Alabama Front Porches: The official website for Alabama's Black Belt

A Tour of Wilcox County’s Arts and Culture

Gee’s Bend The Quilt Collection here is the headquarters of the internationally famous Gee’s Bend quilters – they have shown their quilts as art in museums around the world. ($$) Meet the quilters to hear them tell their inspiring stories and a mini co …

Driving Tour of Demopolis

Demopolis is located at the confluence of the Tombigbee River and Black Warrior River atop a chalk cliff, known locally as White Bluff. The settlement was founded and named by a group of political exiles who had been banished from France following the …

Experience Alabama’s Haunted History in October

Experience Alabama’s Haunted History in October Ghost Trails, Storytelling and Haunted Sites Alabama’s haunted history comes to life in October with ghost trails, storytelling festivals, haunted trolley rides and ghost walks through historical neighbor …

Gainesville, Alabama Historic District

The town of Gainesville was incorporated in 1838. It grew rapidly as a commercial center and cotton shipping port on the Tombigbee River. As trains replaced steamboats in commercial transportation, the town’s lack of rail connections contributed to its …

Ghost Trail

The Ghosts of the Black Belt: visit any town in Alabama and you will most likely hear a local ghost story. You will hear stories of civil war soldiers, haunted riverboats, spectral visitors at university campuses and many tales of apparitions that either met an early or unwarranted death. Learn more about our ghost stories and watch video interviews and tales.

Lyon Hall

Lyon Hall is a  Greek Revival residence that was built from 1850 to 1853. The site is also available for rentals and is wheelchair accessible.

Marengo County Driving Tour: Architecture

Demopolis On March 3, 1817, Congress passed an Act which paved the way for the settling of Demopolis by a group of political exiles who had been banished from France by King Louis XVIII following the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte. The act granted fo …

Monroe County’s Piney Woods Driving Tour: Tour IV

Leave Courthouse Square on Hwy 21 South. Travel 4.1 miles to Hwy. 136 east. Turn left. Continue on 136 east 3.2 miles to Excel, home of Leroy Jordan, football great who played for the University of Alabama under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, and later for …

Oyster Ridge

Oyster Ridge offers 1,600 acres of outdoor paradise located in the heart of the Black Belt. Today, there are 1,300 acres of loblolly and longleaf pine trees. The rest of the acreage is for foodplots for deer and grain fields for dove, turkey, and quail …

Perry County: From the Classroom to the Farm

photo courtesy of Rural Southwest Alabama Tour Judson College – a historic women’s college: Notable buildings on campus include A. Howard Bean Hall, a Carnegie library which now houses the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame as well as classrooms. Alabama Wom …

Road Trips

My locationGet Directions A Painted HouseLocated in Monroe County | What you’ll find: Shopping A Painted House sells antiques, collectibles, home decor, art, and more! A Tour of Wilcox County’s Arts and CultureLocated in Wilcox County | What you’ …

Robert’s Cabin

In the early 1860s, Thomas Henry Roberts built this log cabin at Mount Hope in east Wilcox County using yellow pine logs from his property. The logs are hand-hewn, dovetailed and double mortised, and the corners reinforced with wooden pegs. The front p …

Soggy Bottom Lodge

Soggy Bottom Lodge is ready to host you, your family or friends, and even corporate events. Everything is first-class and top of the line with the most luxurious accommodations available. Our goal is for you and your party to have the most memorable ti …

The Culinary Trail of Southwest Alabama

Please Note: Some locations listed below are only open for group tours. Call Ahead. From pork chops and fried okra to shrimp and grits, you’ll find food you’ll fall in love with! Food is creativity for rural  southerners. The raw ingredients are there …

The Green Street District

Take a walk through Marion’s history. The accompanying map (see below) and  details guide you through the West Marion Historic District. Be sure to explore all the historic districts in Marion: Marion Courthouse Square, Green Street, West Marion, and J …

The Jordan House

The Jordan House is a historic farmhouse that serves as a bed and breakfast and is located in the heart of Chatom, Alabama.

The Red Hills: Touring Monroe County

This north Monroe County tour takes you through several picturesque villages and the Rikard’s Mill History Park. Leave Monroeville on State Highway 21 North. As you leave Courthouse Square on State Highway 21 North, note the turn- of-the-century homes …

Weekend Getaway to the Black Belt

Looking for a new place to explore? Visit one of the oldest and most historic parts of Alabama: the Black Belt of Southwest Alabama. There’s much to see and do–and it is close enough to make the trip with less than a tank of gas. Here’s a simple, one, …

Western Marion Historic District: An In-depth Exploration

In 1817, when the US government officially incorporated Alabama Territory, settlers flooded into this region, drawn by its forested hills, prairie grasslands, and rich Black Belt soil. They brought with them skills, values, and cultural institutions—in …

Wind Creek Casino & Hotel

This modern casino hotel and entertainment center is 0.8 miles from I-65 and 6 miles from downtown Atmore. Contemporary rooms come with 42″ flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers and fridges, plus free WiFi. Hypoallergenic rooms are available. There’s a 50,000- …