park

Steve Bower / Shutterstock

The Cheaha State Park is the oldest state park in Alabama, opened in 1933 and boasting about 2,800 acres of land in Northern Clay and Cleburne.

It’s one of the best places to spend time in for all the park activities you can think of: sightseeing, hiking, camping, water sports – you name it!

At the Cheaha State Park, you can head to the camp sites, outfitted with modern amenities, or go to the Cheaha Lodge that boasts a swimming pool and 30 hotel rooms.

If you’re not looking to stay long, head to bodies of water for fishing, swimming, or boat launches.

You can also just go hiking to all the different scenic spots with gorgeous views, following loved paths like the Chinnabee Silent Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, and the Odum Scout Trail.

Aside from the usual park amenities, the Cheaha State Park also has a restaurant and general store.

In other words, this is one of the most well-outfitted Alabama attractions for visitors who want a lot of options!

Address: 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, United States

9. Bellingrath Gardens and Home

travelview / Shutterstock

The Bellingrath Gardens and Home are truly historic and worth the trip for sightseeing purposes alone.

The grounds cover 900 beautiful acres with the Gardens being the main attraction in this large space in Theodore.

With numerous fun features that make this one of the state’s most delightful tourist attractions, the Bellingrath Gardens and Home provides plenty to do and enjoy.

The great lawn, bridal garden, and conservatory are among top picks on this garden property.

You can also enter the home, which measures 10,500 square feet and dates back to 1935.

It was built by Mobile native and architect George B. Rogers with handmade brick.

Ironwork comes from the Southern Hotel and the entire building gives off a vibe that can only be likened to the Gulf Coast.

It’s also an interesting way of looking at the architectural history of the general area.

The Bellingrath Gardens and Home have 65 acres dedicated to non-stop color through flowers, no matter what time of year it is.

Azaleas brighten the spring.

Tropical plants, roses, and hydrangeas bloom in the summer.

Chrysanthemums take over in the fall.

And, finally, camellias – 400 kinds of them! – cover the grounds in winter.

Take a self-guided tour through the stunning land and feast your eyes on the flora!

Address: 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, AL 36582, United States

10. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Brett Welcher / Shutterstock

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute should be on the bucket list of any American history buff.

Civil rights activists were highly active in Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s, and as such, it makes sense that Birmingham in the state is the site of one of the best places to learn about this powerful movement.

In 1992, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened its doors for the first time, welcoming 25,000 guests in its first week alone.

It tells the story of the development of civil rights, the actions of those who fought for it, and the struggle that still continues to this day for equal treatment.

The things to see within the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute are explorable independently through self-guided walks.

As you pass through the exhibits, you’ll follow the journey of the movement and end on a positive note, as the institute hopes to light a spark of hope for the future through its message.

Address: 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

11. Florence

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Florence is one of the most famous Alabama vacation spots, home to a wide range of scenic, educational, and fun attractions.

Located in Alabama’s northwestern side, it is full of outdoor activities, historical locations, and kid-friendly spots for the whole family.

Only 40,000 people live in Florence, and as a small town, it’s a pretty famous tourist location.

It hosts quaint and delightful events, like the W C Handy Music Festival, and provides vibrancy and life to an already bright state.

12. Dauphin Island

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Dauphin Island is set within the Gulf of Mexico’s lush waters.

It is a barrier island, across Alabama Port, and accessible through a bridge spanning three miles from the mainland.

As a getaway, it is nothing short of serene – trails for walking are teeming with greenery, beaches glisten with white sand and blue surf, and rare birds fly about, waiting for bird-watchers to spot them.

If you’re keen to explore Dauphin Island, then renting a bike is a must do.

With a bike, you’ll be able to more easily visit the many unique spots on the island, including historic parks, lovely parks, and tropical delights.

It’s known as the Sunset Capital of Alabama for its gorgeous vistas of the horizon, too.

No wonder it’s one of the best things to do in Alabama and one of the most beautiful places to go in the US !

13. Rosa Parks Library and Museum

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You’re likely familiar with the inspiring but harrowing story of Rosa Parks, an African-American woman who, in 1955, refused to give her seat to a white man on the bus.

Her brave action sparked the beginning of an uptick in civil rights activism and led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In the Rosa Parks Library and Museum , her legacy is honored today.

You’ll find the Rosa Parks Library and Museum in Montgomery , where its doors are open five days a week.

The museum has an online virtual tour but is certainly worth an in-person trip.

Housed in the former Empire Theatre building, it is split into six different areas that each tell a unique part of Rosa Parks’ story.

Popular exhibits here include a replica of the bus where the inciting incident occurred, a station wagon restored from 1955, and some original documents relating to this historic event.

Other features include an auditorium, “time machine”, conference room, classrooms, and archives.

A children’s wing is available onsite to allow children to learn about Rosa Parks in age-friendly and educational ways.

History buffs should definitely have this museum on their list of what to do in Alabama.

Address: 251 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States

14. Alligator Alley

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No trip to Alabama is complete without a stop at Alligator Alley .

Located in Summerdale, this alligator farm is a haven for lovers of the reptile and for anyone who is interested in learning more about them.

It’s one of the state’s cool things to do, packed with fun, excitement, and plenty of activities.

Alligator Alley was set up in 2004 in Alabama as a farm with a natural environment for these many-toothed reptiles.

The alligators here have come from all sorts of bad situations, rescued from dangerous environments, and brought here to live a healthier life in a better home.

There are also some other animals that have been taken in, either – you can find bullfrogs, owls, ospreys, and turkeys in different areas of the grounds.

A guided adventure takes you through Alligator Alley, beginning at the impressive viewing platform elevated above the ground.

Through it, you can see more than a whopping 450 alligators of all different ages engaging in their daily lives: sunbathing, nesting, courting, and relaxing!

Once the tour is done, you’ll get to head to the gator station, where you’ll be able to hold an adorable baby alligator.

Don’t forget to stick around for the feedings, which happen three times daily; you might even get to participate!

Address: 19950 Co Rd 71, Summerdale, AL 36580, United States

15. Fort Gaines

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Fort Gaines is an excellent option among Alabama destinations for a sightseeing stop.

Located on Dauphin Island, it provides all-around views of the beautiful sand and surf, and its wealth of history makes it one of the best places to stop by when you’re on the Gulf Coast this weekend.

The Fort has been around for over 150 years and has been kept surprisingly well-preserved, remaining on the “entrance” to the stunning Mobile Bay.

It boasts its original canons and kitchen to this very day, as well as a blacksmith’s shop.

There is also a museum and gift shop on the premises, and guided tours are conducted by staff in period costumes who take you through the many interesting tunnels.

You’ll get to watch the art of smithing and even see a cannon fire!

Fort Gaines is considered one of America’s most endangered historic locations, which makes it a rare find in Alabama but also one of the most melancholy.

It was once a key factor in the Battle of Mobile Bay and is the site of the famous “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” order from Admiral Farragut.

If you do plan to go to this location, be aware of the erosion on the shoreline.

Address: 51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States

16. Birmingham Zoo

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The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological part that covers 122 acres of its titular town.

More than 470,000 visitors head here on a yearly basis, and there are lots of activities held throughout the year that make it worth a trip while you’re in Alabama.

It opened in 1955 with only a handful of animals in a firehouse and has since grown to accommodate over 800 individual animals from 200 different species.

Some of the most fun attractions around the Birmingham Zoo are the Kangaroo Kountry, Predator Building, Flamingo Lagoon, Primate Building, and Alligator Swamp.

If you’re looking for more stuff to do, keep an eye out for camel rides, available seasonally, and the Sea Lions Splash Show.

There is also the delightful Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary, which charges a small fee to let you interact with and feed birds!

Address: 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, United States

17. Ave Maria Grotto

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The Ave Maria Grotto in Benedictine Abbey is an impressive work of art that makes it one of the best places to visit of religious and general artistic significance.

It comprises more than 125 different little miniature reproductions of buildings, shrines, and churches across the planet.

The Ave Maria Grotto was built by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Brother of the Order who resided in St. Bernard Abbey.

He was born in Bavaria but arrived here in 1892.

