Alabama

When you visit Alabama, you are visiting the Heart of Dixie. But, despite its sometimes turbulent past, Alabama is very much a part of today's South – vibrant, interesting, diverse and multicultural. NASCAR fans swarm to Talladega in April. Revelers celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile. Fans of George Washington Carver flock to the National Peanut Festival in Dothan every fall. And don't forget the Alabama Renaissance Fair in Florence each October. In fact, there are more than 1000 fairs and festivals in Alabama every year – certainly something for everyone. For outdoor fun, Alabama offers a virtual potpourri of options. Alabama's Gulf Shores offer miles of white, sandy beaches for kids, sunbathers and beachcombers to enjoy. The Gulf Coast is also known for fishing, scuba diving, dolphin and turtle sightings. Mount Cheaha is great for rock-climbing and rappelling, while the Sequoyah Caverns are the spot for spelunking and cave exploration. If you want to hike, mountain bike, backpack or just explore the outdoors, Alabama has the beauty you seek. For those seeking an other-wordly adventure, don't forget the US Space Camp in Huntsville where kids, or kids-at-heart, can experience the wonder of space and feel like an astronaut. Birmingham is home to sights as diverse as the Civil Rights' Institute, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Jazz Hall of Fame and the nearby Moundville Archaeological Park. And for those with a taste for history, don't miss the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Site, the Rosa Parks Museum, Helen Keller's Birthplace & Home, or follow the Trail of Tears National Historical Trail. Today's Alabama has art, culture, sports, history, natural beauty, fairs, festivals and activities for everyone – it's truly the Heart of the South.