Tourism By Region

Ketchikan has been designated one of the “Top 100 Small Arts Communities in the United States” and hosts arts themed festivals and special events throughout the year. Ketchikan is home to a diverse population of artists who find inspiration in the scenic beauty, flora and fauna and the historic and cultural attributes of our town. Most local galleries are artist-owned. Art show openings are a monthly event. The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council serves as an umbrella organization for the Ketchikan arts scene by promoting arts and cultural groups, local artists, art education programs and hosting performances and art exhibits throughout the year. The Tongass Historical Museum’s comprehensive collection of artifacts, documents and photography provide the inspiration for historically themed exhibits each year. Especially popular are the museum’s invitational exhibits – residents share their own treasures based on a common theme, offering a unique glimpse into the people who make Ketchikan their home. The Totem Heritage Center’s collection of 19th century totem poles, rescued from abandoned native villages is listed on the National Historic Register. Up until the center was established in 1976 these cultural treasures would have been lost to natural deterioration. Today the poles are protected, and provide present day native artisans a chance to study the traditional art forms of the Northwest Coast native tribes in our area. Dolly’s House Museum on Creek Street provides a glimpse at the life of a working girl back when the Creek’s “red light district” was in full swing. Furnishings, clothing and special features in the house capture the spirit of the Creek. A variety of performances are scheduled throughout the year featuring local and visiting artists in music, dance and theatre. Workshops and lectures offer learning opportunities in traditional native and classical art forms, natural and local history and science. Native dance performances, film presentations like the award-winning “Mystical Southeast Alaska” and the home-grown melodrama “Fish Pirates Daughter” provide a glimpse of the culture and history of Ketchikan. The rich history and scenic beauty of Ketchikan lays the groundwork for visits to many interesting attractions. The heart of downtown is Ketchikan Creek; where the earliest visitors, Tlingit natives, set up summer fish camps along its shores. Ketchikan Creek’s shoreline bends and curves past Creek Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare consisting of wooden boardwalks. During prohibition and in later years, buildings on the street housed several bordellos. Today, restaurants, galleries and gift shops are popular stops for visitors. A funicular tram glides up the hillside offering a birds-eye view of the downtown area and arrives in the lobby of the Cape Fox Lodge Hotel and its impressive display of Alaskan Native artifacts. Outside the main entrance the Gathering of the Clans totem collection can be viewed, and there is easy access to the Ted Ferry Civic Center, a modern meetings and conventions facility with a dramatic backdrop of Deer Mountain. A walk through the forested path of the Married Man’s Trail will return you to Creek Street. Or follow Venetia Way to Park Avenue for a brief walk to the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center and the Totem Heritage Center. At the mouth of the creek, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show showcases the skill of woodsmen competing against each other in events like log rolling and tree-climbing. Next door, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is an outstanding interpretive facility highlighting the commercial, recreational and cultural significance of the Tongass National Forest among Alaskans. South of town, the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary combines a walk through the rainforest and shoreline area with an overview of early timber operations in the area. Sister attraction, Alaska Canopy Tours, provides an exhilarating “zip line” tour through the tree tops of the forest. A few miles further south, the George Inlet Cannery provides a historical perspective on the fishing industry as visitors walk through the site’s original buildings and display of equipment used in the 1940s. Ketchikan features an enticing variety of restaurants from which to choose. Alaska is famous for fresh seafood such as salmon, halibut, crab, shrimp, oysters and clams. These delicacies are fresh from the icy cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy our local favorites: creamy seafood chowders; crab and shrimp tossed into omelets, salads or sandwiches; salmon, cod or halibut smoked, sautéed, broiled, battered, baked in an elegant sauce; or in traditional fish and chips. Try a salmon