Visit North Alabama

01/23/2025

Reminder: Eagle Awareness Weekends begin this weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park-Alabama! Click to read more!

The Eagle Awareness Weekends will be held weekends from January 24 through February 2, 2025.

01/21/2025

Tonight would be a great night for some comfort food from Western Sirloin in Moulton! Delicious steaks, grilled chicken, fried catfish, and an amazing salad bar are what these cold nights call for!



🎥 CF Media

01/16/2025

In this episode, Melea sits down with Joe Carlucci, owner of Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Madison. Valentina’s has been making waves in the culinary world, earning a spot as one of the top 50 pizzerias in the USA and the title of best pizzeria in Alabama. Joe shares his passion for pizza, his relentless pursuit of perfection, and the secret behind Valentina’s success—his incredible team. Go to northalabama.org/podcast to listen to the entire episode!

01/16/2025

Need a getaway for just the two of you? How about a rustic, romantic weekend in north Alabama? There are many lakeside cabins, mountaintop chalets, and bluff-top rooms all across the region to spend getting away from it all. Sip champagne and admire the view from your balcony or curl up fireside under a cozy blanket. Whichever you choose, this getaway will be one to remember.

Grab your partner and get away for a while in North Alabama. Reconnect in the mountains, and leave the stress behind when checking into these cabins

01/14/2025

Now in its 39th year, Eagle Awareness Weekends at Lake Guntersville State Park was started as an activity for people of all ages to experience the joy of watching eagles and other birds in their natural habitat and as a way of educating the public about the importance of protecting the area’s wildlife.

The 2025 Eagle Awareness Weekends are:
January 24-26
January 31-February 2

Event highlights include live bird demonstrations, programs provided by notable speakers, guided safaris for viewing eagles in their natural habitat, plenty of photo opportunities for those with camera in hand, lodging for two nights, social and wine tasting on Friday evenings, breakfast buffet Saturday and Sunday and dinner Saturday evening.

Registration is now open, and space is limited. Sessions typically fill up quickly and participants are encouraged to reserve a weekend https://www.alapark.com/EagleAwarenessWeekends. Packages start at $287 and include lodging for two nights, two breakfasts, one dinner, a welcome packet, VIP access to presentations, photo opportunities with birds of prey, engagement with featured sponsors and one-on-one access with the naturalists.



📸: Yancey

01/11/2025

The Festival of the Cranes has been rescheduled for next weekend. ⬇️

This weekend's 2025 Festival of the Cranes has been rescheduled mostly as a one-day celebration set for Saturday, January 18 with most events taking place at the Alabama Center for the Arts.

The Decatur Public Library - Al will also be hosting festival activities Monday 1/13 through Saturday 1/18 at the library!

Fly over to https://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2025 and www.mydpl.org/cranes for updated schedules.

Check back here for updates about when refuge visitor center facilities are back open.

Photo: Flying sandhill crane (Credit: George Lee).

01/11/2025

Check out the animals at Bama Bucks Wildgame Restaurant in the snow! ❄️

01/10/2025

How to make a waterfall even more magical…just add snow! ❄️

The Falls look beautiful today!!

Great picture by: Brian DeGaetano

01/10/2025

The Jesse Owens Museum is looking beautiful in the snow! ❄️

01/09/2025

In this episode, Melea chats with Trisa Collier, Welcome Center Administrator for the state of Alabama, about the Ardmore Welcome Center—your first stop for Southern hospitality in North Alabama. Trisa shares how the center goes beyond simply providing directions, creating a warm and welcoming experience for visitors. They also discuss the exciting news about the return of the iconic rocket, a true source of pride for locals and travelers alike. Tune in for a fun and informative look at what makes the Ardmore Welcome Center a must-visit stop on your North Alabama adventure. Listen to the full episode at northalabama.org/podcast!

01/07/2025

Our post is a little different this week because this mural is no longer. 😭 The building this mural called home was devastated in the storm in downtown Athens last month. So let’s just take a moment and soak in the beauty of this patriotic mural. Make sure to shop local in downtown Athens to help local merchants get back on their feet!

01/06/2025

We're recording another episode of Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama this week about the Von Braun Center! Let us know what questions you have in the comments, and if we choose your question, you'll win a t-shirt!

01/02/2025

If you’re planning a winter getaway to Mentone, make sure to stop by Mentone Market for homemade food, local gifts, and more! The market has been known as the local general store for more than 80 years!



📸: CF Media

01/01/2025

Over 14,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Decatur. In celebration of the winter migration of these long-legged and long-necked birds, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association hosts a three-day event offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities appealing to people of all ages. The 2025 Festival of the Cranes is January 10-12 with activities at WNWR, Princess Theatre and Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur.



📸: CF Media

12/31/2024

Go on a first day hike in one of North Alabama’s state parks! 🎉

A dozen of Alabama’s state parks are participating in a nationwide initiative to get people outdoors to enjoy nature – as well as burn a few calories after eating all those holiday treats.

The 12 parks are offering First Day Hikes “led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers.” Hikes are occurring in all 50 states.

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2024/12/12-alabama-state-parks-offering-guided-new-years-day-hikes.html

12/31/2024

We have recorded 80 episodes of the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast to date, and we have created a Top Ten list of the most-listened to episodes! Check out our list, and give them a listen!

We have recorded 80 episodes of the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast to date, and we have created a Top Ten list of the most-listened to episodes! Check out our list, and give them a listen!