7 Most Welcoming Towns In Alabama's Countryside

With its warm, sunny days and unbeatable Southern hospitality, nearly every corner of Alabama could be described as welcoming. So how do you narrow down the state’s warmth to just a few towns? These seven are perfect examples of the state’s inviting atmosphere and engaging activities. Below, you will find all sorts of welcoming entertainment, such as wine festivals, friendly fishing charters, and top-rated golf courses that might make you want to stick around a little longer.

Opelika

Opelika is filled with all kinds of cultural activities and attractions that will bring out the creative side of every traveler. Each fall, the town famously hosts its annual On the Tracks wine festival. Taking place on October 3rd this year, the festival will feature over 20 local businesses, providing plenty of wine samples, late-night shopping, and live music. To unleash your inner child, spend an evening at Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, an arcade with over 30 pinball machines and video games. If you have ever wanted to make your own masterpiece, plan a visit to The Fired Fox Art Studio, which offers hands-on experiences to make your own pottery, paintings, stained glass, and more.

Cullman

You might not expect to find globally inspired architecture in the Alabama countryside, but you will in Cullman. The Ave Maria Grotto in town attracts countless visitors each year, a landscaped hillside that is composed of 125 small cement and stone structures that replicate some of the world’s most famous religious structures. Some of the most famous replicas include the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Italian Monte Cassino Abbey, and the French Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

After appreciating this architectural masterpiece, head over to the town’s Art Park, which is home to several public art sculptures and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts occasional concerts and performances. Changing pace, golfers will love the Cross Creek Golf Course. This 18-hole course has been rated one of Alabama’s best municipal courses by both Golf South Magazine and Golf Digest Magazine due to its difficulty level and scenic long greens.

Fairhope

Fairhope has an energetic coastal spirit that is perfect for a summer escape. The Fairhope Municipal Pier is one of the town’s most popular places to relax, featuring a one-fourth-mile-long pier, picnic areas, swimming zones, a rose garden, a marina, benches, a duck pond, and walking trails. If you want to get out on the waters of Mobile Bay, consider reserving a fishing charter with one of the town’s local outfitters. Point Clear Fishing Adventures is a highly rated option, giving passengers the chance to fish for speckled trout and redfish in the summer months. To explore a bit of Fairhope’s art scene, travelers can also stop by Eastern Shore Art Center, which has a permanent art collection, rotating exhibits, and art workshops for those hoping to learn or improve their art skills.

Florence

Located along the Tennessee River, Florence is home to some of the region’s most fascinating historic landmarks. The Florence Indian Mound and Museum perfectly exemplifies this history, featuring a historic mound that the area’s Native Americans built nearly 1,700 years ago. Having miraculously survived storms, floods, and human destruction, travelers can visit this mound today, imagining the ceremonies that once took place there.

Fast-forwarding to the mid-20th century, travelers should also visit the Rosenbaum House, one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most incredible examples of Usonian architecture that he built with cypress wood, glass, and brick. After exploring these landmarks, head over to one of Florence’s quirky restaurants for a bite to eat, such as Wildwood Tavern, which serves signature hot dogs, sandwiches, pizzas, and handcrafted cocktails.

Tuscumbia

Across the river from Florence, travelers will find the neighboring town of Tuscumbia, which is perhaps most known for being the birthplace of Helen Keller. Each year, the town celebrates this heritage during the Helen Keller Festival, with activities including a parade, street party, vendor market, live music, and more. Travelers can also visit Keller’s birthplace at Ivy Green, where they can walk the grounds of her home and appreciate original furnishings from her family in the home and museum. If you are looking for a cozy place to spend the night while in town, Seven Springs Lodge offers cabins, silos, and campsites to rent among more than 20,000 acres of peaceful woodlands.

Guntersville

Surrounded by 69,000 acres of water, Guntersville is the perfect Alabama town for a lake vacation. Lake Guntersville offers all kinds of water-based recreation, from swimming and kayaking to more extreme activities like jet skiing and boat racing. After a day on the lake, visitors can grab a bite at Fire By The Lake, a waterfront restaurant that serves mouthwatering burgers, sandwiches, pastas, seafood, chicken, and steaks. You can continue your vacation close to the water at Lake Guntersville Bed & Breakfast, a historic inn that is set in a 1910 home, less than a block from the waterfront. The inn also provides in-house massages if you are looking for some extra relaxation!

Greenville

It is easy to spend a day in downtown Greenville, browsing its shops and catching a play at its historic theater. The Ritz Theatre, one of the town’s most iconic landmarks, dates back to 1935. Although it closed in the mid-1970s, the town later restored it, and it is now open to visitors to admire its art deco design and attend concerts, plays, and pageants. If you love shopping, make sure to stop by The Pineapple, a local boutique that sells gifts, clothing, home decor, and other charming goods. After spending a few hours in town, head out to the RTJ Golf Trail, which features 27 holes that wind through rolling fairways, giant bunkers, cathedral-like pines, Sherling Lake, and more.

Final Thoughts

No matter where you travel in Alabama, you are likely to find a friendly face. However, if you are seeking a particularly welcoming vacation destination, these seven towns are great ones to keep in mind. Towns like Opelika offer a cultural experience like no other, while others, like Guntersville, offer an inviting vacation near the lake. With so much to offer, it is easy to understand why residents proudly call these towns home.