There are a few large cities in Alabama, but for the most part, the state is made up of many smaller towns. Some of these towns are much smaller than others, but they’re all charming in their own ways. Listed below are 10 of the most charming towns in Alabama.
- Tuscumbia
flickr/{just jennifer} Located near a bountiful spring in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the charming town of Tuscumbia. Tuscumbia was established in 1820 and is the county seat of Colbert County. A few of Tuscumbia’s main attractions include Spring Park, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and Ivy Green–the birthplace of Helen Keller. The historic downtown area, which features many restored buildings, is also one of the town’s main attractions. Tuscumbia has nearly 9,000 residents. Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USA
- Greenville
Slipdigit/Wikipedia Located in Butler County, and about half an hour from Montgomery, you’ll find the charming town of Greenville, known as “The Camellia City.” Greenville was first settled in 1819 and it prides itself on its historic downtown business and residential area. Greenville has a population of less than 10,000. Greenville, AL 36037, USA
- Mooresville
wikimedia commons On November 16, 1818, Mooresville, located in Limestone County, was the first town incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is made up of historic homes and buildings, extensive gardens, and tree-shaded streets. It’s also home to the oldest operational post office in Alabama. Mooresville was the primary filming location for Disney’s Tom and Huck (1995), starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro. This charming town has less than 60 residents. Mooresville, AL 35649, USA
- Fairhope
facebook/City of Fairhope Fairhope, located in Baldwin County, is situated on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. This charming town has spacious parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, and a thriving downtown area that attracts many visitors. Fairhope has a population of around 15,000 and is the perfect place for a quick getaway. Fairhope, AL 36532, USA
- Eufaula
Rivers Langley/wikipedia Eufaula has a population of nearly 14,500 (2010 Census) and is located in southeastern Alabama. It’s also the largest city in Barbour County. This charming town sits atop a bluff and overlooks the beautiful 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula. Eufaula offers a variety of stores, specialty shops, and restaurants. It also hosts the annual Pilgrimage Tour of Homes.
- Mentone
flickr/NatalieMaynor Mentone, located in DeKalb County, is a small, welcoming mountain village atop Lookout Mountain in northeastern Alabama. This charming town offers scenic mountain-top views and a beautiful 104-foot waterfall. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, you’ll find it in Mentone. Mentone has a population of less than 500. Mentone, AL, USA
- Monroeville
Wmr36104/wikipedia Monroeville, located in Monroe County, is known as “The Literary Capital of Alabama,” having produced many famous writers such as Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Mike Stewart, and Cynthia Tucker. In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the fictional town of Maycomb is based on her hometown. The main draw of Monroeville is the Old Monroe County Courthouse. The interior of this courthouse was modeled for the film version of Harper’s classic novel. An estimated 30,000 tourists visit Monroeville annually because of its association with “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Monroeville has a population of about 7,000. Monroeville, AL 36460, USA
- Magnolia Springs
Magnolia Springs The charming town of Magnolia Springs, located in Baldwin County, is situated at the headwaters of the Magnolia River. Today, the Magnolia River is the only river mail route in the continental U.S. Magnolia Springs has less than 1,000 residents. Magnolia Springs, AL, USA
- Fort Payne
FortPayne.org Fort Payne is the county seat of DeKalb County and has approximately 15,000 residents. One of Fort Payne’s major attractions is Lookout Mountain. Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park are located nearby. Fort Payne is also home to the Alabama Fan Club and Museum, and its downtown area offers a wide variety of antique shops. Fort Payne, AL, USA
- Orange Beach
flickr/Rian Castillo Orange Beach, the easternmost community on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, offers a wide selection of family beach vacation opportunities. Its main attraction is (of course) the beach, but Orange Beach is also home to The Wharf–a family entertainment district with many amenities. At The Wharf, you’ll have the opportunity to ride the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast, which has a height of 112 feet. Whether you’re interested in relaxing on the beach or exploring the Gulf, you can do it all in Orange Beach. Orange Beach has a population of about 6,000. Orange Beach, AL, USA
Have you been to any of these charming towns in Alabama? Are you currently a resident of one? Feel free to share in the comments below!
