When Av and I travel around, we almost always visit at least one bookstore, whether it be an independent or big-box since we both really like regional books, and I like design and home magazines.
Small independent bookstores are the best, even though they’re more expensive. The best small bookstores we’ve found are:
Alabama Birmingham Alabama Booksmith Fairhope
Over the Transom Mobile
Bienville Books Montgomery
Capitol Book (update: now closed)