Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Alabama

The best time to see Alabama's unparalleled stand of rare and endangered Cahaba lilies is from mid-May to late June at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. A good time to remember their blooming period is to know it's almost always between Mother's Day and Father's Day. Way to go, showing up for the parents! You can book a guided canoe tour with the Cahaba River Society to see the lilies up close. And while you're at it, discover the refuge's other natural wonders, including birds, butterflies, and native plants. This stunning display should definitely be an Alabama bucket list item for residents and visitors alike. It's the largest stand of these flowers on earth!

Springtime is particularly beautiful at this 65-acre estate garden in south Alabama 25 miles south of Mobile. Visitors can explore the gardens at their own pace, taking in the beauty of the rose garden, conservatory, Asian-American Garden, and other special botanical spaces. The estate also features a historic home that offers a glimpse into the lives of the Bellingrath family and the history of the property.

With its focus on conservation, education, and horticulture, this 67-acre oasis in the heart of Alabama's largest city bursts with color in spring. See tulips, daffodils, and azaleas in abundance as well as other plants throughout more than two dozen gardens. One uniquely Alabama space is the Southern Living Garden created by the magazine of the same name. Its designers focused on establishing a space that celebrates the intimacy of Southern home gardens. While you’re in the area, tack on a visit to Oak Mountain State Park just 15 miles south in Pelham for more outdoor bliss in the mild spring temps.

Step into spring wonder at this 112-acre collection of more than 20 gardens and special spaces to explore. The garden is home to the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house and picture-perfect aquatic garden with a placid water lily pond. Its pretty paths include a tranquil dogwood trail that's a must in spring. The herb garden alone has several mini-gardens, including a biblical garden with plants mentioned in the Bible. As the summer season approaches, don't miss the daylily garden with around 800(!) cultivars. And if you're more into literal star gazing than stargazer lilies, be sure to also visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when you're in town.

Spring break and beach trips are almost synonymous, and we have you covered for those experiences with our beautiful Gulf State Park. High on the list of fun family things to do in spring in Alabama, this park is close to plenty of recreation, shopping, and dining in the surrounding communities. You can spend a day on the beach and then scoot to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, or Mobile to see all they have to offer. Be sure to check their events calendars before you go! For example, one of the area's biggest festivals, the Bama Coast Cruisin’ in Orange Beach goes down at The Wharf on April 26th and 27th.

You can't beat a spring day at a park, and The Park at Manderson Landing offers an experience you don't see just every day. The University of Alabama maintains its approximately 16 acres, which includes a lovely walking trail along the Black Warrior River. What makes it so special in spring is you're likely to catch the university's rowing team cutting across the water. The team's boathouse is located within the park, where it also practices and competes. Another insta-worthy spot is the park's 30-foot statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. The university dedicated the sculpture in 2019 to commemorate its bicentennial.

This world-class outdoor adventure destination opened in 2023 and is a must-visit in spring 2024. The park hosts the U.S. Olympic Team trials in April when you can watch the nation’s top paddlers compete for a spot on the Olympic team. Get in on the paddling action yourself, too! The park offers events and activities for visitors of all skill levels, from relaxing, flat-water fun to thrilling whitewater rapids. The capital city's downtown and Riverfront Park areas are also pretty places to visit in spring. Plan a weekend getaway and explore the city's civil rights trail.

The Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve is tucked away near a residential neighborhood in the rapidly growing North Alabama city of Madison, which owns the property. The Land Trust of North Alabama manages the nine short trails, which total just over three miles in length. While this area isn't quite as rugged as trails to the northeast, they're challenging enough and full of interesting features. The 1.53-mile Rainbow Loop Trail is the most popular and a dazzler in spring for its wildflowers. Bottom line: This preserve is an easily accessible, lesser-known retreat into nature where you can walk peacefully and appreciate the progression of spring.

The three-mile National Recreational Trail at this sanctuary is nothing short of incredible for birdwatchers every spring. It is one of the top four sites in North America for watching neotropical migrant birds that make the long journey across the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. Dauphin Island is a sliver of barrier island off Mobile Bay and the Alabama Gulf Coast, just west of Fort Morgan Historic Site. The protected land offers visitors the rare opportunity to see thousands of birds making a safe stopover to rest and refuel before continuing their annual journey northward.

See waterfalls, cliffs, wetlands, and springs in this pristine, privately-owned natural area in Northwest Alabama. All you have to do is park and sign in at the kiosk to explore over a dozen miles of trails across the 700-plus acres of woodlands and wildlife. The trails offer varying levels of difficulty, so there are options for every skill level. Another nearby spot to appreciate nature in this neck of the woods is Dismals Canyon, which is just 25 miles south in Phil Campbell.

You’ll drive through one of the state’s most beautiful areas to reach this park, and it only gets better. Settle in at a picnic table, set up, snack, and enjoy views of the 45-foot Little River Falls. The park is popular for outdoor adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and, in the summer, swimming. For a simple spring picnic, all you have to do is drive right up and enjoy a feast for the senses.

This city park dates to 1887 and transports you back in time in so many ways. The historic WPA Rose Garden is a highlight of the park, with its carefully reconstructed design. Spring is especially spectacular, with hundreds of hydrangeas exploding around the old stone walls. Besides two picnic shelters, the park has a vast, tree-lined lawn ready for your for blankets and baskets on the west end of the park. Add the splash pad, tennis courts, whimsical playground, and walking trail for a perfect outing with family and friends.

Dine atop Red Mountain and beneath the world's largest cast-iron statue with a picnic at this iconic park in the heart of Alabama. The Vulcan statue, created for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, towers over the park, and visitors get almost as lofty perspectives on the city of Birmingham below. Spring is an especially lovely time to relax at the park or take leisurely stroll along the Vulcan trail, taking in the colorful flowers and lush greenery.