I am looking for a great spot to visit but have never been to this state so really don't know where to focus. Was thinking of either city. Any sugestions which one. I will only have one day as I am travelling to Mississippi.I am interested in Historic districts.Was wondering if anyone has been to either city or has any other suggestions.

Neither. If you like history, go to Montgomery, the capital. Also Selma, which is west of Montgomery.

Alabama and Mississippi are both pretty large states. Where in MS are you going? If you're in northern MS, you don't want to drive half a day to Mobile and drive back; and vice versa.

I am traveling from new jersey going to being going thru Tenn around knoxville area then into Alabama going all the way thru the state to long beach mississippi near biloxi. I am looking for an interesting stop on way thur alabama.

You'll pass through B'ham, Montgomery and Mobile. You can stop in Montgomery, and if you have time, go west to Selma before heading back South to rejoin I-65. In Mobile, there's USS Alabama.

I went to Birmingham this summer and it was absolutely lovely. I can hardly wait to go back. The city is rich with history, albeit some unpleasant given the civil rights struggles. A walk through downtown was fascinating. We stayed at the Tutweiler Hotel (sp?) and it was just fabulous and affordable. It was a short walk to the civil rights museum and a jazz museum from the hotel. The historic black business district is nearby, as well, where you can get some great, inexpensive food. But the main reason we picked Birmingham as a destination on the drive to DC from New Orleans was for the Highlands Bar and Grill. Frank Stitt, author of The Southern Table, opened his restaurant there and helped revitalize the neighborhood. The food is a bit expensive but is the BEST food I've ever had -- including the fancy spots in New York and DC. You can check out the menu online at highlandsbarandgrill.com. Alabama really was the prettiest state. Mississippi was a little sad because of the incredible poverty, but really pretty and the people were really nice.
Have a great trip

If you are coming from NJ you may be coming via Atlanta and you would have to go out of your way to B'ham(I-85 Atl to Mont.) Atl to Mont is 2.5 to 3hrs and the same for Mont to Mob. Mob to Long Beach is 1.5hrs. Ocean Springs Ms is still a viable little town about an hour out of Mob on your way to LB

Nevermind! Just saw the Tenn. part of you posts!!!

Just south of B'ham (Pelham)is a state park called "Oak Mountain State Park" they have cabins you can rent that are really nice (now that the hurricane victims are out of them, maybe you can get one) But the state park is really, really beautiful.

Yes there is some history in Montgomery but it is also the only state capital that I have been in that is essentially 'boarded up'. Mobile is the best of the lot, Birmingham is OK. I wouldn't go out of my way for any of them though. In Mississippi (though out of your way) both Jackson & Natchez are worth a trip.