burger or salmon jerky – deliciously different from the beef versions. Gather beach asparagus, berries, seaweed and Hudson’s Bay tea leaves – all traditional native foods. Rest assured that your hometown favorites, from hearty steaks to pizza, fast foods and country-style breakfasts are served in local eateries. Your favorite beverages are available too, whether you crave a latte (locally roasted coffees are featured) or are interested in trying an Alaskan brand brew. Choose from casual or formal dining in local restaurants, cafes, snack bars and dining rooms in area resorts and lodges. Or, plan a picnic by stopping at a deli for a savory meal to go. Inspiring glacial beauty Magnificent Misty Fiords National Monument is a pristine masterpiece. Its fjords were created by massive glacier action in the ice-rimmed wilderness. Here is one of the country’s greatest treasures and some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery. Its 2.3 million acres include soaring cliffs, sawtooth ridges shrouded in mists, sky-blue lakes, hanging valleys, countless waterfalls, bottomless saltwater fjords, and miles of glaciers. And the monument is home to a multitude of wildlife. Misty Fjords’ roadless location is accessed only by floatplane or boat from Ketchikan. Cruise (2-3 hours one way), fly (35 minutes one way) or choose a cruise/fly combination. Excursion vessels will carry your kayak to and from Misty Fjords, where you can paddle the pristine waters from a campsite or one of the U.S. Forest Service Cabins. Cruise passengers can see old pictographs (native rock art) painted along the walls within the monument, drink from fjord waterfalls, enjoy relaxed cruising while watching for shoreside wildlife, and see famous New Eddystone Rock, a picturesque volcanic core. Floatplanes provide a bird’s-eye view of the entire locale and land on an alpine lake, so passengers can absorb the serenity and astonishing beauty.

Getting to and Around Homer PLAN YOUR TRIP Airlines & Air Taxis Bus Services & Tours Car Rentals Ferry Services Taxis Water Taxis Travel & Booking Agencies What's Available? Just 225 scenic miles from Anchorage, the road to Homer is open year-round. Drive south on the Seward Highway, a designated national scenic byway and connect with the Sterling Highway. It's a visual feast, covering miles of highway through mountains, spruce forest and coastline. The drive takes four to five hours on dry roads, but provides views that anywhere else would qualify as a national park. As the crow flies, Homer is 110 miles from Anchorage with numerous flights operating daily year-round. You can also get to Homer via regular scheduled shuttle service from Anchorage. There is also seasonal shuttle service from Seward. Once in Homer, there are car rentals, several taxi companies and bike rentals available. Homer is a port of call for the Alaska Marine Highway for travelers heading out to Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. Once a month during the summer, the M/V Tustumena travels 400 miles along the Alaska Peninsula to the Aleutian Islands, stopping in six different villages: Chignik, Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, and Akutan. For more info, contact; www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs Road Miles From Selected Cities in Alaska Anchorage 225 miles Seward 171 miles Kenai 89 miles Cooper Landing 133 miles Valdez 528 miles Haines 1,000 miles Fairbanks 582 miles Denali Nat Park 462 miles Watchable Wildlife & Adventures in Homer PLAN YOUR TRIP Bear Viewing Birding Eco-Tours & Adventures Fishing Flight Seeing Four Wheeling Horseback Riding & Tours Hunting Kayaking Parks & Hiking Sailing Travel & Booking Agencies Whale Watching What's Available? Where the road ends in Homer, your adventure just begins! Homer has wildlife viewing and adventures for all ages and interests. Homer is a gateway to many National and State Parks including Katmai, Lake Clark, McNeil River and Kachemak Bay. Few places match the diverse beauty of Homer, having so many ways to experience and view the variety of abundant wildlife. One day you can be kayaking on beautiful Kachemak Bay with its rising cliffs, calm coves, seals, sea otters and whales. The next day you could be standing on the rugged coast of the Alaska Peninsula, or in Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park on your first bear viewing trip watching as these majestic monarchs’ feast on salmon. While in Homer, you can enjoy the wildlife whether it’s hiking on a local trail, exploring a tide pool, horseback riding or flight seeing over the surrounding glaciers. Bald eagles, sandhill cranes, moose and shorebirds are just a few of the varieties of local watchable wildlife available to see. Extend your visit to experience where the road ends and your adventure just begin!

