8 Of The Quietest Alabama Towns
Alabama is one of the premier places to find a quiet stop, as many small towns offer calm, peaceful communities, such as Mentone and Magnolia Springs. Yet, in these towns, there are still plenty of things to do and a rich history to appreciate. For instance, fans of authors Harper Lee and Truman Capote will delight in the literary offerings found in Monroeville. Whether it's dining on the delicious seafood of Bayou La Batre or taking in the gorgeous white sand beaches of Orange Beach, you won't regret slowing down or spending the night in these eight quietest Alabama towns.
Bayou La Batre
Resting along the Mississippi Sound on the northern Gulf Coast is Bayou La Batre. Widely recognized as a fishing village, the town has also earned its name as the Seafood Capital of Alabama due to the large number of annual events celebrating fishing, along with many restaurants serving delicious seafood. The Blessing of the Fleet is their largest event (held on the 2nd and 3rd of May) that draws crowds from all over to enjoy good seafood and good company. Today, these events have expanded to offer Vietnamese Cuisine, a Gumbo Cook-off, an Arts & Crafts Show, a decorated boat show, and so much more. If you miss the event, not to worry. Places like Catalina Bayou are always ready to serve up delicious, local seafood.
With the town being a fishing town, naturally, there are plenty of places to fish. Sitting on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America), visitors have ample opportunity to catch their own fish, with the waters being the perfect backdrop. Alternatively, packing a lighter lunch or a picnic would be perfect to have while spending some time at Rolston Park. The park features a playground for kids, along with a covered gazebo with picnic benches. The winding sidewalks throughout the park offer a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico for a post-meal leisurely activity.
Guntersville
Considered in 2022 to be one of the South's Best Lake Towns, Guntersville is widely known for easy lake living, miles of shoreline, and a place to find plenty of peace and quiet. Lake Guntersville State Park is a testament to that, offering 6,000 acres of natural woodlands and 36 miles of hiking and biking trails. In addition to being surrounded by the state's largest lake, there are ample water activities, like kayaking through Hambrick Bat Cave. From May to October, thousands of bats emerge from the cave at night, and a good local pastime is to kayak or boat nearby to watch the bats go out into the night to hunt. And after spending a day on the water and exploring the sights, head over to the Old Town Stock House for a delectable treat. With the two primary chefs studying out of state, chefs Crystal McKone and Tom Colicchio returned to Guntersville to helm this upscale Southern American restaurant, serving seasonal dishes with the freshest catches and adding a Southern twist to fine-dining staples.
Greenville
For travelers curious about why Alabama's state flower is the camellia, the residents of Greenville are responsible for that. Setting that bit of history aside, Greenville, like the camellia, has a lot of beauty for those willing to seek it out. For starters, the golf courses at the RTJ Golf Trail at Cambrian Ridge are a mixture of challenge and stunning scenery. So much so that several award-winning players and widely known golfing events are held there. In the evening, that Greenville beauty is captured in places like the Ritz Theatre, where pageants, concerts, and theater productions are held in those halls as they were during the 1950s and 1960s. And some of that beauty even passes to the local restaurants in Greenville, such as Bates House of Turkey. As one might suspect, the restaurant takes several creative liberties with serving many turkey-themed dishes like turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and even turkey casserole. All of this is sustained by the Bates Turkey Farm, which, since 1923, still raises free-range turkeys and markets the various products locally and through an online catalogue.
Magnolia Springs
For those who love the Alabama beaches, the name Magnolia Springs might be familiar, as the town has served as a gateway to those coasts. Choosing to stop here over the beaches, however, rewards you with a beauty and peace unlike any other, so long as you plan for it. The heart of Magnolia Springs is its Victorian Bed and Breakfast, which offers nothing less than a taste of Victorian-era elegance for those who choose to stay there. With only five rooms available, it's best to book in advance. In addition, one of the most iconic places to dine is the renowned Jesse's Restaurant, where they serve Gulf-fresh seafood and other delectable dishes that you'll want to reserve in advance. Setting those aside, Magnolia Springs offers plenty of scenic beauty through its handful of quick, easy trails, such as Magnolia Landing. As brief as they may be, the beauty of it all demands you slow down and take in the natural beauty of it all.
Mentone
Nestled within the woodlands of Lookout Mountain, you'll eventually find yourself in Mentone. Perched on the highest point in the state, Mentone offers gorgeous views and is so remote that only a little over 300 people call it home. Nevertheless, it's home to a surprising amount of tourist attractions and ways to unwind, such as the Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort. The resort is uniquely positioned because it's the only ski resort in the entire state; however, it's diverse enough to serve as a golf course during warmer weather, too. The aforementioned Lookout Mountain is also great to explore, with scenic mountain-top views alongside a 104-foot waterfall. For full relaxation, regular yoga sessions are offered at DeSoto State Park and St. Joseph's on-the-Mountain Episcopal Church for a nominal charge.
Monroeville
For those with a deep love of literary history, Monroeville shouldn't be overlooked, as it was home to two iconic literary legends: Truman Capote and Harper Lee. Both childhood friends, the two ended up writing the iconic novels In Cold Blood (by Truman Capote) and To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee). That being said, Lee's book and her memory are more often displayed through a variety of museums and monuments throughout town.
The Old Courthouse Museum offers an opportunity to be sucked into Lee's world, as its design inspired the courtroom in the novel. In a similar line, the Old Monroe County Bank Building served as the home of A.C. Lee's law office, where Harper Lee wrote portions of her book.
Even though she drew inspiration from those places, her work continues to inspire others around town, as visitors can see to this day. The history of Lee can be found in parks like Lyle Salter Park, a downtown area serving as a marker about Monroeville as well as murals depicting various scenes from Lee's book. This is in addition to the To Kill a Mockingbird Play, which runs from late March to early May on weekends.
Orange Beach
While there are plenty of beach shores to explore in Alabama, one of the best and quietest ones to explore is that of Orange Beach. Unlike the name, the beaches have nothing but white sand and turquoise blue waters at their Gulf Shores. Exploring the town is also highly rewarding, as there is a nearby Waterfront Park with paved walking paths, a kids' park with slides, shade structures, climbing areas, and a fishing pier, as well as a few restrooms and several picnic shelters.
History enthusiasts can also enjoy the area as well, with the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum being a place to delve deep into Native American culture. And after you're done exploring, head over to The Wharf for a wide array of shopping and dining options.
Dauphin Island
One of the five Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands, Dauphin Island is only 15 miles long from east to west but offers an island retreat unlike any other. Out of all the fishing areas, Dauphin Island is by far the most secluded, with the waters free to explore for fishing, kayaking or paddleboarding with Blue Heron Kayaks & Stand Up Paddleboards. Another popular spot to explore on dry land is the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 164-acre plot with walking trails through pines, live oaks, magnolias, and swamps and home to egrets and herons for viewing. For a quick bite, a stop at BGH Cafe is an option. The cafe specializes in Paninis, Po-Boys and Wraps with old-school soft-serve ice cream and malts. Conveniently located right at the Ferry Boat Landing, it's hard to miss this quaint take-out restaurant.
From the secluded areas of Dauphin Island to the mountain village of Mentone, Alabama has diversity in its quiet spots if travelers are willing to take some back roads to get to them. Nevertheless, those adventures are rewarded with a remarkable dining experience at Magnolia Springs or with the beautiful, calm waters of Guntersville. Combined with locals welcoming you with that infamous southern hospitality, you will want to check out all the Yellowhammer State has to offer before too long.
