Dothan Alabama has earned the distinction as the "Peanut Capital of the World," which is due largely to the fact that the city has hosted the National Peanut Festival since 1938. Another reason for the adage has to do with the fact that almost half of all the peanuts that the United States produces are grown in the general area. While peanuts are a main industry here, cotton is rebounding, and the city is also adding new retail centers to its list of attractions. Shopping is just one option when it comes to things to do in Dothan, and if you like museums, there are a few here that you will want to add to the itinerary. There's definitely a lot to see and do here, and if you can, it's recommended that you visit when one of the annual Dothan events is in full swing.

While peanuts take center stage at Dothan's famous National Peanut Festival, visitors will find that this event includes a lot more than just celebrating the year's harvest. Beauty pageants, agricultural displays, and an arts and crafts show are just some of the other things that the festival features. There are also amusement rides that you can enjoy, not to mention various contests, and when you get hungry, plenty of food vendors stand ready to satisfy your cravings. Held at the Dothan Alabama Fairgrounds, the National Peanut Festival takes place in the Fall, with late October and early November seeing the bulk of the festivities. If you can't arrange your Dothan travel plans to coincide with the National Peanut Festival, there are other annual events that might pique your interest. In early July, the Press Thornton Future Masters Golf Tournament is in full swing. This junior event is one of the main competitions in the country when it comes to the Junior Grand Slam of Golf, and it is held at the Dothan Country Club. Another one of the main Dothan events that deserves consideration is the annual Tri-State Barbecue Festival, which brings in competitors from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Cash prizes are awarded to those who take top honors, and while this event is relatively young, it is gaining in popularity with every passing year.

Even when there are no special events going on, visitors will still find plenty of interesting things to do in Dothan. While watching others play at the Junior Grand Slam of Golf is ideal for some, others will be wondering where they can tee it up when in town. Hailed as the seventh best public golf course in the country by Golf Digest, the Highland Oaks Golf Course is a world-class destination that offers 36 holes that are both fun and challenging. Helping the course to earn distinction is the fact that it pertains to Alabama's famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Another one of the top Dothan Alabama attractions is the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens. Open daily, the Botanical Gardens features a paved trail that you can stroll along while you take in the camellias, the azaleas, and the roses. If the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens interest you, you might also enjoy a trip to Maria's Vineyard, where you can stroll through more beautiful gardens. Visit Maria's Vineyard between the months of August and October, and you'll even get the chance to pick your own grapes off of the grapevines. Tours of the vineyard's main house are offered, and admission is free, so it's hard to leave this one off of the itinerary.

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While touring gardens and launching golf balls are among the top Dothan travel pursuits, so too is exploring the lovely downtown area. Interestingly enough, Dothan boasts the "World's Smallest City Block," and it's surely a curious attraction that you won't want to miss. While downtown, you will also want to check out the various Wiregrass Murals, which grace some of the city's main buildings. Painted by acclaimed artists, these intriguing murals depict the region's history. You can arrange a guided tour to learn more about these murals at the visitor's center. While you're at the Dothan Alabama visitor's center, you can also check out the Peanut Monument, which is a large sculpture that honors the area's main crop. As mentioned, Dothan is home to some interesting museums, and once you've explored the downtown area, you might head to one or more to check out the exhibits. Fans of flight who are looking for things to do in Dothan can always plan a visit to the US Army Aviation Museum, which is home to one the world's largest collections of helicopters. For those who want to learn more about agriculture, the Landmark Park Agricultural Museum and Starlab Planetarium is sure to please.

Dothan travel unveils numerous delights, and while there's a lot going on here, the city manages to maintain a laid-back Southern appeal that will have you feeling relaxed and rested come time to leave. There are plenty of Dothan hotels to choose from, so book your stay at one today, and come see for yourself all that Dothan travel has to offer. You're only about an hour's drive away from the Gulf of Mexico when you visit Dothan, so you can always plan an escape to the coast and explore Alabama's beaches as well.