Haines is everything you dreamed Alaska would be – Find yourself submerged in pristine beauty surrounded by abundant wildlife and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure while soaking up the surroundings with experiences from extreme adventure to simple pleasures at a leisurely pace. Located on the shores of the Lynn Canal, the longest, deepest fjord in North America, and home to the first permanent army post in Alaska, Fort William H. Seward, Haines is framed with snow-capped mountains while boasting the best tours and unique museums in Southeast Alaska. Read more. Haines is a central point on the unique Golden Circle Route – take a drive through the history and culture of the Gold Rush Era while you feast your eyes on 350 miles of the incredible scenery. Read more. Native Culture - Tlingits The first people to call the Chilkat Valley home were Tlingit Indians. Originally called “Dei-Shu” or “End of the Trail,” Haines is home of the Chilkat Indians whose mother village is Klukwan, located 22 miles north of Haines. Klukwan is recognized as the earliest of the Chilkat villages and contains many reminders of its rich past. Now the Haines Highway into Canada, and previously the Dalton trail used by gold-seekers, the Tlingit trade route to the interior was dubbed the ‘grease trail’ because the most important item carried was oil extracted from the eulachon fish. Due to the bountiful resources of the area, Tlingits could spend less time on survival and more on developing other skills. Tlingits were the first settlers in the Chilkat Valley, and their traditions still flourish today. Haines and Fort Seward, History Haines was named in honor of Francina Haines of the Presbyterian Home Missions Board. Accompanied by his friend, John Muir, S. Hall Young, was the first missionary to the area in 1879. The purpose of their trip was to scout a location for a mission and a school. The first known meeting between white men and Tlingit took place in 1741 when a Russian ship anchored near Haines and started the fur trade in the area. In 1892, Jack Dalton established a toll road on the Tlingit trade route in to the interior to cash in on gold-seekers and others heading north into Canada. Parts of the Dalton Trail are now the Haines Highway. In 1902, ongoing border disputes between the U.S. and Canada provided the justification for the first permanent army post in Alaska. The white buildings of Fort William H. Seward still stand and are a distinctive landmark of Haines. Decommissioned in 1947, the fort was bought by a group of war veterans with hopes of creating an arts and commerce community. The buildings are now privately owned homes, accommodations, restaurants, galleries, and shops. Established as a result of a border dispute with Canada, Fort William H. Seward was named after the man who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. Due to the confusion in the post office caused by the city of Seward also honoring the man, the Fort was renamed Chilkoot Barracks in 1922. The original name was resumed when the Fort was declared an Historic Landmark in 1972. Decommissioned in 1947, five former veterans purchased the Fort with plans to make it an arts and crafts area of the community. Most of the original buildings still stand and are now private residences, accommodation establishments, eateries, and galleries showcasing local art. For more information about the Fort, visit the Sheldon Museum web site at http://sheldonmuseum.org . A Fort Seward Walking Tour brochure is available at the Visitor Center. Pic goes here at a later point The Hammer Museum History and Progress as viewed through the eye of the Hammer * Over 1500 different hammers from the colonial era, through the industrial age to the present day Box 702 108 Main Street Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2374 Email: hammermuseum@aptalaska.net Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center Located across from the Small Boat Harbor at 11 Main Street * Dioramas & artifacts depict the history of Tlingit residence in the Chilkat Valley, the pioneer history of Haines, and the military period of Fort William H. Seward * Groups welcome * Open year-round; call for hours Box 269 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2366 Fax (907) 766-2368 Email: museumdirector@aptalaska.net American Bald Eagle Foundation Non-profit educational and research foundation with a Natural History museum containing over 100 full-sized specimens (Wildlife * Marine life * Birds) in a diorama representing the Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Valley * Open year- round; call for hours Box 49 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-3094 Fax (907) 766-3095 Email: info@baldeagles.org Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in June 1982. The Preserve was established to protect and perpetuate the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat. The combination of open water and plentiful food brings over 3,000 eagles into the Chilkat Valley beginning in early October and lasting until January. The peak of the gathering usually occurs in mid-November. Visitors to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve need only drive 18 miles from Haines on the Haines Highway to find excellent eagle viewing areas. Newly-created pullouts along the highway are provided for eagle watchers and photographers. Interpretive displays, walking trails, and shelters now enhance the experience. Tsirku Canning Company Watch an historic salmon canning line in operation and learn about the fascinating history of the salmon canning industry in Alaska * Located at 5th and Main, downtown Box 418 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-3474 Email: tsirku@cannerytour.com Chilkat Dancers Storytelling Theater Alaska Indian Arts and the Seawolf/Whale Rider galleries are teaming up to produce an exciting, updated version of the traditional Chilkat Dancers' Show. Experience