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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Just 40 Minutes From Gadsden, Fort Payne Is The Perfect Alabama Day Trip Destination

Fort Payne, Alabama, offers a variety of attractions including natural preserves, historic sites, and museums, making it a great day trip destination.

Updated Apr 19, 2024

Written by 

Jennifer Young

Alabama is home to numerous places that are great day trip destinations. One place in particular is Fort Payne. What many people fail to realize is that Fort Payne has a lot to offer. Sure, it might not be one of Alabama's larger cities, but it still offers a large variety of things to see and do. To learn all about Fort Payne, Alabama, including why it's a great day trip destination, take a look below:

Fort Payne, which happens to be the county seat of DeKalb County, is located atop of Lookout Mountain in Northwest Alabama. It's the perfect day trip destination!

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flickr/Amy Meredith

This charming mountain town, which has less than 15,000 residents, is famously known as the "Official Sock Capital of the World" because of its history of manufacturing socks. However, that's not the only thing Fort Payne is known for.

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flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

If you plan to spend the day in Fort Payne and you're a fan of the outdoors, you'll certainly want to visit Little River Canyon National Preserve. Covering more than 15,000 acres, this preserve is one of Alabama's most beautiful outdoor spots.

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flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez

While exploring Little River Canyon National Preserve, you'll want to visit Little River Falls. Little River Falls is one of Alabama's most beautiful waterfalls. It's also a popular swimming spot on warm weather days.

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flickr/Jim Bauer

If you're a train enthusiast and love history, you'll want to visit the Fort Payne Depot Museum. This historic depot, which was built in 1891, features lots of memorabilia from Fort Payne's early railroad days.

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flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

If you love country music, you can't leave Fort Payne without a visit to the ALABAMA Fan Club and Museum. This local museum celebrates the country music group ALABAMA, and it also has several pieces of memorabilia on display, including guitars, awards, photos, and so much more. The members of ALABAMA are originally from Fort Payne.

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tripadvisor/Ray T

A popular landmark in Fort Payne is the W. B. Davis Hosiery Mill. This historic mill opened in 1884 during the town's manufacturing boom. Today, it's not operated as a mill. Instead, it houses two popular businesses: a restaurant and an antique mall.

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tripadvisor/Misty F

Vintage 1889 is the restaurant that's housed inside the historic mill. It opened for business in 2013 and has been serving delicious meals ever since. Vintage 1889 also has one of the largest beer selections in the area.

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google/Austin Hodge

Also inside the building is Big Mill Co. Artisans & Antiques. This antique mall sells everything from vintage glassware to antique furnishings. After finishing your meal at Vintage 1889, be sure to walk on over to Big Mill Co. Artisans & Antiques. There's something for everyone.

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google/Michael Brown

For more information about Fort Payne, Alabama, you'll want to take a look at the city's official website.

Have you ever taken a day trip to Fort Payne, Alabama? If so, what did you see and do? Let us know in the comments below. And you can check out some places to rent in Fort Payne before your trip!

Another great day trip destination in Alabama is Gadsden, which is only 40 minutes from Fort Payne. For information about Gadsden, be sure to take a look at the article below:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/jackpot-town-al/

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Remote Town in Alabama We Simply Can’t Get Enough Of

Russellville, Alabama is a charming small town that's got a surprising amount to do. Check out some of our favorites.

Published Oct 21, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Alabama has some pretty bustling metropolitan areas, as anyone who's spent much time in Mobile or Birmingham can attest. But travel outside of these large cities and their extensive suburban sprawl, and you'll be met by plenty of more laid-back, less-populated areas where the pace of life is slow and things are a little more simple. Our smaller towns and remote areas are what make the Yellowhammer State so special, and one area of Alabama that's made up of these tinier-sized towns is our northwest corner. It's there that you'll find the little city of Russellville. With a population of around 10,000, it's sizable enough to have quite a few attractions but not so large as to be overwhelmingly cramped. If you ask us, it's the perfect-sized city!

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Russellville is about 90 miles outside of Birmingham and is tucked away in quiet Franklin County. The population is around 10,000, but the city feels a lot smaller than that, with a close-knit sense of community that can be hard to come across these days.

Like many small towns, Russellville loves festivals, and there are several popular ones held here throughout the year. The annual Watermelon Festival occurs each August and is always a blast, with live music, watermelon-eating contests, a fun run, and even a car show. Another great event is the Downtown Fall Festival, which takes place in October and includes a chili cook-off, food trucks, and arts and crafts vendors.