flickr/{just jennifer}
Located near a bountiful spring in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the charming town of Tuscumbia. Tuscumbia was established in 1820 and is the county seat of Colbert County. A few of Tuscumbia’s main attractions include Spring Park, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and Ivy Green–the birthplace of Helen Keller. The historic downtown area, which features many restored buildings, is also one of the town’s main attractions. Tuscumbia has nearly 9,000 residents.
Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USA
Slipdigit/Wikipedia
Located in Butler County, and about half an hour from Montgomery, you’ll find the charming town of Greenville, known as “The Camellia City.” Greenville was first settled in 1819 and it prides itself on its historic downtown business and residential area. Greenville has a population of less than 10,000.
Greenville, AL 36037, USA
wikimedia commons
On November 16, 1818, Mooresville, located in Limestone County, was the first town incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is made up of historic homes and buildings, extensive gardens, and tree-shaded streets. It’s also home to the oldest operational post office in Alabama. Mooresville was the primary filming location for Disney’s Tom and Huck (1995), starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro. This charming town has less than 60 residents.
Mooresville, AL 35649, USA
facebook/City of Fairhope
Fairhope, located in Baldwin County, is situated on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. This charming town has spacious parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, and a thriving downtown area that attracts many visitors. Fairhope has a population of around 15,000 and is the perfect place for a quick getaway.
Fairhope, AL 36532, USA
Rivers Langley/wikipedia
Eufaula has a population of nearly 14,500 (2010 Census) and is located in southeastern Alabama. It’s also the largest city in Barbour County. This charming town sits atop a bluff and overlooks the beautiful 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula. Eufaula offers a variety of stores, specialty shops, and restaurants. It also hosts the annual Pilgrimage Tour of Homes.
flickr/NatalieMaynor
Mentone, located in DeKalb County, is a small, welcoming mountain village atop Lookout Mountain in northeastern Alabama. This charming town offers scenic mountain-top views and a beautiful 104-foot waterfall. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, you’ll find it in Mentone. Mentone has a population of less than 500.
Mentone, AL, USA
Wmr36104/wikipedia
Monroeville, located in Monroe County, is known as “The Literary Capital of Alabama,” having produced many famous writers such as Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Mike Stewart, and Cynthia Tucker. In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the fictional town of Maycomb is based on her hometown. The main draw of Monroeville is the Old Monroe County Courthouse. The interior of this courthouse was modeled for the film version of Harper’s classic novel. An estimated 30,000 tourists visit Monroeville annually because of its association with “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Monroeville has a population of about 7,000.
Monroeville, AL 36460, USA
Magnolia Springs
The charming town of Magnolia Springs, located in Baldwin County, is situated at the headwaters of the Magnolia River. Today, the Magnolia River is the only river mail route in the continental U.S. Magnolia Springs has less than 1,000 residents.
Magnolia Springs, AL, USA
FortPayne.org
Fort Payne is the county seat of DeKalb County and has approximately 15,000 residents. One of Fort Payne’s major attractions is Lookout Mountain. Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park are located nearby. Fort Payne is also home to the Alabama Fan Club and Museum, and its downtown area offers a wide variety of antique shops.
Fort Payne, AL, USA
flickr/Rian Castillo
Orange Beach, the easternmost community on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, offers a wide selection of family beach vacation opportunities. Its main attraction is (of course) the beach, but Orange Beach is also home to The Wharf–a family entertainment district with many amenities. At The Wharf, you’ll have the opportunity to ride the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast, which has a height of 112 feet. Whether you’re interested in relaxing on the beach or exploring the Gulf, you can do it all in Orange Beach. Orange Beach has a population of about 6,000.