the legends used by the ancient Natives of the Northwest Coast in their elaborate winter ceremonials. With the use of carved masks and traditional costumes, storytelling will bring the ancient legends to life. Properly staged and animated, masked characters will have a hypnotic effect on the viewer as emphasis is placed on character and plot development. Lighting, staging and puppets will bring the show a new level of excitement. The Storytelling Theater will be performed in the Totem Village Tribal House at the Fort Seward Parade Field on a regular basis all summer long. Audiences will get a glimpse into the past magic of Totem Pole and carved screen staging. Showtimes weekday afternoons. Adults $10.00; Children $5.00 Box 776 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2540 Email: seawolf@tresham.com Haines Totem Poles Ten totem poles can be found in the Haines area. Stop by the Visitors Center for list of totems and their location (or view and download a copy Here). Visitors are welcome at Alaska Indian Arts in the Fort Seward area to view carvers in action. Pic goes here at a later point Chilkat State Park 8 miles south of Haines on Mud Bay Road * Very scenic * 32 pull-through sites, 3 beachfront tent sites * Fire rings, water, toilets, fishing, boat launch, hiking trails, cabin * Summer hosts provide information & reference materials at log cabin interpretive center * Views of Rainbow and Davidson Glaciers * $10/night * Season is from May 15 to September 15 Chilkoot State Park 10 miles north of Haines off Lutak Road * Very scenic * 32 spaces, some with lake views * Fire rings, water, toilets, picnic tables, fishing, boat launch * Summer hosts provide information & reference materials at last sote * $10/night * Season is from May 15 to October 15 Glacier Bay National Park Just 15 minutes from Haines by air * One of the most popular wilderness parks in North America * Spectacular glaciers, alpine scenery, wildlife * Activities include glacier flightseeing, whale watching, day cruises, kayaking, hiking, fishing & camping Contact a Haines air service (go to flightseeing under Tours & Attractions), a Haines travel agency (see Getting To Haines), or contact us at the Haines Visitor Information Center. Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada 3 hours north of Haines by highway * Discover the scenic beauty of the Yukon wilderness * Activities range from rafting the Alsek River to lakeside camping, Hiking - day and overnight, Mountaineering, Interpretive Programs, fishing, flightseeing & skiing * Contact a Haines travel agency (go to Getting To Haines), or contact the Visitor Reception Center in Haines Junction Box 5495 Haines Junction, Yukon YOB 1L0, Canada Phone (867) 634-7202 Fax (867) 634-7208 Email kluane.info@pc.gc.ca Tatshenshini - Alsek Provincial Park 1.5 hours north of Haines by highway * British Columbia's northern wilderness park, which encompasses the headwaters of two of North America's most exciting rivers for rafting & kayaking * Activities include rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing & skiing *To and From Haines) Postal Bag 5000 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Phone (250) 847-7320 Email vhj@yknet.yk.ca Klukwan The original settlement of the Tlingits, Klukwan translates into “Eternal Village.” This is a flourishing Alaska Native Community known for its rich cultural history and legacy of artwork. The new Klukwan Tribal Tour is the best and encouraged way to see and learn more about the village and its people. For reservations or more information call 907-767-5770. Pic goes here at a later point Alaska Indian Arts Once the Hospital in Fort Seward, Alaska Indian Arts is dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Coast Native Tribes. See carvers and artists at work on masterpieces that have been known to find homes around the globe. http://www.alaskaindianarts.com Box 271 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone/Fax (907) 766-2160 Email: mail@alaskaindianarts.com Hiking For the extreme adventurer to the casual, low impact walk, several trails are accessible to soak up the beauty of the Haines area. Learn about the flora and fauna of the forest on a guided hike or strike out on your own. Stop by the Visitors Center for the Haines is for Hikers pamphlet. Haines Trails Once you click on the link, click on "Haines" to see a map of the local trails. Birding Birding is a growing activity and Haines is a perfect place to indulge the interest being home to a total of 260 species of birds throughout the year. Go it alone and keep your binoculars handy or check out our tour operators for opportunities to enhance the birding experiences of Haines. Click on Birds of the Chilkat Valley Checklist for an on-line, printable version or stop by the Haines Visitors Center. For birding information in Haines and statewide, check out the state program Wings Over Alaska Eldred Rock Lighthouse First lit on June 1, 1906 and one of the remotest lighthouses in North America, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse was built after some disastrous shipwrecks in the vicinity, especially during the 1898 Gold Rush, when the Lynn Canal was full of steamships bringing miners to Skagway for their climb over Chilkoot Pass. Eldred Rock is the oldest original Alaskan Lighthouse building. The octagonal building is constructed of the same huge timbers brought to the island by the US Government in 1905. The light was situated 91 feet above sea level and had a range of more than 15 miles. The fog signal was a first order, compressed air siren. In addition to the lighthouse and quarters, there is a boathouse, tramways and other small outbuildings used for storage and maintenance. There are currently no tours to Eldred Rock although some water tours get close enough for great photos ops. For more information about the lighthouse, visit the Sheldon Museum’s Eldred Rock Lighthouse information page.

