List of State Attractions

1. National Land
2. State Land
3. Private Attractions
4. Shopping Centers

I. National Land

National Parks & Preserves

• Little River Canyon National Preserve
  A scenic canyon on the Lookout Mountain Plateau near Fort Payne, with waterfalls, rock climbing, white-water paddling, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks. ~802,000 visitors/year
  Location: Fort Payne, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/liri
  Phone: (256) 845-9605

National Monuments & Historic Sites

• Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
  Preserves landmarks related to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, including Kelly Ingram Park, 16th Street Baptist Church, and the A.G. Gaston Motel.
  Location: Birmingham, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/bicr
  Phone: (205) 253-7601
• Freedom Riders National Monument
  Commemorates the 1961 Freedom Riders’ journey in Anniston and nearby communities during the Civil Rights era.
  Location: Anniston, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/frri
  Phone: (256) 236-7600
• Russell Cave National Monument
  A significant prehistoric site showcasing 10,000+ years of human occupation, with easy walking trails and interpretive displays.
  Location: Bridgeport, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/ruca
  Phone: (256) 495-2552

National Historic Sites

• Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
  Honors the legacy of the pioneering African-American pilots trained at Moton Field who served with distinction in WWII.
  Location: Tuskegee, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/tuai
  Phone: (334) 727-8315
• Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site
  Preserves the history of Booker T. Washington’s educational legacy at the Tuskegee Institute, including campus architecture and exhibits.
  Location: Tuskegee, AL
  Website: https://www.nps.gov/tuin
  Phone: (334) 727-4702

National Wildlife Refuges

• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
  Coastal barrier habitats near Gulf Shores—ideal for birding, sea turtle nesting, hiking, and saltmarsh scenery. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  Location: Gulf Shores, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bon-secour
  Phone: (251) 540-7720
• Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
  Protects the biologically unique Cahaba River, home to rare aquatic species like the Cahaba shiner and Cahaba lilies.
  Location: West Blocton, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cahaba-river
  Phone: (205) 926-2505
• Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
  Tidal marshes and woodlands along the Alabama River providing habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife.
  Location: Mount Vernon, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/choctaw
• Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
  Encompasses wetlands and shoreline of Lake Eufaula, offering boating, fishing and birdwatching opportunities.
  Location: Eufaula, AL–GA
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/eufaula
• Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
  A unique cave habitat protecting endangered bats, closed to public entry but visible from nearby boat launches.
  Location: Cherokee County, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fern-cave
• Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  Coastal marshes and estuaries supporting migratory birds and waterfowl.
  Location: Mobile County, AL & Jackson County, MS
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/grand-bay
• Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
  Karst limestone cave protecting endangered snail species and providing winter habitat for bats.
  Location: Lauderdale County, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/key-cave
• Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
  Dedicated to restoring longleaf pine ecosystems and protecting endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker.
  Location: Anniston, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mountain-longleaf
• Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
  Limestone cave known for gray bat populations, offering guided boat tours through the entrance grotto.
  Location: Scottsboro, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sauta-cave
• Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
  A tiny refuge protecting the rare watercress darter fish in a single spring-fed pond.
  Location: Jefferson County, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/watercress-darter
• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
  Along the Tennessee River near Decatur, this refuge supports thousands of migratory birds and offers fishing, hiking and observation platforms.
  Location: Decatur, AL
  Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler

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II. State Land

State Parks (Top 10 by visitation & tourist appeal)