In his time here, he began work on the Grotto, which was actually just a project he did as a hobby.

He used recycled materials and the Grotto soon grew into a famous feature of the Abbey.

For three acres, the grotto will transport you away from Alabama and onto the streets of many beautiful locations in different parts of the world.

It is even commonly called “Jerusalem in Miniature”, and it’s an apt name for such a masterpiece.

Address: 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055, United States

18. Birmingham Museum of Art

The Birmingham Museum of Art is one of the must do Alabama attractions for art aficionados.

It is considered among the finest art collections in Alabama, and perhaps even in the Southeast of the country.

It opened its doors in 1951, has the support of an education program, and is home to more than 25,000 exhibits.

Multiple cultures are well-represented at the Birmingham Museum of Art through decorative works, paintings, and sculptures.

You’ll find work from Africa, Asia, America, and Europe, and from Native American and Pre-Columbian cultures.

The museum also has amazing Renaissance, Wedgwood, and Baroque art collections, and the Vietnamese ceramics collection is to die for!

Noted artists with works here are Carrie Hill, a landscape artist, and Hannah Elliot, a miniaturist.

Address: 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

19. Cathedral Caverns State Park

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Cathedral Caverns State Park can be found in Marshall County, just southeast of Alabama’s Woodville.

The state park is named after a stunning cavern within it that is known as one of the best tourist attractions in the area.

The magnificent Cathedral Caverns were once simply known as the Bat Cave, but it completely naturally looks like a cathedral, earning in its current title.

The Cathedral Caverns are always 60 degrees in temperature, and they greet you with a giant entrance measuring 25 feet in height and 126 feet in width.

11,000 feet have been traversed, but 2,700 feet more of the Caverns are still closed as they have not yet been surveyed.

Gem mining, cave tours, camping, and picnics can all be done here.

The most stunning of the Cathedral Caverns’ sights is Goliath, which might be the largest natural column in the world.

The stalagmite has a 3-inch diameter, a 243-foot circumference, and a height of 45 feet.

It reaches the ceiling, 25 feet above, at an angle that makes room for it.

It’s the centerpiece of the state park and a masterwork of nature!

Address: 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776, United States

20. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is situated on 740 acres of ground in Birmingham.

It is the home of the world’s most comprehensive and fine collections of vintage automobiles and motorcycles.

It was created by George Barber, who has a private collection of vintage motorcycles thanks to his interest in them.

He used his collection to open the museum in 1988.

Barber was more than just a collector, though.

He had 63 first-place wins from racing Porches and was advised by his friend, Dave Hooper, to focus on motorcycles due to the common collections of cars already existing.

Barber listened and began gathering what is now the biggest collection of motorcycles in the world.

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum now has more than 1,450 motorcycles that span over a century of production from 20 different countries.

Famous bikes onsite include everything from common brands like Honda and Harley-Davidson to rarer ones like Cagiva and DSK.

Aside from motorcycles, the museum is also home to a fun collection of Lotus racecars – the biggest of its kind worldwide!

There’s no denying that the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is one of the state’s things to see that shouldn’t be missed for motorcycle enthusiasts!

Address: 6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL 35094, United States

21. F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

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The F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is situated in Montgomery, and as the sole museum exclusive to its subject, is one of the top points of interest for renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald in the world.

The Fitzgeralds came to live in the house in 1931, at the same time that the writer was working on screenwriting Red-Headed Woman and authoring the novel Tender Is The Night.

Only a year later, a mental breakdown would see his wife, Zelda, admitted to a clinic in Baltimore.

That April, Fitzgerald would vacate the home with his child.

The house was set up to be knocked down in 1986, but two people rallied to save it: Julian and Leslie McPhillips.

They also set up the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Association and the house was officially opened as a museum the following year.

It is now the last house ever lived in by either Fitzgerald or his wife that remains standing now in Montgomery.

The house itself is interesting to explore.

Its foyer leads to a number of different directions, with the museum being situated on the first floor and apartments located above.

The apartments are now actually used as the Zelda and Scott Suites, which are an AirBnB location.

If you book a room for the night, museum entry is complimentary, so it could be among the free things to do if you decide to stay here!

A tour of the museum starts with a video that dates back to the 1980s.

It is 30 minutes long and tells the tale of the Fitzgeralds and their home.

The rest of the museum is backed with personal items, photos, letters, and books relating to the author and his family.

Address: 919 Felder Ave # 919, Montgomery, AL 36106, United States

22. Unclaimed Baggage Center

Unclaimed Baggage Center

The Unclaimed Baggage Center is one of the best cool places that you can check out in Alabama.

It is in Scottsboro and is one of the many places that unclaimed baggage may end up in order to find new homes somewhere.

Many airlines provide reimbursements to customers whose luggage or cargo is lost, and then the eventually located luggage may then be sold.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center, which opened in 1970, is one of the businesses that purchase such lost items.

They first opened as a part-time business in 1970 before a full expansion in 1995 that led to it reaching the size of a city block!

Over 7,000 new items are brought in daily, so the selection is wide-ranging and interesting.

At the Unclaimed Baggage Center, you’ll find a large amount of clothing predominantly, but there are many other items as well.

Electronics, books, jewelry, sporting goods, cameras, and actual luggage are also common finds.

There are also rarer and more unique items occasionally; some that have been reported over the years are a parachute, a suit of armor, a fighter jet system, gemstones, and a whole live rattlesnake!

The rarest items can be viewed in the museum on site.

This includes artifacts from Egypt, Hoggle from Labyrinth by Jim Hensen, and even a 1700s violin.

There’s a reason over a million people come to check this place out annually – it’s just cool!

Address: 509 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL 35768, United States

23. Little River Canyon

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The Little River Canyon is a national reserve that can be found close to Fort Payne, on Alabama’s Lookout Mountain.

It is the site of America’s longest mountaintop river, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful places to go in the state.

The canyon is often considered the deepest of its kind east of the Mississippi River and was originally called May’s Gulf.

There are a number of fun ways to keep yourself occupied if you visit Little River Canyon.

Backcountry camping is possible in Hartline’s Ford, Billy’s Ford, and Slant Rock.

Fishing and hunting can be performed with a license, too.

If you prefer, you can also just drive along the edge of the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway to get a 23-mile gorgeous view around the rim of the canyon.

Address: 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, United States

24. Fairhope

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Fairhope is a lovely, picturesque location that has a small-town vibe, which makes it one of many more laid-back vacation ideas in Alabama.

Perfect for exploring the shores and cliffs of Mobile Bay this weekend through the delightful, whimsical locations it has to offer.

Among Fairhope’s most famed places to visit is Fairhope Avenue, which has plenty of unique and interesting shops, eateries, and galleries, as well as storybook-like lights at night.

There is also the Fairhope Pier, the rose garden, tours through horseback and boat, and more.

25. Mobile Carnival Museum

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The Mobile Carnival Museum is the best way to get a glimpse into Mardi Gras history in Alabama.

This is because Mobile was the location of the very first Mardi Gras (or Carnival) in the New World of French Louisiana in 1703.

The Mobile Carnival Museum tells its tales through photographs, costumes, floats, gowns, jewels, and posters, all dating as far back as 1886 and as current as the modern day.

As one of the most fun things to do in Alabama, it showcases all the unique and fascinating parts of Mardi Gras and Carnival evolution over the decades.

Address: 355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States

26. Bryant Denny Stadium

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The Bryant Denny Stadium rests on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

It’s one of the key places of interest for sports fans and was set up in 1929.

At first, it only has 18,000 or so seats, but it has since grown to be capable of accommodating more than 100,000 people!

Over the years, the Bryant Denny Stadium has become one of the country’s main venues for college football.

If you love sports as entertainment, you’ll likely be able to watch a game if you catch tickets on time.

If not, book a tour of the stadium in advance in order to go on one of the daily tours, which caps at 25 people.

If you’re a die-hard sports fan, you’ll also probably want to catch the Iron Bowl, which takes place here in even-numbered years!

It’s a fun mashup between the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, which are the state’s two biggest rivals in the sport of college football.

