Alabama's 6 Unsung Small Towns

The country-living state of Alabama sits in the heart of America’s Deep South. It is where you will find some of the best cheesy grits in the country, not to mention fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler. Beyond its food and country music, Alabama also has a diverse cultural history and was the birthplace of the American Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the small, often unsung, towns here, visitors can learn more about this rich history while exploring the outdoors and enjoying the genuine Southern charm. If you want to experience the Deep South for yourself, the following six underrated towns are the perfect place to start.

Fairhope

If your next trip includes the Alabama coast, stop by Fairhope on your way to Gulf Shores. Fairhope is a coastal town on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay that draws all types of creatives, including writers and artists. When you get here, you can sit back and relax at the Municipal Pier and Park while enjoying a picnic. Or you can go kitesurfing at the Fairhope beach north of the pier and park. There are twelve shops and galleries to check out at the Fairhope French Quarter once you are done with the kites, or if it is a rainy day.

Remember to check out the Fairhope Museum of History, where you will learn more about the Native American Indians who first inhabited the town. The museum also features exhibits on Single Taxers who sought to create their own Utopia. If you visit Fairhope during November, you can catch the Lighting of the Trees, which involves a million lights illuminating the streets of Downtown Fairhope. The lighting event features popular Christmas carols, artificial snow, and hot chocolate, and precedes the Magical Christmas Parade.

Monroeville

If you want to include some more history (and literary history) in your Alabama trip, definitely head to Monroeville, around two hours north of Fairhope. This small town was home to the renowned author Harper Lee, who drew inspiration from the Old Monroe County Courthouse for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The courthouse now houses a museum that displays exhibits on Harper Lee’s work and on Truman Capote, another Monroeville native. Thanks to these novelists, Monroeville is also called the Literary Capital of Alabama.

You can even watch a stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird here, with the first act performed in an amphitheatre at the back of the courthouse and the second act in the courtroom. There is also a literary festival happening from 26 to 28 February 2026, giving fans and new authors a chance to celebrate Southern literature. You can even pay your respects to Harper Lee at her gravesite in the Penville and Baptist Cemetery. Other things to do in Monroeville include exploring Main Street, which happens to be Alabama’s first ‘Great American Main Street.’

Bayou La Batre

For a completely different vibe, head to Bayou La Batre, or Alabama’s Seafood Capital. You can fish for your dinner at Rolston Park in neighboring Coden, which has a pier and a boat launch or go straight to SeaHarvest Fresh Shrimp to stock up on the freshest shrimp for a scrumptious home-made meal. When you have had your fill of seafood, you can take a drive to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary to learn more about the birdlife in the area. The Alabama Aquarium is located right next to the sanctuary (around 30 minutes from town), where you will find interactive displays and incredible marine life.

There are some literary links in Bayou La Batre, too. If you are a fan of Winston Groom, you will remember his novel, Forrest Gump, mentioning the character ‘Bubba’ living in Bayou La Batre. It is also where Forrest Gump earned the title of shrimp boat captain. The town also has a movie and TV claim to fame: the pirate ship, The Black Pearl, was built here for the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The FV Cornelia Marie, featured on the Deadliest Catch, was built here in 1989. You can take in the sea atmosphere at the town’s working waterfront. The waterfront is currently being redeveloped for $30 million, including a new marina and additional community-use spaces.

Eufaula

At Eufaula, located across the Chattahoochee River from Georgetown, Georgia, you can learn more about the history of the Creek Nation. Chief Yoholo-Micco and his people were forced to leave their homes in Eufaula in 1836 and follow the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma, where they resettled. You can trace the Creek Heritage Trail and find out more about the First and Second Creek Wars and the Seminole War. There are interpretive signs along the trail that explain the Creek Removal.

Eufaula also has a large historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are more than 700 historic buildings, including the Eufaula Carnegie Library. Shorter Mansion offers tours for visitors who want to admire its neoclassical architecture. During the holiday season, typically in early December, the town hosts the Eufaula Christmas tour. Visitors can see the historic homes in the area decorated with vintage ornaments and heirlooms.

Fort Payne

If outdoor adventure is what you are after, Fort Payne is the place to go. This town once produced 50% of America’s socks and was called the Sock Capital of the World. But these days, Fort Payne is all about leisure travel. This means you can zip-line, fish, and raft to your heart’s content while admiring the beauty of nature in this small town. There are canyons and waterfalls to see in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. The overlooks in the preserve are ideal for a picnic, offering views of the surrounding landscape. You can also rent a glamping site or pitch a tent at Little River Campground.

The Cherokee first inhabited Fort Payne, and today the Fort Payne Depot displays Cherokee artifacts inside a stunning pink-sandstone train station. At Big Mill Antiques, you will find everything from vintage items to artisan goods. And, do not miss out on the Alabama Fan Club and Museum, which provides incredible information on the Alabama band that sold 73 million albums and had 21 straight number one singles.

Wetumpka

Wetumpka is a highly recognizable, if still underrated, town in Central Alabama. It was the filming location for the movie Big Fish and was also the town chosen for HGTV’s Home Town Takeover in 2020. Thanks to the show, downtown Wetumpka has seen an uptick in foot traffic since it was revitalized, and it now offers a bigger and better farmers’ market on Thursdays and Saturdays during the summer. There are also several festivals here to look forward to, including the CoosaPalooza Brewfest and the River and Blues Music and Arts Festival.

If you want to enjoy a couple of outdoor activities, you can go kayaking or canoeing on the Coosa River. There are several hiking and biking trails along the river, including the Swayback Bridge Trail and the Bartram Trail. If you visit Wetumpka in February, head east of downtown to see the Wetumpka Impact Crater, formed 85 million years ago when a meteor struck, leaving a crater five miles wide.

The Quieter Side Of Alabama Is Worth Exploring

What makes these small towns so special is not the fact that they are underrated and quieter than the bigger ones. They are exceptional because you can have the most memorable experiences here without expecting to. You can see these towns for what they were and what they are now. They have several layers and stories that grab your attention and do not let go. So, whether you want to find out more about Alabama’s history or just want to chase scenery and have an adventure, these towns can be the perfect base for you to travel from while you are in the state.