[PortCity]

Any one from the Mobile area will tell you that we have visitors that stay the whole Mardi Gra season. During the two week Mardi Gra celebration you will see hundreds of RVs all around the downtown vacinity(Hank Aaron Loop). I can`t speak for any other city in city in Alabama but I know atleast once a year we have visitors that celebrate with us for two weeks.

Alabama`s Beaches: Jersey,Virgina,Soth Carolina, and even California don`t have the beuty that Alabama`s beaches have.


Alabama has a lot to offer for tourist attarctions but this state is in the shadows of it`s racial past. For some reason people can not see past that and people like that are blinded by a cognitive haze. In Louisiana there was an problem a city called Gena, and there was also a murder that was done by the KKK almost a year agon in La. There was a black man who was draged by a truck down the interstate in Texas during the late 90`s or early 2000`s. There have been a couple of murders in Florida that were caused by racial conflict.I saw more assaults in the 90`s in the state of Pennsylvania than any other state during that time. Pennsylvania was having a lot of problems due to racial conflict. The states that were mentioned are never thought of in such a way. The congitive haze is only over Alabama and Lousiana(a great state) has more problems to me.

[wisconsin woman]

Originally Posted by collegestudentfromalabama

There was a time when Alabama was the subject of legends; now it may only be left to the redneck jokes. Why isn't Alabama a tourist attraction by now? Counting its unique cultures and traditions and its historical significance, we may be able to see that there's a lot more to this state than meets the eye. In my opinion, this state shouldn't be remembered only for racism. There is good and bad here, like everywhere. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Im one who would love to see Alabama. Though in my day of doing long-haul we passed through a few times but to really stop in and check stuff out is something Id really enjoy. I love deep south, and my experiences in TX and OK have all been very pleasant.

[Croye22]

Alabama may not have as much as other states, but it does have places. Birmingham has several places to visit and things to do.

Plus, Alabama has good food. If anything, the food is worth it.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by aaron4040

Say it with me - "I'm vacationing in Alabama."
Sounds like "I'm vacationing in Iowa." Other than space camp, there aren't a lot of things that you can't find in most other areas in the country. There has to be something unique that folks are coming to see, and there isn't much of that in Alabama. The areas I've seen are nice, but nothing special.

Have you been to Baldwin County lately?

[SouthernBoy205]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

<sigh> You do know that "black belt" refers to the SOIL, not the ethnicity of the people, right?

Do a satellite view on Google maps and you will see an odd crescent formation in Alabama (around Tuscaloosa) curving northwest into Mississippi. THAT is the black belt. However, the other interpretation is humorous to those of us who figured it out...

Thank YOU! We know! We're from the Black Belt! People just make it seem that way because that is where the bulk of the blacks live!

[SouthernBoy205]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I'm satisfied with the current amount of tourists along the gulf coast, I don't see the need for many more.

Prime example of way Alabama ain't gone grow! Don't nobody want to see change! This is why we always get talked about because we are so backwards! We don't want to see nothing. I'm not satisfied with Alabama's current state. Whoever is needs to be shame because if Alabama was to be compared to other states of its size, it will be put to shame because Alabama almost lacks in every category due to its people who don't want to see CHANGE!

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

Prime example of way Alabama ain't gone grow! Don't nobody want to see change! This is why we always get talked about because we are so backwards! We don't want to see nothing. I'm not satisfied with Alabama's current state. Whoever is needs to be shame because if Alabama was to be compared to other states of its size, it will be put to shame because Alabama almost lacks in every category due to its people who don't want to see CHANGE!

We get our fair share of tourists down here, just come to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach during spring break or summer if you don't believe me. Our beaches are nearly filled to capacity with high-rise condos and there's only so much room for more development. If wanting see a little bit of our environment saved and a slower pace of life is "backwards" then I'm proud to be backwards. A relaxed vacation is why our current tourists choose to come here in the first place (except maybe spring breakers).

As far the Black Belt is concerned, there's just not much there to see unless you like hunting. What do you expect people to come to the Black Belt to see?

[Dusty Rhodes]

Why isn't Alabama a Tourist Attraction by Now?

I really don't mean to be offensive, but, a lot of people from my generation remember Alabama as the last bastion of cro-magnon thinking. Selma does come to mind a lot. Why would we visit where friends were clubbed or killed?

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

Why isn't Alabama a Tourist Attraction by Now?

I really don't mean to be offensive, but, a lot of people from my generation remember Alabama as the last bastion of cro-magnon thinking. Selma does come to mind a lot. Why would we visit where friends were clubbed or killed?

Why do American tourists visit Germany? Shouldn't visitors be focused on the atrocities of the past? How dare they drink a beer at the Hofbrauhaus when millions of Jews were tortured and killed just 60-70 years earlier? It is because it is the past. We should acknowledge the past but also move on and look toward the future.

I live in North Alabama and I've thought of when my daughters are a little older and can appreciate it, I want to take them on a civil rights tour. It was a pivotal era of American history. I think you can do that to honor those that fought the system and celebrate how far we've come as a country and state.

[aaron4040]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Have you been to Baldwin County lately?

A few years ago, and it was quite nice. My quote you pulled has been misinterpreted and may have been a poor example on my part. Let me try to clarify. I wasn't trying to compare the two states apples to apples, just give an example of what people think when you tell them you're going to Alabama. Think about it - when someone says they're going on vacation, I think about the Rockies, Hawaii, Las Vegas, NYC, South Florida, the Caribbean, NC's Outer Banks, etc. The Alabama gulf coast is great, but I wouldn't think to go there on my own. The only reason we were there was because of family. There are nice areas and things to do, but there are nice places and things to do all over the country. Maybe it's marketing? Maybe I wasn't going to the right places? I don't know, but either way things that you have that are truly outstanding need to be marketed better.
A lot of people have mentioned the old stereotype about the state, and the region as a whole. That unfortunately is the national impression, correct or not. Everyone I've spoken with about my vacation gave me a look of confusion. I have to clear up their misconceptions, and tell them that it isn't what they're expecting. Alabama is a nice place. That's not a bad thing. I'm really not trying to offend anyone, just give my impression of the area.