Address: 920 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, United States

27. Dismals Canyon

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The Dismals Canyon comes alive when night falls.

Dismalites!

Dismalites are a kind of gnat larvae, commonly called “glowworms”, which doesn’t sound very appealing, but they’re a must see if you’re in Alabama thanks to their rarity alone.

Dismalites, officially called the North American Orfelia fultoni, can only survive in specific habitats when they are still larvae, so they can only be found in very few locations.

They need hanging surfaces to build webs on, humidity to keep them moist, darkness so its lights can show, and still air in order to keep web lines steady.

Alongside Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, Dismals Canyon is one of the places to see that has this habitat!

The canyons, covered in moss, are often so full of them that it’s tough to differentiate between them and the sky above!

The Dismals Canyon is also home to one of the world’s biggest Canadian Hemlock trees, known also as Tsuga canadensis.

It towers at 138 feet in height and nearly 9 inches around.

Its crown spreads across 50 feet and it has an impressive age of 360 years.

Address: 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, United States

28. Moundville Archaeological Park

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Travel back in time to a pre-Columbian world at the Moundville Archaeological Park near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

For more than a millennium, these earthworks have gazed over the Black Warrior River on a bluff, boasting 29 mounts built by the Mississippians, a Native American society.

The civilization of Mississippians was made up of chiefdoms that lived in a long rush of land from the coast of the Atlantic to the western Plains.

Chiefdoms were autonomous but connected by conflicts, trades, or other arrangements.

The culture also discovered techniques for sustainable agriculture, unlike many hunter-gatherer societies, which is why permanent settlements were possible for them.

Ruling religious and political figures were the head of their complex civilizations, and these elites were responsible for the supervision of the construction of the mounds you see now.

These mounds were the basis for houses, temples, and buildings of council and required heavy labor.

The ones at the Moundville Archaeological Park were built between 1000 and 1450 CE and had more than one thousand residents.

The larger the mound, the more elite the individual residing within it.

The largest one at the Moundville Archaeological Park measures 60 feet in height.

This place was abandoned around 1500 CE and it wasn’t excavated properly until the 20th century as part of New Deal job creation.

It spans 185 acres and is one of the best Alabama attractions you can find, as well as one of the most unique.

Address: 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474, United States

29. Talladega Superspeedway

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If you’re looking for fun tourist attractions, the Talladega Superspeedway is an amazing way to get your taste of races and entertainment in Alabama.

Measuring 2.66 miles, it is the fastest and longest of NASCAR’s tracks.

It originally opened as the Alabama International Motor Speedway in 1969 and it earned a reputation for being cursed due to its location atop burial grounds of ancient communities.

The Talladega Superspeedway is unique because it offers a fascinating way to spend weekends when races are scheduled: with the option for free camping on the grounds.

You can avail of infield RV tent camping, RV camping, and outdoor camping as well.

There is also the new addition of the Party Patio, which lets you take a look at the whole track as you rest and await races.

Address: 3366 Speedway Blvd, Lincoln, AL 35096, United States

30. Tinglewood Carvings

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The Tinglewood Carvings can be found in Orr Park of Montevallo, Alabama.

The park itself is lovely, with eight sports fields, two playgrounds, a walking trail, a creek, and several picnic shelters.

But the best things to see at Orr Park aren’t these facilities, but the carvings made in many of its trees.

When a storm swept the area in 1993, many of the older trees wound up being destroyed.

They were originally meant to be simply chopped down, but one Mr. Tingle decided not to allow that!

He arrived and began carving into them, a mix of whimsical and comedic that add to Orr Park’s beauty.

Living trees are left untouched, but dead ones are game for whatever carvings he wants to add!

Alligators, squirrels, men, silly faces, and a dragon are among the different designs of the Tinglewood Carvings.

They’ve become so famous that the Montevallo City Hall has a book that details all of them!

Address: Park Dr, Montevallo, AL 35115, United States

31. Alabama Wildlife Center

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The Alabama Wildlife Center is the biggest facility for wildlife rehabilitation.

Created in 1977, it’s also the oldest, beginning as a small volunteer organization.

For the most part, the wildlife center focuses on being a rehabilitation clinic for native wild birds, providing a wildlife helpline, and offering fun educational programs.

More than 50,000 wild animals have been helped by the wildlife center, the facility continues to provide medical and rehabilitative aid to the animals that they can help.

More than 100 species of wild birds are cared for here annually – over 2,000 individual animals!

Address: 100 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, United States

32. Alabama Theater

In 1927, the Alabama Theater was opened in Birmingham to be a premier movie theater for America’s southeast.

It was among the very first buildings to boast air-conditioning and, in the 1930s, was home to the activities of the Mickey Mouse Club.

In the beginning, the theater could only play silent films with the aid of a Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

It is this organ that eventually saved the theater from its eventual slating for demolition.

Now, the Alabama Theater is a nonprofit that still offers frequent entertainment.

Seating 2,500 people, it has come a long way since it was a mere vessel for vaudeville and performance arts.

As the only district theater in the state still operating, it’s certainly one of the best things to do in Alabama.

Address: 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

33. Town of Spectre

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The Town of Spectre is a fictional town that you may recognize from Big Fish, a film from 2003.

In the movie, the main character visits Spectre multiple times, going as a child to find it beautiful and bright, and arriving later to find it dilapidated.

The lead then works to fix it and, the final time he visits it, it’s all fixed up and good as new.

It’s whimsical and melancholy – even more so when you consider the current state of the set of Spectre.

Spectre was built along the Alabama River, on a private island.

Its facades were left to stand there when filming was over, along with all the other dressings of the set.

The reason it looks so run-down is because that version of Spectre was the last to be filmed, so it already looked intentionally bad when filming wrapped.

Some of the buildings have begun to collapse over time, and one of them led to a fire when debris collapsed and the owners attempted to save it.

Sparks burned and most of the commercial part of Spectre was destroyed.

A river house was also demolished due to flooding that damaged it.

Spectre is still a fun option for what to do, but much smaller now.

Only six homes, two trees, a church, and columns from an important building remain.

If you loved the film, you can leave your shoes at the long line already existing here, left behind by visitors.

Address: Dirt road near, Cypress Ln, Millbrook, AL 36054, United States

34. Civil Rights Memorial

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The Civil Rights Memorial of Alabama is located across the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Despite being harrowing in nature, it is one of the best places to visit to feel the symbolic gravity of the movement for civil rights.

It bears the names of 40 individuals who died between the years 1954 and 1968 in their fight for equality.

The years were chosen because the former is when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against racial segregation in schools and the latter is when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

The memorial is always watched by a guard in order to prevent vandalism.

It was designed by Vietnam Veterans Memorial designer Maya Lin and was dedicated in the year 1989.

The design of the memorial is water-themed and is meant to appear healing and relaxing.

It is a nod to King’s own words from his famous speech: “…we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”.

Address: 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States

35. Orange Beach

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Orange Beach is one of the famous places in Alabama because it’s one of the few beach getaways that offers sand and surf fun.

It rests along the Gulf of Mexico’s coastline and spans 32 miles.

Orange Beach has golf courses, fishing events, nature preserves, and plenty of white sand to enjoy.

You can rent a boat, bask in the sun, go for a cruise, partake in fishing, or even look for dolphins!

36. GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

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The GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best ways to get a true look into the Gulf of Mexico.

As the only maritime museum dedicated to its subject on the planet, it’s paramount of the list of where to go for education about this gulf at the end of Alabama.

Situated on the Mobile River, the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is an interactive location, making it one of the only interactive museums of this theme in the United States.

It is built inside the container ship of the SS McLean as a symbol of the 1950s concept of containerization.

Address: 155 S Water St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States

Auburn is a college town, through and through.

You won’t find another place that is more quintessential to the concept of Alabama colleges.

It’s home to the famous football team, the Auburn Tigers, and the school pride is evident virtually in all the places to visit you’ll encounter.

There are plenty of fun spots throughout Auburn worth visiting.

Whether you’re looking for art, good food, nature, shopping, or sports, you’re sure to find something here that will entice you.

Experience a slice of the world of university life and feel young again – or feel like you’re all grown up!