Orange Beach, AL, USA
Looking for more irresistibly charming towns in the Heart of Dixie? These little locales have the best downtown areas in Alabama!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Charming towns in Alabama September 20, 2022 Sarah M. What are some historic towns in Alabama? Monroeville is the county seat of Monroe County, Alabama, that’s big on history – including literary history! Because of its association with Harper Lee, Truman Capote, and other award-winning writers/authors, it’s known as “The Literary Capital of Alabama.” Monroeville has one of the most charming downtown areas in Alabama. It features colorful murals, whimsical statues, and more. Its main attraction is, of course, the Old Monroe County Courthouse, which is home to the courtroom where the film scenes from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” were based on. Today, this historic courthouse is operated as a museum. Tuscumbia is the county seat of Colbert County and is home to one of Alabama’s most historic downtown areas. This special area of town offers a variety of restaurants and retail establishments. Many historic homes also line the streets. Three of the downtown area’s main attractions are Spring Park, Ivy Green: The Birthplace of Helen Keller, and the Tuscumbia Depot Museum. Magnolia Springs, which was established in 1891, is located along the banks of the Magnolia River in Alabama’s Baldwin County. It’s also the only town in the United States that offers a year-round postal mail delivery service via boat. Even though the entire town of Magnolia Springs is a hidden gem in and of itself, one of the town’s best hidden gems is Jesse’s Restaurant, which has welcomed guests from all over the world!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Charming towns in Alabama
September 20, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some historic towns in Alabama? Monroeville is the county seat of Monroe County, Alabama, that’s big on history – including literary history! Because of its association with Harper Lee, Truman Capote, and other award-winning writers/authors, it’s known as “The Literary Capital of Alabama.” Monroeville has one of the most charming downtown areas in Alabama. It features colorful murals, whimsical statues, and more. Its main attraction is, of course, the Old Monroe County Courthouse, which is home to the courtroom where the film scenes from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” were based on. Today, this historic courthouse is operated as a museum. Tuscumbia is the county seat of Colbert County and is home to one of Alabama’s most historic downtown areas. This special area of town offers a variety of restaurants and retail establishments. Many historic homes also line the streets. Three of the downtown area’s main attractions are Spring Park, Ivy Green: The Birthplace of Helen Keller, and the Tuscumbia Depot Museum. Magnolia Springs, which was established in 1891, is located along the banks of the Magnolia River in Alabama’s Baldwin County. It’s also the only town in the United States that offers a year-round postal mail delivery service via boat. Even though the entire town of Magnolia Springs is a hidden gem in and of itself, one of the town’s best hidden gems is Jesse’s Restaurant, which has welcomed guests from all over the world!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Monroeville is the county seat of Monroe County, Alabama, that’s big on history – including literary history! Because of its association with Harper Lee, Truman Capote, and other award-winning writers/authors, it’s known as “The Literary Capital of Alabama.” Monroeville has one of the most charming downtown areas in Alabama. It features colorful murals, whimsical statues, and more. Its main attraction is, of course, the Old Monroe County Courthouse, which is home to the courtroom where the film scenes from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” were based on. Today, this historic courthouse is operated as a museum.
Tuscumbia is the county seat of Colbert County and is home to one of Alabama’s most historic downtown areas. This special area of town offers a variety of restaurants and retail establishments. Many historic homes also line the streets. Three of the downtown area’s main attractions are Spring Park, Ivy Green: The Birthplace of Helen Keller, and the Tuscumbia Depot Museum.
Magnolia Springs, which was established in 1891, is located along the banks of the Magnolia River in Alabama’s Baldwin County. It’s also the only town in the United States that offers a year-round postal mail delivery service via boat. Even though the entire town of Magnolia Springs is a hidden gem in and of itself, one of the town’s best hidden gems is Jesse’s Restaurant, which has welcomed guests from all over the world!
