Culture

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens Wander through the Victorian-era home and gardens; schedule a visit to the beautifully restored Tea Room. 331 Cotton Ave. SW, Birmingham, AL; +1 205 780 5656. Fee.

Ave Maria Grotto Wonder at 125 replicas of the world's most famous buildings reproduced in miniature; wander past models of St. Peter's Basilica, the city of Jerusalem, and the Roman Coliseum, all built by a Benedictine monk who used photographs and postcards for reference. 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman, AL; +1 256 734 4110. Fee.

Bellingrath Home & Gardens Take a walking tour of the mansion and gardens; float on a paddleboat along the Fowl River to learn about the property's wildlife and Civil War history. 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore, AL; +1 800 247 8420. Fee.

Birmingham Museum of Art Explore more than 21,000 artworks from five continents; amble through the multitiered sculpture garden; view Native American textiles and a brilliant collection of blown glass. 2000 Eighth Ave. North, Birmingham, AL; +1 205 254 2566.

Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Examine 18 rooms of antebellum-era furnishings; wander through the extensive grounds; watch out for spirits&8212;the mansion's tour guides tell tales of seeing ghosts. 1906 Springhill Ave., Mobile, AL; +1 251 471 6364. Fee.

Burritt on the Mountain—A Living Museum Tour the 1936 mansion on Round Top Mountain, overlooking Huntsville; check out exhibits on the history and environment of the region; explore the meticulously restored historic buildings; learn a new trade from a costumed interpreter; hike the trails past coalmines and limestone formations. 3101 Burritt Dr. Huntsville, AL; 256 536 2882. Fee.

Children's Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa Make shell necklaces in an Indian village; play dress-up in Grandmother's Attic; crawl through a beaver lodge or inside a kaleidoscope; steer a ship from the wheelhouse of a towboat. 2213 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL; +1 205 349 4235. Fee.

Civil Rights Memorial Center Honor those lost in the struggle for Civil Rights at the Maya Lin-designed granite memorial; learn more about the Civil Rights movement; pledge your own commitment to social justice at the Center's interactive Wall of Justice. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL; +1 334 956 8439. Fee.

Flea Market Mobile Visit the Gulf Coast's largest flea market, with over 800 vendors. 401 Schillinger Rd. North, Mobile, AL; +1 251 633 7533.

Ivy Green Discover Helen Keller's birthplace and childhood home; touch the well-pump that helped Keller learn to communicate; peruse her personal effects and complete Braille library. 300 West North Commons, Tuscumbia, AL; +1 256 383 4066. Fee.

Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery Pay your respects to beloved pets at the only coon dog cemetery in the world; reread Where the Red Fern Grows for a reminder of the affection hunters feel for their dogs. Seven miles west of Tuscumbia on U.S. Hwy 72, Colbert County, AL; +1 800 344 0783.

Mobile Carnival Museum Celebrate Mardi Gras year-round in the city that introduced the event to the U.S.; marvel at the ornate headdresses, costumes, and crowns that line the walls of the restored 1870s town house; cheer alongside a life-size parade float. 355 Government St., Mobile, AL; +1 251 432 3324. Fee.

Moundville Archaeological Park Discover prehistoric dwellings and traditional Native American burial grounds; hike a woodlands nature trail; explore the museum's artifacts excavated from the site. 1028 South Court St., Florence, AL; +1 205 371 2234. Fee.

Museum of Mobile "Try on" the past in the Discovery Room, where young children can wear period costumes; check out furniture, antiques, and artifacts from 300 years of Mobile's history. 111 South Royal St., Mobile, AL; +1 251 208 7569. Fee.

Oakleigh House Museum Visit the city's official antebellum property and see an impressive collection of portraits, toys, silver, china, and jewelry from the 19th century. 350 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, AL; +1 334 432 1281. Fee.

Old Alabama Town Roam six blocks of authentically restored 19th- and 20th-century structures; interact with interpreters in period costume practicing crafts typical of the period; explore the "smithy's" forge, the cotton gin, and the gristmill to get a taste of how Central Alabama worked 100 years ago. 301 Columbus St., Montgomery, AL; 334 240 4500. Fee.

Richards-DAR House Museum Tour the 1860 town house filled will antique furnishings and toys; sample cookies and tea courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 256 N. Joachim St., Mobile, AL; +1 251 208 7320. Fee.

Vulcan Park and Vulcan Center Museum Stand ankle-high alongside a replica of what is claimed to be the world's largest cast-iron statue in the park's museum; picnic on the hills overlooking Birmingham; snag a backpack filled with activities and scavenger hunt clues. 1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham, AL; +1 205 933 1409. Fee.