38. Hank Williams’s Gravesite

More than 25,000 individuals take a trip to Hank Williams’s Gravesite annually, which makes it a surprising addition to the top list of Alabama attractions.

It is located in Montgomery, Alabama in the Oakwood Cemetery Annex.

Williams’ enjoyed a short career in music, but it was nothing if not memorable.

Superfans of Williams have plucked the grass from around his grave so much that it was eventually replaced completely with Astroturf, which makes the grave – and the grave of Williams’ wife, Audrey, stand out significantly.

The artificial bright green contrasts with the natural hues of every place around it.

Address: 1269-1399 Upper Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery, AL, United States

39. Neversink Pit

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The Neversink Pit is one of Alabama’s more unique tourist attractions.

It is located in the north of the state and is a bit of a cross between a cave and a sinkhole.

It’s a majestic sight to behold, which is probably why it’s not just a hotspot for climbers, but for photographers as well.

The Neversink Pit is a magnificent geological marvel.

It measures 40 feet in width at its peak entrance and drops by a whopping 162 feet to a floor nearly 80 feet in width.

Many people aim to climb it, and they’re greeted by different vistas each season.

In the spring, ribbons of water fall after the rain.

In the summer, rare species of ferns drape over the sides.

In the winter, ice sheets make things extra chilly. It’s equal parts fun, intimidating, and breathtaking.

The Southeastern Cave Conservancy spent years trying to keep the Neversink Pit pristine before purchasing the property entirely with donations in 1995.

The organization now maintains watch over the pit’s ecology and overseas guest activity.

This is especially important because of the endangered plants growing in the Neversink Pit and the vulnerable “community” of bats that calls this cave home.

Address: Unnamed Road, Fackler, AL 35746, United States

40. Sloss Furnaces

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The Sloss Furnaces is an incredibly national historic landmark and one of the most unique things to do in Birmingham, Alabama .

In 1882, the furnaces began their function as a blast furnace for pig-iron.

In 1971, the Sloss Furnaces site was shut down, and it was then preserved as one of the things to see for the public.

The fascinating structures were named after Colonel James Withers Sloss, one of Birmingham’s founders who promoted the development of railroads.

He built this company on land spanning 50 acres, which was donated for the purposes of industrial growth.

Only two furnaces could be built even on that huge amount of space.

Each furnace is 60 feet in height and 18 feet in width, and they are surrounded by the items, machines, and tools used in the pig-iron production process.

Sloss eventually sold his company when he wanted to retire.

The park then expanded, accommodating new boilers, and they soon grew to be one of the world’s biggest industry players.

Cottages were set up for workers to live in and improvements were made repeatedly throughout the years.

They were shut down after the passing of the US Clean Air Act.

The Alabama State Fair Authority then received them as a donation and preservationists made sure the site was saved instead of demolished.

The Sloss Furnaces now function as an industrial museum, providing a globally renowned metal arts program and teaching visitors an interpretive history of the industry.

It is also often used as a venue for concerts and festivals, and there’s no entry fee, so it’s one of the few free things to do in the state.

Address: 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222, United States

41. Natural Bridge

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The Natural Bridge is one of the must see points of interest in Alabama.

It is surrounded by unbelievably lush foliage as well as delightful and awe-inspiring rock formations, but the uniqueness of this bridge, made of iron ore and sandstone, outshines them all.

Over 200 million years ago, this bridge was slowly being formed outside what is now known as the William Bankhead National Forest.

It spans the area of a cave and measures 148 feet in length and 50 feet in height.

Native Americans have lived here for centuries, and it became a national park in 1954.

You cannot walk over the bridge now due to safety, but it’s amazing enough to walk through and take photos.

If you walk a little farther, you’ll find a mysterious Native American head carving believed to depict a former chief.

Address: County RD 314, Natural Bridge, AL 35577, United States

42. Southeastern Raptor Center

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If you’re looking for fun things to do in Alabama, you can’t go wrong with the Southeastern Raptor Center .

Founded in the mid-1970s, it was created after Dr. Milton received requests to help injured birds that had been taken to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Auburn University.

Eventually, donations and volunteer work allowed for the creation of the raptor barn, followed by a housing area.

The Southeastern Raptor Center has since helped thousands of birds of prey, treating them and releasing them into the wild as one of the top specialists for this field in Alabama.

As such, the center is an amazing option among places to visit in the state, especially for bird enthusiasts.

Address: 1350 Pratt-Carden Dr, Auburn, AL 36849, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Alabama

Alabama’s places to visit are fun, exciting, and unique.

Whether you’ve got a huge budget or want something free, there are sure to be Alabama vacation spots that fit your idea of the perfect holiday.

Hopefully, this travel guide has helped you determine your own picks for the top things to do in Alabama!

University of Alabama Athletics

Yea Alabama Announces “Tide on Tour” Dates and Cities

4/16/2024 11:13:00 AM | General

Tickets to go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 17

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dates and locations are set for the 2024 "Tide on Tour," presented by Yea Alabama, with tickets going on sale to the public beginning at 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, April 17.

A relaunch of a past tour event, "Crimson Caravan," the new and improved "Tide on Tour" will feature Alabama Football Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Men's Basketball Head Coach Nate Oats, and Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. The three-city tour will also feature current UA student-athletes.

This year's dates, locations and times are as follows:

General admission tickets are $90 per person and VIP tickets are $130 per person for each tour stop with proceeds benefitting Yea Alabama to help support Alabama student-athletes. VIP tickets will include an opportunity to meet with Coach DeBoer and the student-athletes in attendance for a window of one hour prior to each event. Interested parties can purchase tickets through RollTide.com or by calling the Alabama Ticket Office at 205-348-BAMA starting Wednesday at 9 a.m. CT. For media inquiries, please contact Yea Alabama at [email protected].

• Anniston/Gadsden

Alabama gymnastics tickets available for 2024 NCAA women’s gymnastics semifinals

• Updated: Apr. 17, 2024, 1:14 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 17, 2024, 1:13 p.m.
• Thomas Lagrone | [email protected]

The 2024 NCAA women’s gymnastics tournament is nearly finished with the semifinals set for broadcast tomorrow on ESPN2.

The Alabama gymnastics team is part of the eight semifinal teams, alongside fellow SEC teams LSU, Arkansas, and Florida. Fans can catch all the action live in Fort Worth, Texas by purchasing tickets from a variety of websites: SeatGeek , Ticketmaster , and Vivid Seats.

In addition to the SEC competition in the semifinals, the 2023 NCAA women’s gymnastics champion is still alive in the tournament. The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to win back-to-back national championships, and they will be facing off against Alabama, Florida, and Utah.

The top two teams from each semifinal will advance to the national championship on April 20.

The other semifinal involves two SEC schools, LSU and Arkansas. They will look to advance over Stanford and California, as there is still the possibility of a four SEC team national championship matchup.

While the semifinal matches tomorrow will be available to watch on ESPN2 or stream online , the tickets to attend the event live are extremely affordable. Tomorrow’s semifinals will be one of the final collegiate gymnastics events for a while, and fans could experience the NCAA tournament atmosphere in Fort Worth, Texas.

For some good ticket deals and prices, fans have a plethora of options to use. Some of these options include SeatGeek , Ticketmaster , and Vivid Seats.

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Election Updates: Democrats retake full control in Michigan; Biden campaigns in Pennsylvania.

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Neil Vigdor

Lee Chatfield, Michigan’s Republican House speaker in 2019 and 2020, is facing 13 criminal charges stemming from his use of political dark money on vacations and luxury goods, the state’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said on Tuesday. But investigators did not find enough evidence to pursue charges on a separate sexual assault claim, she said. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Michael Gold

Donald Trump, outside a bodega in Harlem after leaving court, vowed to “make a big play for New York,” a heavily Democratic state, adding that his court schedule meant he could campaign locally. As he left, he shook hands with supporters and posed for photos with a number of New York police officers.

Maggie Astor

Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, posted an anti-vaccine message on social media on Tuesday, suggesting that she regretted taking Moderna’s Covid vaccine and saying that it was unsafe and should be recalled. But studies of the vaccine show that serious side effects are rare, and are lower than the risk of complications from a Covid infection.

