Alabama, from the mountains to the Gulf

Find the best of Alabama, made locally

An independent guide to the locally owned restaurants, shops, things to do and places to stay across Alabama, from Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley to Mobile Bay and Gulf Shores.

Browse by area Birmingham Huntsville Montgomery Mobile Tuscaloosa Gulf Shores

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Recommended right now

Places we think are worth the trip, picked by The AL Guide.

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Burgers & Casual
Mobile · Downtown Mobile

Squid Ink

Eclectic gastropub eats and a downtown happy hour on Dauphin Street · $$ Moderate
Delivery Locally owned
Bakeries
Mobile · Downtown Mobile

Dropout Bakery & Co.

A downtown boutique patisserie with a rotating, limited-supply pastry case · $$ Moderate
Locally owned Takeout
Arts & Entertainment
Opelika

Rock ‘N Roll Pinball

Thirty-plus pinball machines and classic arcade games on Railroad Avenue · $ Budget
30+ pinball machines Beer and snacks

Explore Alabama

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Local restaurants, shops, things to do and places to stay in towns across the state.

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Birmingham
119 places
Huntsville
92 places
Montgomery
95 places
Mobile
108 places
Tuscaloosa
65 places
Gulf Shores
58 places

From the journal

Stories from across Alabama

Read the journal →
Food & Drink
· 8 min read

Where to Eat in Downtown Montgomery

Fine dining on Coosa Street, oysters on the Alabama River, soul food near the Legacy Sites and the city's oldest family-owned restaurant: where to eat in downtown Montgomery.

By April I.
Beaches & Outdoors

Noccalula Falls in Gadsden: Visiting Tips and What’s Nearby

8 min read
This Weekend

Things to Do across Alabama This Weekend: Oct 30 – Nov 1

3 min read
Plan Your Trip

Anniston, Oxford and East Alabama: A Local Guide

13 min read
Food & Drink

The Best BBQ in Alabama: A Statewide Road Map

10 min read

Mark your calendar

Upcoming events

Full calendar →

Sunday November 1

66°Rain Showers Likely72% rainWind 15 mph E

Monday November 2

75°Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy16% rainWind 10 to 15 mph E

CommunityHoover

Trak Shak Monday Night Run

5:30 PM · The Trak Shak Hoover

The Trak Shak Monday Night Run leaves the Brock's Gap store in Hoover at 5:30 p.m. with 3 and 5 mile options and a social stop after.

Tuesday November 3

75°Partly Sunny5% rainWind 15 mph SE

Outdoors & NatureEast Montgomery

Sunset Chasers Group Run and Walk

6:00 PM – 7:15 PM · Fleet Feet Montgomery

Sunset Chasers in Montgomery: a weekly Tuesday 6 p.m. group run and walk from Fleet Feet on Vaughn Road, open to runners and walkers of all paces.

Wednesday November 4

74°Showers And Thunderstorms78% rainWind 5 to 15 mph SE

Holiday & SeasonalBirmingham

Christmas Village Festival

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM · BJCC Exhibition Halls · From $17

Christmas Village Festival fills the BJCC in downtown Birmingham Nov. 4 to 8, 2026, with 700+ booths of handmade gifts, holiday food and Santa photos.

CommunityHomewood

Trak Shak Wednesday Night Run

5:30 PM · The Trak Shak Homewood · Free

Join the free Trak Shak Wednesday Night Run in Homewood at 5:30 p.m., with 3 and 5 mile routes, all paces welcome and drinks back at the store.