Here in Alabama, there are many magical places waiting to be discovered. From fairytale castles to whimsical trails, you never know what you'll come across while exploring our great state. Listed below is a fairytale road trip that'll lead you to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Alabama. Because it's only 422 miles long (that's 846 miles round trip) and has an estimated drive time of 7 hours and 13 minutes (14 hours and 26 minutes round trip), you may be able to complete this road trip in one weekend. Ready to go?
Our first stop is Dismals Canyon. As one of the most beautiful fairytale places in Alabama, it is filled with lush greenery, moss-covered boulders, and beautiful waterfalls. It also happens to be home to rare insects called dismalites. In fact, it's one of the few places in the world to find them.
Our next stop is Delano Park, one of the most stunning hidden gems in Northern Alabama. Delano Park covers nearly 30 acres and is considered one of Alabama's most beautiful parks. If features a variety of fairytale-like sculptures such as Mr. Bullfrog, Swamp Rabbit, Dragonfly, and more. This may be your favorite stop along this best road trip in Alabama!
After a short drive, we'll arrive at Ave Maria Grotto, which covers four acres. Ave Maria Grotto is a beautiful rock garden that features 125 miniature reproductions of famous religious structures. It's one of the Southeast's most popular attractions and one of the most unique things to do in Alabama.
Our next stop is Orr Park, which is home to the Tinglewood Trail. The Tinglewood Trail features more than 30 whimsical tree carvings created by artist Tim Tingle. Everyone should experience this one-of-a-kind trail, especially children. This is one of the most whimsical things to do in Alabama.
Our next stop is Wilderness Park. This beautiful park includes a forest of towering bamboo stalks, many of which are as tall as 60 feet. Alabama is the last place you'd expect to find a bamboo forest so it's truly a wonder! You won't believe this hidden gem park in Alabama exists until you see it in person.
After a scenic drive to Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast, our final stop is Mosher Castle. Mosher Castle is a whimsical fairytale castle that was designed by artist Dean Mosher (homeowner). He even added a drawbridge to this whimsical estate, which spans across a moat. You'll be enchanted by Mosher, one of the most stunning fairytale castles along the Gulf Coast.
Have you been to any of these beautiful places to visit in Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments along with any other fairytale places you enjoy around the state.
If you plan on embarking on a road trip through Alabama anytime soon, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for everything you need.
If I really want to get the feel of a place when traveling, I know there's no better place to go than to a small town. Sure, metropolitan areas like Birmingham and Mobile certainly have their draws, but if you really want to know a place's culture and what the people are really like, you'll want to visit a state's smaller towns, from the little agricultural communities to the tiny old railroad towns. Alabama certainly has no shortage of amazing small towns, and if you're looking to explore some of the best, we think you'll love this epic small-town road trip that will take you to five of the state's best locales. It's a lengthy trip, and you'll want to make sure to have at least three days to explore all the stops. You'll head all the way from our northern climes down to our shores; this is a wonderful way to fall in love with the beauty and charm of Alabama all over again.
In its entirety, the trip will require just under 550 miles of driving, with nine hours spent on the road. Of course, if you don't have the budget or time for that lengthy of a trip, you can always edit the customizable itinerary on Google Maps.
Orange Beach, Alabama.
We'll start our journey down in the brilliant Gulf Coast, in the town of Orange Beach, population 8,450. This is one of the state's top beach towns, and it's worth a visit at any time of year, if you ask us. The white sand beaches and The Wharf entertainment district make it a haven for those seeking outdoor fun. You'll also find hiking opportunities and even dolphin cruises here.
You won't have to travel too far to get to stop number two on this trip: Bayou La Batre. This Mobile suburb has a population of around 2,000 and is a bustling fishing village. This is a charming little town, and if you're looking for great seafood, it's definitely the place. It comes by its nickname of "the seafood capital of Alabama" honestly, and places like Bayou Seafood LLC and Rodney Lyons Seafood are always worth a visit.
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You'll drive up a few hours through the middle of the state to reach our next destination: Greenville. This is a small town filled with quintessential Southern charm, and it's got plenty of history, with quite a few historical landmarks and old homes. If you need to fill up your car - and your stomach - pay a visit to the Shell station on Pineapple Highway. It's in this unassuming location that you'll find BBQ 65, one of Greenville's tastiest restaurants.
A foggy an d hilly scene with two guys fishing on a foggy morning.
Long road trips can be exhausting, and if you're ready for some time out of the car, Guntersville is the ideal next stop. The lake that shares this little town's name is the centerpiece of Lake Guntersville State Park, a sprawling preserve offering up boating, hiking, camping, golfing, horseback riding, ziplining, and so much more. It's paradise for nature lovers!
We're just about done with this fantastic trip, but first, we'll head to the northwest corner of the state to visit Muscle Shoals. This city is the largest on this road trip, with a population of around 14,000, but it retains its small-town charm. It's also got quite a rich history and is well-known for its music production and Native American history. Many of the studios famous for that "Muscle Shoals sound" are open for tours, and there's a lot to enjoy in this riverfront city.
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How many of these small towns in Alabama have you visited? Are there any that you think we should've put on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Whether you're heading across the state or across the country, it's important to be prepared for a road trip. Check out our road trip packing list to make sure you stay safe and have fun while out on the highway.
Ah, if every day could be a lake day! So why not take a week this summer for a road trip to Alabama's best lakes and lake towns?
