Central Alabama Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Birmingham
Barber Motorsports Park featuring interior views
Barber Motorsports Park showing interior views
Birmingham which includes interior views
Barber Motorsports Park

Discover the cultural heart of Alabama in the centre of the state, where you will find engaging museums, stunning scenery and thrilling events, including car races and football games.

Experience the culture of southern America’s heartland in Central Alabama, a region that is incontrovertibly shaped by its past while looking forward to a bright future. Famous cities with fascinating historical attractions sit surrounded by scenery that includes picturesque lakes. Smaller towns are shaped by their proudly held traditions.

Start your journey to Central Alabama in Birmingham, the largest city in the state. One of the landmarks in this historic city is the Vulcan Statue, a 56-foot (17-meter) sculpture of the Roman god of blacksmithing, a symbol of the region’s industrial past. Visit the Sloss Furnaces for an enthralling insight into this era of history.

Explore Birmingham’s numerous museums for a complete picture of the city’s multifaceted history. Listen to the music of the greats in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and discover a global array of paintings and sculptures at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Stop by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn about the city’s complex role in the 20th-century movement.

Wander around the historic campus of the University of Alabama in the charming city of Tuscaloosa. The campus area houses a wide array of museums, sports grounds and gardens. Watch the famous Crimson Tide play a thrilling game of football.

Central Alabama also has a proud history of motorsports. Get up close to vintage car models in the Barber Motorsports Park and the Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Join huge crowds of locals at the Talladega Superspeedway, famed for its high-speed NASCAR races.

Explore the landscapes outside the towns and cities of Central Alabama. Stroll through shaded woodland and rest by tranquil lakes in the state parks of the region. Cheaha State Park is the home of the highest point in Alabama and features hiking and biking trails. Cyclists will also enjoy the routes running through scenic Chewacla State Park.

Board a flight to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to land in the heart of Central Alabama. The region remains warm throughout the year, although spring and fall are the best times to avoid the most humid months.

Where to stay in Central Alabama

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Homewood

Travellers come to Homewood for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Birmingham Zoo and Red Mountain Park while you're in town.

Homewood
Birmingham featuring a statue or sculpture and interior views

Downtown Birmingham

Downtown Birmingham is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to McWane Science Center or Regions Field.

Downtown Birmingham
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University Area

If you're spending some time in University Area, Paul W. Bryant Museum and Coleman Coliseum are top sights worth seeing.

University Area
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Vestavia Hills

Visitors to Vestavia Hills enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Birmingham Ballet is worth a stop.

Vestavia Hills
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Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Zoo.

Mountain Brook
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South East Tuscaloosa

South East Tuscaloosa might not have many top sights, but Coleman Coliseum and Bryant-Denny Stadium are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

South East Tuscaloosa
Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

4 out of 5
808 20th Street S Birmingham AL
The price is ฿4,700 per night from 28 Dec to 29 Dec
฿4,700
฿5,619 total
28 Dec - 29 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,017 reviews)
All staff were friendly and helpful. The room was nice and well kept. No issues during our stay. Shuttle to and from airport both were pleasant and smooth rides. Would recommend

Reviewed on 24 Nov 2025

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria Birmingham AL
The price is ฿4,078 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
฿4,078
฿4,713 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,301 reviews)
Room was nice although it did have a smoky smell. Staff was helpful, nice location

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

2 out of 5
1466 Montgomery Highway Birmingham AL
The price is ฿2,183 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
฿2,183
฿2,555 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,016 reviews)
Very clean rooms! Lobby smelled great. Very kind lobby personnel. Safe area. Ice machine. Everything was relaxed calm. Various restaurants nearby. Very clean restrooms. Would stay here again. Stayed 11-17 through 11-20 2025

Reviewed on 20 Nov 2025

Red Roof Inn Birmingham South
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

2 out of 5
215 Cosper Bend Rd Childersburg AL
Stay at this cabin in Childersburg. Enjoy free parking, patios and climate control. Popular attractions Sally West Park and The Meadows Golf Course are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (54 reviews)
It was the ultimate in tuning out to the world and relaxing.

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2025

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Landing Midtown

Landing Midtown

4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Heaviest Corner on Earth and McWane ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (47 reviews)
Couldn't have been cleaner and so spacious! We love this place!

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Landing Midtown
Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing

4 out of 5
600 19th St N Birmingham AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Don Kresge Memorial Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (53 reviews)
The view and access to restaurants and the concert venue were great. I also appreciated having a quiet space.

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2025

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Central Alabama