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 the lively eclectic Bourbon Street nightlife, with bars, restaurants and live music to suit everyone.
• A Mardi Gras World visit is a fun and interesting attraction steeped in history and tradition - discover the heritage of New Orleans' iconic Mardi Gras.
• Take a swamp tour! Tour the swamps either on an adrenaline-fuelled wild airboat ride or on a more tranquil private bayou boat tour - either way, this is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Cajun Country.
• History or war fanatics will definitely want to visit the World War II Museum. Telling the story of America's role in the war, this engaging and educational museum is always popular.

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 or take an awe-inspiring dolphin watching cruise.
• Visit one of the renowned beach bars like The Hangout or Flora-Bama - these are among the coolest bars in the world; definitely some great photo opportunities for your social media pages!

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 impressive 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens with its 15-room museum home and bayou boardwalk - pure Alabama!
• Take a river cruise on the Southern Belle.
• The Gulf Coast Exploreum is a must, especially for families: Interact with hundreds of hands-on science exhibits and take in larger-than-life IMAX films.

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. Maybe take a copy of the book along for some in-context holiday reading!
• Montgomery is the birthplace of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, so there's an abundance of historic sites to visit and relive these historically crucial events. 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 vibrant Alley Entertainment District which is jam-packed with restaurants and bars to suit every taste!

DAY 9 & 10 - 90 miles

Montgomery to Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, boasts Jazz and dance clubs, theatre and fine dining. And plenty of history and cultyural attractions...

• Visit the Civil Rights Institute - This engaging museum houses many exhibits which cleverly use a variety of media to depict life under segregation in the 1950s. It explores the Civil Rights Movement, including the Freedom Riders and the marches in Birmingham; and address the issue of human rights on a global scale.
• Be sure to visit Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church to learn more about the city's Civil Rights struggles.
• Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham is home to America's largest collection of motorcycles - a must-see for any petrol-heads visiting the state.

DAY 11 - 102 miles

Birmingham to Huntsville

• Huntsville is home of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the world's largest space attraction. This is always a really popular attraction with families; it offers an engaging immersive experience and contains a whopping 1500 items showcasing the past, present and future of space exploration.
• The Huntsville Botanical Gardens houses the US's largest seasonal butterfly house and offers an intriguing serene journey into nature.
• The great outdoors: 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....

• The 'Father of the Blues' W.C.Handy was born in Florence, where the hugely popular 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 some of their greatest hits. An absolute must for any musicophiles.

DAY 13 - 80 miles

Muscle Shoals to Corinth

• Head west to Tupelo and pay a visit to the humble birthplace of Elvis Presley - The Center contains Elvis' birthplace home, a small museum and a memorial chapel, all open for tours.
• Continue on 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