Tourism Information

Alabama: The Mountain Region

Tourism Information

The Mountains Region provides one spellbinding landscape after another. It's laden with shimmering lakes, waterfalls, caverns and tree-crested mountaintops. Enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities or visit historic attractions in cities like Florence, Huntsville, Madison, Decatur and Cullman.

North Alabama is home to the Alabama Mountain region, which has such a striking contrast to the rest of the state that many consider it a "state within a state." The 16 counties in the region are overwhelmingly enhanced by the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

When you travel this beautiful region, you will find that the mountains and lakes that are so prevalent here are only part of the area's charm as there are more than 100 different attractions to keep you busy. In Huntsville, visit the new Nature Center and Butterfly House at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. You'll be in the middle of thousands of stunning butterflies at The Nature Center as it features the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house, home to more than 50 species of native butterflies, lush vegetation, and even a waterfall.

Blast off with the 25th Anniversary of Space Camp at Huntsville's U.S. Space and Rocket Center. World-famous Space Camp offers a variety of programs for children and adults designed to excite and educate about the world of space exploration. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the planet's largest space museum, features more than 1,500 NASA artifacts that are literally out of this world!

The Year of Alabama Arts comes alive with a host of attractions and events in North Alabama. The historic Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur hosts a multitude of local, regional, national, and international art exhibits. Decatur also boasts the art deco-styled Princess Theatre, a long-time North Alabama landmark. After a complete renovation, the Princess provides a sparkling new venue for local performing arts groups and a variety of touring artists in music, theatre, and dance.

The annual W.C. Handy Music Festival taking place July 22-28 in Florence celebrates the musical heritage of "The Father of the Blues" and features more than 250 events throughout the region. The festival presents musical performances, art exhibits, theatre, and educational programs. You also don't want to miss visiting the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia for a look at Alabama's impressive musical history.

Enjoy the beauty of dance in a breathtaking outdoor setting during the Alabama Ballet Summer Residency at Gorham's Bluff. Performance dates are July 22-29 and feature Lake Guntersville as a natural stage for a breathtaking experience you won't soon forget.

Head to the mountains and experience all the beauty and wonder that is North Alabama.