Alabama

11 Alabama small towns to visit

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

While Alabama’s major cities have plenty to offer, sometimes it’s better to spend a weekend getaway getting to know one of its many charming small towns.

From fishing villages like Bayou La Batre to artsy mountain towns like Mentone and all the ones in-between, Alabama’s small towns are filled with character and rich history — not to mention some seriously good restaurants and a lot of one-of-a-kind attractions you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

So next time you’re looking to spend a Saturday wandering, keep these 11 Alabama small towns in mind.

Mentone may be small, but art is everywhere. (Haley Laurence)Haley Laurence

Mentone

If you have ever been to the charming mountain town of Mentone, you won’t be surprised to see it on this list. Located atop Lookout Mountain, Mentone offers visitors plenty of chances to take in the beauty of the great outdoors by visiting nearby Little River Canyon, DeSoto State Park and more. Plus, it offers unique dining, like the Wildflower Cafe, and shopping, like the Moon Lake Trading Company and Mentone Market — all in an artsy and quaint setting.

Read more: This Alabama dish is worth the drive to Mentone’s Wildflower Cafe

Monroeville

For lovers of classic literature, a visit to the small town of Monroeville is an absolute must considering it’s the home of author Harper Lee and inspiration for the setting of her iconic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”. While there, fans of the book can visit the Monroe County Museum inside the historic Monroeville courthouse, which has exhibits dedicated to Lee as well as Truman Capote. You can also take a scenic, self-guided walking tour of noteworthy sites and murals throughout the town and even grab a “boo burger” at The Court House Cafe.

Read more: Scenes from Monroeville

Magnolia Springs

With its massive live oaks and proximity to the Gulf, Magnolia Springs is the perfect small town to visit if you’d like to spend a relaxing weekend away from home. While there, you can book a room at the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, which offers a cozy and charming place to unwind, and grab a meal at Jesse’s Restaurant, where you can dine on crawfish mac and cheese, creole spiced redfish and other New Orleans-inspired dishes as well as steaks, oysters, salads and more.

Read more: One Alabama small town among nation’s most beautiful, says Architectural Digest

Greenville

Greenville is a small Alabama town that might be off the beaten path but is worth a visit thanks to its rich history and character. While visiting its historic downtown area, you can grab a meal at Alabama Grill, which serves pizzas, salads, pasta and more. You can also catch a seasonal show at the restored Ritz Theatre and browse a variety of shops selling antiques, handmade goods and more. Be sure to stop in Greenville Hardware, which has been in business since 1891 and is the oldest hardware store in the state.

Read more: Restoring history at the Alabama Grill

Dauphin Island

Known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” Dauphin Island offers a beach getaway without the crowds. You can either spend your time listening to the waves crash with your toes in the sand at one of its pristine beaches or you can explore some of the island’s popular attractions, like Fort Gaines, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and more. Just don’t forget to fill up on fresh catch at one of the popular local restaurants, like Dockside Seafood, Islander’s Restaurant and more.

Read more: 10 things to know about Dauphin Island

Eufaula

When it comes to gorgeous small towns in Alabama, Eufaula certainly makes the list. Its scenic downtown area, complete with fountains and lush parks, is a perfect place to spend an afternoon window shopping and trying local restaurants, like the Cajun Corner. Be sure to check out the views of Lake Eufaula while you’re there too from the Yoholo Micco Trail as well as take a tour of one of the many one-of-a-kind historic homes, like Fendall Hall and the Shorter Mansion, you can visit.

Payne's Soda Fountain & Sandwich Shop — Payne’s Soda Fountain & Sandwich Shop in Scottsboro, Ala., began as the W.H. Payne Drug Co. in 1869. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Scottsboro

Another scenic small town that’s home to an attraction that draws visitors from all over the state, and country for that matter, is Scottsboro. While Unclaimed Baggage, where the contents of unclaimed luggage from major airlines is sold, is often what brings tourists to Scottsboro, there’s plenty more to see. That includes a visit to the Scottsboro Depot Museum, Goose Pond Colony Resort and more. While you’re there, be sure to also take a walk around the downtown square and grab a sweet treat at Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain.

Read more: 150 years of memories at Alabama’s oldest soda fountain

Alabama State Parks — Fishing is a huge part of the experience at Lake Guntersville State Park. The park hosts many bass tournaments and the lake offers world-class bass fishing as well as other sport fishing. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com). al.comal.com

Guntersville

Surrounded by gorgeous Lake Guntersville, it’s no surprise that the small Alabama town of Guntersville is a scenic place with picturesque views almost everywhere you look. While it’s a given that Guntersville offers plenty to do on the lake like fishing, boating and more, as well as lots of activities, like hiking and birding, within its state park, the small town also has an active art scene with shows performed at The Whole Backstage Theatre, local shoppes worth exploring and more.