• Oak Mountain State Park
  Alabama’s largest state park, just south of Birmingham. Offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, paddle boating, and swimming beach. ~843,000 visitors/year. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  Location: Pelham, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain
  Phone: (205) 620-2520
• Wind Creek State Park
  On Lake Martin, popular for boating, fishing, lodging, and golf. ~437,000 annual visitors. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  Location: Alexander City, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/lake-martin
  Phone: (256) 329-0844
• Lake Guntersville State Park
  A resort park on TVA’s largest lake, offering a lodge, marina, golf course, and panoramic views of the Tennessee River valley. ~336,000 visitors. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  Location: Guntersville, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/lake-guntersville
  Phone: (256) 571-5440
• Gulf State Park
  On the Gulf Shores, with beach access, camping, lodge, zipline, fishing pier, and trails. ~3.1 million visits (includes beach, hotels, campgrounds) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  Location: Gulf Shores, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
  Phone: (251) 948-7275
• Cheaha State Park
  Alabama’s highest peak in the Talladega foothills. Popular for camping, hiking, scenic overlook, and lodge stays. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  Location: Delta, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/cheaha
  Phone: (256) 548-7143
• Dauphin Island Park & Campground
  Oceanfront camping, bird sanctuary, Audubon center, fishing piers, playground. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
  Location: Dauphin Island, AL
  Website: https://townofdauphinisland.org/dicampground
  Phone: (251) 861-5525
• DeSoto State Park
  Canyon park with waterfalls, trails, cabins, zip line, and recreational programs in northeastern Alabama. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
  Location: Fort Payne, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/desoto
  Phone: (256) 845-5380
• Monte Sano State Park
  Near Huntsville; features lodge, cabins, biking & hiking trails, historical CCC structures. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
  Location: Huntsville, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/monte-sano
  Phone: (256) 534-3757
• Noccalula Falls Park
  90-ft waterfall, trails, botanical displays, train rides, and camping near Gadsden. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  Location: Gadsden, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/noccalula
  Phone: (256) 543-1032
• Cathedral Caverns State Park
  Massive cave entrance, guided tours, camping, gem panning near Woodville. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
  Location: Woodville, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/cathedral-caverns
  Phone: (256) 488-2233

State Wildlife Areas

• Meaher State Park
  Wetlands and boat ramps on Mobile Bay; popular for fishing, birdwatching, and shoreline access.
  Location: Spanish Fort, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/meaher
  Phone: (251) 626-5523

State Beaches

• Dauphin Island Beach & Audubon Sanctuary
  White-sand beaches, birding sanctuary, playground, pier, and campground.
  Location: Dauphin Island, AL
  Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/dauphin-island
  Phone: (251) 861-5525

State Scenic Areas

• Cheaha Scenic Byway (Pines to Palms National Scenic Byway)
  Drives through Talladega National Forest and scenic overlooks, culminating at Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama.
  Location: Delta / Talladega County, AL
  Website: as above

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III. Private Attractions

Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums

• Birmingham Zoo
  Features over 700 animals including lions, giraffes, red pandas, and an acclaimed reptile house. Accredited by AZA.
  Location: Birmingham, AL
  Website: https://www.birminghamzoo.com
  Phone: (205) 397-3863
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
  A 112-acre garden with themed areas, seasonal events, nature trails, and a butterfly house.
  Location: Huntsville, AL
  Website: https://www.hsvbg.org
  Phone: (256) 830-4447

Major Museums

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center
  Museum and educational complex showcasing rockets (including Saturn V), space missions, simulators, and the Space Camp program.
  Location: Huntsville, AL
  Website: https://www.rocketcenter.com
  Phone: (256) 837-3400
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  A leading interpretive museum of Civil Rights history, adjacent to the national monument area.
  Location: Birmingham, AL
  Website: https://www.bcri.org
  Phone: (205) 328-9696

Amusement and Water Parks

• McWane Science Center
  Interactive science museum in Birmingham featuring an IMAX theater, hands-on exhibits, and an aquarium tunnel. Skipping water parks—Alabama has fewer big “theme parks” but this center is a top family draw.
  Location: Birmingham, AL
  Website: https://www.mcwane.org
  Phone: (205) 714-8300

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IV. Major Shopping Centers

• Riverchase Galleria
  One of the Southeast’s premier malls with over 200 stores (including Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney), a food court, and indoor ice rink.
  Location: Hoover (Birmingham), AL
  Website: https://www.riverchasegalleria.com
  Phone: (205) 985-8200
• Perimeter Mall
  Upscale shopping in Huntsville, anchored by Belk, JCPenney, and Sears, plus dining and events.
  Location: Huntsville, AL
  Website: https://www.perimetermall.com
  Phone: (256) 536-1940

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For more information about state, visit the state's official tourism site: Travel State