Alabama

ALABAMA

You don't typically think of Alabama as being on your must visit list, but this state has mountains, rivers, canyons, and TONS of history.

Civil Rights:

A trip to Alabama would not be complete if you did not stop in to learn about the Civil Rights History of the state.

For the History Buff: Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

Like old historic towns? Then make sure to stop by the Old Town Depot in Selma. Stop in an remember life during the 19th century with Civil War artifacts and photos from famous confederate generals, governors, presidents, etc. The goal of the Museum is to compile all of the local history of Selma into one place. If you are a Civil War buff, you may also want to hit the Slavery and Civil War Musuem of Selma.

Next stop, head over to the National Voting Rights Museum which examines the Civil Rights struggle of voting rights for African-Americans. The Museum will be sure to mention the Brown Chapel, also located in Selma where Martin Luther King, Jr. started marches toward Montgomery. If you drive (or in solidarity, walk) the national historic trail from Selma to Montgomery, your path will lead you to Edmund Pettus Bridge where marchers were brutally attacked by police officers during the march.

Once your walk or drive gets you to Montgomery end your Civil Rights tour by stopping by the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church, where Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached and the Rosa Parks Museum.

Don't forget that there are other things to do in Montgomery besides hit the famous Civil Rights spots; you can visit the first White House of the Confederacy or head over to the Orderman-Shaw Historic District, which depicts life in the 1850's as well as various Victorian buildings. Here they have set up an Old Alabama Town with a carriage house, a drugstore museum, a cotton gin museum, a print shop, a country store, a doctor’s office and more.

Wanting to jump ahead to the roaring 20s, you can stop by the F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, where will see the author’s home and personal artifacts, paintings, letters, and photographs.


For the Outdoors-ie type.

One great thing about Alabama is the Scenic Alabama River. From Montgomery you can head over to the Fort Toulous-Jackson Park National Historic Landmark, where the Cosa and Tallapoosa rivers meet you also find a site of ancient Indian mounds. The park has a boat ramp, nature trails, picnic areas, a museum, and camping. You can organize various trips to paddle down the river.

Mixing History and the Outdoors: Horseshoe Bend National Park --

Go back in time by hiking across the Horseshoe Bend National Park where in March of 1814, after hiking 52 miles over 3 days, General Andrew Jackson's army ran into the Creek Indians. Many battles, including this one made Jackson famous and led to his election as President of the US. The park hosts various events where they reinact old war-time scenarios. For those not so interested in the history part, the park has biking, hiking, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.

Little River Canyon National Preserve -- Waterfalls, canyons, sandstone cliffs. Not to be missed national park.

This national park has so many different look outs and they all seem to be AMAZING. If you make your way to Alabama, hike through the same places that General Rosecrans' troops carried supplies through the south in 1863. The entire south is lined with US history, but this place hits two bird with one stone-- history and gorgeous scenery. Waterfalls, canyons, cliffs, and more make this a worthy stop for any traveler.

Noccalulu Falls Park: Frankly you have to love anyplace that has mountains, botanical gardens, nature trails, a train ride, and a petting zoo-- What is not to love?

Pit Stops:

The Ave Maria Grotto is Alabama's only Benedictine Abbey. This four-acre park has 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world.

Indian Mound and Museum of Russell Cave has over 7 miles of mapped underwold passageways. Discover newfound species of scorpions, or visit during Native American events.

Alabama Museum of Natural History has not only dinosaur bones but the only meteorite known to have struck a human!

Blakeley Historic State park where 20,000 men fought a fierce battle on April 9 1865 because they were unaware that the Civil war had ended hours earlier.


I am sure that there is much, much more in the state of Alabama -- Native American sites, Civil War reinactments, beautiful national parks, and jazz are all parts of their complete and exciting history. There is definitely plenty to do in Alabama.