Among the itineraries that draw visitors to Alabama are the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and the Music and Adventure in the Deep South Mountains of America. Now, read on.
Top Sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
Major Alabama cities include Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham and Muscle Shoals. See where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the world plus food and music of the south. This amazing educational adventure mixes fun with history. Embark on a journey of discovery and memories while standing where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached and marched. It’s not only a Top 10 King site tour, but a true southern USA experience. You will start in Atlanta and end in Memphis, but as visitors discover, Alabama stands at the center of southern cultural and history that changed the world.
Ideas for First Timers:
- In Montgomery go on More Than Tours, featured in the New York Times.
- In Birmingham go to 16th Street Church Sunday service for Gospel music.
- In Montgomery, eat at Cahaba House, downtown local food restaurant.
- In Montgomery tour the Alabama State Capitol Building, beautiful and free.
- In Birmingham seek out the Atomic Lounge, a hip retro 60s bar where one can borrow a costume from their closet and wear.
Ideas for Repeat Visitors:
- In Birmingham go to a show at either historic theaters, The Alabama or The Lyric.
- In Muscle Shoals area, shop at Billie Reid. This local fashion clothing designer has stores in New York, Austin, Charleston but this Florence store is his hometown headquarters location.
- Add Anniston, Alabama, to your trip for Freedom Riders site and outdoor fun.
- In Montgomery explore American Civil War history at the 1st White House of the Confederacy.
- Visit Muscle Shoals during the annual 10-day W. C. Handy Music Festival. Held in July, this annual festival is nearing its 40th year.
Music and Adventure in the Deep South Mountains of America
For this itinerary, which features Music and Adventure in the Deep South Mountains of America, major cities are Nashville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Birmingham and Fort Payne. Lovers of the outdoors and music of the Deep South USA will find this tour offers adventure and the sounds of the south. It begins and ends in Nashville, but you could easily add Atlanta and shift the days slightly for a circle tour from that gateway as well.
Ideas for First Timers:
- In Birmingham, go to the Saturday morning Market at Pepper Place. It’s Alabama’s largest farmers market and a way to experience the city like a local. Some 200,000 people attend year.
- In Muscle Shoals area, eat at Trowbridge’s, a historic ice cream parlor serving classic cones, shakes and sandwiches in downtown Florence.
- In Muscle Shoals area, go to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and make your own karaoke style recording.
- In Birmingham, be sure to see the world’s largest motorcycle collection at Barber’s Vintage Motorsports Museum
- In Birmingham, go to Vulcan Park and Museum to overlook the city and see Vulcan, the world’s largest cast iron statue weighing the 100,000 pounds.
Ideas for Repeat Visitors:
- In Muscle Shoals area, plan you trip around the 10-day W. C. Handy music festival in July in Florence, Alabama.
- In Fort Payne, go to Orbix Hot Glass to watch artist blow glass and make ornaments.
- In Birmingham, attend 16th Street Church Sunday morning service for Gospel music.
- Visit Helen Keller’s Home during June/July when outdoor play “The Miracle Worker” is performed.
- In Birmingham, see the city by using Zyp BikeShare. More than 400 bicycles available.
For more detailed itinerary suggestions, contact Alabama’s Verified Destination Contacts.
Verified Destination Contact
Graham Roderick
International Sales
ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Phone: 334.353.1907
Email: Graham.roderick@tourism.alabama.gov
Grey Brennan
Deputy Director
ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Phone: 334.242.4459
Email:Grey.brennan@tourism.alabama.gov
Rosemary Judkins
Domestic Group Sales Manager
ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Phone: 334.242.4493
Email: Rosemary.Judkins@Tourism.Alabama.Gov
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Hank Williams Museum, Montgomery
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