I Love Alabama—But These 5 Places Are a Hard ‘No’ for Me

Whether you live in Alabama or are visiting, I am sure there are places you avoid. Frankly, we all have our "save for later" or "I will never do that" list. And more than likely, we skip these places for personal preferences or simply based on our fears. For instance, I am afraid of heights, so it wouldn’t be wise to go skydiving. Plus, why would I pay money to jump out of a perfectly good plane - no thanks!

Some folks will stay clear of crowded tourist attractions and opt for low-key gems instead. Locals will even skip what they consider overhyped destinations in Alabama (you know you’ve done it!). I don’t mind going to popular spots at least once, but certain attractions in Alabama are an absolute NO for me. As the saying goes, “one woman's pleasure is another woman's pain” or something like that! As much as I love Alabama, these are the attractions I will skip. 

1. The Skycoaster at The Track Family Fun Park, Gulf Shores

I am not a thrill seeker; I would like to think those days are behind me. I know, it’s never too late to enjoy life to the fullest, but my idea of that doesn’t include soaring through the sky at 70 miles per hour from a 110-foot structure. And that's where the Skycoaster at the Track comes in. The amusement park in Gulf Shores is lots of family-friendly fun. And if you have young kids who enjoy go-karts, this destination in Alabama is the place for them. Plus, there are plenty of things to do and see near the beach. But when it comes to the Skycoaster ride, it’s a "NOPE" only because I am scared of heights. I will be the person holding the purses or belongings of my brave family members/friends, and I am quite okay with that.  

2. All Extreme Haunted House Attractions

I don’t mind visiting destinations that are considered “haunted.” Are they my first choice? No, but I do enjoy digging into the history behind places like Old Cahawba Ghost Town, which is known for its creepy past. Blame it on my overactive imagination for believing that restless spirits are amongst us. While historical sites are fine with me, I avoid extreme haunted houses. I don’t want to spend money to be chased by a clown wielding a chainsaw, which would send my anxiety into overdrive. These overhyped bone-chilling attractions are not on my “save for later list” or any list for that matter. Sure, if that is your idea of fun (which I know it is for many folks), that’s totally fine with me. Just don’t expect me to join in…sorry…not sorry, it’s a hard no! 

3. The Wharf’s Ferris Wheel, Orange Beach

Even with my fear of heights, I have been on enough Ferris wheels in my lifetime. Do I hate them? No, but if I had a choice to skip the ride, I would. So, hopping on the Ferris Wheel at the Wharf is not on my radar right now. But don't get me wrong, the iconic wheel is one of the largest in the Southeast, and it’s definitely a unique attraction in Alabama that I would consider at least once. Not to mention that it’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, and the dreamy Gulf Coast beach. This ride would be cute for little kids or to create picture-perfect memories on a date or special occasion.  

4. Exploring the Neversink Cave, Fackler

The name alone, Neversink Cave, is an “absolutely not” for me. A cross between a cave, a sinkhole, and a waterfall, this gem is one of Alabama’s coolest natural wonders and its best-kept secret. As cool as it looks, for the best experience, you’ll need to get strapped up into a harness and drop 162 feet down a rope to the bottom of this dark pit, which leads to who knows where. 

Hear me out, I am not opposed to exploring certain caves, but Neversink reminds me of something that should be left alone. I recommend it as a bucket-list adventure for spelunkers, photographers, and folks looking to snap an epic Instagram-worthy pic. I will gladly visit the Neversink Cave Preserve and admire this mysterious cave/waterfall/sinkhole from above. That’s enough for me! 

5. Dead Children’s Playground, Huntsville

By now, you could guess that I am not the person who enjoys extremes or places that might disturb my spirit. Needless to say, I am not rushing to a haunted site like Dead Children’s Playground. The name doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing the souls of little ones haven’t found their peace. The playground is located near Maple Hill Cemetery, the oldest and largest resting place in Huntsville. 

As much as I find cemeteries peaceful, this playground is known for ghostly children playing in it after dark. I can’t confirm or deny this legend, but I choose to avoid the area because I am not a thrill-seeker or ghost hunter. The cemetery itself is beautiful, especially in the fall when it comes alive with autumn’s glory. I just hope those little ones can eventually rest their weary souls. 

Folks, this is just my opinion - everything is “not everyone's cup of tea.” So, if you like any of these attractions on my list, enjoy them to the fullest. In the meantime, visit our nomination page and tell me about some overhyped destinations in Alabama or places that you would rather not visit. Be honest!

And when you’re feeling inspired, use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to discover hidden gems in Alabama.