Alabama

Welcome to Alabama

Experience the music of the south as you explore Alabama, a land rich in history, awe-inspiring scenery, sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities and the mountains of the Appalachia. Nestled in the centre of the Deep South region with Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida as its neighbours, Alabama is within easy driving distance of Atlanta, Memphis and New Orleans but with a flavour all of its own.

North Alabama is renowned for its awe-inspiring scenery of lakes, mountains, canyons and caves offering a diverse range of outdoor activities. The very southern tip of the State is best known for Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast beaches. All year long the port city of Mobile features the taste of the coast with fresh, delicious seafood and a diverse array of bars, restaurants and live music venues. Just across the bay are the coastal towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach where 32 miles of sugary white sands await you as well as a fantastic array of bars, restaurants, nightlife and outlet shopping.

Alabama's first big part in US history came in 1861 when Southern politicians gathered at the State Capitol in Montgomery and formed the Confederate States of America. The telegram starting the American Civil War was sent from here. Alabama is also probably best known for its key role in Civil Rights. It was in Montgomery, Alabama's capital, where the Civil Rights Movement gathered pace under the leadership of Dr Martin Luther King and the history of this movement can be followed in key museums and landmarks around the state, most notably in Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham. The state is also the birthplace of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, a powerful novel dealing with racial issues in the 1930's.

Lynyrd Skynyrd was inspired to write the hit song "Sweet Home Alabama", one of the best examples of Southern rock, as a tribute to this wonderful state which epitomises the easy going, laid back way of life long associated with the Deep South. International superstars like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones all came to Muscle Shoals, a small southern town on the banks of the Tennessee River to record hit songs. Native Alabamian Sam Phillips discovered Elvis and the contract between Sam Phillips and RCA is located in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in nearby Tuscumbia. Hank Williams, the "King of Country Music" and W.C.Handy, the "Father of the Blues" were both born in Alabama and singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett grew up here.

Alabama is also full of the unexpected. Mobile is recognised as having America's first Mardi Gras celebration in 1703 and the celebration is bigger than ever today. During Mardi Gras season, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands and colourful floats. For something completely different, visit the Unclaimed Baggage Centre in Scottsboro near Huntsville, where lost and unclaimed airline baggage is unpacked and sold to the public!