10 North Alabama Day Trip Ideas for the Adventurous!
Whether you reside in North Alabama, or you’re visiting for a long weekend, you’re likely looking for some fun things to do! If you’re adventurous and ready to explore all that North Alabama has to offer, this blog is for you! Check out these 10 North Alabama day trip ideas and get ready to explore!
1. Bankhead National Forest
If you’re looking for a magical adventure, follow the winding roads to Alabama’s largest national forest, Bankhead National Forest. Throughout the hundreds or thousands of acres of land, you’ll find many different bodies of water including waterfalls, springs, rivers, and lakes. You can also hike along bluffs and in canyons for an immersive experience into the national forest. Here, you can camp, fish, picnic, hike, and swim! With so many activities, you might want to spend more than just a day implying this location.
2. Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain boasts tons of activities, adventures, views, excursions, places to eat, and places to stay! Restaurants include everything from Asian, Italian, and south of the border, to burgers, barbecue, and wings. There are countless outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, zip lining, and rock climbing, coupled with lots of indoor activities as well. These include museums, theaters, bowling alleys, axe throwing, arcades, roller skating, and tons of family-fun classes. Check out the landmarks as you drive down Lookout Mountain Parkway, or sleep and stay comfortably in a bed and breakfast for the weekend. There are tons of things for the whole family to enjoy here.
3. Majestic Caverns
Want to explore a massive underground cavern, then take part in a number of other fun family activities including magic shows and fire juggling? You need to visit the Majestic Caverns, formerly known as the Desoto Caverns! There is so much to do here including exploring the caverns, riding a train, making your way through the maze, panning for gold, playing mini-golf, wall climbing, and so much more. Enjoy delicious food at the Cave Cafe and then head home for a good night’s sleep. You’ll need it after spending the day here!
4. Dismals Canyon
Have your exploration through the wild lit by glowworms at Dismals Canyon in Franklin County, Alabama. This 85 acre nature conservatory will take you through caverns, canyons, waterfalls, boulders, and some of the biggest trees you’ve probably ever seen on a natural terrain trail. Before heading home, be sure to grab a bite of food or enjoy some incream at the Soda Fountain, and grab some candy and souvenirs from the Old Country Store.
5. Florence, AL
Enjoy water sports, world-class golfing, beautiful sightseeing, record-breaking fishing, and tons of nature trails during your day trip to Florence, Alabama. This city is rich in history for those who are interested, while also providing a perfect escape from reality with a deep dive into quiet, serene nature. If you’re looking for indoor activities, you can enjoy bowling, axe throwing, and even jumping at the trampoline park!
6. Guntersville Lake
In Guntersville, you can enjoy amazing shopping, lodging, golfing, and dining, but the most popular attraction in Guntersville is the lake! Going boating, fishing, wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, or out on a jetski are just a few of the activities you can enjoy on the lake. There are tons of events hosted on the lake throughout the year, and you can enjoy eating with a water view any day of the year.
7. Rocket City
While so much has changed in Alabama over the years, we can’t change the history, and we don’t want to! One historical part of Alabama that we love is Huntsville, also known as Rocket City! Huntsville is home to the US Space & Rocket Center where history buffs and space enthusiasts can spend hours on end exploring and diving into the art and technology of the museum. Here, you can learn about the history of creating the world’s first rockets and the future of space exploration! If you’re looking for some extra fun activities, visit the US Space Camp Training Center or the Intuitive® Planetarium. Not sure if this is something you’d enjoy? Trust us, it’s worth a visit!
8. Little River Canyon
Looking for white water rafting, bird watching, or biking? It’s all at Little River Canyon! On top of all those things, you can also experience horseback riding as well as hunting and fishing with a permit. Every season at Little River Canyon is beautiful in its own way and brings a new set of adventures to explore. You can also expect to see a variety of wildlife here, including black bears! This is truly a nature-lovers day trip!
9. Birmingham Zoo
You can’t get sea lion shows or camel rides anywhere but the Birmingham Zoo! With multiple attractions including Kangaroo Kountry, Predator & Primate Buildings, Flamingo Lagoon, and Alligator Swamp, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the day. There’s also a small aviary where you can interact with birds. Fun!
10. Noccalula Falls Park
See a 90 foot tall rushing waterfall at Noccalula Falls Park! If the sight doesn’t mesmerize you, the sound of the water surely will! Alongside the waterfall, you can visit a number of other attractions at Noccalula Falls. Get your exercise on by hiking, biking, walking, or running the 15 mile trail. You can also take a train ride, visit the petting zoo, explore the botanical garden or pioneer village, or play on the mini-golf course. There’s even a children’s playground and a war memorial.
Stay Comfortable
On those days where you decide to stay at home, call Garrison and Garrison to keep you comfortable! We’re the HVAC contractor of choice in Madison County, AL and we can keep you comfortable any day of the year!
Garrison & Garrison is a trusted American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in Huntsville, AL. Call us at (256) 859-8500 or email us at [email protected] with any questions or for more information. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