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Few things are better than time spent on an Alabama lake, sharing a toast over otherworldly magenta and gold sunsets with people you love. One of my favorite memories was from just a few years ago, catching up with longtime friends who live on Smith Lake near Jasper, Alabama. The entertainment that day mostly consisted of watching their young, feisty dog teach my giant, water-shy puppy to swim. I am not sure who loved it more. My pup didn't want to just fetch but to stay in the lake and swim circles. I completely understood he'd not want to get out; who would want to leave that kind of moment?
That's the power of a good lake day in Alabama. While you may not have lake friends yet, I'd wager you'll make some with this eight-day road trip to Alabama's best lakes. No one is insisting you do it all in eight days. The map is linked below, so it's up to you where you plan to go or choose to linger! We completely understand if you plan a one-week vacation and decide to spend it all at just one.
Grab your swimming and fishing gear, buckle up, and let's go.
Our road trip begins at Guntersville Lake, Alabama's largest at over 69,000 acres. The reservoir stretches diagonally northeast to southwest from Bridgeport to Guntersville. A smart stop to stay and experience this lake is Lake Guntersville State Park on the southern end. Camp or stay at the lodge and enjoy boating, fishing, and exploring the lake's shoreline, where bald eagles are a common sight. From Guntersville Lake, head northwest for approximately 70 miles to reach Wheeler Lake, where you'll discover stunning views and fantastic fishing opportunities.
Wheeler Lake is a massive impoundment of the Tennessee River stretching from the Decatur area west to Rogersville. Known for its beautiful scenery and excellent fishing (and big tournaments), this is a great place to cast a line for bass or catfish – or rent a boat to enjoy the stunning views from the water. Wheeler Lake is named after General Joseph Wheeler, a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War who lived in nearby Hillsboro. If you're planning a stay, check out Decatur's newest hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites, which is in the heart of the city's historic downtown.
If you want to travel on a bit, set out on your 64-mile trek northwest to Wilson Lake, and stop for a stay at Joe Wheeler State Park on the western end of Wheeler Lake in Rogersville.
Your next stop is Wilson Lake, and the Wilson Lake Public Boat Ramp (indicated on the map) is in Town Creek near the western end of Wheeler Lake. This 15,500-acre paradise with crystal-clear waters stretches west into the Shoals area to Florence. There are many places to take to the water by boat, dive in for a refreshing swim, or fish for bass, catfish, and crappie.
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From Wilson Lake, your next lake stop is about 80 miles southwest at Lewis Smith Lake.
Day 4: Lewis Smith Lake – Near Cullman & Jasper, AL
To reach Lewis Smith Lake, you'll skirt the eastern edge of Bankhead National Forest as you travel south. Known as one of Alabama's cleanest lakes, this one is also the state's deepest at over 500 feet at maximum. Lewis Smith Lake is popular for fishing for striped bass, plus swimming, boating, paddling, jet-skiing, and the like. There are numerous rural communities surrounding this lake, with the largest cities being Cullman to the east and Jasper to the south. Start your day very early for the next stretch of this road trip to Alabama's best lakes. This jaunt is the longest of the lot – a 235-mile drive southwest over to Walter F. George Lake, also known as Lake Eufaula, along the Alabama-Georgia border.
The time spent in the car will be worth it when you arrive in the late afternoon and then see an incredible sunset over Walter F. George Lake. This 45,000-acre reservoir in southeast Alabama justifies its lake city of Eufaula, claiming the title "Big Bass Capital." Besides fishing, you can enjoy boating and other water sports. We recommend Lakepoint State Park Lodge for an overnight stay and trails worth exploring around the lakeshore. From Walter F. George Lake, you'll begin your loop back toward the northern section of the state with a 110-mile drive up to Lake Martin, which is just north of the university town of Auburn, Alabama, and near Dadeville and Alexander City, Alabama.
Since this drive takes a couple of hours, consider stopping just north of Auburn in Waverly for a bite to eat at Wild Flour Bakery for breakfast or brunch or The Waverly Local. Soon after, you'll reach Lake Martin, which covers over 44,000 acres and has more than 750 miles of shoreline with endless activities on the water and off. Boat, swim, hike, float, or rent a lakeside cottage and fire up a grill while watching the spectacular sunsets. Your next lake is about 60 miles north in Pell City, where you'll find Logan Martin Lake.
For your next-to-last stop, visit Logan Martin Lake, a 17,000-acre reservoir popular for boating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. Each May, Logan Martin hosts the state's largest in-water boat show, where people can test drive boats, luxury pontoons, and more in a festive setting that includes a big fireworks show.You'll set out to the northeast for about 75 miles to your final lake adventure, Weiss Lake.
Your last stop on your Alabama Lakes road trip is Weiss Lake – the "Crappie Capital of the World." Get in touch with a local outfitter like Weiss Lake Crappie Times Guide Service and try your hand at catching these popular fish ... or simply enjoy a leisurely day on the water. Don't forget to explore the lake's serene surroundings and take in the beautiful scenery. The Coosa, Chattooga, and Little Rivers feed this lake, which covers more than 30,000 acres and has over 447 miles of shoreline. acres, fed by three rivers – the Coosa, Chattooga, and Little Rivers. The lake is almost entirely contained in Cherokee County, which is mostly rural, with a few small towns that have charming spots to shop and places to eat. People love this lake for its preserved natural surroundings and true sense of getting away from it all.
With that, you are about an hour's drive back to the northwest to your starting point of Guntersville State Park. And so you know, these eight lakes are only some of the best among our 20! We have over a half-million acres of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. (No wonder it's so humid here! At least we can go jump in a lake when we need to.)
Be sure to use our ultimate road trip packing list to make sure you are well-prepared before you head out on this road trip to Alabama's best lakes! And tell us all about it when you do. We'd love to hear about your experience and welcome any tips you may have about these lakes or other favorites.d
