Selma may seem like a small city from an outsider's perspective, but it has a big history—so big it changed the nation entirely. It's where local activists organized the Selma to Montgomery Marches in solidarity with other civil rights demonstrations. The city's not a tourism hot-spot like Vegas or Miami, but the Edmund Pettus Bridge has become an important landmark for the civil rights movement, and it stands as an icon of both celebration and reverence for people across the country.

Modern-day Selma has a lot to offer beyond its history of justice and equality. It's also home to one of the best BBQ joints in the South: Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot. This third-generation eatery is a local favorite, but don't ask about the red sauce recipe—the owners have kept that secret well guarded for years. Seriously, the stuff's so good, it's reason enough alone to call Selma home.

On top of Selma's rich history and culinary scene, it's also got a prime location right on the Alabama River, which makes for some premium fishing and tubing. That same geography, however, also puts the city at a bit of a flood risk—the high-water mark stands at over 58 feet.