For those wanting to see a bit of everything (well, almost everything!) that Alabama has to offer, here is our suggested Road Trip route - a fun-packed 14 day Deep South trip that you'll never forget!
DAY 1 & 2
New Orleans
Start your adventure in New Orleans. Explore Bourbon Street nightlife, Mardi Gras World, a swamp tour and the World War II Museum.
DAY 3 & 4 - 205 miles
New Orleans to Gulf Shores
Relax and enjoy the coastal towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with their 32 miles of soft white sand and sparkling emerald waters. Cast your line for deep sea adventure on a charter fishing trip, take a dolphin watching cruise or visit one of the classic beach bars like The Hangout or Flora-Bama.
DAY 5 & 6 - 60 miles
Gulf Shores to Mobile
Founded in 1702 as the original capital of the Louisiana Territory and nestled along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, few American cities boast a history as rich as that of Mobile. Explore the mighty battleship, USS Alabama, that won nine battle stars during World War II, and see more than 25 other pieces of military craft. Make time for the 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens with its 15-room museum home and bayou boardwalk and take a river cruise on the Southern Belle. Interact with hundreds of hands-on science exhibits and take in larger-than-life IMAX films at the Gulf Coast Exploreum.
DAY 7 & 8 - 188 miles
Mobile to Montgomery
On your way to Montgomery you can stop by Monroeville, home of Harper Lee and To Kill A Mockingbird. Located on the Alabama River, Montgomery is the birthplace of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement. Walk this authentic southern city and visit the Alabama State Capitol and the Dexter Avenue King Memorail Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. The Hank Williams Museum and the Rosa Parks Museum are also downtown, as well as the Alley Entertainment District.
DAY 9 & 10 - 90 miles
Montgomery to Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, boasts Jazz and dance clubs, theatre and fine dining. Visit the Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park and 16th Street Baptist Church to learn about the city's civil rights struggles. Birmingham is also home of America's largest collection of motorcycles on display at Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum.
DAY 11 - 102 miles
Birmingham to Huntsville
Huntsville is home of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the world's largest space attraction, and America's largest seasonal butterfly house at the botanical gardens. Located at the base of some of the most beautiful mountains in North Alabama, Huntsville offers visitors outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing along the Tennessee River.
DAY 12 - 69 miles
Huntsville to Muscle Shoals
Day 12 is all about musical heritage... The small Alabama northwest adjacent towns of Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals are the southernmost leg of a not-to-be-missed music Road Trip triangle that includes Memphis and Nashville. The 'Father of the Blues' W.C.Handy was born in Florence where the annual Handy Music Festival is held each summer. Tour FAME recording studio in Muscle Shoals where international superstars like Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Percy Sledge and the Rolling Stones recorded great hits.
DAY 13 - 80 miles
Muscle Shoals to Corinth
Head west to Tupelo and visit Elvis' birthplace, before continuing to Corinth where cultural heritage sites abound. It is home to four museums, a National Park Service Civil War Interpretive Center, pristine Civil War earthworks, historic neighbourhoods and much more.
DAY 14 - 151 miles
Corinth to Memphis
Arrive in Memphis for your flight home.
If you would like some help / advice about touring Alabama, please do get in touch with our Alabama experts: alabama@deep-south-usa.com