About Us The Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit marketing organization whose mission is to contribute to the economic well-being of the Fairbanks area by marketing to potential visitors. We market Fairbanks as a year-round destination by promoting local events, attractions and activities to independent travelers, group tour operators, travel agents, meeting planners and the media. The mission of the FCVB is to enhance the quality of the visitor experience and to contribute to the economic well-being of the Fairbanks region by marketing to potential visitors. The FCVB annually refines and develops a long-term strategic plan that will help ensure the positioning of the Fairbanks area as an authentic, year-round Alaskan visitor destination. Tourism Trends & Stats The FCVB draws on a myriad of international, national and state visitor industry research in help develop its annual Strategic Marketing Plan. The following are excerpts from some recent studies that the FCVB used to aid decision making in this 2002 plan. In 2000, the FCVB initiated two new studies to better refine marketing activities: Annual Conversion Study and the Log Cabin Visitors Study. Both of these studies provide some baseline data and analysis on FCVB promotional efforts. The FCVB has commissioned McDowell and Associates via the Alaska Travelers Survey (ATS) to study Fairbanks visitors in summer 2003. Data analysis will be available by early 2004. FCVB Annual Conversion Study The Conversion Study is a key research project that the FCVB conducts as needed. The purpose of the studies on inquiries in 2000, 2001 and 2002 was fourfold: To determine the conversion rates of prospective visitors from FCVB-generated inquiries through in-house media placements (both paid ads and publicity efforts) and lead database purchases from the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). To ascertain some demographic information of our visitors and inquiries. To measure the effectiveness of FCVB marketing materials. To deduce what the implications are for our marketing efforts. Statewide Studies Among other studies in 2004, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) will commission a study analyzing the factors for the decline of highway travelers to Alaska. Two existing studies are available from the ATIA: Images of Alaska 2000 and Repeat vs. 1st Time Alaska Visitors. Both are prepared by GMA Research Corporation. These studies are available to read at the FCVB but may not be taken from the President/CEO's office and may not be copied. Images is $90 per copy and Repeat is $35 per copy. You can purchase either study from ATIA at (907) 929-2842 or contact via the web: Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA): www.alaskatia.org Some of the key findings of the Images of Alaska 2000 are: 29% of all adults (59 million) residing in the lower 48 states are prospective Alaska travelers The West and Midwest offer the greatest potential The cost (60%) and time (46%) are the top two reasons why high potentials have never taken a vacation to Alaska The Internet plays a stronger role in arranging vacation travel than it did in 1996. About half (49%) of visitors decided to visit Alaska within six months of actual travel High potentials are very different from actual visitors in that they are more likely to: have a larger family size, be in a two-income family, have children at home, be younger, and work full time. Some general observations from Repeat vs. 1st Time Alaska Visitors are: The Repeat Visitor is much more likely to think of "hunting and fishing" than the 1st Time Visitor The Repeat Visitor is much more likely that the 1st Time Visitor to say that "cost-expensive" was what they disliked most about their most recent trip to Alaska The average number of trips to Alaska for Repeat Visitors is 3.6 times. One in five have made six or more trips Compared to 1st Time Visitors, Repeat Visitors are significantly more likely to have participated in the following activities while in Alaska (in descending order): bird watching, fishing, car rental, tent camping, private RV campground, winter activities, and hunting.

