8 Best Alabama Towns For A Weekend Trip

Weekend trips are amazing, and what better place to enjoy a few days than in beautiful Alabama? These towns in particular are great options to spend a memorable weekend in the South. In a state where pristine, white sand meets the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and where forest-covered mountains surround streets drenched in southern hospitality, a trip to these towns promises to be exciting. From a bayfront town with an award-winning restaurant serving delicious southern delicacies to a Gulf Coast town with one of the best beaches in the region, these are eight amazing destinations for a weekend trip in Alabama.

Gulf Shores

One of the most popular destinations in Alabama, Gulf Shores is perfect for a weekend full of beach fun. Located right on the Gulf of Mexico, this town boasts some of the best beaches in the US, including the Gulf Shores Public Beach, a sprawling shoreline that’s also wheelchair accessible. This beach is a must-visit while in town, as it is spacious, with soft white sand ideal for strolling and turquoise waters perfect for swimming, particularly from March to October. Just east of this beach, the Gulf State Park is another cool coastal paradise that will delight travelers on a weekend trip to this town. Encompassing an area of over 6,500, this park is home to the 1,540-foot-long Gulf State Fishing Pier, 28 miles of trails, and Lake Shelby, a large freshwater lake open for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Additionally, the park features around three miles of sandy beaches, a nature center, and a variety of campsites and other accommodations, including cottages.

In downtown Gulf Shores, lots of amazing things also await to delight weekend travelers, including the Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe, one of the most highly-rated restaurants in Alabama. Located on the beach, this restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating and serves a variety of dishes, from sumptuous seafood dishes like coconut shrimp to sandwiches and more. And just a short distance from this restaurant is the Best Western on the Beach, a recommended place to stay for easy access to the best of Gulf Shores. This hotel also offers a pleasant stay, with cozy rooms featuring Gulf or street views and amenities such as an indoor heated pool, free parking, and an on-site restaurant.

Fort Payne

Fort Payne is a charming town near Lookout Mountain, ideal for an unforgettable weekend getaway that blends history and outdoor adventure. Once a Cherokee town known as Willstown, where the Cherokee alphabet was devised, it became the site of a US fort that played a role in the removal of the Cherokee to the west, now known as the Trail of Tears. Today, weekend vacationers can learn more about this history at the Fort Payne Depot Museum. Originally built at the height of the town’s mining boom to serve the Alabama-Great Southern Railroad, the depot now contains a large collection of Indian artifacts, alongside railroad equipment, and other memorabilia reflecting life in the area in the 1800s and 1900s.

Beyond the history, the Little River Canyon National Preserve will make a weekend trip to Fort Payne exciting. Located nearby, this preserve is home to some of Alabama’s natural treasures, including forested uplands, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, canyons, and the Little River, the longest mountaintop river in the US. Several trails are in the preserve for easy access and great views, including the 1.5-mile Beaver Pond Trail, which winds through the canyon rim and wooded areas full of plants, birds, and other wildlife. For even more adventures, DeSoto State Park is also just outside Fort Payne, featuring over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that lead to waterfalls, lush forests, and campsites. To better enjoy all of these incredible attractions, it is recommended to stay at one of the town’s best hotels, one of which is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, an IHG Hotel. In addition to its air-conditioned, smoke-free rooms, this hotel offers a range of notable amenities, including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free on-site parking, and free breakfast.

Fairhope

Located on the shores of Mobile Bay, Fairhope is one of Alabama’s laid-back towns where a weekend trip is relaxing and full of slow-paced, yet exciting activities. To begin, the downtown area is a delight to explore, with its quaint feel and unique attractions, including Page & Palette, a family-owned bookstore open since 1968, and offering a variety of books alongside coffee and gift items. A short distance north of this bookstore sits Tamara’s Downtown, which promises to be a regular spot for weekend vacationers. This restaurant offers Tuscan-style fine dining, with an extensive wine bar and a menu featuring mouthwatering dishes such as seafood, omelettes, and steak. Meanwhile, the town’s waterfront is also full of exciting things, particularly the Fairhope Municipal Pier, which features amazing views of Mobile Bay, a rose garden, and a fountain. The pier is a great spot for fishing, walking, and birdwatching, and it also boasts the Blind Tiger Restaurant, where one can enjoy a relaxing dining experience with gorgeous water views. The Hampton Inn Fairhope is a recommended place to stay in town for easy access to all of the aforementioned attractions and a pleasant experience. Located just across the street from Fairhope Museum of History, this hotel is highly rated with luxury amenities, including an outdoor pool, complimentary hot breakfast, and free parking.

Mentone

Mentone is a beautiful little mountain town, perfect for those craving a weekend away from it all. Located atop Lookout Mountain, this town is drenched in rural charms and full of cozy establishments like the Wildflower Cafe, which blends delicious homemade food with country shopping and weekend live music. This cafe is right in the heart of downtown, near the 1926 Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast, a recommended place to stay for the weekend. This 12-room inn boasts amenities such as private baths for each room, home-cooked southern-style breakfast, and an outdoor pavilion with a stone fireplace. And perhaps more exciting, Mentone is home to several outdoor attractions, including Brow Park, where one can picnic with breathtaking views of Lookout Mountain. Additionally, DeSoto Falls Picnic Area, located just south of Mentone, offers an exciting nature experience. Although located around seven miles from the main park area, it is home to the 107-foot DeSoto Falls, one of Alabama’s tallest waterfalls, which can be accessed via several trails, including the 0.7-mile River Trail, which leads right to the pool at the foot of the waterfall. DeSoto Falls Picnic Area also features the West Fork of Little River, which is open for boating, swimming, and fishing.

