There are so many incredible things to see and do in Alabama. Some of these things are pretty well known, whereas others are some of Alabama’s best-kept secrets and considered hidden gems. Alabama definitely has its fair share of hidden gems, and listed below are 11 hidden gems that everyone should check out.
- Town of Mooresville
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Mooresville is one of the oldest towns in Alabama, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville’s 1840 post office is Alabama’s oldest post office currently in operation, with call boxes dating before the American Civil War.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne, AL
flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez This gorgeous nature preserve protects approximately 14,000 acres of land atop Lookout Mountain. Little River Canyon is sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Little River Falls is one of the preserve’s main attractions, and it’s also one of Alabama’s most beautiful waterfalls.
- Ave Maria Grotto - Cullman, AL
flickr/Jeffrey Peeden This four acre landscaped park is situated on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, and it features 125 miniature replicas of famous religious structures. Ave Maria Grotto truly is one of Alabama’s most beautiful sites.
- Natural Bridge - Natural Bridge, AL
flickr/mojorison_75 Measuring 148 feet across and 60 feet high, Natural Bridge is the longest natural bridge east of the Rockies. This incredible bridge also dates back 200 million years. Natural Bridge is one of Alabama’s most amazing natural wonders.
- Rosenbaum House - Florence, AL
flickr/Gino Built in 1939, the Rosenbaum House is the only structure in Alabama that was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s also the only Frank Lloyd Wright structure in the Southeast that’s open to the public.
- Dauphin Island
flickr/Michael McCarthy Known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” Dauphin Island is one of the state’s most relaxing vacation destinations. It’s also the home of Fort Gaines, the historic site that’s best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
- Tinglewood Trail in Orr Park - Montevallo, AL
tripadvisor/pattyp814 Orr Park is one of the South’s most unique parks because of its Tinglewood Trail, which features whimsical cedar carvings by artist Tim Tingle. The next time you’re in the Montevallo area, be sure to visit Orr Park and take a stroll along the Tinglewood Trail. It’s such a unique experience.
- Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell, AL
flickr/Phillip Hendon Located in northwest Alabama, this 85 acre natural conservatory features several campsites, a hiking trail, beautiful waterfalls and dismalites - rare glow-in-the-dark insects. Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s most beautiful nature spots. A true hidden gem!
- Alabama Booksmith - Birmingham, AL
facebook/Alabama Booksmith What makes Alabama Booksmith such a unique bookstore is the fact that every one of its books has been signed by the author. Supposedly, this is the only bookstore of its kind in the world.
- Bangor Cave - Blount County, AL
facebook/Save Bangor Cave During the 1930s, Bangor Cave was the home of Bangor Cafe Club - America’s first underground nightclub. It was also one of the state’s most glamorous spots, and one of its regulars was Al Capone.
- Harmony Park Safari - Huntsville, AL
yelp/Kelly Ann D. Harmony Park Safari, located within a Huntsville area nature preserve, is a drive thru petting zoo that features an array of exotic and endangered animals. These animals include zebras, giraffes, ostriches, buffalo, deer and so much more. As you make your way through the preserve, these animals will come to your window to be fed.
Have you visited any of these hidden gems? What other places in Alabama would you consider to be a hidden gem? To learn about Alabama’s most historic hidden gems, check out our previous article: These 12 Hidden Gems In Alabama Hold Historic Keys To The Past.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Mooresville is one of the oldest towns in Alabama, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville’s 1840 post office is Alabama’s oldest post office currently in operation, with call boxes dating before the American Civil War.
flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez
This gorgeous nature preserve protects approximately 14,000 acres of land atop Lookout Mountain. Little River Canyon is sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Little River Falls is one of the preserve’s main attractions, and it’s also one of Alabama’s most beautiful waterfalls.
flickr/Jeffrey Peeden
This four acre landscaped park is situated on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, and it features 125 miniature replicas of famous religious structures. Ave Maria Grotto truly is one of Alabama’s most beautiful sites.
flickr/mojorison_75
Measuring 148 feet across and 60 feet high, Natural Bridge is the longest natural bridge east of the Rockies. This incredible bridge also dates back 200 million years. Natural Bridge is one of Alabama’s most amazing natural wonders.
flickr/Gino
Built in 1939, the Rosenbaum House is the only structure in Alabama that was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s also the only Frank Lloyd Wright structure in the Southeast that’s open to the public.
flickr/Michael McCarthy
Known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” Dauphin Island is one of the state’s most relaxing vacation destinations. It’s also the home of Fort Gaines, the historic site that’s best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
tripadvisor/pattyp814
Orr Park is one of the South’s most unique parks because of its Tinglewood Trail, which features whimsical cedar carvings by artist Tim Tingle. The next time you’re in the Montevallo area, be sure to visit Orr Park and take a stroll along the Tinglewood Trail. It’s such a unique experience.
flickr/Phillip Hendon
Located in northwest Alabama, this 85 acre natural conservatory features several campsites, a hiking trail, beautiful waterfalls and dismalites - rare glow-in-the-dark insects. Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s most beautiful nature spots. A true hidden gem!
facebook/Alabama Booksmith
What makes Alabama Booksmith such a unique bookstore is the fact that every one of its books has been signed by the author. Supposedly, this is the only bookstore of its kind in the world.
facebook/Save Bangor Cave
During the 1930s, Bangor Cave was the home of Bangor Cafe Club - America’s first underground nightclub. It was also one of the state’s most glamorous spots, and one of its regulars was Al Capone.
yelp/Kelly Ann D.
Harmony Park Safari, located within a Huntsville area nature preserve, is a drive thru petting zoo that features an array of exotic and endangered animals. These animals include zebras, giraffes, ostriches, buffalo, deer and so much more. As you make your way through the preserve, these animals will come to your window to be fed.
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