9 beautiful Alabama places where you can see spring in bloom
Our state has garnered the nickname “Alabama the beautiful,” and during spring, it’s not hard to see why.
With the season in full swing, the natural beauty of our state’s many botanical gardens, parks and more are on full display. So whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy the beautiful spring weather by relaxing beneath a canopy of trees, strolling through rows and rows of colorful blooms or getting active with a hike or kayaking through some picturesque scenery, Alabama has you covered.
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In fact, the hardest part might be choosing your destination, and with that in mind, we wanted to spotlight some of the many beautiful places in Alabama where you can see spring in bloom and more.
Mums hanging at the entry way to the Rose Garden at Bellingrath Gardens & Home in Theodore, Alabama.(Al.com file photo/Kate Mercer)
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road in Theodore
Bellingrath Gardens and Home, which sits on 65 acres in Theodore and has been open to visitors looking to tour its pristine gardens and estate since 1932. While there, you can take a stroll through the gardens to see the azaleas and dozens of other blooming flowers on display during the spring before viewing the grand home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. Not to mention, Bellingrath is hosting the Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival now through June, which features 41 towering, handcrafted light sculptures you can see light up the gardens at night.
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Donald E. Davis Arboretum
181 Garden Drive in Auburn
Why should flowers — albeit beautiful, fragrant flowers — get all the glory every time spring rolls around? The Donald E. Davis Arboretum in Auburn has plenty of plants and flowers, including plenty of native azaleas and more that you can see through its spring bloom tours, among its 14 acres. The arboretum is also home to almost 900 trees — which you’ll be grateful for if you visit on one of those spring days that feel more like summer. You can take a variety of self-guided tours of the grounds, with brochures available at the Davis Arboretum Pavilion, or simply explore on your own. Either way, the arboretum is the perfect place to enjoy the greenery of spring from a shady spot.

The Cahaba lilies are shown in full bloom on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Photo by Jessica Garrison)Jessica Garrison
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Located in West Blocton
A visit to the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is always a good idea, but it’s especially worthwhile around this time of year, meaning May into June, when the Cahaba lilies bloom in the Cahaba River. After all, the star-shaped flowers up close attract visitors from across the Southeast every year. To see them, you can either take a guided canoe tour for an up close view or head for the hiking trails, including the Piper Trail, within the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge to get a glance from afar. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy spring’s beauty — whether it’s getting active with some kayaking and biking or just relaxing with a picnic — during your visit to the refuge as well.
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Huntsville Botanical Garden
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville
The Huntsville Botanical Garden is another one of our state’s must-see venues if you want to get outside and surround yourself with natural beauty. Throughout its 118 acres, the garden offers visitors the chance to enjoy everything from vibrant florals, including more than 3,000 azaleas, shady woodlands along the paths of the Cedar Glade, picturesque aquatic plants, like Victoria and water lilies, and so much more. Plus, it’s nearly peak butterfly season at the Purdy Butterfly House, and the garden’s newest permanent exhibit, the Mother Earth Troll Garden, designed by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo, is now on display.
Read more: Giant wooden troll and ‘living maze’ with hidden surprises arrive in Alabama

Cherry blossoms at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. (AL.com file photo/Mark Almond)
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2612 Lane Park Road in Birmingham
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open year-round and offers visitors a (free!) way to enjoy everything spring has to offer. From the Japanese Garden to the Dunn Formal Rose Garden, Kaul Wildflower Garden and more, you may have to make multiple trips just to see all the lush foliage and flowers growing throughout the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ 67 acres. Also, the gardens hosts a variety of events and programs, including book clubs, exercise classes, planting tutorials, guided walks, wine tastings and more, if you want to take your visit up to the next level.
Read more: See vintage photos of 1960s floral clock in Birmingham
Desoto State Park
7104 Desoto Parkway in Fort Payne
While any of Alabama’s state parks would be a good pick for seeing the state’s natural beauty firsthand, DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne has a little something extra to offer this time of year, thanks to the wildflowers in bloom. The park hosts a special event, filled with guided hikes and presentations, on the first weekend of May to help visitors learn more about the many species of blooming plants found on Lookout Mountain. Of course, you can also simply take a stroll down DeSoto’s Azalea Cascade Boardwalk or go on a hike of your own while there, too. Just be sure to grab one of the wildflower checklists at the nature center to ensure you don’t miss anything.

For nearly a decade, The Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park has been working to create a space in the center of the Capital City that allows visitors and locals alike to enjoy the area’s natural beauty without having to go far from home.Photo courtesy of Montgomery Botanical Garden
Montgomery Botanical Garden
1010 Forest Avenue in Montgomery
For nearly a decade, The Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park has been working to create a space in the center of the Capital City that allows visitors and locals alike to enjoy the area’s natural beauty without having to go far from home. While additional phases of the gardens are still in the works, there are currently plenty of colorful flowers, including azaleas, in bloom beneath the backdrop of the park’s many large trees, as well as its nature walk and meditation garden. You can also visit the nearby Gayle Planetarium, also located within Oak Park, while you’re there, and be on the lookout for special gardening classes held from time to time.
Dothan Area Botanical Gardens
5130 Headland Avenue in Dothan
The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens has a little bit of everything for everyone throughout its 50 acres of greenery. Whether you want to spend your day strolling through its many varieties of gardens, relax in a shady spot, picnic at its pavilion, explore the seasonal “Wings of Wonder” butterfly house or all of the above, you can do so right there in Alabama’s wiregrass. The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, which is open daily, also hosts special events throughout the year, including plant sales, art displays and special admission days where you can visit the gardens for free.

Whimsical sculptures by Frank Fleming can be found at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. (AL.com file photo/Beverly Taylor)
Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Road in Hoover
Aldridge Gardens in Hoover is another place where visitors can enjoy spring while surrounded by nature. With free admission and open daily, the gardens consist of more than 30 acres and are the former property of well-known horticulturist Eddie Aldridge. It features walking trails visitors can explore on their own through lush green spaces and gardens showcasing a variety of blooms, including the Snowflake Hydrangea that was patented by Aldridge and is the official flower of the city of Hoover. In addition, the gardens is also home to several works of art, which can be found throughout its grounds.
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