Florence

Florence is one of the larger towns in Alabama, where weekends are often bustling and full of fun experiences, particularly for history lovers. For one, the town is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum, a historic treasure that preserves the Rosenbaum House, the only house in Alabama designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house is one of the finest examples of the Usonian style, for which the architect was known, and visitors are invited to tour the structure, which dates to 1939. From here, one can head west to the Florence Indian Mound and Museum for a different kind of historic experience.

One of the largest of its kind in the region, this attraction offers a deep insight into the pre-Columbian history of the Tennessee Valley, with a mound dating back nearly 1700 years, and a large collection of Indian artifacts, some of which are estimated to be approximately 10,000 years old. For nature and outdoor buffs, the town’s McFarland Park sits right on the Tennessee River, offering plenty of activities, including fishing, waterfront camping, boating, and hiking. Meanwhile, the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa is a resounding answer to the question of where to stay on a weekend vacation to Florence. Located just six miles from the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, this elegant hotel offers a pleasant stay with a spa, Alabama’s only revolving restaurant, multiple pools, and cozy rooms with luxurious bedding, air conditioning, and other premium amenities.

Athens

Named after the ancient Greek city where Socrates, Aristotle, and other great philosophers came from, this town in Alabama is a unique place for a weekend trip. Located in the foothills of the Appalachians, this town boasts a historic downtown full of must-visit attractions, including 306 Barbecue, an amazing place for authentic southern dining. As its name suggests, this restaurant serves everything BBQ, from smoked turkey to brisket, alongside sandwiches, and more. Still in downtown Athens, the Alabama Veterans Museum is a worthy place to spend quality time. This museum is dedicated to men and women of Alabama who have served in the armed forces since the nation’s inception. It also houses a comprehensive collection of military artifacts from the country’s major wars, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and both World Wars. Meanwhile, Athens is a great spot for hiking, with the Richard Martin Trail starting nearby, combining history with adventure and nature. This trail stretches 10 miles through wetlands and lush woodlands, including the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle and downtown Ekmont. That said, a recommended place to stay for a weekend vacation here is the Hampton Inn & Suites Athens-I-65. Located just outside town, this hotel offers proximity to downtown Athens, as well as notable amenities such as pet-friendly rooms, free hot breakfast, and an indoor pool.

Daphne

Daphne is a laid-back town on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay, worth a weekend trip to experience some of Alabama’s most unique features, including its incredible food. First off, weekend vacationers here will enjoy exploring the Village Point Park Preserve, which includes a bayfront beach, a fishing pier, and nature trails winding through lush trees, including Jackson’s Oak, one of the largest of its kind in Alabama. Notably, this tree was the site where General Andrew Jackson, in 1812, made a speech to the Union troops en route to engage Spanish forces at the Battle of Spanish Fort. Similarly, May Day Park will delight nature lovers with its nature trails, a fishing pier, and a sandy beach, plus a kayak/canoe launch, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. In the meantime, the Boudreaux Cajun Grill is always open to add a unique memory to the weekend trip with its award-winning Creole and Cajun cuisine. This restaurant is one of Alabama’s treasures, where one can savor a wide variety of Southern food, including crawfish etouffee, a Cajun-inspired dish featuring Crawfish tails sauteed in spicy etoufee with rice topping. And just a short distance from downtown Daphne, the Hampton Inn Mobile-East Bay/Daphne is a great place to spend the weekend, with air-conditioned rooms, free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free parking and Wi-Fi.

Orange Beach

Orange Beach is a world-class resort town perched on the Gulf of Mexico and perfect for a weekend full of beach fun and entertainment. Here, travelers will have much to explore, including the Wharf, a bustling district lined with shops, restaurants, and exciting attractions. Notably, this wharf is home to the Ferris Wheel at the Wharf, one of the tallest in the Southeast, offering amazing views of the town and the ocean. For even more thrills, the Adventure Island is right in town, offering a wide range of adventures from go-karts and bumper boats to golfing, laser tag, and much more. Meanwhile, Orange Beach further cements its reputation as a world-class resort town, with a long list of incredible hotels, including the Perdido Beach Resort. A worthy place for a weekend stay, this resort offers more than just well-equipped rooms and suites with beach views, but also appealing amenities such as an indoor and outdoor pool, multiple onsite dining options, a private beach area, and free parking.

Alabama is one of the most exciting states in the South, and these towns are amazing destinations where the state’s pleasant appeals can be enjoyed. From sun-kissed white-sand beaches to waterfall trails and restaurants serving incredibly delicious Southern-inspired food, these towns offer the best of Alabama, making them ideal for weekend trips. Visit these towns today and stay at the recommended hotels or other amazing nearby hotels for a memorable weekend in the American South, where hospitality is often top of mind.