8 Idyllic Small Towns In Alabama To Visit In 2025
Alabama boasts a vast biodiversity, with many activities and opportunities to engage in one-of-a-kind experiences, and in 2025, it continues to be an idyllic location to visit, with many small towns making a memorable impression on visitors. With sandy beaches, numerous outdoor activities, friendly communities, and historical significance, it is no wonder that it is known as ‘the heart of Dixie.’ Approximately 70% of Alabama is covered in forests, 60 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline, and 32 pristine beachfront locations, making many towns ideal for those looking to experience natural beauty.
Dauphin Island
Known as an affordable family-friendly beach vacation destination, Dauphin Island, Alabama, offers miles of sandy shores that will make you feel like you are on a tropical island. For animal lovers, make sure to visit the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where you can experience the hands-on exhibits highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama. Additionally, it offers a variety of tanks filled with diverse sea creatures, including stingrays, sharks, and octopi. From the sea to the sky, visit the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which consists of dune, marsh, and maritime forest habitats and is home to a large amount of birdlife. Another place known for its abundant bird life, as well as ancient trees and prehistoric shell mounds, is the subtropical island park known as Indian Shell Mound Park. The park presents a diverse landscape and is very important to many Southeastern Indigenous tribes and their ancestral connections.
Mentone
Mentone, Alabama, has a population of approximately 334 and is situated atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Known for its natural beauty, Mentone features a 104 ft. waterwall, a Dam, lakes, and resorts. Located on the West fork of Little River is Desoto Falls, one of Alabama’s tallest and most visited waterfalls. Part of Desoto State Park, there is plenty of opportunity to go swimming, fishing, kayaking, and picnicking while enjoying scenic views of the falls. A popular tourist attraction is the 20-foot-high A.A. Miller Dam above Desoto Falls, with three scenic trails nearby. Be sure to visit Brow Park, on the top of a ridge line, which offers stunning views of the valley.
Guntersville
Guntersville, Alabama, is located on the southernmost point of the Tennessee River. If you are looking for beautiful lakes, parks, and tranquil surroundings, then look no further. Visit Lake Guntersville State Park, where you can go swimming, boating, golfing, and explore natural woodlands as well as campgrounds to stay the night and truly immerse yourself. Another great campground that has a lot to offer is the Town Creek Fishing Center, one of the oldest campgrounds in the area, featuring a fishing lake, where visitors can boat, fish, rent canoes, pontoons, and kayaks. For those who want a more intense experience, Guntersville can take a ride with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventure, offering up to 15 ziplines and numerous sky bridge walks.
Gulf Shores
The Gulf Shores is located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast and is known as a resort city with plenty of entertainment. Particularly, Gulf State Park provides access to ziplines above the dunes, a basketball court, a golf course, tennis courts, and a stunning park with hiking trails and beaches. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to 118 different species, 22 of them critically endangered. Spend the day looking at giraffes, lemurs, monkeys, kangaroos, and other magnificent animals. Another place to see the diverse animal population in Alabama is at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, a beach refuge known for migratory birds and sea turtles, offering events and various hiking trails. Visit Waterville USA, an amusement park with many attractions and arcade games, with seasonal water rides, go-karts, and laser tag, drawing in people who are looking for some good old-fashioned entertainment.
Orange Beach
Orange Beach, Alabama, is one of the many towns that sit near a waterfront area, making it a prime location for outdoor adventure. Home to the Wharf, a famous tourist attraction that has plenty of shops, rides, restaurants, a marina, and an amphitheatre, it offers visitors one-of-a-kind entertainment. Find out the meaning of fun at Adventure Island, an amusement center with a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, arcade games, bumper boats, food, go-karts, and other activities. A great way to spend your time in Orange Beach is to visit one of their beautiful parks, such as Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access, with boardwalks and 3.5 miles of white sandy beaches, or Orange Beach Waterfront Park, with a fishing pier, playground, and picnic areas.
Eufaula
With Lake Eufaula a prime location for swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking, many people find Eufaula, Alabama, a great town to visit for recreational water activities. Another draw for those visiting is the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, a nature preserve with over 11,000 acres, which includes both sides of the Chattahoochee River. Take a walk in the Seth Lore and Irwington Historic District, featuring a variety of architectural styles in the form of beautifully preserved homes and churches. For a one-of-a-kind experience, camp out at Lake Point State Park, where guests can rent rustic waterfront rooms, cottages, and suites. The park also has two restaurants, an outdoor pool, swings, and a golf course.
Selma
Located on the banks of the Alabama River is the historic town of Selma. Several museums can be found scattered throughout the district, and with its charming natural beauty, there are plenty of things to do in Selma. Home to the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, visitors can take a tour of the museum, view artifacts, and obtain information on African American voting rights and women’s suffrage. Take a walk through the largest historic district in Alabama, the Old Town Historic District, and explore hundreds of structures dating back to the early 1800s. Another popular local museum in Selma is the Old Depot Museum, which documents the region's history prior to the Civil War up until the Civil Rights Movement.
Tuscumbia
Take a trip through time by visiting Tuscumbia, Alabama, known as the birthplace of Helen Keller. Close to the public library sits the 1820s preserved childhood home of Helen Keller, where guests can attend theatrical shows throughout the summer and guided tours. Across the street is the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, which hosts a variety of events related to visual and performing arts. Music lovers can spend the day at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, a history museum that highlights Alabama’s famous musicians and includes a working recording studio and memorabilia that is sure to inspire. While in town, do not forget to visit Tuscumbia Spring Park, a city park with a large manmade waterfall and jet pond fountains, which often feature light shows.
As demonstrated by the towns discussed, Alabama is a great place to visit, providing an escape, a place to explore, and a way to immerse yourself in serene landscapes, clear waters, and historical structures. Throughout the years, a lot has changed, but in 2025, Alabama and its towns remain one of the best-kept secrets. Regardless of which town you choose to visit, each has its own unique landscape and activities, making Alabama a great place to discover the true meaning of ‘southern comfort.
