Alabama USA
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Alabama reveals a state of extraordinary contrasts. From the soaring sandstone walls of Little River Canyon, the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River, to the world-class Civil Rights heritage of Birmingham and the summit of Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama, this compact route delivers outstanding natural scenery, profound history and some of the finest food in the American South. This route covers the best of northern and central Alabama. The extraordinary canyon rim trails and waterfalls of Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama's highest peak at Cheaha State Park with its remarkable Pulpit Rock viewpoint, and Birmingham's extraordinary Civil Rights District with the finest civil rights museum in America.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Birmingham (BHM) or Huntsville (HSV)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Alabama
Budget Per Day
Approx $100 to $160 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some canyon hiking
DAY 1
FORT PAYNE AND LITTLE RIVER CANYON
MORNING
LITTLE RIVER CANYON NATIONAL PRESERVE
Little River Canyon is the most extraordinary natural landscape in Alabama, the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River with its remarkable sandstone walls dropping 600 feet to the river below. The Canyon Rim Trail follows the eastern bluff for eight miles with extraordinary views at every overlook. Grace's High Falls, Canyon Mouth Park and Eberhart Point give the finest canyon viewpoints in the state. Free entry. Drive: 15 min drive to DeSoto Falls
MIDDAY
DESOTO FALLS AND DESOTO STATE PARK
DeSoto Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in Alabama, a spectacular 104-foot two-tier cascade hidden in the forest above the canyon. The lower falls, reached by a short scramble off the main trail, give the finest view and are missed by almost every visitor. DeSoto State Park surrounds the falls with extraordinary trails through the Lookout Mountain foothills. The remarkable swimming area is the finest natural swimming hole in north Alabama. Park entry free. Drive: 10 min drive to Fort Payne
AFTERNOON
FORT PAYNE DOWNTOWN AND MENTONE ON THE BLUFF
Fort Payne is the most extraordinary small town in north Alabama, its remarkable 1889 opera house and historic downtown preserving the finest late Victorian streetscape in the region. The Fort Payne Depot Museum gives the finest Cherokee County heritage in the state. Mentone village on the Lookout Mountain bluff gives the finest sunset panorama in the region. Museum entry approx $5.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort near Mentone is the most southerly ski resort in the United States, its remarkable slopes operating on natural snowfall in a region that receives snow far more reliably than most visitors expect. Open December to February when conditions allow. Free to visit the resort grounds year-round.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Old Town Coffee, Fort Payne The finest breakfast in Fort Payne. Local eggs and strong coffee in a relaxed downtown setting. | Lunch: Picnic at DeSoto Falls Pack supplies from IGA grocery in Fort Payne. The extraordinary riverside picnic above the falls. | Dinner: Simp McGhee's, Fort Payne The most celebrated restaurant in Fort Payne. Extraordinary Southern cuisine in a historic downtown building.
DAY 2
CHEAHA STATE PARK AND ANNISTON
MORNING
CHEAHA MOUNTAIN SUMMIT AND PULPIT ROCK
Cheaha State Park contains the most extraordinary highland landscape in Alabama, its remarkable summit at 2,407 feet giving the finest panoramic view in the state across the Talladega National Forest. Pulpit Rock is the most extraordinary viewpoint in the park, a massive exposed sandstone outcrop reached by a 2-mile trail with 270-degree views that almost no visitors outside Alabama know exists. The extraordinary Bald Rock Boardwalk gives accessible summit views for all abilities. Park entry approx $5. Drive: 45 min drive to Anniston
MIDDAY
ANNISTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Anniston Museum of Natural History is the most extraordinary museum in Alabama and one of the finest natural history collections in the American South, its remarkable dioramas of African and North American wildlife giving the finest museum experience in the region. The extraordinary Egyptian mummy collection and the remarkable Native American galleries are completely unknown to most visitors outside the state. The adjacent Berman Museum of World History gives the finest military collection in Alabama. Entry approx $6. Drive: 30 min drive to Birmingham
AFTERNOON
BIRMINGHAM'S LAKEVIEW AND AVONDALE NEIGHBOURHOODS
Arrive in Birmingham with time to explore Lakeview and Avondale, the finest areas for independent restaurants, bars and shops in the city. The extraordinary Avondale Brewing Company is the finest brewery in Birmingham. The Pepper Place Saturday Market is the finest farmers market in the state. The neighbourhood gives the best introduction to Birmingham's remarkable recent revival as one of the most exciting food and culture cities in the American South.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rickwood Caverns State Park near Warrior is the finest show cave in Alabama, its remarkable billion-year-old limestone formations and underground pool giving the most extraordinary cavern experience in the state. The remarkable blind cave fish have evolved in total darkness over thousands of years. Entry approx $14.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cheaha State Park Restaurant The finest breakfast with views in Alabama. Hot breakfast overlooking the Talladega valley. | Lunch: Cafe Diem, Anniston Outstanding American bistro in a renovated downtown Anniston building. The finest lunch in the area. | Dinner: Automatic Seafood and Oysters Birmingham's most celebrated modern restaurant. Extraordinary Gulf Coast seafood. Book well ahead.
