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 ALABAMA
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What's New in Alabama?
For more information, contact:
Ami Simpson, Public Relations
Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel
Ami.Simpson@tourism.alabama.gov
(334)242-4537
Alabama is always the first to appear on any list of the 50 U.S. states and 11 Southern states. Alabama makes a great first impression too, with enormous geographical diversity crammed into a compact area that is easily explored by on-the-go travelers. Whether you enjoy big city nightlife, rustic mountain retreats, or laid-back beaches, you’ll find it all in Alabama. Cozy subtropical bayous, majestic underground caverns, cascading waterfalls, 23 state parks, fabulous fishing and golfing, and nearly a million acres of water (more miles of navigable waterway than any other state) make Alabama a destination that is perfect for anyone. A genuine welcome awaits travelers at every stop.
History
Alabama was settled by several Native American tribes and takes its name from the Alabama Indians. The first European explorers, from Spain, sailed into Mobile Bay in 1519. Two French-Canadian brothers founded Fort Louis de la Mobile (now present-day Mobile) in 1702. Mobile served as the capital of the French colony, Louisiana, until 1722. The rest of Alabama became part of the Mississippi Territory in 1798. Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. America's original Mardi Gras festival, begun in 1703, is still celebrated in Mobile.
Significant Attractions
- Beaches (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island)
- Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (432 holes at 10 sites statewide)
- U.S. Space & Rocket Center and EarlyWorks Children's Museum (Huntsville)
- Alabama Adventure Theme Park (Birmingham)
- Barber Motorsports Museum (Birmingham)
- Civil Rights District and Birmingham Zoo (Birmingham)
- Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Rosa Parks Museum (Montgomery)
- Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Dome Theater (Mobile)
- USS Alabama Battleship Park and Bellingrath Gardens & Home (Mobile)
- U.S. Army Aviation Museum (Ft. Rucker)
- Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega)
- Unclaimed Baggage (Scottsboro)
- college football (Auburn and Tuscaloosa)
- wildlife refuges (Decatur and Eufaula)
- Helen Keller Birthplace (Tuscumbia)
- Landmark Park (Dothan)
- W.C. Handy Home (Florence)
- Alabama Music Hall of Fame (Tuscumbia)
Climate
Alabama enjoys warmth and sunshine much of the year. Colorful azaleas and dogwoods begin blooming by late February near Mobile, and spring is popular for pilgrimages to historic homes in Selma, Eufaula, Mobile and other cities. Water recreation is prevalent during the summer. Crisp October and November days bring pleasing fall foliage. Snow is rare in winter.
How to Get There
There are no non-stop international flights to Alabama. The closest international airport is in Atlanta, Georgia, which is approximately 2 ½ hours from Birmingham by car. Domestic airports include: Dothan; Mobile; Montgomery; Birmingham; Muscle Shoals; and Huntsville. Greyhound and Trailways bus lines offer stops throughout Alabama. The Amtrak Crescent and Sunset Limited serve the state.
Distances and Times
- Alabama is in the country's Central Time Zone
- The distance from Montgomery, to Birmingham, is 90 miles (149 kilometers; 1 1/2 hours by car)
- Birmingham is 142 miles (240 kilometers; 2 1/2 hours by car) from Atlanta, Georgia
- 241 miles (390 kilometers; 4 hours by car) from Jackson, Mississippi
- 101 miles (160 kilometers;1 1/2 hours by car) from Huntsville
- 248 miles (424 kilometers; 4 1/2 hours) from Mobile
For additional travel information, call 1-800-ALABAMA (while in the United States) or 1-334-242-4169 (outside the United States), fax 1-334-242-4554. E-mail and Internet sites: info@tourism.alabama.gov and http://www.800alabama.com/
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