The Most Underrated Towns In Alabama
Alabama is home to some of the most underrated yet amazing small towns that should not be ignored in 2026. In little villages like Magnolia Springs and Mentone, you will be treated to the verdant and vibrant beauty of the state’s unspoiled outdoors, complete with trails and routes that wind through sylvan woodlands and marvelous mountains or lakes. On the other hand, laidback destinations like Selma and Tuscumbia preserve the underrated history that shaped not only the state, but the whole of the US in small yet impactful ways. Between historic landmarks and various natural surprises to discover, the most underrated towns in Alabama captivate all with their uniqueness and novelties to see.
Magnolia Springs
Magnolia Springs is a magnificent spot to visit among the many underrated small towns to explore in Alabama. Recognized widely as one of Alabama's prettiest small towns, travelers will be smitten by the beauty and serenity of outdoor landscapes in the nearby Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, complete with self-guided tours of the wetlands and forests surrounding Weeks Bay. Likewise, the neighboring Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog and Kurt G. Wintermeyer Nature Trail are excellent routes and locations to see the sublime wildlife unique to Magnolia Springs. Many more of you might be eager to go boating and fishing through the aid of the Magnolia Spring Marina, which offers trips and tours on Weeks Bay and across the Magnolia River.
Mentone
As a site known for hosting a large number of private summer camps, Mentone is a luxurious and lovable destination in Alabama’s countryside, situated close to the border of Georgia. Visitors will be delighted by the snow and ski slopes around the Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort, where a vibrant mountaintop and local snowmaking offer nine acres of skiable terrain. There are also other outdoor activities available, as well as cozy cabins and chalets to retreat to. Within the DeSoto State Park, you can traipse through 35 miles of trails leading you to a nature center, a pool, and a couple of waterfalls to photograph. Many will undoubtedly adore a cruise down the many rivers and large streams bisecting the town vis-à-vis the Mentone Scenic Boat Cruises.
Selma
When it comes to being underrated, Selma and its history are things that many ought to know about. The town became part of modern America when, in 1965, it became the center of the African-American voter-registration drive led by Martin Luther King Jr. The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute records both the movement for the liberal right to vote as well as women’s suffrage. On the other hand, the Selma Interpretive Center of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail marks the route along which the massive nonviolent protest march took place. Aside from more recent passages in the past, you can also tour Sturdivant Hall, one of several antebellum buildings that survived the hectic period of the American Civil War. Likewise, the Vaughan Smitherman Museum is another ancient edifice that gives visitors a historically accurate glimpse into Selma’s past.
Guntersville
On the Tennessee River, the underappreciated town of Guntersville offers a variety of unique attractions and locations to venture. The Guntersville Museum, a former 1936 military armory, continues to exhibit local artifacts and mementos as well as panels and information on Native American history in the Alabama region. In contrast, the Guntersville Railroad Depot Museum contains memorabilia from Guntersville’s railroad days, complete with a miniature train display and other trinkets from the locomotive past. All will doubtlessly adore the sights and sensations of the vast Tennessee River from the Sunset Drive Walking Trail. Best of all, you can relax and soak in the pleasures of recreation and small-town amicability at the Guntersville Parks & Recreation Center.
Troy
With as much myth and majesty as its ancient namesake in Greece, the small town of Troy is a truly captivating destination that should not be underestimated. Here, newcomers can learn more about the early livelihoods and struggles of the 19th century at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama. In October, the town thrives and throngs with townsfolk and tourists during the annual Peanut Butter Festival in the close neighbor of Brundige, which honors the region’s peanut farming legacy. Those of you who are eager for sports and activity can brave the Butter and Egg Adventures, an immersive and challenging adventure sports center that will entice you with routes and ziplines to master. Most importantly, you can take leisurely strolls through the Troy Arboretum, a site that protects various Alabama flora.
Tuscumbia
Tuscumbia is a welcoming little town that is home to some of Alabama’s loveliest attractions and historic landmarks to tour. Because Tuscumbia was the hometown of Helen Keller, visitors can tour the Helen Keller Birthplace to learn about her early life and times. Musicians and music fans everywhere will have a grand time in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, dedicated to some of Alabama’s most famous musicians, featuring memorabilia and a working recording studio to see. Meanwhile, you can be encouraged and eager to go adventuring through the Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge beside the Tennessee River to see the lush countryside of Alabama.
Ashland
Travelers will find the underrated town of Ashland a humble and hospitable destination, boasting newness and opportunities to enjoy. The town is primarily visited as a gateway to the Talladega National Forest, where camps, trails, mountains, and forests thrive in the deep wilderness of the state. Meanwhile, a bit further from town lies the Majestic Caverns, an unforgettable and underground park brimming with light shows, wall climbing games, and other recreational pursuits beneath the surface. If you plan on taking photos in the area or are just inspired by photography in general, then you ought to visit the Heart's Desire Photography Studio for advice and techniques.
Bayou La Batre
Bayou La Batre is a benevolent and beautiful locale with an elegant seafood-processing harbor that accommodates fishing and shrimping boats from Portersville Bay. During the first week of May, the townsfolk celebrate their fishing heritage with the annual Blessing of the Fleet. Because Bayou La Batre is hailed as the Seafood Capital of Alabama, you can savor some scrumptious seafood from various restaurants such as the Bayou Seafood Company LLC and Catalina Restaurant. Naturally, you can go adventuring in the marshlands and wetlands brimming with coastal wonders in nearby regions like the Grand Bay Savanna Wildlife Management Area.
These Underrated Towns in Alabama Amaze and Surprise
Travelers should not underestimate some of Alabama’s most underrated towns to visit in 2026. From the vibrant natural scenery of neighboring communities like Ashland to the festive and fulfilling locales of Troy or Greenville, these amicable destinations showcase the overlooked beauty and serenity that only Alabama’s countryside can offer. Amidst the historic anecdotes and allegories found only in places like Selma, and within beloved landmarks unique to towns like Tuscumbia, the most underrated cities in Alabama will stick in your memories for many long years and decades to come. As the new year begins, you ought to begin your adventures in these overlooked small towns in the state.