DAY 3
BIRMINGHAM
MORNING
BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE AND DISTRICT
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is the most extraordinary civil rights museum in America, its remarkable galleries chronicling the 1963 Birmingham Campaign and the broader movement giving the finest historical experience in the South. Kelly Ingram Park opposite contains the most extraordinary civil rights sculpture in America. The 16th Street Baptist Church, site of the 1963 bombing, gives the most moving historic experience in Birmingham. Entry approx $15. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
SLOSS FURNACES NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
Sloss Furnaces is the most extraordinary industrial heritage site in Alabama, its remarkable 19th-century pig iron blast furnaces preserved in the heart of Birmingham as a free museum and arts venue. The extraordinary scale of the furnace complex, the finest surviving example of its kind in the United States, is completely unknown to most international visitors. The remarkable metal arts programme gives the finest craft demonstrations in the city. Free entry. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS AND RED MOUNTAIN PARK
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens contain the most extraordinary free garden collection in Alabama, its remarkable Japanese garden and glass conservatory giving the finest horticultural experience in the state. Red Mountain Park gives remarkable iron ore mining heritage trails with the finest views over Birmingham. The extraordinary Vulcan statue on the mountain summit is the largest cast-iron statue in the world. Gardens free, Vulcan Park approx $6.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, just east of Birmingham, is the largest motorcycle museum in the world with over 1,400 extraordinary machines in a purpose-built facility that also contains the finest road racing circuit in the American Southeast. The remarkable collection spans from 1902 to the present day. Entry approx $20.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: O'Henry's Coffee, Homewood The finest coffee in Birmingham. Extraordinary pastries and local roast coffee in the Homewood neighbourhood. | Lunch: Chez Fonfon, Birmingham Classic French bistro in a historic neighbourhood. Outstanding lunch and the finest wine list in the city. | Dinner: Automatic Seafood and Oysters Birmingham's most celebrated modern restaurant. Extraordinary Gulf Coast seafood. Book well ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Fort Payne, Night 1 DeSoto State Park Lodge or local B&Bs in Fort Payne. Approx $80 to $150 per night. Anniston or Gadsden, Night 2 The Victoria Inn, Anniston, restored Victorian inn with breakfast. Approx $120 to $180. Birmingham, Night 3 Redmont Hotel, 1925 boutique hotel in downtown Birmingham. Approx $130 to $200.
Top Tips
1. Little River Canyon is free. The Canyon Rim Trail is 8 miles , start early and bring plenty of water.
2. DeSoto Falls: most visitors see only the upper falls. Scramble down to the lower falls for the finest view.
3. Cheaha State Park chalets book up fast in autumn. Reserve directly via the Alabama State Parks website.
4. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: closed Mondays. Allow at least 2 hours , one of the finest museums in the South.
5. Sloss Furnaces is free and open Tuesday to Saturday. Arrive at 9am opening before tour groups arrive.
6. Birmingham's food scene is outstanding. Book Automatic Seafood and Oysters at least a week ahead.
Total Budget
$100 to $160/day