Beaches Search for Beaches Attractions, Events and Accommodations Search by Region Search Entire State Mountains Region Metropolitan Region River Heritage Region Gulf Coast Region Search by Type Search For Everything Attractions Events Accommodations Sort Results by: By Name By Region By City By Type Something magical happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The moment you arrive, the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore or the smell of coconut oil. Perhaps it's the white sand and sparkling emerald water of the Alabama beaches. Suddenly building sandcastles moves to the top of your "to-do" list. You remember just how much fun your spouse is. You find yourself laughing at your son's "knock-knock" joke, even though you've heard it a zillion times. You linger over a succulent, fresh seafood dinner where nobody rushes to get away from the table. A great weekend getaway is closer than you think. A visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of our championship golf courses. Cast your line for deep-sea adventure on a charter fishing trip from Dauphin Island. Travel back in history with a visit to Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Commune with Mother Nature as you hike through one of our Alabama wildlife areas and gaze at gators and shorebirds. Whether vacationing with family, escaping with the one you love, or attending an annual convention or corporate retreat, you can choose from national hotel and motel chains, top-notch condominiums or a variety of beach house rentals, ensuring that your stay on the Alabama beaches is one of comfort and relaxation. Golf Search for Golf Attractions, Events and Accommodations Search by Region Search Entire State Mountains Region Metropolitan Region River Heritage Region Gulf Coast Region Search by Type Search For Everything Attractions Events Accommodations Sort Results by: By Name By Region By City By Type A Stroke of Genius By Gareth Clary These are the kinds of shots you always remember, the ones that give you that extra zing of adrenaline before and after you swing. Stand on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River and hit a tee shot over what seems to be a bottomless ravine. Stand on a bluff hovering above the Alabama River and watch your drive seemingly sail through the clouds, then fall to a ribbon of fairway 200 feet below. Stand in the fairway and aim at twin greens dissected by an 80-foot waterfall. These are the kind of breathtaking shots you'll find up and down the world-famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. The Trail, which receives rave reviews each year, helped transform the state into one of the most popular golf destinations in the world. Other states have tried to copy the concept, but Alabama's Trail is the unrivaled original. Hoover's Ross Bridge, the Trail's crown jewel, opened in 2006 and became the home to the Champions Tour's Regions Charity Classic. Nestled in the peaceful valley of Shades Mountain, the wide-open layout gives golfers a lot of variety and options, including the chance to play an 8,200-yard course if you're feeling feisty. It is just down the road from Birmingham's Oxmoor Valley, a 54-hole facility. Other Trail sites with 54 holes include Capitol Hill in Prattville, Grand National in Opelika, Magnolia Grove in Mobile, and Hampton Cove in Huntsville. Several others have 36 holes like The Shoals in Florence, Silver Lakes in Anniston, Highland Oaks in Dothan, Cambrian Ridge in Greenville, and Lakewood in Point Clear. The Trail stops are spaced conveniently along the state's major roads, so you are never far away from one of those memorable golf shots. Most Trail sites are now associated with luxury Marriott hotels and spas, making stay-and-play packages easy and affordable. While the Trail gains a lot of worldwide attention for its quantity and quality, the state is blessed with many other golf treasures. The Gulf Shores Golf Association, an affiliate of courses in southwest Alabama, can help arrange vacations that include world-class golf, sugar-white beaches and charter fishing expeditions. Kiva Dunes, consistently one of the state's top courses, is part of the GSGA, as is Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend, the only layouts in the state designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. Peninsula, Rock Creek, Glenlakes, TimberCreek, and Soldiers Creek are other popular coastal golf retreats. Limestone Springs in Oneonta and FarmLinks Golf Club in Sylacauga are two relatively new courses that consistently garner rave reviews. Old favorites like StillWaters Golf Club in Dadeville, Point Mallard in Decatur, and Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro remain as popular as ever. Alabama's state park system also offers some fun and inexpensive golf options like Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and Oak Mountain in Birmingham. Montgomery's Lagoon Park and Mobile's Azalea City are challenging municipal layouts. Whether you stay on the Trail or venture to some of the state's other hideaways, it's definitely worth the golf trip to Alabama. For more information about golfing in Alabama, request a copy of the Golf Alabama brochure or view our Online Alabama Golf Guide. Gareth Clary is the golf writer for the Mobile Register and Southern Breeze magazine. Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum (Florence) – Usonian style (1939–40). Only structure in Alabama designed by Wright. Constructed of cypress, glass and brick. Fully restored. [More] [Add to My Vacation] "S" House Antiques (Fort Payne) – Antiques, vintage fabric, 50s and collectibles. [More] [Add to My Vacation] "The Huey" Helicopter (Enterprise) – UH-1 helicopter donated by U.S. Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker. Around base is "Walk of Generals" featuring plaques honoring commanding generals of Fort Rucker. [More] [Add to My Vacation] 3 H Stables (Huntsville) – Scenic trail rides, all ages. 2- to 4-hr. guided rides in beautiful Alabama mountains. Camping, picnics, parties, day camps, lay-ups for traveling horsemen. [More] [Add to My Vacation] 5 Rivers: Alabama's Delta Resource Center (Spanish Fort) – Features exhibit hall, theater, Delta boat tours, canoe, and kayak rentals, hiking trails, picnic area. Special events weekeds and after- hours recreational opportunities. [More] [Add to My Vacation] About Time Antiques (Anniston) – Beautiful, well-lighted, spacious 13,000 sq. ft. building full of antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Friendly staff. Lay-a-ways available. Located in historic downtown Anniston. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Across the Pond (Huntsville) – A huge selection of fine staturey, planters and water features including fish and ponds and a store full of nature and wildlife items. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Action Outdoors Entertainment (Dauphin Island) – Join us for a relaxing nautical adventure aboard the "Duke". Choose from inshore fishing trips, lighthouse cruises, dolpin watch cruises or sunset cruises. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Adaptive Aquatics (Wilsonville) – Provide services fto physically disabled individuals in acquatics, including water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Admiral Raphael Semmes House (Mobile) – Raphael Semmes became Captain of the C.S.S., capturing 65 union vessels worth more than $6 million, until it was sunk on June 2, 1864. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Adventure Island (Orange Beach) – 18-hole mini-golf, go-karts, virtual reality roller coaster car, Kiddie Go-Karts, bumper boats, 100 game arcade. Kid rides, frog hopper & more. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Adventure Sports, Inc. (Auburn) – Backpacking, camping and scuba gear. Scuba guides, classes. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Adventureland Theme Park (Dothan) – Mad Max Roller Coaster, Jungle Golf, adult & kiddie go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, arcade, Basketball, snack bar, rocking chairs. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Air Alabama (Birmingham) – Only hot air ballooning company in Birmingham area. Hot air balloon passenger flights, aerial advertising, hot air balloons for special occasions, hot air balloon pilot training. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Airboat Tours (Spanish Fort) – Canoe, kayak, powerboat, airboat on Old Mobile Bay Causeway (U.S. 90/98). Excursions into Mobile-Tensaw River delta, Mobile Bay. Diverse wildlife, lush wetland, knowledgeable guides. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Al Holmes Wildlife Museum (Wetumpka) – Lions, tigers, sharks, other exotic animals displayed in natural habitats, plus touch-and-feel exhibits. White-tailed and sika deer, foxes, skunks, more. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Adventure (Birmingham) – Two parks consisting of more than 100 acres of rides, shows and attractions. Located I-20/59W at Exit 110-Bessemer. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Artists Gallery (Montgomery) – Art and artists of Alabama. Approximately 7 exhibitions per year in all media, including fellowship recipients and special theme exhibitions. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Civil Rights Freedom Farm Museum (Mantua) – Shotgun houses depicting low-income Black life 1930s–1960s. Houses named for Civil Rights pioneers, including Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy. Memorabilia. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Constitution Village (Huntsville) – Costumed guides lead tour of working village (1805–1819). Cabinetmaker’s shop, print shop, confectionary shop, library, post office. Commemorates 1819 Constitutional Convention site. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Cruises (Mobile) – The Southern Belle, located at beautiful Bellingrath Gardens, is a 150 passenger vessel offering sightseeing cruises, public dinner cruises, and private charters. