Alabama's 7 Most Laid-Back Towns For 2025
Outside of the bustling cities of Alabama are laid-back towns where time seems to slow down. From lakeside hamlets to hidden towns tucked away in the mountains, the residents in these areas are never in a rush. It is where you can watch thousands of bats fill the sky at dusk in Scottsboro, or dine on an outdoor patio overlooking the water in Monroeville. Whether you want to hike the mountains of Mentone or tour antebellum mansions in Eufaula, these easy-going towns have a way of helping you breathe easy for a while.
Tuscumbia
Along the banks of the scenic Tennessee River in the northwestern corner of Alabama is the very chill community of Tuscumbia. With tree-lined streets, cozy shops, and beautiful parks just outside the city limits, it is a great place to slow down for a while. It is a town steeped in history, with plenty of unique museums to discover, like the Helen Keller Birthplace Museum. It looks like a humble home on the outside, but inside it is decorated similarly to when she was alive, and even hosts theatrical shows in the summer.
From the museum, you can walk down the picturesque streets to the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, and then grab a cup of coffee at Charlie's Coffee Co. If you want to take in the beauty of Tuscumbia, the Tuscumbia Spring Park is a popular spot among the locals. It features beautiful waterfalls, a carousel, a small children's roller coaster, and a stunning fountain situated in the middle of a natural spring. But the real excitement in the park happens after the sun goes down, when it puts on a light show in the fountain choreographed to music!
Mentone
With a population of just over 300 residents, Mentone is a hidden gem atop Lookout Mountain on the eastern edge of Alabama. The temperatures are always a little cooler in Mentone, making it a great spot to beat the summer heat. Downtown Mentone is like stepping back in time, with cozy shops nestled in rickety old cottages, like the Wildflower Cafe. The charming downtown serves as a launching pad to fill your belly or load up on snacks at the Mentone Market before exploring the natural wonders of the area.
Mentone’s biggest claim to fame is its proximity to DeSoto State Park. The park is one of Alabama’s hidden escapes, with towering waterfalls like DeSoto Falls, shaded hiking trails, and sweeping prairies that bloom with fragrant wildflowers. No matter what time of year you visit, the views are spectacular. Whether you visit in the spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom, or in the fall when the leaves start to change, it is sure to steal your breath. It is even lovely in the winter when everything is covered in frost.
Brewton
In southern Alabama, not too far from the Florida border, is Brewton, a colorful town that often flies under the radar. It is where you can take a relaxing stroll along the Burnt Corn Creek at Jennings Park, which is also where Brewton holds its annual Blueberry Festival every summer. From the park, you can walk down the quiet city streets to grab a tasty meal at the rustic Camp 31 BBQ. The historic restaurant opened its doors in the early 1900s as a general store, and the decor hasn’t changed much since then!
If you want to take in the natural scenery of this southern Alabama town, there is no better spot than the E. O. Wilson Nature Adventure Trail. It is shy of two miles long and traces the shores of Burnt Corn Creek. The trails bloom with wildflowers in the summer, and there are pavilions and playgrounds that overlook the calming waters.
Scottsboro
Not too far from Lake Guntersville in northeastern Alabama is the community of Scottsboro, a perfect place for a low-key retreat. If you love unique shopping opportunities, you will fall in love with Scottsboro. It is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where visitors can comb through unclaimed baggage in search of forgotten treasures. And just down the street is Purdy Thrifty, a darling thrift store with a wide variety of items. Scottsboro is a place where you can spend the whole day shopping for treasures, and then stop for an amazing southern meal at one of its many restaurants, like McCutchen's Magnolia House.
Scottsboro is so much more than interesting shopping and mouthwatering southern cuisine. Just outside the city limits are fantastic parks, such as the Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Home to hundreds of thousands of gray bats, the cave puts on a spectacular show each summer. From June through August at dusk, a viewing platform lets visitors watch as almost 500,000 bats emerge from the cave for a truly memorable experience.
Eufaula
On the shores of Lake Eufaula is the dreamy, easy-going town of Eufaula. It is famous for its pristine antebellum homes, most notably Fendall Hall. Visitors can take a tour through this magnificent estate, decorated in period-accurate furnishings, and immaculate formal gardens. Shorter Mansion is another great option for tours, with its beautiful grounds and stunning halls. After taking a tour of Eufaula’s most elegant homes, you can sit down for a tasty meal at Cajun Corner on Broad.
While touring the historical district of Eufaula can take up an entire afternoon, it also has natural scenery worth exploring. Lake Eufaula is one of the largest lakes in the Southeast, and the views are simply stunning. Lakepoint State Park is a local favorite where you can swim, relax on the shores, or launch a canoe on Lake Eufaula. The park also has scenic hiking trails that trace the lake, and campgrounds where you can stay the night.
Guntersville
Guntersville is one of those lazy lakeside towns that is perfect for those who love to spend time on the water. The Guntersville City Harbor is like a kitschy beachside destination with charming restaurants and shops all nestled along the banks of Lake Guntersville. It is where you can grab a bite to eat on the outside patio of Levi’s On the Lake, and then take a long walk down the lakeside boardwalk. It is a beautiful and modern community, where there are views of the water from almost every street!
Guntersville State Park is another great spot to take in the views of the area. The park has over 20 miles of hiking trails carved along Lake Guntersville, and boat ramps and fishing piers to launch a boat or canoe out onto the water. With public beaches and campgrounds, it is the ideal laid-back town that seamlessly blends modern amenities with an easy-going lakeside vibe.
Monroeville
If you think the streets of Monroeville seem similar to the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird, you are not wrong! It is the home to the famous American author Harper Lee, and much of the area inspired Harper Lee’s great American novel. You can visit the Harper Lee Gravesite or the famous Old Courthouse Museum, restored to its former 1930s grandeur. Walking the streets of Monroeville feels like stepping inside a novel, where there are cozy diners like the Courthouse Cafe along its quaint sidewalks.
Taking a stroll down the streets of central Monroeville also leads to idyllic public parks, like Lyle Salter Park. It is a lovely green space where murals from To Kill A Mockingbird are set against fountains, benches, and brick walkways. Whitey Lee Park is another serene park in the area, with fishing ponds, benches where you can sit and feed the ducks, and gentle hiking trails. Spending the day at Monroeville’s parks truly feels like stepping inside the pages of a Harper Lee novel.
Slow Down in Alabama’s Hidden Getaways
There is something undeniable about these quiet corners of the Yellowhammer State. From the beautiful architecture of Eufaula to the quiet streets of Monroeville that feel like they are torn out of the pages of a Harper Lee novel, they have a way of helping you slow down for a while. When you are looking for an escape, where you can breathe in fresh air and have a comforting meal in good company, these laid-back towns capture the heart and soul of Alabama, and have a way of feeling like a home away from home.