Wetumpka

Located along the Coosa River and with a thriving downtown area filled with local shoppes and restaurants, Wetumpka is a charming small town perfect for leisurely exploring. While there, you can also take in all of the city’s natural beauty with a visit to Swayback Bridge Trail, grab lunch at Coaches Corner Bar and Grill, grab your favorite latte at Restoration Coffee House and learn more about Wetumpka’s unique history at Fort Toulouse in Jackson Park and the Wetumpka Impact Crater.

Read more: What to do in Wetumpka

Representatives of the Alabama shrimping fleet are seen at dock in 2014 in Bayou La Batre, Ala. (Mike Brantley)Mike Brantley/AL.com

Bayou La Batre

Bayou La Batre is a quaint and charming fishing town located along the Mississippi Sound near the Gulf of Mexico and has garnered the title of “Seafood Capital of Alabama” for good reason. With streets lined by live oaks and boats almost everywhere you look on the water, it’s a scenic little town ready to be explored. Grab a meal at Catalina, which serves fresh seafood daily, then stroll through one of the city’s many parks or along a dock for the kind of relaxing day only a small town can offer.

Fort Payne

Fort Payne is a quiet little town with plenty of natural beauty and interesting sights to see, making it a great place for a relaxing weekend getaway. You can spend some time enjoying the great outdoors at Desoto State Park or learn more about its role in musical history at the Alabama Fan Club and Museum. While in town, you can also spend a day antiquing at the Big Mill and other little shoppes as well as try the Cuban sandwich, named among the “100 Alabama dishes to eat before you die” at Vintage 1889 Cafe.

Read more: Why this Alabama town loves Pete the Cat

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Alabama

Alabama’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort recognized as one of the best | WKRG.com

Published

9 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Alabama’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort recognized as one of the best | WKRG.com

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) — Beneath thousands of headstones, a life of service and sacrifice is honored at the Alabama State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort.

“It is pretty profound the sense of pride in the work,” said cemetery director Joe Buschell.

“The beauty is just overwhelming, and there is so much honor here for our veterans for the community,” said Commissioner of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Jeff Newton. “It’s just a solemn place.”

Buschell accepted the Excellence in Veterans Cemetery Operations recognition, but he says it is a team effort.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes. When the day starts, our obligation is to honor that veteran and their family,” Buschell said.

The only state veterans cemetery in Alabama is the final resting place for almost 5,000 veterans and their spouses.

“They truly care for the veterans of the state of Alabama,” said Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary of Cemetery Operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that sets the standards for all 124 state veterans cemeteries across the U.S. “They do exactly what we want them to do, what the American citizens want them to do, take care of our veterans, honor them in perpetuity.”

Established in 2013, the 130-acre property off Highway 225 has room to expand for generations to come.

“They gifted everybody at least a part of their life, said Buschell. “At this cemetery, we have at least a couple that gifted the whole thing, so that means a lot.”

A debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.

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Alabama

Alabama elections 2026: Who is running for U.S. Senate and House?

Published

21 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Alabama elections 2026: Who is running for U.S. Senate and House?

Alabama residents will make their choice for U.S. Congress during the May 19 primary, and officials are urging people to vote despite an ever-evolving situation surrounding the state’s congressional maps.

Currently, there are legal disputes surrounding the Congressional districts map in use in Alabama. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in late April on a redistricting case in Louisiana, Alabama asked for the preliminary injunction which barred them from redrawing their maps until 2030 to be lifted, which the courts have granted as of May 11.

Though there’s been some confusion in the face of ongoing legal motions regarding the maps, what is certain is that primary elections will go on as planned despite Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey calling for a special election in August for the affected congressional districts — Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.

The Northern District Court of Alabama, which originally issued the injunction, still has to reconsider the case. The court asked state officials in a May 12 order to explain the plan for the 2026 elections and to explain how they plan to “ensure that all Alabamians may timely and efficaciously exercise their constitutional right to vote.”

There are two more elections after the primaries this month. On June 16, the state will hold primary runoff elections, and on Nov. 3, the state will host the general election. Additional candidates could come up after the primaries conclude, so once the names are finalized, the ballots may appear differently in November.

The special election in races affected by new congressional maps is currently planned for Aug. 11, though officials — including Ivey — have encouraged all voters to cast their ballots in the regular May 19 primary.

Who’s running for U.S. Senate?

The seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is up for election. Tuberville, who has thrown his hat in the governor’s race, will not be returning to the position, so all candidates listed would be new to the Senate. The other seat is held by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and won’t be open until her term expires in 2028.

Republican candidates

Seth Burton
Dale Shelton Deas Jr.
Jared Hudson
Steve Marshall
Barry Moore
Rodney Walker

Some names on this list are already serving in federal and Alabama state government positions, with Marshall currently serving as the state’s Attorney General, and Moore currently representing Alabama’s 1st District in the House of Representatives and previously representing the 2nd District. Of the candidates, President Donald Trump has endorsed only one, which is Moore.