Donald Trump will make a campaign stop after court today at a bodega in Harlem where in 2022 a clerk fatally stabbed a man who shoved him . Manhattan’s district attorney drew criticism over charging the man, and the charges were eventually dropped. Trump is expected to discuss crime and inflation here.

Nicholas Nehamas

Crowds of well-wishers on the sidewalks greeted President Biden’s motorcade as it drove through Scranton, his hometown, on his way to his childhood home. But down the block from where Biden grew up, a crowd of Gaza protesters are chanting and waving Palestinian flags. A small pro-Biden crowd is countering with “Four more years!”

Chris Cameron

Xochitl Gomez, the Marvel actress and "Dancing with the Stars," winner, appeared alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in a video encouraging young people to register to vote. "Turning 18’s scary," Gomez, 17, said to her 2.7 million followers on Instagram. "To celebrate, I am getting all my friends to join me to register to vote."

Even in his hometown, President Biden could not avoid the anger that many Democrats feel over his support for Israel during its war in Gaza. “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide,” a crowd of several dozen people outside a Scranton cultural center chanted in a call and response. “We charge you with genocide.”

President Biden just wrapped up his speech in Scranton on the tax code. He spent much more of it attacking former President Donald J. Trump than talking about his own agenda. He has more campaign events scheduled here in his hometown today.

President Biden spent a great deal of time in this speech attacking former President Donald J. Trump. Before wrapping up with a discussion of the values he learned growing up here in Scranton, Biden took another shot attacking Trump’s economic policies: “He’s coming for your money, your health care and your social security.”

President Biden’s attacks on Donald J. Trump have touched on the former president’s wealthy upbringing, his friendships with billionaires and his tax policy. After several minutes of that, Biden has now moved on to his own vision for the tax code, including raising rates on the very wealthy and corporations and using the money to grow the economy and benefit working families.

In his speech in Scranton, President Biden is arguing that former President Donald J. Trump’s economic policies were a failure. “Trickle down economics failed the middle class,” he said, before taking a shot at Trump’s handling of the pandemic, including Trump's musings about bleach being a cure.

President Biden is giving a speech on the tax code here in Scranton, his hometown. He is talking about the lessons of hard work and fairness that he says he learned growing up here. Former President Donald J. Trump, he says, learned different lessons. “He learned the best way to get rich is to inherit it,” Biden said.

I’m in Scranton, Pa., where President Biden is set to take the stage shortly to deliver a campaign address on the tax code and economic fairness. He is expected to attack Donald Trump, who is standing trial today in Manhattan, as a friend of billionaires, not the middle class.

President Biden is spotlighting his Pennsylvania upbringing in a new digital ad called “Scranton,” which his campaign released on Tuesday in the battleground state ahead of his return to his childhood hometown. It features a cousin and a childhood friend, both of whom seek to cast Biden as a sympathetic ear to the middle-class.

Jonathan Weisman

In addition to Senators Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester, the $79 million in ad spending from the Senate Democrats' campaign arm will benefit candidates in swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Some advertising will be reserved to go on offense against Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida, though the committee pointedly did not say how much.

The Senate Democrats’ official campaign arm announced Tuesday it will commit $79 million to television, digital and radio advertising to defend the party’s narrow majority in a 2024 campaign season that has Democrats defending seats in two solidly Republican states — in Ohio, Sherrod Brown, and in Montana, Jon Tester.

California’s attorney general and secretary of state on Monday sued the city of Huntington Beach near Los Angeles over a voter ID requirement that narrowly passed during a referendum in March. State officials said that the measure, which was placed on the ballot by the Republican-controlled City Council, conflicts with California law and was based on vague statements that falsely sow doubts about election integrity.

Maine will be the 17th state to join an effort to make sure the winner of the national popular vote is elected president. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, said she would let the bill become law without her signature. States that join the compact agree to award their Electoral College votes to the national popular vote winner, but only if states totaling 270 electoral votes sign on. Maine makes 209.

Former President Donald J. Trump returned to a courtroom in lower Manhattan on Tuesday for the second day in his sex scandal cover-up case. He has continued to use social media to attack the judge in the case and the legal system, defying a gag order and upending the norms of conduct.

Two statehouse districts in Michigan are holding special elections today to fill seats vacated by Democrats who were elected to mayorships. The races will determine control of the statehouse, which is currently tied. Both seats are Democratic-leaning, and if the party wins both, they would regain a majority and have full control of the state government. The polls are open until 8 p.m.

Reporting from Scranton, Pa.

Biden bashes Trump as a pawn of billionaires as he lays out his tax plan.

Biden digs at trump during his pennsylvania hometown visit, in a speech about his tax plan, president biden compared scranton, pa., to trump’s mar-a-lago to highlight the different economic and social values between america’s middle class and its wealthy..

We’re not asking anything as unusual. Under my plan, nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny. I hope you’re all able to make $400,000. I never did. You know, I have to say, if Trump’s stock in Truth Social — his company — drops any lower, he might do better under my tax plan than his. [laughter] No billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a nurse, a sanitation worker. Folks, where we come from matters. When I look at the economy, I don’t see it through the eyes of Mar-a-Lago. I see it through the eyes of Scranton. And that’s not hyperbole, that’s a fact. Donald Trump looks at the world differently than you and me. He wakes up in the morning in Mar-a-Lago thinking about himself. How he can help his billionaire friends gain power and control, and force their extreme agenda on the rest of us.

President Biden delivered a flurry of attacks on former President Donald J. Trump during a Tuesday speech in Pennsylvania about taxes and economic policy, painting his Republican rival as a puppet of plutocrats who had ignored the working class.

Visiting his hometown, Scranton, in a top battleground state that he has visited more often than any other, Mr. Biden laid out his vision for a fairer tax code, including raising rates on the wealthy and corporations and using the money to expand the economy and help working families.

But in a speech that signaled the Biden campaign’s intention to make the 2024 election a referendum on his polarizing Republican opponent, the president returned again and again to Mr. Trump. His jabs at his predecessor took aim at the former president’s wealthy upbringing, his friendships with billionaires and his 2017 tax cuts that disproportionately benefited America’s upper crust .

“Donald Trump looks at the world differently than you and me,” Mr. Biden told a crowd of more than a hundred supporters at a cultural center in Scranton. “He wakes up in the morning at Mar-a-Lago thinking about himself. How he can help his billionaire friends gain power and control, and force their extreme agenda on the rest of us.”

Aiming for a clear contrast, Mr. Biden laid out his proposals: Expanding the child tax credit. Providing a $10,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers. Raising the minimum tax rate for billionaires and corporations.

“We know the best way to build an economy is from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down,” Mr. Biden said. “Because when you do that, the poor have a ladder up and the middle class does well and the wealthy still do very well. We all do well.”

Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, disputed that Mr. Biden’s plan would benefit Americans.

“President Trump proudly passed the largest tax CUTS in history,” she said in a statement. “Joe Biden is proposing the largest tax HIKE ever.”

Throughout his speech, Mr. Biden wove in criticism of Mr. Trump — including a needling joke about the falling shares in the former president’s social media company.

“If Trump’s stock in Truth Social — his company — drops any lower, he might do better under my tax plan than his,” Mr. Biden said.

The president’s speech kicked off a three-day swing through Pennsylvania, with appearances scheduled in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Philadelphia on Thursday. The trip came as Mr. Trump appeared in court in Manhattan for the second straight day as his first criminal trial begins — a striking split screen welcomed by the Biden campaign.

Since Mr. Biden delivered his State of the Union address last month, his campaign has shifted into general election mode, after a far quieter start to the year. In recent weeks, he has visited every major battleground state. His campaign has opened more than 100 field offices around the nation in coordination with state Democratic parties, spent $30 million in an advertising blitz and built a significant fund-raising advantage over Mr. Trump. An Arizona court decision that upheld a near-total abortion ban dating to 1864 has also energized Democrats .