However, you're sure to have a blast here, no matter what time of year you visit! The Main Street area has undergone a revitalization over the last few years, and you'll find some great shops and restaurants in downtown Russellville. The Farmhouse Table Cafe and Bakery is a superb spot for breakfast or brunch. If you're in town all day, 43 Grill is a delicious family restaurant serving up lunch and dinner.

A sunny street view of a small town with historic buildings, shops, and a church steeple in the background.
Brian Stansbury/Wikimedia Commons

There's something so special about a historic theater - I don't know what it is, but the timeless ambiance is so appealing and nostalgic! If you love historic theaters, too, then you'll adore the beautiful Roxy Theatre in Russellville. It was built in 1949 and hosts great events throughout the year.

A narrow passageway between moss-covered rocks, leading to a light-filled area with a small stream.
Misty Pearse/AllTrails

Do you love the outdoors? The area all around Russellville features some pretty unique scenery. Dismals Canyon is located in Phil Campbell, just a few minutes outside of Russellville, and it's one of our favorite places for enjoying nature. You'll find plenty of great trails in the Dismals Canyon Conservatory if you're up for a hike.

Cozy kitchen and living area with exposed brick walls, wooden ceiling, and modern furnishings.
Julianna/Airbnb

There's enough to do here that it's great for a weekend trip, especially if you're visiting around one of the city's festivals. This luxury loft apartment is the perfect spot for one or two guests, and it's centrally located right in the downtown area.

For more information about things to do in Russellville, AL, check out the Downtown Russellville Facebook page.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

This Alabama Christmas Town is Straight Out of a Norman Rockwell Painting

Tuscumbia, Alabama, transforms into a charming Christmas town with festive events and historic attractions.

Updated Oct 18, 2024

Written by 

Jennifer Young

If you’ve ever seen a Norman Rockwell painting, you’ll probably agree that there’s something quite charming about it, especially his Christmas paintings. Alabama is filled with many towns that have loads of charm and could definitely be the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting, especially at Christmastime. One of these towns is Tuscumbia, which comes alive during the holiday season with the annual “It’s a Dickens Christmas Ya’ll” festival. If you ask me, it could easily be one of the best Christmas towns in Alabama. Read all about how the charming town celebrates Christmas, and let us know if you agree.

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Tuscumbia is a town in Colbert County, North Alabama. It was incorporated in 1820 and is also the county seat. Many charming buildings can be found in Tuscumbia, including the historic Tuscumbia Train Depot, which was built in 1888 and is currently operated as a museum. Tuscumbia is also the home of Ivy Green, which happens to be the birthplace of Helen Keller. People have been known to travel many miles to tour this historic home.

A young girl in a pink coat smiles warmly as snowflakes fall around her.
As the snow is falling, a child is out playing, wearing a winter jacket.

When it comes to Christmastime in Tuscumbia, the town goes all out! For example, Spring Park is decked out in thousands of twinkling lights each holiday season. There's even a festive train and a fountain show that's synchronized to Christmas music. Tuscumbia also hosts a variety of festive events, including the annual "It’s a Dickens Christmas Ya’ll" festival, which is reminiscent of “A Christmas Carol.” This year's festival, which will be celebrating its 14th year, is scheduled to take place downtown on Saturday, December 14th, 2024.

Of course, no Christmas season is complete in a small town without a Christmas parade. Each year, Tuscumbia puts on a festive Christmas parade that attracts people from near and far. It includes floats, fire trucks, bands, and so much more. This year's Christmas parade is scheduled to occur downtown on December 3rd, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Colorful holiday lights form candy canes and lollipops along a festive pathway at night.
Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights.

If you plan on visiting after all and need a place to stay, check out all the offerings from our friends at VRBO. For more information about the town of Tuscumbia, you can view the City of Tuscumbia website or the Colbert County Tourism website. Have you ever visited Tuscumbia, Alabama, specifically during Christmastime? If so, what did you think about it? Do you agree that it's one of the best Christmas towns in Alabama?

For additional information about Tuscumbia, including some other things the town offers, be sure to take a look at the following article outlining this underrated Alabama town. Or check out some of the incredible attractions in Tuscumbia that are great during the holiday season!

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