Discover Alabama’s Favorite Getaways: From the Black Belt to the Beach
Summer may be over, but you can still take a quick vacation! With its college towns, cultural meccas, and coastal shores, Alabama offers something for everyone. Get ready to discover your next great weekend escape. Image: Visit Auburn-Opelika
Whether you’re exploring the rich artistic heritage of Black Belt’s Maker’s Trail or relaxing on the sun-drenched shores of the Gulf Coast, Alabama offers a diverse selection of unforgettable escapes. Pack your bags and check out our curated guide to the best Alabama getaways — each promising its own unique blend of hospitality, history, and adventure.
Black Belt Adventures Maker’s Trail
Discover the soulful artistry of Alabama’s Black Belt along the immersive Maker’s Trail. This unique opportunity invites you into the working studios and homes of the region’s most captivating artists for small-scale, hands-on encounters.
Engage in Southern traditions starting at Gee’s Bend with Andrea Williams and Claudia Pettway Charley of Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders as they share generations of quilting knowledge. Or try your hand at biscuit making with Chef Scott Peacock in Marion.
From there, it’s off to Greensboro, to visit textile artist Aaron Sanders Head at Sumac Cottage and explore natural dyeing and hand-stitching directly from his vibrant dye garden. Or head to Waverly to learn silk screen printmaking with Scott Peek.
For something a little “quirky,” visit Seale and the 80-acre world of Butch Anthony and his Museum of Wonder, where you will learn his philosophy of “Intertwangleism” and storytelling through found objects. Finally, visit Selma to meet Charlie “The Tin Man” Lucas. Watch him transform discarded materials into powerful sculptures featured in both the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts,
Spanning multiple counties, the Maker’s Trail offers a deeper, more personal way to experience Alabama.
Auburn-Opelika
For a getaway that offers everything from culinary excellence to cultural experiences and college pride, pack your bags for Auburn-Opelika. This rising Southern food destination boasts nationally recognized chefs and beloved family-owned restaurants just minutes apart. After indulging, quench your thirst with a handmade-to-order lemonade from Toomer’s Drugstore.
If your idea of a getaway includes golf clubs, check out Grand National on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. With 54 holes across the Lake, Links, and Short courses (32 of them hugging Lake Saughatchee’s shores), this pristine destination has proudly hosted the PGA Tour’s Barbasol and NCAA Championships.
Craving culture? You’ll find year-round Broadway, opera, dance, and student performances across venues like the Gogue Performing Arts Center, Jule Collins Smith Museum, Jan Dempsey Center, and Telfair Peet Theatre.
Finally, if you visit after a Tiger victory, prepare for a blizzard! No, not snow. We’re talking about the thousands of people throwing toilet paper into the trees to celebrate. From food to fun and festivities, Auburn-Opelika has it all.
Alabama’s Beaches
Every great beach has its own unwritten rules. Down on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, locals live by the Coastal Code — playful reminders to savor the moment and embrace the laid-back pace.
While many think beach season ends with summer, fall is actually the coast’s best-kept secret. The Gulf waters are warm, the beaches are uncrowded, and the vibe is refreshingly slow. It’s a time when the best itinerary is no itinerary at all — just lazy mornings overlooking the water and easy afternoons spent wandering the shoreline.
You can play a leisurely round of golf under sunny skies, or cast a line in the surf and see what bites. Don’t worry if you come up empty-handed. You can always enjoy fresh seafood served with a side of sunset views at one of the area’s many restaurants. Just remember, whether you’re slurping oysters or celebrating at the Annual National Shrimp Festival, coastal dining here is meant for unhurried evenings.
Some trips leave you needing a vacation from your vacation. Alabama’s Beaches do the exact opposite. You’ll intuitively stop checking the clock, stay outside a little longer, and remember what a true, restful getaway actually feels like.
Get Alabama bound, y’all!
This article is sponsored by Alabama’s Beaches, Visit Auburn-Opelika, and Alabama Black Belt Adventures.
Bonny Osterhage
Bonny Osterhage is a professional journalist with more than 25 years of experience in both print and digital media. An avid fitness fanatic, when she isn't exploring the next trending topic, Bonny can be found cycling, running, and leading classes at SolidCore. Find more of her work at Mind Body Green, The List, Business Insider, and more.
