Highest-rated things to do in Alabama by visitors

Written by:
August 25, 2025
Alita Xander // Shutterstock

Highest-rated things to do in Alabama by visitors

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Alabama your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Alabama reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Alabama using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Alabama, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

1 / 30
Tripadvisor

#30. Adventure Island

- Rating: 4.2/5 (529 reviews)
- City: Orange Beach
- Read more on Tripadvisor

2 / 30
Tripadvisor

#29. Ave Maria Grotto

- Rating: 4.5/5 (423 reviews)
- City: Cullman
- Read more on Tripadvisor

3 / 30
Tripadvisor

#28. DeSoto State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (407 reviews)
- City: Fort Payne
- Read more on Tripadvisor

4 / 30
Tripadvisor

#27. Birmingham Zoo

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1,170 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

5 / 30
Tripadvisor

#26. Rosa Parks Library and Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (785 reviews)
- City: Montgomery
- Read more on Tripadvisor

6 / 30
Tripadvisor

#25. Gulf Shores Public Beach

- Rating: 4.5/5 (484 reviews)
- City: Gulf Shores
- Read more on Tripadvisor

7 / 30
Tripadvisor

#24. Monte Sano State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (466 reviews)
- City: Huntsville
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#23. Mobile Carnival Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (599 reviews)
- City: Mobile
- Read more on Tripadvisor

9 / 30
Tripadvisor

#22. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

- Rating: 4.4/5 (534 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#21. Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

- Rating: 4.4/5 (694 reviews)
- City: Dauphin Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor

11 / 30
Tripadvisor

#20. Noccalula Falls Park & Campground

- Rating: 4.4/5 (746 reviews)
- City: Gadsden
- Read more on Tripadvisor

12 / 30
Tripadvisor

#19. Mobile Bay Ferry

- Rating: 4.4/5 (738 reviews)
- City: Dauphin Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor

13 / 30
Tripadvisor

#18. FORT MORGAN HISTORIC SITE

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,048 reviews)
- City: Fort Morgan
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#17. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,679 reviews)
- City: Gulf Shores
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#16. Bellingrath Gardens & Home

- Rating: 4.6/5 (870 reviews)
- City: Theodore
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#15. Alligator Alley

- Rating: 4.7/5 (578 reviews)
- City: Summerdale
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#14. Huntsville Botanical Garden

- Rating: 4.6/5 (925 reviews)
- City: Huntsville
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#13. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

- Rating: 4.6/5 (527 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#12. McWane Science Center

- Rating: 4.6/5 (963 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#11. Legacy Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (572 reviews)
- City: Montgomery
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#10. Cathedral Caverns State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (475 reviews)
- City: Woodville
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#9. U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (513 reviews)
- City: Huntsville
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#8. The Wharf

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1,585 reviews)
- City: Orange Beach
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#7. Little River Canyon National Preserve

- Rating: 4.7/5 (571 reviews)
- City: Fort Payne
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#6. Vulcan Park & Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,418 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,320 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#4. Gulf State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,460 reviews)
- City: Gulf Shores
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#3. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,320 reviews)
- City: Birmingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#2. U.S. Space and Rocket Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,316 reviews)
- City: Huntsville
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#1. USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (4,072 reviews)
- City: Mobile
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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