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Known as the Yellowhammer State, a name that stems from its Civil War-era uniforms as well as a native bird species,ÌýAlabama is highly regarded for its warm Southern hospitality. This is especially true of the state's most charming small towns. Dotted across Alabama and featuring everything from historic landmarks to fascinating cultural attractions, these communities make for terrific weekend getaways for those adventurous enough to explore beyond the state's larger cities. Each of these towns in Alabama offers an ideal backdrop for a fun weekend break and a chance to experience life at a slower, more laidback pace. Along the way, you'll enjoy everything from superb Southern cuisine to quaint pedestrian-friendly streets lined with historic buildings that are fun to explore.

Orange Beach 

Just an hour's drive southeast of Mobile,ÌýOrange Beach is an ideal getaway destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Set on the Alabama Gulf Coast, you should start your weekend away with some fun at the Wharf in Orange Beach, home to one of the Southeast's largest Ferris wheels, as well as activities like laser tag and bazooka ball, a gentler form of paintball that's suitable for kids. Boat tours are also available from the marina, and you can often catch live music at the Wharf Amphitheater.

The town's also popular among birdwatchers, here for the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. Extending over 27 miles, along the way, you'll spot diverse species, from hummingbirds to herons. Numerous accommodation options are available overlooking the beach, including Best Western Premier Tides Hotel, Sleep Inn on the Beach, and Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach on the Beach.

Gulf Shores 

Another lovely seaside town,ÌýGulf Shores, is just six miles west of Orange Beach, so you could easily spend a night in each to visit both. Whether you're here for a night or two or even a day trip, the highlights of a visit to Gulf Shores include Gulf State Park, a great spot for fishing and camping. You can also spend the night here at the Lodge at Gulf State Park. Traveling with kids? Nearby family attractions include the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, home to over 500 exotic animals, including lions, tigers, chimps, wolves, and reptiles. They'll also enjoy Waterville, USA, with its high-speed water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and go-karts.

Guntersville

Known as "Alabama's Lake City," picturesque Guntersville is set along the Tennessee River in northern Alabama and offers those seeking a weekend getaway plenty of good excuses to pay a visit. Named after John Gunter, the great-grandson of the legendary cowboy Will Rogers, must-dos here include visiting the Guntersville Museum, an interesting cultural hub, showcasing the town's river system heritage, featuring exhibits on steamboats to racing watercraft. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Lake Guntersville State Park, a 6,000-acre wilderness area that's home to bald eagles who frequent the area during the winter migration. Guntersville also provides plenty of great accommodation options, a favorite being Lake Guntersville Bed and Breakfast.

Dauphin Island 

Dauphin Island is both the name of a town and the pretty gulf island on which it's located. Getting there is half the fun, with a scenic drive along the Dauphin Island Parkway being a definite highlight. Dauphin Island attractions to include on your weekend itinerary include historic Fort Gaines, constructed in 1821 to protect Mobile Bay, with original cannons and tunnels still present, and Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an educational and research center for marine life studies with live creatures to interact with. This popular tourist destination can get busy, so if you're planning on making an overnight stay, book ahead. Our favorites include the Inn At Dauphin Island and Dauphin Island Harbor House, both rated highly by previous guests.

Bayou La Batre 

Here's one for all you Forrest Gump fans: Bayou La Batre. It was here in the famous book and film that Forrest's friend "Bubba" worked the shrimp boats and where Gump himself later spent time as a shrimp boat captain. In addition to its shrimping reputation, Bayou La Batre is a popular weekend getaway destination for those into deep-sea fishing, with charter boats available to take you into the Gulf of Mexico.

Other fun things to do in Bayou La Batre include visiting Bellingrath Gardens and Home, which is popular for its horticultural beauty​​, and the Bayou La Batre Heritage Museum with its exhibits about the town's past​. While campers and RV enthusiasts can stay at the Dockside RV Resort & Alabama Gulf Coast Campground, those needing a hotel should check out Bayou Inn & Suites.

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Set along the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay, roughly halfway between Gulf Shores and Mobile,ÌýFairhope is a popular resort community that's well-known for its artistic flair. A diverse mix of creative types and retirees, residents frequently put on craft shows, festivals, and art exhibits that attract tourists while showcasing local talent.

Other highlights of a visit include the Fairhope Museum of History, which provides insight into the region's past, and the Eastern Shore Art Center, which showcases local and regional artist endeavors. Great views over Mobile Bay can be enjoyed from the long Fairhope Municipal Pier. Accommodation options in Fairhope are diverse, ranging from hotels like Hampton Inn Fairhope-Mobile Bay, popular for its downtown location, to campgrounds and charming bay cottage rentals.

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Established in 1820 and one of the oldest towns in Alabama, Tuscumbia is named after a former Chickasaw chief and is often overlooked by day-trippers and weekenders staying in places like nearby Muscle Shoals and Florence, both located on the Tennessee River. Even if you don't spend a weekend here (and you should!), you'll want to include it on your Northern Alabama day trip itinerary, with fun things to do in Tuscumbia, including visiting Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of acclaimed writer and advocate Helen Keller. Into music? Then, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is a must-visit and celebrates the state's musical legacy, including state legends Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, and Lionel Richie. One of the best places to stay in Tuscumbia, the Cold Water Inn, is located close by.

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Located on stunning Walter F. George Lake (also known as Lake Eufaula), an 85-mile-long man-made body of water separating Alabama from Georgia, Eufaula is a great weekend destination for those who enjoy the outdoors and water-based activities in particular. Known as the "Big Bass Capital of the º£½ÇÉçÇø," the lake is equally popular for boating, hiking, camping, and picnicking. Other outdoor fun includes Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, a diverse habitat that's home to an array of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish living on and around the Chattahoochee River. Accommodations are plentiful here, with most of the big brand names being represented. Popular choices include Best Western Eufaula Inn and Eufaula House B&B.

The Final Word

Small enough to explore over a couple of days, each of these eight small towns in Alabama offers unique experiences for travelers looking to venture further afield than the usual Alabama hotspots. From towns with natural beauty and wildlife to those that serve as a hotbed of creative talent, be sure to journey to as many of these small towns as possible as you plan your Alabama weekend travel itinerary or a longer vacation to this state.