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Enjoy the Best of Alabama

picture and sandalsI grew up in North Florida, very close to the Alabama state line. Many people in south and central Florida refer to the panhandle as L.A., as in lower Alabama. In fact the part of the state we live in now has tried to disown us panhandle people more times than once. And I admit that the panhandle is much more like Alabama than Florida.

Since I grew up so close to the state line, I got to travel Alabama quite a bit as a kid, doing road trips and visiting relatives. It’s a beautiful state with tonsof history and so much to see. Many of Alabama’s best kept secrets are things you would never guess too.

sandwich

For instance, most people don’t associate Alabama with great BBQ. But let em tell you, the best BBQ I’ve ever had was in south Alabama. The recipes I create now for slow smoked ribs and pulled pork are based on the BBQ I grew up with in south Alabama and north Florida. In fact, Alabama was named as the “Most BBQ Crazed State in the US” in 2014, according to Estately.com

The smoke is delicate. The sauce is a perfect marriage of tomato, vinegar, brown sugar and spice. There’s nothing that overpowers in Bama BBQ. It’s the best of the best. Every flavor subtle and playing off each other. There’s even a new app called Alabama BBQ Trail that just launched in February so you can find the best BBQ.

The Masters of Alabama BBQ exhibit will also tour BBQ festivals and other major food events throughout 2015 so you can learn more. There’s even a Documentary film called “Q – Alabama’s Barbecue Legends” that will debut at film and BBQ festivals in 2015.

There’s so many wonderful restaurants you can visit while you’re in Alabama. When we want to find new restaurants, I love to just check them out on Yelp. People on there are so honest and can give you a great idea of how a restaurant is before you ever step a foot in the door.

ocean picture

Another thing most people don’t think about is Alabama’s beautiful beaches. Alabama has quite a large coastline on the gulfcoast, home to the whitest sand, and most beautiful water. And on those beaches, you can find some amazing beachside seafood restaurants so you can taste the best the gulf has to offer.

Alabama also has many state parks, most of which we’ve been too. There all so amazing, and a great way to experience Alabama’s natural beauty. You can hike, camp, fish, and participate in all other kids of outdoor activities.

cave picture

And let’s not forget about Taladaga. Even if your not into NASCAR, everyone has to experience a race just once. It’s a completely different experience in person. There’s no way to explain the excitement, you just have to go.

Alabama has such a rich history too. It makes a wonderful trip with the kids to learn all about civil rights history, as well as native American history, and farming history.

I think everyone should plan a road trip to Alabama, if at least to try that wonderful BBQ. There’s so much to do, and I’ve only touched on a few things. There’s so many cities to visit from friendly little towns where everyone knows everyone else to big metropolitan cities like Birmingham.

Be sure to check out the travel applications below to help plan your next road trip to the beautiful state of Alabama.

Be sure to also visit the links below for more information on how to plan your Alabama getaway:
Alabama Road Trips

Alabama BBQ

Alabama Food

Civil Rights Destinations

alabama pictureI grew up in North Florida, very close to the Alabama state line. Many people in south and central Florida refer to the panhandle as L.A., as in lower Alabama. In fact the part of the state we live in now has tried to disown us panhandle people more times than once. And I admit that the panhandle is much more like Alabama than Florida.

Since I grew up so close to the state line, I got to travel Alabama quite a bit as a kid, doing road trips and visiting relatives. It’s a beautiful state with tons of history and so much to see. Many of Alabama’s best kept secrets are things you would never guess too.

pulled pork sandwich image

For instance, most people don’t associate Alabama with great BBQ. But let em tell you, the best BBQ I’ve ever had was in south Alabama. The recipes I create now for slow smoked ribs and pulled pork are based on the BBQ I grew up with in south Alabama and north Florida. In fact, Alabama was named as the “Most BBQ Crazed State in the US” in 2014, according to Estately.com

The smoke is delicate. The sauce is a perfect marriage of tomato, vinegar, brown sugar and spice. There’s nothing that overpowers in Bama BBQ. It’s the best of the best. Every flavor subtle and playing off each other. There’s even a new app called Alabama BBQ Trail that just launched in February so you can find the best BBQ.

The Masters of Alabama BBQ exhibit will also tour BBQ festivals and other major food events throughout 2015 so you can learn more. There’s even a Documentary film called “Q – Alabama’s Barbecue Legends” that will debut at film and BBQ festivals in 2015.

There’s so many wonderful restaurants you can visit while you’re in Alabama. When we want to find new restaurants, I love to just check them out on Yelp. People on there are so honest and can give you a great idea of how a restaurant is before you ever step a foot in the door.

ocean image with goggles and towel

Another thing most people don’t think about is Alabama’s beautiful beaches. Alabama has quite a large coastline on the gulf coast, home to the whitest sand, and most beautiful water. And on those beaches, you can find some amazing beach side seafood restaurants so you can taste the best the gulf has to offer.

Alabama also has many state parks, most of which we’ve been too. There all so amazing, and a great way to experience Alabama’s natural beauty. You can hike, camp, fish, and participate in all other kids of outdoor activities.

image of people in cave with flashlight

And let’s not forget about Taladaga. Even if your not into NASCAR, everyone has to experience a race just once. It’s a completely different experience in person. There’s no way to explain the excitement, you just have to go.

Alabama has such a rich history too. It makes a wonderful trip with the kids to learn all about civil rights history, as well as native American history, and farming history.

I think everyone should plan a road trip to Alabama, if at least to try that wonderful BBQ. There’s so much to do, and I’ve only touched on a few things. There’s so many cities to visit from friendly little towns where everyone knows everyone else to big metropolitan cities like Birmingham.

Be sure to check out the travel applications below to help plan your next road trip to the beautiful state of Alabama.

Road Trip AppBBQ Apphref=”http://alabama.travel/100-dishes-app”>100 Dishes Apphref=”http://alabama.travel/civil-rights-app”>Civil Rights App

Be sure to also visit the links below for more information:

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Alabama Tourism. The opinions and text are all mine.

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