12 Amazing Alabama Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

Alabama is filled with diverse experiences for you to enjoy with friends and family. Without traveling far away from the state's major cities of Mobile, Huntsville, and Birmingham, there is a peaceful retreat with gorgeous natural scenery and breathtaking adventures to be had. Whether you are looking for a tranquil walk through a park filled with lush wildlife or a vibrant nightlife filled with culture and delicious food, Alabama has everything on your checklist. If you are looking to make the most of your limited time, find 12 amazing day trips that capture the essence of Alabama. The best part is that all of these excursions are less than a 3 hours drive away from the state's largest cities.

Gulf State Park

Driving distance from Mobile: 1 hour

For most people, the thought of Alabama brings up images of peacefully fishing on the banks of one of the many lakes and rivers the state offers. However, Alabama is also bordered to the south with a small portion of beautiful sandy beaches filled with opportunities to bathe in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Only an hour away from the popular city of Mobile (the 4th largest city in Alabama), have a peaceful nap in the sun while your family builds an epic sandcastle. You can also appreciate world-class seafood at Wolf Bay Restaurant at Orange Beach, where their catch of that day was quite literally swimming in the Gulf that morning. You can also find delicious healthy options at Picnic Beach Bar and Grill in Gulf Shores, where you will find grilled fish, fresh vegetables, and tasty cocktails.

If you want more than sand and surf, Gulf State Park has many educational opportunities. You and your family can learn about the local ecology, wildlife, and diverse history. After exploring, relax with a peaceful shaded picnic by the many wooded areas and trails. Lake Shelby offers a lot of amenities that will make your day on the coast delightful.

Little River Canyon

Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 40 mins

Alabama has many state parks and preserves that offer residents and visitors a needed respite from nearby cities and suburban areas. One of the most cherished of these preserves is Little River Canyon. This hidden gem provides visitors with miles of winding walking trails surrounded by lush greenery. As you wander through the forest, you will hear a symphony of bird songs and see an array of wildlife. The wind rustling through the leaves above is hypnotic, making you forget that you are only minutes away from busy highways and crowded stores.

Little River Canyon is teeming with a rich history that is intertwined with the influence the Native Americans had in the area. There is something to be enjoyed by everyone in your group, from thunderous cascading waterfalls to stunning scenery you will not want to look away from. Visitors love to ride bicycles along Highway 176 in the fall as the leaves are changing colors. Little River Canyon is also one of the few places in Northern Alabama that is perfect for fly fishing. Head over to Canyon Mouth Park and try your hand at catching a load of Redeye Bass for dinner.

Birmingham Zoo

Driving distance from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport: 15 mins

Are you embarking on an Alabama adventure for the first time? The Birmingham Zoo, located in the second-largest city in the state, is a must-add to your itinerary. Over 900 animals from around the world call this sanctuary home. The Birmingham Zoo gives visitors a chance to see massive elephants and majestic rhinos. You will also find plenty of smaller creatures like playful red pandas, creepy snakes, and otters that love to frolic in their habitat.

Surrounded by lush greenery and scenic open spaces, the Birmingham Zoo gives families room to spread out and have a picnic or a peaceful stroll through some of the shaded pathways nearby. While seeing the animals is fun, your family will also learn about conservation efforts that help them thrive.

In the winter, the Birmingham Zoo has its annual Glow Wild event, where visitors can see more than the normal Christmas lights of the season. Huge animal sculptures are lit up all over the zoo to the amazement of visitors of all ages. You will love riding the merry-go-round and the train to see all of the twinkling lights.

Fort Morgan

Driving distance from Mobile: 1 hour 30 mins

If you want to find a place where your children can play in wide open spaces while still being able to be educated in Alabama history, you will enjoy visiting Fort Morgan. This fort from the Civil War was crucial in American History, playing a major part in the Battle of Mobile Bay. It has since been restored to much the same way it looked during the war, with some of the battle damage being left so visitors can see it. After your walk through the fort, you can see the canons around the grounds and have a picnic.

Nearby, you will find a ferry that runs to Dauphin Island, where you can visit the Alabama Aquarium. You will learn about the natural habitats of coastal Alabama and all the interesting creatures that live there.

Five Points South

Driving distance from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport: 12 mins

Birmingham has a lot of significant attractions to visit, with one of the most culturally diverse areas being Five Points South. Every day, residents and visitors flock to this area in the south part of the city to eat in unique restaurants like Magnolia Point for a drink on the patio or to enjoy watching the game inside. There are also quirky stores like Books, Beans, and Candles where you can get a delicious cup of coffee and buy herbs, candles, and other items of a metaphysical nature.

The city’s nightlife is centered there, with several nightclubs and pubs, like The Garage, which has a rustic setting and is a great place to grab a beer. The Nick is down the street and, after decades in business, still gives Birmingham residents a locale to hear live music from local and up-and-coming artists.

One of the most architecturally significant churches is the Highlands United Methodist Church, which has stood in that spot for over a century. Situated in front of it is an interesting fountain called The Storyteller, it depicts a ram-headed man reading to a group of woodland creatures. This piece of public art is a symbol of the city's artistic side and a favorite hang-out for residents.