As those efforts have taken place, Mr. Biden’s depressed poll numbers have improved, with a survey this month by The New York Times and Siena College finding that he had nearly erased Mr. Trump’s lead nationwide. The president had trailed Mr. Trump by five percentage points in the previous survey. Much of Mr. Biden’s recovery came from his improved standing among traditional Democratic voters, a signal that his campaign’s messaging efforts may be having an effect.

Still, Mr. Biden faces an uphill battle in convincing Americans that he is a better steward of the nation’s economy than Mr. Trump. In the latest Times/Siena poll, 64 percent of voters said they approved of how Mr. Trump had handled the economy while in office. Only 34 percent said the same of Mr. Biden, the poll found.

The tax cuts that Mr. Trump signed into law in 2017 have proved unpopular with voters. And while they increased investment in the U.S. economy and delivered a modest pay bump for workers, they fell short of Republican promises and are adding greatly to the national debt, one academic study found. Many parts of those tax cuts are set to expire next year.

Mr. Biden pledged in his speech that under his plan, nobody earning less than $400,000 would see their taxes go up.

“I hope you’re able to make $400,000,” he told the crowd. “I never did.”

As Mr. Biden spoke, Mr. Trump was seated in a Manhattan courtroom roughly two hours away, watching the selection of the first jurors in his trial. Mr. Biden has generally refrained from mentioning the charges Mr. Trump faces in four criminal cases, but his campaign did troll the former president on social media for appearing to fall asleep during proceedings on Monday.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, did not answer when asked if Mr. Biden was watching the Trump trial or being briefed on it.

“His focus is on the American people,” she said during a briefing with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Scranton.

But even in his hometown, Mr. Biden could not avoid the anger that many Democrats feel over his support for Israel during its war in Gaza. As Mr. Biden walked up the steps of his childhood home, a crowd of protesters down the block waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Genocide Joe has got to go” through a loudspeaker.

Mr. Biden is set to speak on Wednesday at the headquarters of the United Steelworkers union in Pittsburgh before visiting Philadelphia on Thursday. He narrowly defeated Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020, and winning the state is crucial to his re-election strategy.

Democratic allies of Mr. Biden said they thought his message on economic fairness would resonate in Pennsylvania.

“Scranton versus Fifth Avenue was one of the most successful frames from the 2020 campaign,” said Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, referring to the location of Trump Tower in Manhattan. “You’re going to see more of it in this campaign.”

Mitch Smith

Michigan Democrats reclaim full control of Statehouse with special election victories.

Michigan Democrats started 2023 with full control of state government for the first time since the 1980s. They ended the year in a political bind after two House members left to become mayors of suburbs, leaving that chamber with an even partisan split and making it impossible for Democrats to pass bills without Republican support.

On Tuesday, five months after their House majority evaporated, Democrats won two special elections to reclaim those seats and full control at the Michigan Capitol. The Associated Press said the Democrats Mai Xiong, a Macomb County commissioner, and Peter Herzberg, a Westland City Council member, defeated their Republican opponents.

The results of the special elections had never been in great doubt. Both districts, situated in the Detroit area, are liberal strongholds that Democratic candidates had carried by large margins in 2022. But the details of scheduling and running special elections meant a long, slow winter for Democratic lawmakers in Lansing while the House was evenly divided between the two parties. Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer , is a Democrat, and her party has a majority in the State Senate.

Republicans hope the Democrats’ renewed House majority is short-lived. Michigan, long a swing state, is expected to be a pivotal presidential battleground again this year. President Biden is working to rebuild a coalition that helped him win the state in 2020, but early polling has been favorable to former President Donald J. Trump. Republicans see an opening to deliver Michigan for Mr. Trump in November and to win control of the Michigan House, a goal that could be helped by newly redrawn legislative maps in the Detroit area. All 110 Michigan House seats are up for election in November, including the two seats that were contested on Tuesday.

Before losing their House majority last year, Michigan Democrats raced through a list of longstanding policy goals that had been stymied during decades of divided government or Republican control of the state. In the span of several months in 2023, Ms. Whitmer and legislative Democrats enacted new gun laws , codified civil rights for L.G.B.T.Q. people , solidified abortion rights and undid Republican laws that they said weakened labor unions.

Those efforts slowed in November after one House member, Kevin Coleman, was elected mayor of Westland and another, Lori M. Stone, was elected mayor of Warren. Under Michigan law, Mr. Coleman and Ms. Stone had to resign from the Legislature when they became mayor.

Mr. Coleman said in November that some fellow Democrats, including members of Ms. Whitmer’s staff and Speaker of the House Joe Tate, expressed concerns to him about his mayoral run. But none of them, he said, did anything to undermine his campaign for mayor.

Once Ms. Xiong and Mr. Herzberg are sworn in, Democrats will have the numbers to resume their legislative push. With the general election only months away, it is uncertain how aggressively lawmakers will move.

Ms. Xiong, who was elected to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners in 2020, has worked as an interpreter. She is of Hmong descent and said on her campaign website that she immigrated to the United States as a child after being born in a refugee camp in Thailand. Mr. Herzberg, who has a finance background, has been a member of the City Council in Westland, his hometown, since 2016.

Trump leaves his trial to rail against crime and jab at the prosecutor in his case.

In his first campaign stop since his criminal trial in Manhattan began, former President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday visited a bodega in Harlem where he made a pointed attack on the district attorney prosecuting him and portrayed himself as tough on crime, a central theme of his 2024 run.

His visit to the store — the site of a case that prompted political controversy for Manhattan’s district attorney when an employee was charged after fatally stabbing a man after a confrontation — made for a striking juxtaposition.

After spending much of the day in a Manhattan courtroom as a criminal defendant, Mr. Trump immediately traveled uptown both to criticize the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, for being too lenient on crime and to play up his “law and order” message.

Mr. Trump has for months tried to draw a distinction between his frequently expressed tough-on-crime stance and the felony charges he faces in four separate cases. Outside the bodega, he again tried to dismiss his charges as political persecution, arguing that Mr. Bragg was too focused on Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign sex scandal cover-up trial and was ignoring crime in the city.

“It’s Alvin Bragg’s fault,” Mr. Trump said. “Alvin Bragg does nothing.”

Though Mr. Trump is prevented by a gag order from attacking witnesses, prosecutors and jurors in his New York case, the order does not cover Mr. Bragg or the judge overseeing his trial.

Before he arrived at the bodega, his campaign attacked Mr. Bragg over his handling of the 2022 incident, in which Jose Alba, a clerk, was charged with second-degree murder after stabbing a man, Austin Simon, in an altercation.

Mr. Bragg and his office were criticized at the time for charging Mr. Alba, as surveillance video showed Mr. Simon shoving Mr. Alba, raising questions about whether Mr. Alba had acted in self-defense. Prosecutors eventually dropped the case , saying they would be unable to “prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was not justified in his use of deadly physical force.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Mr. Bragg’s office said that the Alba case “was resolved nearly two years ago, and the charges were dismissed after a thorough investigation.” On social media, Mr. Bragg’s office pointed to statistics showing large declines in homicides and shootings in Manhattan over the last two years and a more modest decrease in robberies.

At the bodega on Tuesday evening, Mr. Trump briefly met with the store’s owner and Mr. Alba’s lawyer. He also spoke with Francisco Marte, the founder of the Bodega and Small Business Association, which represents bodegas in New York and which has attacked Mr. Bragg over the case.

After their conversation, Mr. Trump repeated criticisms about liberal politicians that have become standard campaign lines, depicting Democratic-run cities as being riddled with crime and attacking their leaders for being overly lax and opposed to law and order.

Before he left, Mr. Trump shook hands and posed for a photo with a group of uniformed New York police officers, an atypical move for many criminal defendants. He often takes photos with police officers at political stops after they have helped guard his motorcade.

And he again repeated his criticism of President Biden’s handling of the surge of migrants of the border, arguing that the crisis was harming people of color because migrants were taking their jobs.

That message resonated with some of his supporters, who had come to catch a glimpse of the former president.

“This is the worst city for all these migrants,” Lesandra Carrion, 47, said. She said that she believed the border had been more secure when Mr. Trump was in office and that she did not believe Mr. Biden “did anything for this country.”

