| Alabama, nicknamed "The Heart of Dixie" is | | | | also a variety of family attractions in the |
| known for its heritage as a key southern | | | | park outside the caverns. |
| state. Today the state contains an exciting | | | | |
| mixture of old and new. From traditional | | | | 6. Early Works Museum Complex (in |
| agricultural events to high-tech rocketry, | | | | Huntsville): An impressive complex of three |
| there's something for everyone. | | | | history museums including a hands-on history |
| | | | museum for children and a railroad museum. |
| Some highlights to visit in Alabama include: | | | | |
| | | | 7. International Motorsports Hall of Fame |
| 1. Ave Maria Grotto (in Cullman): Also known | | | | Museum (in Talladega): This museum, next door |
| as "Jerusalem in Miniature", and constructed | | | | to the Talladega Superspeedway records and |
| by Brother Joseph Zoetti, a Benedictine monk, | | | | celebrates the history of motorsports. |
| the Ave Maria Grotto is a 4 acre park | | | | Exhibits include the Budweiser rocket car |
| containing 125 miniature reproductions of | | | | which was the first car to break the speed of |
| famous shrines and historical buildings from | | | | sound. |
| around the world. | | | | |
| | | | 8. Noccalulua Falls Park (in Gadsden): A |
| 2. Battleship Memorial Park (in Mobile): Home | | | | 250-acre public park containing a legendary |
| to the battleship USS Alabama, the submarine | | | | waterwall, as wall caves, Indian and civil |
| USS Drum, as well as many tanks and aircraft. | | | | war carvings, a pioneer homesteed, a |
| | | | mini-golf course, a petting zoo, and more. |
| 3. Bellingrath Gardens and Home (Southwest of | | | | |
| Mobile): A beautiful 65-acre garden estate | | | | 9. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (throughout |
| that offers walking tours, cruises on the | | | | Alabama): A must for golf-lovers. The Trail |
| Fowl river, and is home to an award-winning | | | | is a result of the largest golf course |
| rose garden. | | | | construction project ever attempted. and |
| | | | contains over 400 holes spread across |
| 4. Birmingham Museum of Art (in North | | | | multiple sites around the state. |
| Birmingham): Contains an outstanding | | | | |
| collection of over 21,000 works of art. | | | | 10. US Space & Rocket Center (in Huntsville): |
| | | | contains the United States' largest |
| 5. DeSoto Caverns Park (Southeast of | | | | collection space memorabilia and rockets |
| Birmingham): offers guided tours through the | | | | including the Pathfinder shuttle simulator |
| state's biggest cave which is 12 stories high | | | | and a Saturn V moon rocket. |
| and larger than a football field. There are | | | | |