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One of the most underrated states in the entire country, Alabama is actually full of surprises. However, you might have to take that leap of fate and dig a little. This means getting your travel priorities straight and deciding on all itinerary details beforehand.
Are you looking for sunny weather or wish to see the fall foliage? Can’t seem to figure out when you can travel to Alabama on a budget? How to begin planning your route?
You’re in the right place! Together, we’ll find out the best time to visit Alabama, as well as some weather-related information, tips on how to stay safe, and so much more.
Shall we?
The Best Time to Visit Alabama
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The best time to visit Alabama is in the mid-March to late-May period. With moderate temperatures varying between highs of 84°F and lows of 48°F, Alabama offers plenty of activities/places to choose from.
Given the lovely parks, gardens, and lakes, you’ll have fresh air and greenery to your heart’s content. Our top recommendations include:
- Bellingrath Gardens and Home,
- Lake Guntersville,
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens,
- Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.
Visiting some of the springs can be a nice addition to your spring itinerary too. If you’re up for something more dynamic, though, there are plenty of festivals to get your vibe on:
- Orange Beach Festival of Art (March), honoring the musical, visual, and performing arts;
- The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show (March), displaying 120 yachts and wet slip boats, more than $100 million in marine-related products, and featuring the “Top Boat Buying Show” in the Gulf Coast;
- Zydeco & Catfish Festival (April), a yearly festival providing your taste buds with flavors they didn’t know even existed;
- Hangout Music Festival (May), because what goes better together than the beach and festivals?
- The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Memorial Day Tournament (May), hosted by Mobile Big Game Fishing Club each year, this competition is one of the biggest of its kind.
Finally, while occasional rains may happen during this period, they aren’t going to disrupt your itinerary in any meaningful way.
However, considering this is one of the busiest seasons in the entire year, we suggest booking accommodation at least a few months prior to avoid any hassle.
Cheapest Time to Visit Alabama
To get the most bang for your buck, head to Alabama in December. Not only are the prices lower, but crowds are thinner, too, as the December climate in Alabama isn’t really the best travel magnet, with an average humidity of 79%.
The temperatures vary between 43°F and 58°F. That said, there are still engaging events taking place to make up for the humid weather and put you in the holiday spirit.
Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, a yearly event featuring a myriad of decorated boats making their way from LuLu’s Gulf Shores to the Wharf in Orange Beach;
- Merry Market Unique Gifts and Arts & Crafts Expo, typically featuring over 70 items of clothing, jewelry, and food vendors.
Least Busy Time to Visit Alabama
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The least busy time to visit Alabama is in fall (September–November). The temperatures fluctuate between average lows of 46°F and highs of 87°F.
These shoulder months see dispersed crowds, fall’s annual leaf color change, and breezy days. Although fall is generally fairly slow with visitors, there’s still so much you can fit into your agenda.
In fact, it’s one of the best times to truly explore the natural beauty of Alabama, given the lack of summer heat. Little River Canyon is particularly breathtaking this time of the year.
In terms of events you can attend, keep in mind the following ones:
- Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Labor Day Invitational (September), one of the biggest tournaments of its kind in the entire state;
- National Shrimp Festival (October), featuring more than 300 vendors and typically drawing in both locals and visitors;
- Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Beer Weekend (November), including music, craft beer, finger-licking oysters, and all things foodie;
- Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival (November), a festival devoted to the late Frank Brown, allowing visitors to take a peak into the stories behind the performed songs’ lyrics.
Worst Time to Visit Alabama
The worst time to visit Alabama is in summer (June–August). It’s hands down the busiest season, and summer months are the hottest, with July leading the way (not to mention the hurricane season).
Add the unbearable humidity on top of it, and you have yourself a scalding sojourn instead of a relaxed itinerary. These three months see average temperatures between 70°F and 92°F.
Temperatures aren’t the only thing skyrocketing at this time, though — hotel rates will cost you an arm and a leg during the summer. With that said, there’s so much you can do, which might make up for the annoying humidity, over-the-roof prices, and peak-season crowds.
Here are some events worth being on the lookout for:
- Peach Jam Jubilee 2023 (June), a free festival including live music, food trucks, hot air balloon rides, and inflatables;
- Guntersville Lake Hydrofest (June), powerboat racing at its finest;
- 4th Of July Fireworks and Concert At The AMP, to celebrate Independence Day;
- Smith Lake Park Fireworks and Music Festival (July), offering visitors live music, food vendors, swimming, water sliding, fireworks, and a lot of fun;
- Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Labor Day Invitational (August), for those fond of large game tournaments.
