Alabama

9 Alabama waterfront towns to visit

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2024

Whether you’re interested in spending time at the beach, bay or on the lake, there are plenty of charming waterfront towns in the state that are worth a visit.

From boating to fishing, swimming, just taking in a picturesque view and more, spending time on the water is always a good time, so next time you’re planning a weekend getaway, be sure to pack a swimsuit and head to one of these waterfront Alabama towns.

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Beach houses are seen past fingers of land on the south shore of Little Lagoon.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Orange Beach

Thanks to its white, sandy beaches and deep blue waters, Orange Beach is one of the most popular waterfront towns in Alabama, and tourists on vacation from all over the country flock to it every summer. Whether you’re interested in fishing, boating and other water activities or just relaxing on the shore while listening to the waves crash, Orange Beach has you covered. It also has a large variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment to choose from.

Dauphin Island

If you want all the beach access Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have to offer, but without all the crowds of tourists, Dauphin Island might be the better waterfront town for you. It has been given the nickname of “Sunset Capital of Alabama,” and for good reason. While there, you can enjoy the beaches with an unobstructed view or check out some of the island’s attractions, like Fort Gaines, the Alabama Aquarium and more. Plus, there are several restaurants to dine at and shops to browse.

Read more: 11 Alabama small towns you should visit

Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan is another waterfront town that offers access to the state’s gorgeous beaches, as well as the Mobile Bay, but allows you to forgo the heavy crowds you’ll find elsewhere. The quaint town, which is located along a peninsula, offers a peaceful place to spend time on the water or relaxing on the sand. That said, if you find yourself eager to play a round of mini-golf or try a new restaurant, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are just a quick drive away.

Read more: 10 places to see on your next vacation

Visitors enjoy a day at the beach on the sugar white sand of Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (AL.com file photo/Joe Songer)Joe Songer

Gulf Shores

If you’re looking for that quintessential beach town experience, Gulf Shores is the way to go, which is probably why families from all over the state and country visit there every year. It has everything from gorgeous, white sand beaches to restaurants serving fresh seafood (and even better views) to entertainment attractions, waterparks, tons of shopping and so much more. The worst part of the trip will be having to decide what to do each day.

Eufaula

The town of Eufaula is full of charm and scenic views thanks to its picturesque downtown, filled with popular shops, fountains and parks as well as its proximity to beautiful Lake Eufaula, making it the perfect waterfront town to visit. While there, you can spend the afternoon exploring Lake Eufaula — either at Lakepoint State Park or via the Yoholo Micco Trail — then get in a tour one of the towns many historic houses before grabbing a bite to eat at a local restaurant.

Read more: Places to spend a beautiful day in Alabama

Wedowee

For a waterfront town with gorgeous lake view and plenty of charm, plan a visit to Wedowee. The small town is located next to 9,000-acre Lake Wedowee, offering plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, water sports and more. When not on the water, you can browse some of the local shoppes and restaurants that make up its downtown area or enjoy a glass of wine at the Lake Wedowee Winery and Tasting Room, which serves artisanal wines that made in-house using local ingredients.

Read more: The story behind the state’s coolest Little Free Library

Alabama Color 2021 — Beautiful tree at the boat ramp at Lake Guntersville State Park. (Joe Songer for AL.com).Joe Songer

Guntersville

Considering Lake Guntersville has become known for its beauty throughout the South, it’s no surprise that Guntersville is a popular place to visit among vacationers looking to spend some time on the water. After spending a day fishing, boating, kayaking and more at Lake Guntersville State Park though, be sure to check out what the small town has to offer on land too — including outdoor activities like hiking and birding as well as plenty of restaurants, local businesses and an active arts scene.

Read more: 10 Alabama places worthy of a vacation

Dadeville

Nestled into Lake Martin, Dadeville is a quaint small town offering access to all the water activities you could want as well as local restaurants and more. Whether you want to go out on the boat for some wakeboarding, paddleboarding and fishing or just spend some time exploring and relaxing in the water, Lake Martin is full of scenic spots to do so. Afterward, you can grab a catfish plate at Oskar’s Cafe or chow down on a one-of-a-kind burger at Niffer’s Place.

Cullman

The town of Cullman has plenty to offer, from gorgeous views of scenic Lewis Smith Lake and all the water activities that comes along with it to other unique attractions, like the Ave Maria Grotto, you won’t find anywhere else. Just spend a day on Smith Lake, which has a reputation for being one of the cleanest lakes in the state, and then spend a day exploring all the location attractions, restaurants and shoppes too.

Read more: Alabama city has one of the nation’s best small-town cultural scenes, USA Today says

The Waterfront opened as the newest restaurant in the PP Hospitality Group portfolio in June 2023. — The waterfront’s spacious deck offers a view of Mobile Bay, including a stretch of the Eastern Shore and a glimpse of BayWay traffic far in the distance.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Daphne

Daphne might be the largest city in Baldwin County, but it still has plenty of small town charm as well as beautiful views of the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay. While there, you can access the bay along one of its many public parks and piers or explore some of the unique features Daphne as to offer, like the Gator Boardwalk where alligators are often on full display, or do some shopping and grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants.

Read more: Daphne’s best-kept secret in dining

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Alabama

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

Published

12 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

24 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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