Central Alabama

Travel Guide

Birmingham
Barber Motorsports Park which includes interior views
Barber Motorsports Park featuring 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
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Homewood

Travelers 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
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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
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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
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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 showing a statue or sculpture and interior views

Central City

While visiting Central City, you might make a stop by sights like Sloss Furnaces and Birmingham Museum of Art.

Central City
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
5000 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL
The price is P4,888 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P4,888
P5,916 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,304 reviews)
"It was a great option before heading to the airport. Staff was great and bar staff and food were very friendly and good!"

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover

3 out of 5
120 Riverchase Pkwy E, Hoover, Birmingham, AL
The price is P5,124 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
P5,124
P5,957 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,071 reviews)
Very comfortable and what we needed.
"Easy and quick checkin. Friendly staff and great breakfast options. We would stay again."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Hoover
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

3 out of 5
60 State Farm Pkwy, Homewood, Birmingham, AL
The price is P4,391 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P4,391
P5,269 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (262 reviews)
"The hotel upon entering smelled clean! Staff is friendly and our room is very clean. Beds are comfortable too!!"

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

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

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley

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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"The quiet of the woods was just what we needed. It's a nice little place to get away a couple nights. I love that they had bundles of firewood and fire starter for us. I would stay here again."

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley
Landing Midtown

Landing Midtown

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 The Summit and Heaviest ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"Consistently consistent. Clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Landing Midtown
Landing UA Birmingham

Landing UA Birmingham

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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Consistently clean and comfortable. Best find yet!"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Landing UA Birmingham
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.

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