Have you taken the time to explore some of the many hidden gems in Alabama? From sprawling parks to unique shops, the list is endless. One of the best ways to experience Alabama is to pack the car with your favorite people and a few snacks and go on a road trip. We’ve included a mapped road trip route below, which will take you to six of Alabama’s hidden gems. For an unforgettable experience, you’ll want to stop and visit each one. Let’s find some hidden gems in Alabama, shall we?

google maps Click here for complete driving directions.

  1. Town of Mooresville

GPA Photo Archive/Flickr Your road trip will begin in the town of Mooresville. Incorporated on November 16, 1818, Mooresville is one of Alabama’s oldest towns. It’s also one of the state’s most unique because the entire town is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is also home to Alabama’s oldest operational post office, which was built in 1840. Read our previous article to learn more about the town of Mooresville Alabama. Mooresville, AL 35649, USA

  1. Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell

Jaime Britt/Google Your next stop will be Dismals Canyon. Dismals Canyon is a magnificent sandstone gorge that’s located off the beaten path in the small town of Phil Campbell. It’s one of the only places in the world where you’ll find Dismalites, which are simply insects that resemble glowworms. Read our previous article to learn more about Dismals Canyon. Dismals Canyon, 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, USA

  1. The Alabama Booksmith - Homewood

Alabama Booksmith/Facebook You’ll then take a drive to The Alabama Booksmith. If you love books, especially collecting them, The Alabama Booksmith in Homewood will soon become your favorite bookshop. What makes The Alabama Booksmith different from any other bookshop you’ve ever visited is the fact that every book sold has been autographed. Read our previous article to learn more about Alabama Booksmith. Alabama Booksmith, 2626 19th Pl S, Homewood, AL 35209, USA

  1. Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles - Lanett

sydneyrisse/Google Your next stop will be the Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles. In 1933, Nadine Earles died shortly before Christmas. All she wanted was a dollhouse. Her father made sure to fulfill her wish even though she had already passed away. Nadine is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett. Her grave is marked with a real brick playhouse, complete with a front porch, a mailbox, and awnings. A variety of toys are also inside to keep her busy. Read our previous article to learn more about the Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles. Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles, 1462 1st St, Lanett, AL 36863, USA

  1. Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest - Prattville

Kelsey/Google You’ll then take a drive to Wilderness Park. Wilderness Park, which covers 26 acres, is a unique park that’s tucked away in the city of Prattville. In addition to it being the first wilderness park to ever be developed inside city limits in the U.S., it’s also unique because it’s home to a real bamboo forest with stalks as high as 60 feet. There’s no other park in the world like it. Read our previous article to learn more about Alabama’s Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest. Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest, 800 Upper Kingston Rd, Prattville, AL 36067, USA

  1. Tolstoy Park - Montrose

James Moore/Google Your final stop will be Tolstoy Park. Tolstoy Park was the home of Henry Stuart. Mr. Stuart had contracted tuberculosis and moved to Alabama from Idaho to live out his remaining years. He eventually became a hermit and was later known as the “Hermit of Montrose.” It’s not every day you see a house like Tolstoy Park. Read our previous article to learn more about Tolstoy Park. Tolstoy Park, The Henry Stuart House, 22787 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532, USA

Have you been to any of these six hidden gems in Alabama? If so, please tell us all about your adventure with a comment. If you’ve discovered any other cool places to visit in Alabama share that too. We are always on the hunt for our next Alabama road trip idea.

google maps

Click here for complete driving directions.

GPA Photo Archive/Flickr

Your road trip will begin in the town of Mooresville. Incorporated on November 16, 1818, Mooresville is one of Alabama’s oldest towns. It’s also one of the state’s most unique because the entire town is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is also home to Alabama’s oldest operational post office, which was built in 1840. Read our previous article to learn more about the town of Mooresville Alabama.

Mooresville, AL 35649, USA

Jaime Britt/Google

Your next stop will be Dismals Canyon. Dismals Canyon is a magnificent sandstone gorge that’s located off the beaten path in the small town of Phil Campbell. It’s one of the only places in the world where you’ll find Dismalites, which are simply insects that resemble glowworms. Read our previous article to learn more about Dismals Canyon.

Dismals Canyon, 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, USA

Alabama Booksmith/Facebook

You’ll then take a drive to The Alabama Booksmith. If you love books, especially collecting them, The Alabama Booksmith in Homewood will soon become your favorite bookshop. What makes The Alabama Booksmith different from any other bookshop you’ve ever visited is the fact that every book sold has been autographed. Read our previous article to learn more about Alabama Booksmith.

Alabama Booksmith, 2626 19th Pl S, Homewood, AL 35209, USA

sydneyrisse/Google

Your next stop will be the Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles. In 1933, Nadine Earles died shortly before Christmas. All she wanted was a dollhouse. Her father made sure to fulfill her wish even though she had already passed away. Nadine is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett. Her grave is marked with a real brick playhouse, complete with a front porch, a mailbox, and awnings. A variety of toys are also inside to keep her busy. Read our previous article to learn more about the Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles.

Playhouse Grave of Nadine Earles, 1462 1st St, Lanett, AL 36863, USA

Kelsey/Google

You’ll then take a drive to Wilderness Park. Wilderness Park, which covers 26 acres, is a unique park that’s tucked away in the city of Prattville. In addition to it being the first wilderness park to ever be developed inside city limits in the U.S., it’s also unique because it’s home to a real bamboo forest with stalks as high as 60 feet. There’s no other park in the world like it. Read our previous article to learn more about Alabama’s Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest.

Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest, 800 Upper Kingston Rd, Prattville, AL 36067, USA

James Moore/Google

Your final stop will be Tolstoy Park. Tolstoy Park was the home of Henry Stuart. Mr. Stuart had contracted tuberculosis and moved to Alabama from Idaho to live out his remaining years. He eventually became a hermit and was later known as the “Hermit of Montrose.” It’s not every day you see a house like Tolstoy Park. Read our previous article to learn more about Tolstoy Park.

Tolstoy Park, The Henry Stuart House, 22787 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532, USA

Another hidden gem in Alabama that’s worthy of a visit is Natural Bridge Park. This beautiful natural wonder is so well hidden, it feels like one of Alabama’s best-kept secrets.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Even more hidden gems in Alabama November 16, 2022 Chris Muras How do you find cool places to visit in Alabama?   Finding cool places to visit in Alabama is definitely not hard to do. In fact, here is a list of fun things to do and see in Alabama for a weekend getaway or adventurous road trip. (Read the whole list of 12 hidden gems in AL)

  1. Noccalula Falls: Besides being extremely fun to say ten times real fast, Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, AL is absolutely stunning. It’s a 90-foot drop over a cave dug into the rock of Lookout Mountain. The best part is you can walk behind the waterfall and lose yourself in the powerful rush of sound.
  2. The Bright Star: After a day at the waterfall you’ll work up an appetite. The Bright Star in Bessemer, AL is one of those small-town hidden gems all the locals tell you to visit. This epic restaurant has been in the same family since it first opened in 1907!
  3. Unclaimed Baggage Center: Okay this is a bit of an odd one but did you know you can actually go to a store that sells unclaimed baggage? This is the only store like it we’ve ever seen, and you can find it right here in Scottsboro, AL. Can you imagine what unique treasures you’ll find here?
  4. Lake Eufaula: If you love a little bass this beautiful lake in the small town of the same name is your dream destination. Often referred to as the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World” Lake Eufaula is a true hidden gem for those who love to fish.
  5. Golden Years Ice Cream Parlor: Nothing goes better with a nice buttered bass than ice cream. Okay, fine, maybe not with bass but this is the best ice cream shop in Hazel Green, AL. The Golden Years is done up like your favorite ice cream joint from the 1950s with classic cars, pinball machines, and all the best vintage decor. Oh, yeah, and some amazing ice cream, too.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Even more hidden gems in Alabama

November 16, 2022

Chris Muras

How do you find cool places to visit in Alabama?   Finding cool places to visit in Alabama is definitely not hard to do. In fact, here is a list of fun things to do and see in Alabama for a weekend getaway or adventurous road trip. (Read the whole list of 12 hidden gems in AL)

  1. Noccalula Falls: Besides being extremely fun to say ten times real fast, Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, AL is absolutely stunning. It’s a 90-foot drop over a cave dug into the rock of Lookout Mountain. The best part is you can walk behind the waterfall and lose yourself in the powerful rush of sound.
  2. The Bright Star: After a day at the waterfall you’ll work up an appetite. The Bright Star in Bessemer, AL is one of those small-town hidden gems all the locals tell you to visit. This epic restaurant has been in the same family since it first opened in 1907!
  3. Unclaimed Baggage Center: Okay this is a bit of an odd one but did you know you can actually go to a store that sells unclaimed baggage? This is the only store like it we’ve ever seen, and you can find it right here in Scottsboro, AL. Can you imagine what unique treasures you’ll find here?
  4. Lake Eufaula: If you love a little bass this beautiful lake in the small town of the same name is your dream destination. Often referred to as the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World” Lake Eufaula is a true hidden gem for those who love to fish.
  5. Golden Years Ice Cream Parlor: Nothing goes better with a nice buttered bass than ice cream. Okay, fine, maybe not with bass but this is the best ice cream shop in Hazel Green, AL. The Golden Years is done up like your favorite ice cream joint from the 1950s with classic cars, pinball machines, and all the best vintage decor. Oh, yeah, and some amazing ice cream, too.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

 

Finding cool places to visit in Alabama is definitely not hard to do. In fact, here is a list of fun things to do and see in Alabama for a weekend getaway or adventurous road trip. (Read the whole list of 12 hidden gems in AL)

  1. Noccalula Falls: Besides being extremely fun to say ten times real fast, Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, AL is absolutely stunning. It’s a 90-foot drop over a cave dug into the rock of Lookout Mountain. The best part is you can walk behind the waterfall and lose yourself in the powerful rush of sound.

  2. The Bright Star: After a day at the waterfall you’ll work up an appetite. The Bright Star in Bessemer, AL is one of those small-town hidden gems all the locals tell you to visit. This epic restaurant has been in the same family since it first opened in 1907!

  3. Unclaimed Baggage Center: Okay this is a bit of an odd one but did you know you can actually go to a store that sells unclaimed baggage? This is the only store like it we’ve ever seen, and you can find it right here in Scottsboro, AL. Can you imagine what unique treasures you’ll find here?

  4. Lake Eufaula: If you love a little bass this beautiful lake in the small town of the same name is your dream destination. Often referred to as the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World” Lake Eufaula is a true hidden gem for those who love to fish.

  5. Golden Years Ice Cream Parlor: Nothing goes better with a nice buttered bass than ice cream. Okay, fine, maybe not with bass but this is the best ice cream shop in Hazel Green, AL. The Golden Years is done up like your favorite ice cream joint from the 1950s with classic cars, pinball machines, and all the best vintage decor. Oh, yeah, and some amazing ice cream, too.