The Top 10 Things That Make Living in Alabama Great

The State of Alabama is a great place to work, live and play. These are the top 10 things that make Alabama great.

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10. Dreamland BBQ

Tuscaloosa is the birthplace of great BBQ and ribs with the establishment of Dreamland BBQ in 1958. The founding father of Dreamland was John “Big Daddy” Bishop, who opened the first location in the Jerusalem Heights neighborhood of Tuscaloosa. Dreamland has since franchised out all over the Southeast, and they still use all “Big Daddys” cooking secrets, and they are still just as fantastic today as they were then.

9. College Football

Saturdays in the fall in Tuscaloosa or the Plains of Auburn are a fantastic experience for the college football fan. From tailgating, cooking, and seeing the sites both campuses have to offer, football Saturday is a winner every time. The roar of the crowd and festivities will make a memorable experience.

8. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Huntsville is the home of the Saturn V, the rocket that took missions to the moon. The Space & Rocket Center offers a historical look at the space program’s history. You can find many exhibits in the museum, from the Apollo spacecraft to the latest technology. A trip to the rocket center is a great day trip for anyone.

7. Noccalula Falls

For the nature lover Alabama offers something very beautiful. Noccalula Falls, located at 1500 Noccalula Road. The Falls offers paved walking trails, a playground for the kids, a miniature golf course, and a fantastic waterfall. The Falls also have campgrounds that have over 120 sites, from primitive tent camping to pull-throughs with complete hook-ups.

6. National Peanut Festival.

Everyone loves a great festival in the fall.  The National Peanut Festival was first started in 1938 and has continued to grow since then. With carnival rides, food, and live entertainment, you have to experience it all. The National Peanut Festival is held every year in the heart of Peanut Country Dothan, Al. The festival honors the peanut and how it saved the economy after the boil weevil destroyed the cotton crops.

5. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is the home of the USS Alabama, the submarine the USS Drum, and other fascinating military equipment. You can see other classic WWII aircraft and, along with tanks, artillery guns. This is a must-see for a history buff.

4. Beautiful Beaches

Who says you have to go to other states to see beautiful beaches?  Alabama offers an exquisite view from both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You can gain access to the beach at the 12^th Street access point. Both locations offer a wide variety of dining and entertainment choices, such as Lu Lu’s, The Hangout, and others. There are boat tours, museums, and much more to experience in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

3. Famous Literary Works

Alabama is the birthplace of Literary genius Harper Lee, who is from Monroeville, she wrote To Kill a Mocking Bird, and her hometown inspired the fictional town featured in her novel.

2. The Music group Alabama.

We are close to the number one spot on our list of things that make the State of Alabama Great. Number two on our list is the group Alabama. They have been performing together for over 50 years. The group started in 1969 and hasn’t looked back since. The group had 21 straight number-one singles on the charts. The founding members are all from Fort Payne. Fort Payne is also the location of the Alabama Museum.

1. Southern Hospitality

We have finally come to the number one thing that makes Alabama great. It's not a place or a person. It's our mindset of Southern hospitality. No matter if it’s a football game, picnic, or church dinner, everyone is welcome. We have reached the top of the list, and there is one thing we can all agree on Alabama is a great place to live