US Space and Rocket Center

Driving distance from Huntsville International Airport: 13 mins

A beacon of education and exploration in Alabama is the US Space and Rocket Center, a short drive from Huntsville (the largest city in the state). It combines learning with fun by using a wide range of exhibits that show the history of the space program in the United States. You will find entire space shuttles on display, along with towering rockets that once carried astronauts to space. The halls are filled with hands-on exhibits, a rock climbing wall, virtual reality attractions, and a g-force simulator that will simulate the intense physical challenges that our astronauts experience. The INTUITIVE Planetarium, a stunning venue for live performances and celestial exploration, is also part of the facility.

Alligator Alley

Driving distance from Mobile: 35 mins

In Summerdale, Alabama, Alligator Alley gives the young and old alike a rare and thrilling opportunity to get face-to-face with real alligators. In this zoo and swamp sanctuary, visit these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat as they bask in the sun or glide through the water. However, the adventure does not stop with these majestic, prehistoric creatures. Alligator Alley is also home to a wide array of wildlife, including turtles, owls, frogs, and more. Capture the unforgettable moment your child gazes at these ancient animals for the first time with some epic photo opportunities.

While you are in Summerdale, get a taste of another thing Alabama is famous for...food! Visitors love frequenting LA Barbeque on the way through town. Get delicious smoked pork that has been hand-rubbed with their top-secret blend of seasonings. No Southern meal is complete without creamy peanut butter mousse pie or a warm, flaky pecan cobbler. This epic meal, on top of a day of learning, will make Alligator Alley in Summerdale a superb spot to take a day trip.

Dismals Canyon

Driving distance from Huntsville International Airport: 1 hour 15 mins

Dismals Canyon is a true hidden gem of Alabama. Visitors can hike the 1.5-mile trail, passing by moss-covered boulders, streams, and stunning waterfalls like Rainbow Falls and Secret Falls. This wonderland is a picture-perfect spot to have a relaxing picnic with your family or go fishing.

After sunset, you will discover the magic that makes Dismals Canyon stand out. When darkness falls, the forest comes alive with the light of the Dismalites. This bioluminescent creature is a species of glow worm that fills the landscape with light, creating a spectacular sight most people never see. This is the only place in the US where you can see Dismalites.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Driving distance from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport: 14 mins

An oasis in the heart of the Magic City awaits you at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. You and your family can immerse yourselves in over 65 acres of land showcasing 12,000 varieties of plants. As you wander through the carefully manicured walking trails of the facility, you will see many types of trees and beautiful sculptures. Your children will enjoy feeding the fish at the serene koi pond and the Japanese Garden. They will also have the opportunity to learn about gardening and the plants of the world with informative signs throughout the facility, as well as hands-on workshops you can attend throughout the year.

The best thing about the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is that admission is completely free.

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Driving Distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 45 mins

There are several places in Alabama where you can tour majestic caves. In east Alabama, one of the favorites is Cathedral Caverns State Park. The cave's enormous entrance, measuring 25 feet in height and 128 feet in width, is one of the largest in the world. You and your family can learn all about rock formations, see bats and other cave-dwelling creatures in their natural habitat, and take a captivating journey into an ancient subterranean world. Guided tours can tell you more about the caverns.

After exploring the depths of the earth, you will find other things to do in the park, like hiking scenic trails, sleeping under a blanket of stars in the camping area, or going on a thrilling hunt for gems and fossils.

USS Alabama

Driving distance from Mobile: 10 mins

If you want your family to have a lot of fun while experiencing a day of education, the USS Alabama may be the day trip you are looking for. Sitting in Mobile Bay, the USS Alabama is a massive battleship from World War II. Explore this floating fortress at your own pace, stepping back in time to see the deck and formidable weaponry as it was originally installed. Then climb down into the bowels of the ship to see what the engine room looked like and where the crew slept and ate while serving their country at sea. You will also find a variety of aircraft around the park, like the A-12 Blackbird spy plane and North American B-25 Mitchell, as well as a nuclear submarine, all with signage to tell you all about them.

You can spend the whole day exploring The USS Alabama and never run out of new things to see. And dinner is taken care of as well because Stevie's Kitchen is right there in the park. Get a delicious breakfast before you board the ship and come back for a hot dog or sandwich for lunch.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Driving distance from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport: 12 mins

Birmingham will always be in the history books as a pivotal site in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The struggle to bring basic rights to African Americans is well-known. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute provides engaging exhibits that seek to educate visitors on how the movement came about, as well as stand as a testament to the courage of those who fought to make a difference. Visitors can see everything from a model of a 1950s segregated city to a Freedom Riders bus replica to the jail cell door where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his well-known "Letter From Birmingham Jail."

In addition to the Civil Rights Institute, other significant landmarks surround the building. These include the 16th Street Baptist Church, which is across the street.

Alabama has a variety of day trip options that will be satisfying to outdoor lovers, history buffs, and science enthusiasts. Whether you want to learn about the struggle for freedom in the 1960s, stare at the stalagmites of an ancient cavern, or learn about the rocket that carried men to the moon, you can find it all in Alabama. The best part is that these attractions are only a short drive from you. Take a look and find out what places you can visit with an amazing day trip to Alabama.