The Dothan center point is approximately the area of Wiregrass Museum of Art and the area of Downtown Dothan.
The best time to visit Dothan probably depends on what motivates your visit. The National Peanut Festival is Dothan's biggest event, so if you want to see it, there's no question you need to visit during November. Don't worry about the chill, because it won't be as cold as in some cities. Even when winter comes, Dothan enjoys average temperatures around 60 degrees. But it will get busy, so book your accommodations early and expect to pay a little more for them.
If you're more flexible with your itinerary, you'll probably enjoy Dothan in spring or fall. The weather is mostly pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the 60s during spring and 70s during fall. March is Dothan's wettest month, so make sure to pack your umbrella. Hurricanes can also disrupt travel plans from May to October.
Hurricanes aren't the only thing to worry about in the middle of the year. Unless you've spent a summer in Alabama, you probably can't fathom how hot and humid it will be. Temperatures regularly top 100 degrees. Add high humidity, and the days can be really unpleasant. Unless you need to be in Dothan during summer, delay your travel plans. If you must travel then, stay well hydrated and avoid being outdoors for too long.
Why spend more than you have to on your accommodations? Several Dothan hotels have discount programs that help certain travelers save on their vacations.
Several groups enjoy discount rates at Sleep Inn & Suites Dothan, including seniors and AARP members, AAA and CAA auto club members, military personnel, and federal and state government employees. It's one of Dothan's freshest looking hotels following recent renovations. The rooms are specially designed to help guests catch up on their sleep with calming earth-toned decor and plush bedding. When they awake, guests enjoy a free hot and cold breakfast buffet and freshly-baked cookies. An outdoor pool and fitness center can help you work off the calories if you overindulge.
AAA and CAA car club members, seniors 62 and older, and government and military personnel all enjoy discounts at Residence Inn by Marriott Dothan. This welcoming hotel encourages guests to enjoy a leisurely stay with suites designed to feel like a home away from home. Studio rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites cater to a variety of travelers. The guest rooms are tastefully decorated in neutrals with vibrant pops of color for a contemporary feel. They've all got king-sized beds and cable TVs showing premium channels like ESPN and HBO.
Your dollar will go further at the following Dothan hotels. These accommodations achieve the perfect balance between comfort and competitive prices.
Best Western Dothan Inn & Suites has several room configurations, including rooms with single queens and kings for couples and rooms with pairs of double and queen beds for friends and family groups. Each room is elegantly decorated with creature comforts you love, like TV sets, microwaves, and hairdryers. Swimming a few laps or simply enjoying a soak in the outdoor pool is the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Room prices also include unlimited Wi-Fi access and full buffet breakfasts each morning.
GuestHouse Inn Dothan is usually a little more affordable, but recent renovations mean it doesn't look as tired as many hotels in this price range. It's a charming hotel that has comfortable beds with pillowtop mattresses and cable TV sets with movie channels in all rooms. Linger over your complimentary continental breakfast while thumbing through your free daily newspaper. There's also an outdoor pool, perfect for cooling down during warm weather. It's the little things that make a stay at GuestHouse Inn Dothan so enjoyable.
You might be surprised how much there is to do in Dothan.
The National Peanut Festival is the city's biggest draw. The 10-day festival attracts thousands from all over southern Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and beyond each November. There are plenty of peanuts, of course, as well as fair rides and live music to keep crowds entertained.
The National Peanut Festival might be Dothan's biggest celebration, but it's far from the only event in the city. The Screen on the Green festival brings classic movies to an outdoor screen near the Wiregrass Museum of Art. Dothan embraces the Scots in March when it hosts the Southeast Alabama Highland Games. Events like the caber toss, sheaf toss, and hammer throw test the mettle of competitors.
Adventureland Theme Park is a small-scale theme park the whole family will love. The two 18-hole mini-golf courses pose a real challenge, with waterfalls and lagoons to keep you on your toes. There's also a go-kart track, bumper boats, batting cages, a roller coaster simulator, and heaps more to amuse the young and young at heart. Water World offers more theme park fun. Perfect for the summer months, this Alabama waterpark features several pools, including a wave pool with giant waves, and hair-raising waterslides.
You needn't visit a gallery to see art in Dothan. The city is famous for its murals. You'll find them on some of Dothan's most historic buildings, like the Wiregrass Museum of Art, the Dothan Opera House, and Liddon Furniture. These murals tell the story of Dothan's history, including its agricultural roots, its connection to the Creek Indian tribe, and Spanish exploration. Take the time to observe the details and learn a little about where Dothan came from.
When you need a little quiet time, try Eastgate Park. With lakes for fishing, a 2-mile walking trail, picnic area, and beach volleyball court, it's the ideal place to get back to nature and enjoy some fun in the Alabama sun.
Whether you're visiting for the National Peanut Festival or just keen to explore an American city off the well-worn tourist track, you're bound to have a ball in Dothan. Book early to enjoy a competitive rate at some of this Alabama city's most popular hotels.
Below are reviews of the city of Dothan, AL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Blue Plate Diner is delicious!
The location of this Marriott was perfect
Nice!
Very familiar with the city as my son was stationed at Fort Rucker and we visited often. Love the city and people.
Great Japanese restaurant next door to the hotel and a wonderful Thai place down the street!
Brewery!
Love it!
Chow King Restaurant.
Nice stay!
Dothan is where our son and family live so we don't visit as a tourist thus don't see too many things in the city. It's an easy place to navigate once you've been there.
Great food!
For a larger town - very quiet and friendly. Clean, quiet, helpful and friendly staff.
Good food and location!
Pig Out is the best restaurant in the area!
Food was good 👍
We were having a medical procedure and were pleased with Southeast Medical and the care we received.
Convenient stopover on our way to Matlacha.
Clean with wide variety of restaurants.
We went to water world and enjoyed the park the kids really enjoyed themselves
We enjoyed going to Water World and being together having fun.
Enjoyed the botanical gardens. Great stop for the whole family.
Had a nice mall and a lot of nice restaurants.