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