And Mr. Trump’s criminal charges, she said, did not worry her, adding that he would win in 2024.

“He’s going to beat that,” Ms. Carrion said. “It’s all allegations.”

Mr. Trump was greeted by a large crowd when he arrived outside the store, and the surrounding blocks in Harlem were lined with people standing behind police barricades hoping to catch a glimpse.

As might be expected given that Mr. Trump lost overwhelmingly in New York, his former home state, in 2016 and 2020, his reception was not all positive. A group of protesters also arrived to jeer him, shouting, “Dump Trump” and waving signs before his arrival.

Other passers-by cursed in frustration because police barricades stretched for a city block, breaking easy access to sidewalks, their apartments or the store.

Still, despite the mixed response, Mr. Trump promised to “make a big play for New York,” suggesting he would make more campaign stops after his courtroom appearances and could easily campaign locally.

Lacretia McNeil, 40, whose daughter sat on her shoulder while she recorded the appearance, said Mr. Trump’s decision to visit Harlem was a smart effort “to rally up the votes.” Her daughter wondered aloud about the point of visiting a store.

Mr. Trump will be present in the courtroom when his trial is in session, and it is expected to last at least six weeks. But he is expected to hold more events like Tuesday’s bodega stop on evenings after court.

Campaign aides have also explored planning rallies on Wednesdays, when the trial is expected to pause each week, and he will most likely continue to hold rallies on weekends.

Bernard Mokam contributed reporting.

Emily Cochrane

Emily Cochrane covers the American South and has reported on the redistricting effort in Alabama.

Alabama runoff elections set the field for a newly competitive House district.

Shomari Figures, a Democrat who worked in the Justice Department, will face Caroleene Dobson, a lawyer and Republican political newcomer, this November for the seat in Alabama’s Second Congressional District, according to The Associated Press.

The two candidates won primary runoff elections on Tuesday in the district, which was redrawn after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that the state had illegally diluted the power of Black voters.

Now that the district has more Black voters, who historically have largely supported Democrats, political analysts see the race for it as one of the most competitive in the South. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report ranks it as a likely Democratic seat. (The district’s current representative, Barry Moore, is expected to remain in Congress after winning the Republican primary in the neighboring First Congressional District.)

The Second District now stretches across the state, encompassing much of Mobile; Montgomery, the Alabama capital; and several counties in the Black Belt, where rich soil once fueled plantations worked by enslaved people.

In the Republican primary, Ms. Dobson faced Dick Brewbaker, a former state senator. Mr. Brewbaker repeatedly pointed to his experience in the State Legislature, while Ms. Dobson argued that it was time for a newer political voice in Washington.

In the Democratic runoff, Mr. Figures’s opponent was State Representative Anthony Daniels, the House Democratic leader.

Mr. Figures’s family has a long political legacy in Alabama: He is the son of Michael Figures and Vivian Davis Figures, who have both served in the State Senate, with Ms. Davis Figures winning her husband’s seat after his death in 1996. Shomari Figures moved back to Alabama after working in the Justice Department and the Obama administration.

Mr. Daniels does not live in the district — a point of contention in the race, though residency is not a requirement — but grew up there. He argued that his leadership position in the State House had shown that he could deliver for Alabama residents.

The November elections could result in Alabama sending two Black representatives to Washington for the first time in its history if Mr. Figures were to win and if Representative Terri Sewell, the Democrat in the Sixth Congressional District, wins re-election, as analysts widely expect.

Chris Cameron and Kellen Browning

Chris Cameron reported from Washington, and Kellen Browning reported from Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Kari Lake urges supporters to ‘strap on a Glock’ in preparation for the election.

Kari Lake, a top ally of Donald J. Trump who is running for a Senate seat in Arizona, called on her supporters on Sunday to arm themselves ahead of an “intense” period leading up to the election, urging them to “strap on a Glock,” referring to a brand of firearm.

“The next six months is going to be intense,” Ms. Lake said during a rally in Lake Havasu City. “We’re going to strap on our seatbelt. We’re going to put on our helmet — or your Kari Lake ball cap. We are going to put on the armor of God. And maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case.”

The crowd roared its approval, and she continued, “You can put one here,” gesturing to the side of her hip, “and one in the back or one in the front. Whatever you guys decide. Because we’re not going to be the victims of crime. We’re not going to have our Second Amendment taken away. We’re certainly not going to have our First Amendment taken away by these tyrants.”

When asked about Ms. Lake’s remarks on Tuesday, Alex Nicoll, a representative of the campaign, said that “Kari Lake is clearly talking about the Second Amendment right for Arizonans to defend themselves.”

It is not the first time Ms. Lake has alluded to armed conflict with her and her supporters. Last year, she said: “If you want to get to President Trump, you are going to have go through me, and you are going to have to go through 75 million Americans just like me. And I’m going to tell you, most of us are card-carrying members of the N.R.A.,” referring to the National Rifle Association. She added, “That’s not a threat — that’s a public service announcement.”

Her voice is just one in a rising chorus of violent, authoritarian or otherwise aggressive political rhetoric from Mr. Trump and his allies. The former president shared a video late last month featuring an image of President Biden, his Democratic rival, hogtied. He has also said that migrants are “poisoning the blood of our country” and described his political opponents last year as “vermin” who needed to be “rooted out.”

And Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, on Monday urged people whose routes were blocked by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to “take matters into your own hands” and confront the offenders, endorsing the use of physical force against peaceful protesters.

Jazmine Ulloa

A wealthy Democratic congressman is among the top self-funders in Senate primary history.

Representative David Trone, a Democrat who apologized for using a racial slur during a recent House committee meeting, has poured nearly $42 million from his personal fortune into his Senate bid in Maryland, according to the latest federal quarter filings, putting him among the top self-funders in Senate primary history.

Mr. Trone, who founded and owns a lucrative wine and liquor retailer alongside his brother, invested $18.5 million of his own money from January to March alone, ending last month with $1 million on hand. He drew only about $216,100 from other donors in that time, according to the filings .

Mr. Trone is seeking to make up ground in his hotly contested Democratic primary against Angela Alsobrooks, the prominent executive of Prince George’s County, and a slate of lesser known candidates. Now in his third term in the House of Representatives, Mr. Trone has picked up endorsements from top House Democrats. But his use of the slur has drawn criticism.

Last month, while praising President Biden’s tax proposals at a congressional budget hearing, Mr. Trone dropped a derogatory term used to caricature Black people. He later apologized, adding that he misspoke and meant to say “bugaboo.” “Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language, and I apologize,” he said at the time.

Five Black Democrats in the House then endorsed Ms. Alsobrooks, who is Black, though they made no mention of the slur. She ended the latest quarter with nearly $3.2 million cash on hand, according to federal filings. The primary is on May 14.

The winner is likely to face Larry Hogan, a popular former governor of the state who is seeking the Republican nomination, in what is expected to be a competitive general election . While Maryland has not elected a Republican senator in more than 40 years, it elected Mr. Hogan as governor twice.

In the Democratic Senate primary, Mr. Trone has sought to stake out a position to the left of Ms. Alsobrooks on issues such as addiction and criminal justice, and to emphasize his humble origins growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania and building a fortune as the founder of his company, Total Wine & More. He has pitched his ability to self-fund as a bulwark against the influence of political action committees, lobbyists and corporations.

In a statement, Joe Bowen, his campaign’s communications director, pointed to Mr. Trone’s self-funding as evidence that “he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to beat Larry Hogan in November and protect the Democratic Senate majority.”

Before his Senate run, Mr. Trone spent more than $43 million of his own money on his House races dating back to 2016, when he lost in a neighboring district, and he already had the distinction of being the top self-funder in House history , said Jacob Rubashkin, an analyst with Inside Elections , a nonpartisan newsletter that analyzes congressional races. Mr. Rubashkin said in an interview that Mr. Trone made most of his latest investment last quarter before his misstep at the hearing.

Mr. Rubashkin said Mr. Trone had entered the race with some disadvantages and was facing stiff competition. “He had a lot of ground to make up, and the money was his way of doing that,” Mr. Rubashkin said.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Trailing Biden in cash, Trump relies on big donors to try to catch up.