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Department of Archives & History (Montgomery) – Oldest state-funded archives in U.S. Private historical records, family genealogy. Alabama Indian, 19th-century, military, Civil Rights exhibits. Grandma's Attic for children. [More] [Add to My Vacation] ALABAMA Fan Club and Museum (Fort Payne) – Headquarters to country music group ALABAMA. Visitors from around the world learn about their favorite group. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (Gulf Shores) – Explore natural habitats of more than 250 animals. Elevated viewing decks offer viewing of everything from alligators to giraffes. Reptile house, aviary, petting zoo, gift shop. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Historical Radio Museum (Birmingham) – Fascinating collection of old radios, photographs and other memorabilia. Also wall-mounted story boards which present step-by-step technical development of radio. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Hunting and Fishing Trail (Tuscaloosa) – Some of best hunting and fishing opportunities in U.S. Bird watching, hiking trails, state parks. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (Talladega) – Country’s most comprehensive education/rehabilitation program for deaf and blind. Campus buildings notably restored include Manning Hall (1850), Jemison House (1898) and Grace Hall (1878). [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (Birmingham) – Tribute to jazz greats with ties to Alabama. Lionel Hampton, Erskine Hawkins, Sun Ra, more. Visitors taken from beginning of jazz to present day. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Judicial Building/Supreme Court & State Law Library (Montgomery) – Home of Alabama's appellate courts, Supreme Court Library, Administrative Office of Courts. Learn about Alabama judicial system and building's architectural features. [More] [Add to My Vacation] Alabama Market (Governor's Mansion Gift Shop) (Montgomery) – All proceeds go to Alabama Executive Mansion Foundation for upkeep of building. Exclusive T-shirt designs. Students receive special gift from governor and first lady. [More] [Add to My Vacation]

Something magic happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The moment you arrive, the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping the shore or the smell of coconut oil. Perhaps it's our white sand beach and sparkling emerald water. Suddenly building sandcastles moves to the top of your "to-do" list. You remember just how much fun your spouse is. You find yourself laughing at your son's "knock-knock" joke, even though you've heard it a zillion times. You linger over a succulent, fresh seafood dinner where nobody rushes to get away from the table. A great getaway is closer than you think. A visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of our championship golf courses. Cast your line for deep-sea adventure on a charter fishing trip. Travel back in history with a visit to Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Commune with Mother Nature as you hike through one of our Alabama wildlife areas and gaze at gators and shorebirds. Whether vacationing with family, escaping with the one you love, attending an annual convention or corporate retreat, you can choose from national hotel and motel chains, top-notch condominiums or a variety of beach house rentals. Gulf Shores - Orange Beach is a place where you can slow down, let loose, rediscover yourself and savor your loved ones. It's Alabama's Gulf Coast and it will cast its spell over you. Looking for a great seafood dive, directions to Fort Morgan or just a friendly "Hey y'all" while you check your e-mail? Make us your first stop on the Alabama Gulf Coast. We are the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official source of vacation information for the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan area. Of course, you can also order our vacation guide online. The CVB operates two Welcome Centers where visitors can pick up information on local attractions and events, not to mention helpful tips and directions from our Hospitality and Information experts. Locations The Gulf Shores center is located on Highway 59 (3150 Gulf Shores Pkwy) just north of the Intracoastal Waterway and across from The Track. The Orange Beach center (23685 Perdido Beach Blvd) can be found on Highway 182 East about ¼ mile west of Ruby Tuesday. (Look for the bright green roof. You absolutely can't miss it.) Stay in touch from our two computer terminals located at the Orange Beach office. Both locations offer free wireless Internet service. Hours During the summer season, (Memorial Day through Labor Day) the Welcome Centers are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. After Labor Day, hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every day. They are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.