Things to Consider
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If you wish to have the best and safest Alabama stay, follow our travel tips:
- Pick your accommodation wisely. Go through reviews and recommendations, ensure the hotel has solid security, and if possible, don’t book first-floor rooms, especially if you’re planning on traveling solo. Solo female travelers should be more cautious than males, as there have been rape and assault incidents in the past.
- Based on the 2023 State of Safety report, Alabama’s crime rate has gone from 4.5 to 6.0 per thousand residents, which is higher than the country’s average. With that said, most crime tends to affect residents and not visitors. As long as you exercise common sense and don’t behave recklessly, chances are you’re going to be okay, as many visitors have been so far. Here’s more info on how safe Alabama is for tourists.
- If you head to some of the beaches, be confident in your swimming abilities — riptides are known to happen.
- March, April, and November are the months when tornadoes are the most likely to occur — check out The Alabama Emergency Management Association website to learn how you can prepare for such an event; also, keep up with the latest information regarding weather conditions via the National Weather Service.
- If you visit in summer, pack some lightweight cotton clothes. If you go in spring or autumn, have some warm clothes for the night. Winter visitors should wear thick layers of clothing. Waterproof clothes are advisable all year round.
- Download offline maps — they can save you many times when you least expect it, especially if you go hiking.
- Save some money with the Alabama All-In-One-Attraction Tickets.
- Locals in Alabama are really polite, so make sure to reciprocate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Huntsville, Alabama, USA – December 29, 2021: The exterior view of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, USA, a museum operated by the government of Alabama/JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
What are facts about Alabama?
Here are some facts about Alabama worth knowing:
1. Alabama is one of the most religious US states.
2. Most of the cities have somewhat unique nicknames — for instance, Birmingham is known as “The Magic City,” and Huntsville as “The Rocket City.”
3. It’s the state with the only directly hit meteorite survivor in the entire known history of the planet (probably the weirdest fact on our list!).
4. Although the first Europeans to head to Alabama were Spanish, the ones who settled first were French.
5. The first 911 call took place in Alabama.
6. With more than 300,000 words, Alabama’s state governing document is the longest in the entire country.
How much money do I need to visit Alabama?
If you head to Alabama’s capital city, Montgomery, you’ll need $715 for three days for a solo trip, $1,215 if you’re with a partner, and $1,575 if you’re on a family trip with four members.
Next, hotel prices in the city center vary from $230 to $580 (on average, $290 per night). You need to set aside $65 per person per day for public transportation purposes and eating out.
Speaking of which, keep in mind that the aforementioned figures are based on past travelers’ experiences, and it’s more than likely they’ll change by the time you head to Alabama.
What food is Alabama famous for?
Alabama is known for the following types of food: tomato and mayo sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, Conecuh sausage, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, classic southern smothered pork chops, classic southern pecan pie, and homemade banana pudding. Alabama has its very own white BBQ sauce too.
How do you get around Alabama without a car?
Most of Alabama’s larger cities have a nice network of public buses that are both affordable and reliable. That said, many tourist attractions are outside bus routes, so you may have to consider renting a car at some point. Montgomery and Birmingham, for instance, have taxis, but they aren’t the most affordable option.
What are the safest parts of Alabama?
Alabama’s safest cities include Rainbow City, Helena, Mountain Brook, Alabaster, Southside, Vestavia Hills, Pleasant Grove, Daphne, Satsuma, Pelham, and Moody.
Over to You — Book Your Trip Today!
| 👍 Best Time to Visit | Mid-March to Late May |
| 💲 Cheapest Time to Visit | December |
| 🗓️ Least Busy Time to Visit | September to November |
| 👎 Worst Time to Visit | June to August |
The best time to visit Alabama is from mid-March to late May. With a pleasant climate, busy streets, and plenty of festivals to choose from, your Alabama itinerary will be nothing short of pleasurable. Expect higher prices at this time, though.
If you’re traveling on a budget, head to Alabama in December. It’s when money-conscious individuals stand a chance at finding good airfare deals and lower hotel rates.
That said, December is also the most humid month of the entire year, so factor that in during your trip planning. The least busy time to visit Alabama is in the fall, in the September–November period.
Crowds dwindle, fall colors make an appearance, and engaging events pop up. The worst time to visit Alabama is in summer, in the June–August period.
Not only are these months the busiest, but also the hottest of the year. Hotel rates increase alongside the temperatures, and a myriad of visitors flock to the state, making sightseeing and visiting attractions chaotic and everything but enjoyable.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Alabama is entirely up to you — we just hope our detailed guide helped you make up your mind.
One thing’s certain, though: irrespective of when you visit, you’ll have plenty of events to attend and lots to see, so make sure to make the most out of it!