10 places in Alabama to see on your next vacation

It turns out when you’re in need of a vacation, you don’t need to go far.

Our friends with This is Alabama recently asked their followers on Facebook what their favorite Alabama vacation spot is, and the responses were all over the map. After all, Alabama has plenty of towns, parks, attractions and more that are worth planning a vacation around.

Of course, the beach is always a good choice -- and Alabama definitely has its share of those -- but there’s also several small towns, state parks and other destinations that are worthy of a visit too.

Here’s a look at 10 Alabama places to visit on your next vacation.

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The Lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park

By staying at The Lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park, you can enjoy everything the park and Lake Guntersville have to offer, including fishing, golfing, horseback riding, boating and more. You’ll also have a comfortable and convenient room, equipped with all the amenities plus some pretty picturesque views, to retire to once all that fun in the sun gets to be too much. The park also has cabins, chalets and “glamping safari tents” you can stay in as well if that’s more your style.

READ MORE: 13 of the best places to welcome fall in Alabama

Orange Beach

This one might feel like an obvious choice, but there’s really no better vacation than the beach. In Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, you can enjoy the surf, sea and white sandy beaches Alabama’s Gulf Coast has become known for as well as have your pick of local restaurants serving fresh seafood as well as live entertainment, shopping, parks to explore and so much more that the whole family will enjoy. That’s a hard vacation to top.

READ MORE: This town is one of the most picturesque in the country

Fort Morgan

That said, if you’re the kind of beach goer that wants to avoid the crowds of Alabama’s bigger beach towns, Fort Morgan is a solid option. Consisting mostly of houses, rather than hotels, along a peninsula with one road in and out, you can always find a quiet spot on Fort Morgan’s beaches to listen to the waves crash and dip your toes in the sand. Plus, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are only a short drive away when you do feel like going out for dinner or playing a round of mini-golf.

The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear

Located on 550 acres along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear is the perfect place to escape on vacation. Offering two, 18-hole golf courses, a 20,000 square foot spa and nine on-site dining options as well as access to beaches, a marina, pools, tennis courts and more, The Grand is the kind of place where, once you arrive, you won’t have to the leave the grounds again until it’s time to (sadly) head home.

READ MORE: Historic Alabama hotel picked as one of the South’s best

Mentone

Tucked away on Lookout Mountain, the town of Mentone is a great place to plan a vacation if you’re a nature lover looking to stay somewhere that’s off the beaten path, but still has plenty to see and do. While there, you can check out Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park or see what unique finds you can score at the Moon Lake Village. Whatever you do, just be sure to have a meal (or maybe two) at Wildflower Cafe while you’re there.

READ MORE: This Alabama dish is worth a drive to Mentone’s beloved Wildflower Cafe

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

If you’re looking for a day trip, or something to do while visiting Huntsville on vacation, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is something the whole family can enjoy. The center features interactive exhibits and a display of more than 1,500 items in its rocket and space hardware collection, ranging from America’s first satellite Explorer I, Saturn V Moon Rocket and more. There’s also simulators you can try, live shows and a 67-foot dome theater.

READ MORE: Check out Huntsville’s top attraction

Dauphin Island

Who said you needed to leave Alabama to have an island vacation? Known as the “sunset capitol of the world,” Dauphin Island is a coastal town that’s worth a visit for a lot of reasons. (And yes, its sunsets are definitely one of them.) With plenty of white, sandy coastline for you to relax on as well as places to explore, like the Alabama Aquarium, Audubon Bird Sanctuary and more, Dauphin Island is a quaint spot perfect for getting away from it all for a while.

READ MORE: 10 things we love about Dauphin Island

Lake Martin

With more than 750 miles of shoreline, Lake Martin is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States and a great place to spend a weekend unwinding on the water. Located in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties, there are plenty of restaurants sporting gorgeous views, popular landmarks like Chimney Rock, marinas, beach areas and more to explore. Of course, you can also enjoy all the classic water activities like skiing and tubing or, if that’s not your thing, just spend some time relaxing on a dock with a cold drink.

Florence

Florence might be a small town, but it’s got a rich history and plenty of charm -- making it a great place to spend a weekend satisfying your wanderlust. Among its attractions are the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House, the Florence Indian Mound Museum, Pope’s Tavern Museum and more. Not to mention, there’s plenty of lakes and parks, many with gorgeous bluff views, to explore if you feel like getting some fresh air.

READ MORE: This place keeps Florence funky, one hot dog at a time

Fairhope

Fairhope has garnered a reputation for being an Alabama full of charm, and after a vacation there, it’ll be easy to see why. With lots of local restaurants and entertainment, the whole family will find something to do there. Just be sure to make time to check out the Fairhope Municipal Pier and Park, known as Fairhope’s town square, while you’re there too. It’s a quarter-mile pier, ideal for fishing or just taking in scenic views of Mobile Bay.

READ MORE: Places to visit in Fairhope