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

Aerial View of Vulcan Statue overlooking downtown Birmingham, AL

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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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

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
Alabama showing 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(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
Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham

Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham

2 out of 5
1800 Riverchase Dr Birmingham AL
The price is ₩87,299 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
₩87,299
₩102,498 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Clean other than couple strands of hair in restroom

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2026

Days Inn by Wyndham Hoover Birmingham
Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

2 out of 5
1466 Montgomery Highway Birmingham AL
The price is ₩103,582 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
₩103,582
₩121,194 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
The gentleman that checked me in was very nice. Gave us a ground floor room. The bathroom was clean. The room was ok. Lamps were either dirty or just old. Not sure which. TV was hard to figure out, but a lot of channels. Beds were comfortable. The price was great!!! Plus they have a 1 pet for free ...

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

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

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria Birmingham AL
The price is ₩190,679 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
₩190,679
₩220,377 total
Apr 5 - Apr 6
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,436 reviews)
Walked into our room and rat poop was on the bathroom counter. The towels were folded neatly but I was afraid to use them. No bath soap. I don't think it had been mopped. Beds were so bad my husband couldn't stand up this morning. I will never stay here again.

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2026

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.
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
The woods were really peaceful and our dogs enjoyed the property as did We. Thank you for the lovely time.

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

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

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing

4 out of 5
600 19th St N Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and Freedom Riders ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (54 reviews)
New and clean, with convenient location. The different access codes for parking vs door were somewhat inconvenient, but otherwise a great stay.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing
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 WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and The Summit are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (51 reviews)
Lovely apartment. Parking can be difficult since workers park there during the day. We often had to wait for a spot.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026

Landing Apartments UAB
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