This is our new series - we are traveling state by state and getting tips from YOU on where to eat, where to shop, what to do.
I will get a page added where there will be links to all the states eventually and I hope it will be a good reference page!
Alabama is a state I LOVE and would live in in a heart beat. We got a lot of great tips - hope these help you when you visit the Heart of Dixie.
THIS LIST CAME FROM ALABAMA BLOG READERS!!! Not from me!!! 😀
(And all of you Bama girls - add any other places or tips in the comments)
BIRMINGHAM:
Where to eat:
Little Donkey! Yummy southern Mexican food!
Steel City Pops (Best ever popsicles)
What to Do:
Hike at Oak Mountain State Park
Mcwane science centers Itty Bitty Magic City! A science floor for children 5 and under!
Where to Shop:
Short and Sweet consignment boutique! It has the cutest consignment smocked clothes in perfect condition!!
TUSCALOOSA:
Where to eat:
Hooligans - best hamburgers! It is a quintessential hole in the wall :)
DePalmas - oh my word delicious Italian food. Get there early because they don't take reservations.
Cypress Inn - a nicer dinner option. Delicious appetizer muffins with a great view of the river.
Hokkaido - Japanese food is always so much fun! This is the Tuscaloosa favorite, although I felt Kobe was just as good
What to Do:
Visit the U of A Campus
HUNTSVILLE:
Where to Eat:
Main Street Cafe - In downtown Madison (close to Huntsville), you can have lunch in an converted jail (and it's really good!). They even have tables in the cells.
Po Boy Factory - a tiny piece of New Orleans in Huntsville. Mardi Gras type atmosphere and delicious food.
Chuckwagon BBQ - Texas style BBQ in Alabama! The most popular menu item is the chuckwagon sandwich made with brisket and sliced sausage.
What to Do:
AUBURN:
Where to Eat:
Mama Goldberg's Deli! They serve steamed sandwiches and are oeey-gooey delicious! My favorite is Mama's Nachos...Doritos with hot pepper cheese and jalapenos all steamed together. http://www.mommagoldbergsdeli.com/
What to Do:
Hit up Toomer's Corner
JASPER:
Where to Eat:
Black Rock Bistro - "The catfish ponchatrain is on the list of 100 things to eat before you die. They fly in their fish fresh from the Gulf each weekend and the menu changes every week depending on what they can get fresh, local and in season. They serve lamb, steaks, chicken, and at lunch they have amazing side dishes like fried okra soaked in Krystal hot sauce (seriously, you have NO idea how AMAZING this is) and mac and cheese."
CLANTON:
The peach capital of the state. Stopping by the Peach Park is a tradition for many families headed towards the beach. They have homemade ice cream, pies and BBQ. It's located right off I-65. https://www.facebook.com/
MOBILE:
Where to Eat:
Old Dutch Icecream. This is a locally owned icecream shop in Mobile! It has been in business 45 years and it is SOOO yummy! They make all their own icecream. It is definitely a Mobile staple and a must if you are coming to the city!
FLORENCE:
Where to Eat:
Ricatoni's - Italian restaurant with the best ravioli
Trowbridges is a little lunch spot that's been there for decades. They serve grilled cheese, hot dogs, chicken salad, and best of all...ice cream!
Staggs - amazing burgers
If anyone visits on the first Friday of each month, downtown is full of booths and stands from local artisans. You'd probably get to hear some great music too!
TROY:
Shopping:
There are several cute little shops to shop at my personal favorite for clothing is "The Pink Parlor". There is a sweet little children's clothing store named "E+Me". There is also a clothing store for men that I love as well named "Cotton Creek". If I am shopping for my home I love to stop at "Perfectly Imperfect" (the owners, Shaunna and Matt West, filmed a pilot where they completely remodeled a couple's Troy home and it aired on HGTV last month)
Sweet tooth:
"Milky Moos" is a sweet little ice cream shop that can satisfy everyone's sugary dreams!!
GULF SHORES/ORANGE BEACH:
Where to Eat:
Tacky Jack's (for breakfast especially)
What to do:
The outlet mall at Foley
The Track - fun for kids - mini golf, kid rides, go karts
THE BEACHES!
CULLMAN:
The warehouse district has the best shopping and eating around. There is a large boutique called Monograms Plus that is to die for check out our Facebook page (Monograms Plus of Cullman) There is a deli called Rumor's Deli they have been featured in Southern Living magazine as a must stop. The warehouse district also has a super cute farmer's market. The Cullman chamber of Commerce Facebook page has tons of info on all the cute summer activities we have downtown (2nd Fridays is a big one and it's actually tonight!) They also host Rock The South that is a huge summer concert next week. It started as a tornado benefit concert from the 2011 tornado that ripped through the town.
Some other great hot spots:
Mooresville, AL
http://www.mooresvilleal.com/visit-mooresville/
Beautiful historic town in Limestone County.
Walls of Jericho
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/tennessee/placesweprotect/walls-of-jericho.xml
Estillfork, AL
Hiking trail on AL/TN line. Gorgeous waterfalls!!
Cathedral Caverns
http://www.alapark.com/cathedral-caverns-state-park
Woodville, AL
Very cool experience. Tours in the cave.
To Kill a Mockingbird Town and Museum
Monroeville, AL
http://www.monroecountymuseum.org
Ave Marie Grotto
Cullman, AL
http://www.avemariagrotto.com
Jerusalem in miniature
http://www.mooresvilleal.com/
Beautiful historic town in Limestone County.
Walls of Jericho
http://www.nature.org/
Estillfork, AL
Hiking trail on AL/TN line. Gorgeous waterfalls!!
Cathedral Caverns
http://www.alapark.com/
Woodville, AL
Very cool experience. Tours in the cave.
To Kill a Mockingbird Town and Museum
Monroeville, AL
http://www.monroecountymuseum.
Ave Marie Grotto
Cullman, AL
http://www.avemariagrotto.com
Jerusalem in miniature
Tuscumbia, AL
