Central Alabama, AL

Travel Guide

Birmingham
Barber Motorsports Park showing interior views
Barber Motorsports Park which includes interior views
Birmingham which includes interior views
Barber Motorsports Park
Discover the cultural heart of Alabama in the center 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

Birmingham showing a statue or sculpture and interior views

Downtown Birmingham

Downtown Birmingham is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to McWane Science Center and Regions Field while you're in town.

Downtown Birmingham
Default Image

Homewood

Located in southeastern Jefferson County, Homewood boasts the Hollywood Historic District, known for its Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Home to Samford University, it's a charming suburb near Birmingham.

Homewood
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Boulder Hills Natural 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
Whenever I’m back home in the “HAM” I always  try and make time to stroll around BBG and relax. It’s awesome here no matter the season.

Mountain Brook

Boasting three picturesque "villages" and a high tree cover ratio, this suburban area offers a forest-like setting with charming residential sections and a network of bridle paths for recreation.

Mountain Brook
Vulcan Statue showing a city

Five Points South

4/5(445 area reviews)

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

Five Points South
To the right of the Walk of Champions while approaching the visitor center and front entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the storied coaches quietly remind us that success is not a matter of luck, but rather the culmination of years of dedication and determination.

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
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
3 out of 5
5000 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,647 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
NT$2,647
NT$3,210 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 30 - Mar 31
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,271 reviews)
"Breakfast was good, room were clean. Hallway could use some cleaning of the carpet and walls. Lobby was clean. Lots of lights from the gas station and passing cars visible from rooms. Blackout curtains would be nice."

Reviewed on 2025/3/25

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
2.5 out of 5
226 Summit Pkwy, Homewood, Birmingham, AL
The price is NT$2,712 per night from Apr 13 to Apr 14
NT$2,712
NT$3,254 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 13 - Apr 14
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Stayed one night. Room was clean and beds were very comfortable."

Reviewed on 2025/3/25

Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, Birmingham, AL
The price is NT$4,037 per night from Apr 20 to Apr 21
NT$4,037
NT$4,668 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 20 - Apr 21
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,078 reviews)
"I love that the mall was connected to the hotel so i didn’t have to drive to go shopping and there was so many dining options"

Reviewed on 2025/3/24

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
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.
Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
3.5 out of 5
425 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and The Summit ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
"I will tell my family and friends."

Reviewed on 2025/3/24

Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and The ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (8 reviews)
"I love it, it had everything I needed included to prepare my meals. The hospital was a less than 10. Minutes drive from my hotel. I would definitely stay at the landing again."

Reviewed on 2025/3/15

Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
Landing at The 600 Apartments
Landing at The 600 Apartments
4 out of 5
600 19th St N, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and Don Kresge ...
8/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
"My wife and I enjoyed the location and atmosphere. The only negative thing that I can say was that the QR code for access to parking and the doors of the building, wasn’t given in the email like it was supposed to be. Nonetheless, when we reached out to the support team, it was handled quickly."

Reviewed on 2025/3/10

Landing at The 600 Apartments
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

Cities near Central Alabama