Central Alabama

Travel Guide

A cityscape with modern high-rise buildings and a mountain in the background.
A vintage motorcycle with a visible engine and a headlight.
A museum with various racing cars on display.
A wall with numerous framed portraits and a shelf with framed items.
A modern building with a large glass facade and a Harley-Davidson logo on the right side.

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.

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 CA $97 per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
CA $97
CA $116 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very good! (1,110 reviews)
"The hotel was very clean and very nice"

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2026

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

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

4 out of 5
808 20th Street S Birmingham AL
The price is CA $206 per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
CA $206
CA $247 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,014 reviews)
"Highly recommend!!!"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2026

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

Red Roof Inn Birmingham South

2 out of 5
1466 Montgomery Highway Birmingham AL
The price is CA $91 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
CA $91
CA $107 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
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 ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,058 reviews)
"No servía la máquina de hielo, la piscina fuera de servicio y no hay desayuno"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2026

Red Roof Inn Birmingham South
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

2.5 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! (96 reviews)
"Hermoso"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2026

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood

InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood

2.5 out of 5
90 Oxmoor Road Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and Alabama Theater are located ...
5.6/10 (30 reviews)
"Filthy and AC didnt work"

Reviewed on May 25, 2026

InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood
Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing

3.5 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 Sloss Furnaces and Birmingham Zoo ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (65 reviews)
"Great!"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2026

Downtown Birmingham Apartments by Landing
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.

Stay near popular Central Alabama attractions

Things to do

Cities near Central Alabama

Explore a world of travel with Expedia