Hudson is the only candidate who has attempted to run for another position, albeit unsuccessfully — he ran for sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022, but lost to incumbent Sheriff Mark Pettway.

Democratic candidates

Dakarai Larriett
Kyle Sweetser
Everett Wess
Mark S. Wheeler II

Who’s running for House of Representatives?

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed in District 7. Voters in every district have candidates from both sides of the aisle to consider.

Considering the special election that is now on the horizon, candidate names may appear differently on ballots in August if different maps are approved. For the May 19 primaries, the following is how candidate names will appear.

District 1 Republican Candidates

Jerry Carl
James (Jimmy) Dees
Rhett Marques
Joshua McKee
John Mills
James Richardson
Austin Sidwell

District 1 Democratic Candidates

Senate candidate Moore currently holds the District 1 position, so no candidates are incumbents. A few of the candidates in this race have previous political experience. Carl is a former member of the U.S. House and used to represent District 1, with his tenure in office lasting from 2021-25. Marques is a current Alabama State House representative.

District 2 Republican Candidates

District 2 Democratic Candidates

U.S. Rep. Figures currently holds the District 2 position.

District 3 Republican Candidates

District 3 Democratic Candidates

U.S. Rep. Rogers currently holds the District 3 position.

District 4 Republican Candidates

Robert B. Aderholt
Tommy Barnes

District 4 Democratic Candidates

Amanda N. Pusczek
Shane Weaver

U.S. Rep. Aderholt currently holds the District 4 position. His one Republican opponent, Barnes, has a history in public service, serving as a Colbert County Commissioner.

District 5 Republican Candidates

District 5 Democratic Candidates

Jeremy Devito
Candice Dollar Duvieilh
Andrew Sneed

U.S. Rep. Strong currently holds the District 5 position.

District 6 Republican candidates

District 6 Democratic candidates

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer currently holds the District 6 position.

How do I check my voter registration status?

To vote in the primary election, voters need to have been registered to vote in Alabama for 15 days before the election is scheduled to happen.

To check your registration status, visit vote.gov.

Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@montgome.gannett.com or follow her on X @sarahgclifton and TikTok @sarahgclifton. To support her work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

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Alabama

‘Maverick Act’ aims to preserve three F-14 Tomcats with restoration in Alabama

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

‘Maverick Act’ aims to preserve three F-14 Tomcats with restoration in Alabama

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A bipartisan bill is making its way through Washington that would preserve and possibly restore a famous piece of naval aviation history.

The F-14 Tomcat was in service with the Navy for more than 30 years and was famously used in the original “Top Gun” movie.

But when the aircraft retired in 2005, the U.S. government destroyed a majority of the airplanes that were here in the U.S. This made the prospects of the jet returning to the skies next to impossible.

The “Maverick Act” hopes to bring a jet that inspired a generation back to life.

“The Maverick Act got a lot of support,” “It passed the Senate unanimously. It now heads to Congress for a final vote.”

Pensacola Navy veteran Dan McCort can still feel the raw power the F-14 Tomcat brought to naval aviation.

“It was a blast to fly. I gotta tell you I got it,” McCort said. “I love the airplane. I love the missions because it came with a huge mission set.”

The only country in the world flying the jet was Iran. The jets were given to Iran in 1979. But when the government was overthrown, the jets fell into the hands of an anti-American government.

Because of that, when the jet retired in 2006, the U.S. ordered most of the aircraft and its parts be destroyed.

During Operation Epic Fury, American and Israeli pilots destroyed Iran’s entire Air Force, including all the remaining flyable F-14s.

“We had to take them out, but boy that was hard for me to watch,” McCort said.

A bill dubbed the “Maverick Act” was introduced through a bipartisan effort. The legislation would preserve and restore three F-14s sitting in our nation’s boneyard.

“That airplane inspired an entire nation, partly because of the movie, partly because of the times it was hard Cold War, and it represented frankly American air power,” said McCort.

“A fantastic piece of equipment that served our country well,” Congressman Jimmy Patronis said. “But I can’t help but poke fun at it simply because of what Tom Cruise has done with the most recent ‘Top Gun’ movies.”

The bill calls for the Navy to donate the Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where they will be restored. If there’s enough spare parts, the bill calls for one of them to be restored to flight status to be flown at airshows across the country.

All of this would be funded by private donors, and not American taxpayers.

“If there’s no taxpayer dollars being used to restore these things then put it on the table,” said Patronis.

McCort says restoring the airplane will cost millions of dollars.

“A foundation that could generate some donations to defer the costs of making this thing fly because it will not be inexpensive,” said McCort. “I believe we’ll pay dividends down the road, both for the museum as well as a recruiting opportunity… as well as a recruiting opportunity for the country in general, and for the Navy frankly.”

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