Central Alabama, AL

Travel Guide

A cityscape with modern high-rise buildings and a mountain in the background.
A vintage motorcycle with a visible engine and a headlight.
A museum with various racing cars on display.
A wall with numerous framed portraits and a shelf with framed items.
A modern building with a large glass facade and a Harley-Davidson logo on the right side.

Discover the cultural heart of Alabama in the center of the state, where you will find engaging museums, stunning scenery and thrilling events, including car races and football games.

Experience the culture of southern America’s heartland in Central Alabama, a region that is incontrovertibly shaped by its past while looking forward to a bright future. Famous cities with fascinating historical attractions sit surrounded by scenery that includes picturesque lakes. Smaller towns are shaped by their proudly held traditions.

Start your journey to Central Alabama in Birmingham, the largest city in the state. One of the landmarks in this historic city is the Vulcan Statue, a 56-foot (17-meter) sculpture of the Roman god of blacksmithing, a symbol of the region’s industrial past. Visit the Sloss Furnaces for an enthralling insight into this era of history.

Explore Birmingham’s numerous museums for a complete picture of the city’s multifaceted history. Listen to the music of the greats in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and discover a global array of paintings and sculptures at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Stop by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn about the city’s complex role in the 20th-century movement.

Wander around the historic campus of the University of Alabama in the charming city of Tuscaloosa. The campus area houses a wide array of museums, sports grounds and gardens. Watch the famous Crimson Tide play a thrilling game of football.

Central Alabama also has a proud history of motorsports. Get up close to vintage car models in the Barber Motorsports Park and the Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Join huge crowds of locals at the Talladega Superspeedway, famed for its high-speed NASCAR races.

Explore the landscapes outside the towns and cities of Central Alabama. Stroll through shaded woodland and rest by tranquil lakes in the state parks of the region. Cheaha State Park is the home of the highest point in Alabama and features hiking and biking trails. Cyclists will also enjoy the routes running through scenic Chewacla State Park.

Board a flight to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to land in the heart of Central Alabama. The region remains warm throughout the year, although spring and fall are the best times to avoid the most humid months.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

3 out of 5
60 State Farm Pkwy Birmingham AL
$68 nightly
The price is $82 total per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
$82 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,348 reviews)
"Gym room was closed and unfortunately that was one of the reasons that we chose that hotel."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood
Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB

4 out of 5
808 20th Street S Birmingham AL
$147 nightly
The price is $175 total per night from Oct 18 to Oct 19
$175 total
Oct 18 - Oct 19
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Upon arrival it took over 3 minutes to be acknowledged by the front desk, we were the only people at the counter. The clerk never looked up until he was done with whatever was more important that greeting the customer. The room was subpar, the shower had a crack in the floor, there was hair in the ..."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2026

Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB
Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood

Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood

2.5 out of 5
226 Summit Pkwy Birmingham AL
$88 nightly
The price is $106 total per night from Oct 15 to Oct 16
$106 total
Oct 15 - Oct 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,593 reviews)
"Hotel was clean. Beds were comfortable. Breakfast was well stocked. Nice stay overall."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2026

Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

2.5 out of 5
215 Cosper Bend Rd Childersburg AL
Stay at this cabin in Childersburg. Enjoy free parking, patios, and climate control. Popular attractions Sally West Park and The Meadows Golf Course are located ...
Postcard Cabins Talladega Valley, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood

InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood

2.5 out of 5
90 Oxmoor Road Birmingham AL
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Riverchase Galleria and Red Mountain Park are ...
5.6/10 (32 reviews)
"Room very dirty, toilet not usable, & my room was entered without my consent by hotel staff,"

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2026

InTown Suites Extended Stay Birmingham AL - Homewood
Landing Midtown

Landing Midtown

4.5 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S Birmingham AL
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions The Summit and Heaviest Corner ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (59 reviews)
"Thanks for a great stay"

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2026

Landing Midtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Central Alabama attractions

Things to do

Cities near Central Alabama

Explore a world of travel with Expedia