Former President Donald J. Trump leaned heavily on major Republican donors in March as his campaign and the Republican Party sought to close the financial gap separating him from President Biden, new federal filings showed on Monday.

For much of the race, Mr. Trump has relied on small donors — in particular, those giving less than $200 online — to sustain his campaign. Most big donors steered clear.

But in recent weeks, as Mr. Trump finished trouncing his primary opponents and Mr. Biden and the Democrats gathered fund-raising steam, these donors have opened their checkbooks to the former president.

In the last two weeks of March alone, one committee backing Mr. Trump raised nearly $18 million, nearly all from six-figure contributions. Mr. Trump and the Republican Party finished the month with $93 million on hand between all their committees, his campaign has said , having raised more than $65 million in March.

Still, Republicans are lagging behind. In the first three months of the year, Mr. Biden and the Democratic Party together raised more than $187 million, his campaign has said , including $90 million in March, ending the month with $192 million on hand.

Mr. Trump’s campaign has not provided a full account of its first-quarter fund-raising. The two committees that filed on Monday reported raising nearly $90 million combined since January, but that does not include money raised directly by the campaign or the Republican National Committee.

The filings on Monday with the Federal Election Commission were the first detailed look this year at the joint fund-raising committees through which Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden have raised the majority of their money. These committees, some of which can raise more than $800,000 from individual donors in concert with the candidates’ parties, transfer funds to the campaigns themselves and also build out national campaign operations.

(The campaigns and parties themselves have been filing monthly reports, which do not include details on the individual donors.)

Biden Victory Fund, the president’s main joint fund-raising committee with the party reported raising $121.3 million in the first three months of the year.

Top donors included Seth MacFarlane, the creator of “Family Guy”; the billionaire entrepreneur Reid Hoffman; and the lawyer George Conway, a vocal Trump critic who until last year was married to Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump adviser.

The reporting period included Mr. Biden’s March 28 fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall, which campaign aides said brought in $25 million.

Trump 47 Committee Inc. — Mr. Trump’s new joint fund-raising committee with the Republican National Committee — was formally set up with the F.E.C. on Jan. 31. It reported raising $23.6 million in the quarter, including $17.8 million in the second half of March alone, largely from six-figure contributions.

Those gifts included $814,399 dated March 25 from Robert Mercer, the hedge fund billionaire who was a vital supporter of Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign but was less engaged with his 2020 run. Mr. Trump had been courting Mr. Mercer and other donors in recent weeks.

Mr. Trump’s joint fund-raising agreement with the R.N.C. directs a portion of the contributions to Trump 47 Committee Inc. to a political action committee that has been paying his costly legal bills. The first $6,600 given goes to Mr. Trump’s campaign, and the next $5,000 goes to his Save America PAC, which last year spent more than $50 million on his legal expenses. The R.N.C. and state parties receive the remaining amount.

Other top-dollar donors to Trump 47 included Roger William Norman, a Nevada real-estate developer who gave nearly half a million dollars last year to a super PAC backing Mr. Trump, and Robert T. Bigelow, the Las Vegas aerospace mogul, who gave $5 million to the Trump super PAC in February.

Jeffrey C. Sprecher, the chief executive of Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, also gave more than $800,000, as did his wife, Kelly Loeffler, who briefly served as a Republican senator from Georgia.

Joe Ricketts, the chairman of TD Ameritrade, also gave the maximum amount. Other major donors included Linda McMahon, the former pro-wrestling entrepreneur; Phil Ruffin, the casino magnate; and Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets. All three also gave at least $1 million to the pro-Trump super PAC last year.

Mr. Trump’s Save America joint fund-raising committee — which had served as his main fund-raising vehicle during the primary campaign — raised $65.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, and ended March with $13.7 million on hand.

Reporting from Washington

Under pressure from Trump, Arizona Republicans weigh a response to the state’s 1864 abortion ban.

Facing mounting pressure to strike down a near-total abortion ban revived last week by Arizona’s Supreme Court, Republican state legislators are considering efforts to undermine a planned ballot measure this fall that would enshrine abortion rights in the Arizona Constitution, according to a presentation obtained by The New York Times.

The 1864 law that is set to take effect in the coming weeks bans nearly all abortions and mandates prison sentences of two to five years for providing abortion care. The proposed ballot measure on abortion rights, known as the Arizona Abortion Access Act, would enshrine the right to an abortion before viability , or about 24 weeks. Supporters of the measure say they have already gathered enough signatures to put the question on the ballot ahead of a July 3 filing deadline.

Republicans in the Legislature are under tremendous pressure to overturn, or at least amend, the 1864 ban. Former President Donald J. Trump, the national standard-bearer of the Republican Party, directly intervened on Friday, calling on Republican legislators, in a frantically worded post online, to “act immediately” to change the law. A top Trump ally in Arizona who is running for the Senate, Kari Lake, has also called for the overturning of the 1864 law , which she had once praised.

Abortion rights have been a winning message for Democrats since the Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Mr. Trump, overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. And even though it is an objectively unpopular aspect of his White House legacy, Mr. Trump has repeatedly bragged that he is personally responsible for overturning Roe.

Republicans in Arizona, however, have already resisted efforts to repeal the 160-year-old law and are bracing for the potential for another floor battle on the ban that is looming for the Legislature, which is set to convene on Wednesday. The plans that circulated among Republican legislators suggest the caucus is considering other measures that would turn attention away from the 1864 law.

The presentation to Republican state legislators, written by Linley Wilson, the general counsel for the Republican majority in the Arizona State Legislature, proposed several ways in which the Republican-controlled Legislature could undermine the ballot measure, known as A.A.A., by placing competing constitutional amendments on the ballot that would limit the right to abortion even if the proposed ballot measure succeeded.

The plan, the document said, “Changes narrative — Republicans have a plan!” adding that the plan “puts Democrats in a defensive position to argue against partial birth abortions, discriminatory abortions, and other basic protections.”

One proposal would have the Legislature send to voters two other ballot initiatives that would “conflict with” and “pull votes from” the A.A.A. ballot measure. Ballot measures for a constitutional amendment can be proposed through a petition, as with the A.A.A. ballot measure, or through the State Legislature , and the document suggests that voters could read the Republican ballot measures first on the ballot if they are filed before the A.A.A. ballot measure.

One of the Republican ballot initiatives outlined in the presentation would enact an abortion ban after the fifth week of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and medical necessity. The other ballot option would propose a ban after the 14th week of pregnancy. The language of the measures would be intentionally written to mislead voters on when exactly an abortion would become illegal, according to the presentation.

The second option, for example, would be known as the “Fifteen Week Reproductive Care and Abortion Act.” But “in reality,” according to the presentation, “It’s a 14-week law disguised as a 15-week law because it would only allow abortion until the beginning of the 15th week.” Similarly, the wording of the five-week abortion ban would make abortion illegal “after the sixth week of pregnancy begins.”

An alternative to those two options would be to put forward a ballot measure that would take effect only if the A.A.A. ballot measure also passes. That plan, known as “conditional enactment,” would insert language in the state Constitution declaring that the right to an abortion in the A.A.A. ballot measure “is not absolute and shall not be interpreted to prevent the Legislature from” regulating abortion in the future. It would also include language used by anti-abortion activists, referring to “the preservation of prenatal life” and “mitigation of fetal pain.”

Ben Toma, the speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, confirmed the authenticity of the document and said in a statement that it “presents ideas drafted for internal discussion and consideration within the caucus. I’ve publicly stated that we are looking at options to address this subject, and this is simply part of that.”

State Senator Anna Hernandez said in a statement that she and fellow Democrats would continue to push to repeal the 1864 law and that the Republicans’ proposals were “intentionally drafted to confuse voters” with policies “based in arbitrary numbers of weeks that have no factual grounding in science or health care.”

Dawn Penich, a spokeswoman for Arizona for Abortion Access, the liberal coalition organizing the A.A.A. ballot measure, said in a statement that the Republican presentation “shows yet again why Arizonans can’t leave our most basic and personal rights in the hands of politicians.”

Kate Zernike contributed reporting from New York.

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