If your image of Alabama is based on the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s, you're in for a surprise. Modern Alabama has some wonderful places to see and exciting things to do. Plus, it’s a great budget-friendly destination because it’s not quite as popular as other neighboring states, such as Louisiana and Georgia. Here are profiles of three Alabama cities you can visit on the cheap.
Birmingham has long been associated with the civil rights movement, and the city has plenty of opportunities to learn about this important moment in American history. You can check out the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, where permanent and changing exhibits tell the story of the struggle for civil rights in the city. For those on especially tight budgets, plan to visit on a Sunday — but be prepared for large crowds — when admission is by donation. You can also pay a visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum where you’ll find more than 900 motorcycles, which is the largest collection of motorcycles ever assembled. At certain times of year, you can combine your museum ticket with a ticket to see a local race. See the museum Web site, barbermuseum.org, for details.
Mobile is sometimes compared to New Orleans and for good reason. The city is just a two-hour drive from the Big Easy, and Mobile's architecture resembles that of New Orleans — it even has its own version of Mardi Gras. Be sure to pay a visit to Bellingrath Gardens, where you can purchase a combined ticket offering access to the scenic gardens, as well as a riverboat cruise and a visit to the historic museum. Take the kids to the Gulf Coast Exploreum where a combined ticket can be purchased for both the museum and the IMAX theater.
The city of Montgomery hasn't always been known as a tourist attraction. Rather, it was known as the “cradle of the confederacy” and, later, the “birthplace of the civil rights movement.” Explore this history with a visit to the Rosa Parks museum and library, which is dedicated to telling the story of the brave woman who refused to sit in the back of the bus. Admission is quite reasonable at $5.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. No visit to Montgomery would be complete without a visit to the world-class Montgomery Zoo where visitors can get up close and personal with a variety of animals. You can save money by purchasing a combo ticket for admission to both the zoo and the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.
