Little River Canyon 23 Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Fort Payne in the fall is so stunning. (The Bama Buzz)

The summer travel season is officially on the wind-down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore historic, unique and charming small towns all across the state.

We’re bringing you six of our favorites to start, but a part two is never out of the question.

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Fairhope | Baldwin Co.

Fairhope Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Is downtown Fairhope not the dreamiest thing? (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

Founded as a “single tax” colony all the way back in 1908, the founders of Fairhope marched to the beat of their own drum—something Fairhopians today still do.

The artist’s enclave on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay (also just called the Eastern Shore) is home to a lively, walkable downtown area full of local businesses, Southern-inspired boutiques, artisanal cooking ingredients and more.

Fhope Pier 2 Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Fairhope Pier over Mobile Bay. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

Fairhope also makes great use of its waterfront areas. Take a stroll down Fairhope Pier and catch a sunset over the sparkling bay or mozy your way along the blufftops and see a view you can’t get anywhere else—even from the other side of the bay.

Planning a trip to Fairhope soon? Check out these stories:

Mentone | DeKalb Co.

Mentone, Mountain Towns, Dekalb County — Looks like a great place to ponder life. (The Bama Buzz)

Mentone is a mountaintop hamlet with a population of around 300 people. But there’s no shortage of positively stunning views, babbling streams and interesting history.

The natural mineral spring that runs through the town is said to have magical healing properties, which is why a resort was built there in the 1880s, to get folks closer to that magical healing water.

Its claim to fame these days is hosting the one and only ski resort in the state. Oh, and the nationally-renowned Wildflower Cafè.

Heading to the mountains soon? You’ll want to read these first:

Magnolia Springs | Baldwin Co.

If you frequent Alabama’s beaches, you’ve likely driven right past Magnolia Springs without even noticing it. Well, I’m here to tell you to turn that car around and go see this sleepy little idyllic town.

The “town center” consists of three buildings—a restaurant, a church and a community center—all situated well within walking distance of one another. Oak canopies drench streets in much-needed shade, and mail is delivered here by boat (the only place in the contiguous U.S.!).

You’ll want to stop at Jesse’s Restaurant for a bite—they’re known as the “best-kept secret in the South.”

Visiting Magnolia Springs soon? Check out these highlights:

Athens | Limestone Co.

Dsc02507 Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Downtown Athens (McCarley Northway / The Bama Buzz)

Athens has quite a few feathers in its cap—it’s the hometown of three governors, hosts the oldest higher education institution in the state and is home to the first nuclear power plant in the state.

Founded just a year before Alabama joined the Union in 1818, Athens was a longtime agricultural community before and after the Civil War. The war-torn area bounced back by diversifying its economy after the war and embracing the railroad as a driver for prosperity.

Nowadays, Athens is known for being a great weekend respite spot for tired aerospace engineers from neighboring Madison County—and for its adorable downtown area, The Square.

Headed to Athens soon? Read these first:

Fort Payne | DeKalb Co.

Little River Canyon 4 Scaled Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Who doesn’t love a good waterfall? (The Bama Buzz)

Known as the “sock capital of the world”, Fort Payne is easily one of the most picturesque towns in the state. Rich, natural iron deposits made the area a hotspot for industry in the late 19th century. When those dried up and were no longer profitable, a garment production facility filled the role, reinvigorating an economy that had all but collapsed.

Today, the area is known for the truly stunning DeSoto State Park. From a waterfall to challenging rock climbing routes, the park is home to wonders for every nature enthusiast.

Check out some previous stories on Fort Payne before heading to the mountains:

Tuscumbia | Colbert Co.

A695Fc11 A897 407F 9767 785628A1A095 1 105 C E1715355781240 Alabama, Athens, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Magnolia Springs, Mentone, Tuscumbia — Downtown Tuscumbia, AL (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

Want to step into a bit of U.S. history? Pay a visit to Helen Keller’s hometown, Tuscumbia. It was in this Shoals-area town that Keller’s tutor, Anne Sullivan taught the blind and deaf woman to communicate—an event so monumental, the town still hosts a yearly festival, including live performances of “The Miracle Worker,” a play written about Sullian’s time with Keller.

The town is home to quite a bit of preserved history—it’s believed to have the largest concentration of still-standing historic, middle-class homes in the state.

Between the historic homes and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame—you’re sure to find a thread of history you’ll want to explore in Tuscumbia.

Check out these stories on Tuscumbia before planning your trip:

Which small town in Alabama do you think is the most charming? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Psst—if you subscribe to our FREE newsletter, we’ll bring more like this right to your inbox.