Central Alabama

Travel Guide

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

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

Aerial View of Vulcan Statue overlooking downtown Birmingham, AL

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
Default Image

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
Visit Frugal Family Travelers blog to learn more about this great location, to receive the travel itinerary and to discover more great places like this:

Boulder Hills Natural Area

http://www.frugalfamilytravelers.blogspot.com/2016/02/4-outdoor-jewels-in-alabama.html

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frugalfamilytravelers

Twitter: @FrugalFamTrav

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
Aaaah Back home! Mountain Brook is were it all began for me many moons ago!

This image is of "The Old Mill" or "Old Mill House", a 1926 replica of Perryman's Mill built by the Jemison Companies to promote the newly-developed residential suburb of Mountain Brook. It is located on the foundations of the earlier grist mill, on the bank of Shades Creek at 2780 Mountain Brook Parkway. 

Tip - Early morning is better. Be aware this is a private residence in a residential area... not a tourist attraction. There is a linear park with a popular running trail along this road. Plenty of pull in parking spots along the side of the road and a great place to watch the fabulous Mountain Brook housewives strut their stuff.
#TroverDetour

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
Alabama which includes night scenes and an administrative buidling

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
Birmingham, Alabama, USA downtown city skyline.

Five Points South

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Unique features of Five Points South include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Regions Field or Vulcan Statue while you're exploring the area.

Five Points South
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover

3 out of 5
120 Riverchase Pkwy E Birmingham AL
The price is RM332 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
RM332
RM387 total
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,234 reviews)
Very friendly, clean and easily accessible

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover
Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

4 out of 5
808 20th Street S Birmingham AL
The price is RM644 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
RM644
RM769 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
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! (1,003 reviews)
Very courteous staff at front desk. Everything was very clean.

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2026

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

3 out of 5
60 State Farm Pkwy Birmingham AL
The price is RM281 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
RM281
RM337 total
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (629 reviews)
The room was clean and comfortable. The staff was courteous, professional and helpful.

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood
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! (65 reviews)
Was great will be back

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Landing Apartments UAB

Landing Apartments UAB

3.5 out of 5
425 20th Street South Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Donor Memorial and Heaviest Corner on Earth ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (49 reviews)
The room was spotless. Very clean smell. Quiet stay. It was a great to have free parking available on premise.

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Landing Apartments UAB
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
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.

Popular places to visit

Explore a world of travel with Expedia