‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is a state immortalised in the lyrics of the legendary song. Nestled in the heart of the American Deep South, Alabama has a flavour all of its own! Award winning cuisine, the best barbecue and fresh from the Gulf seafood is washed down with the traditional Alabama sweet tea and served with a generous helping of southern hospitality. 

  

Alabama's largest city was named after Birmingham, UK and is known for its foodie scene, lively entertainment districts, arts and attractions. Barber Motorsports Museum showcasing the world’s largest collection of motorcycles, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which details the city’s role in the movement which changed America and Red Mountain Park are just some of the must do attractions. Montgomery, Alabama’s capital city was home to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Rosa Parks museum tells this inspirational story. Here one can also follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr and visit his church and parsonage. For thrill seekers, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has simulators that allow visitors to experience a space shot, G-force and weightlessness.  

Alabama is also known for its music history. International superstars including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones all came to Muscle Shoals, the ‘Hit Recording Capital of the World’ to record songs in the 60s and 70s. These working studios still used by international artists welcome visitors for tours. Live music can be found in almost every town and city in sophisticated bars and clubs, Saturday night juke joints and gospel choir church services. Festivals across the state celebrate music, local specialities and a wide range of beverages including the legendary tea!

For lovers of the great outdoors, Alabama sweeps down from the foothills of the Appalachians to the 32 miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf Coast providing plenty of opportunity to hike, bike, kayak and swim. The port city of Mobile by the Bay offers Delta Safaris, eco tours and restaurants that allow visitors to enjoy the ambience and soak up the sun. It is also home of the very first Mardi Gras which took place in 1703 and is still celebrated today.

To make your journey smoother, Amtrak is set to relaunch its Mardi Gras Service along the US Gulf Coast. Beginning on 18 August, the intercity train will operate twice daily between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, with morning and early evening departures. The journey takes around four hours, with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay Saint Louis in Mississippi along the way. For those wishing to travel further, the new train schedule allows for same-day connections to Amtrak’s City of New Orleans service between New Orleans and Chicago via Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis. There will also be next-day connections in New Orleans for Amtrak’s Crescent service to and from New York via Atlanta, and the Sunset Limited service to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.