Looking for day trips to make from the Greater Birmingham, Alabama area? Then this list is for you! We’re going to go over some cities in Alabama and surrounding states that are great places for a day trip or weekend getaway. We even have a list of popular parks in Alabama if you’re an outdoorsy person. Let’s take a look at some different places you can easily travel to from Birmingham, AL and surrounding areas here! Ready on to add these places to your day trips from Birmingham, Alabama list:
Things to Do in Birmingham, Alabama On An Off Day:
Birmingham, Alabama is a great place to explore! From restaurants, breweries, dog parks, shopping, and activities, there is plenty to see and do. If you live in the Greater Birmingham area and are looking for some ideas on what you can do in your own city on a day off, then here are some ideas for you!
Downtown Birmingham is full of great restaurants and breweries! CityWalk is a newer location by the new Protective Stadium where you can find great food and even a dog park! Other breweries include Back Forty, Good People Brewing, Cahaba Brewing Co, and more! Head out of downtown and to the Summit for shopping and more dining options.
Family friendly activities include the McWane Science Center, Vulcan Park and Museum, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Theatre, and Birmingham Museum of Art. Catch a baseball game at Regions Field, or head to Railroad Park, Linn Park, or Kelly Ingram Park. Other places to visit while you’re downtown are Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Fan of cars? Check out the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Golfing more your thing? Check out some great golf courses in Birmingham and surrounding areas here: https://diannahowellrealtor.com/lifestyle/golf-courses-in-the-greater-birmingham-al-area/
Have a dog? Then check out one of these dog parks in this blog: https://diannahowellrealtor.com/lifestyle/dog-parks-in-birmingham-alabama-2023/
For live music and events, check the schedule at Oak Mountain Amphitheater. ( http://www.theoakmountainamphitheater.com ). Head to the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena for a hockey game or to go ice skating (500 Amphitheater Rd, Pelham, AL 35124). Learn more about what it’s like living in Birmingham by reading this blog post: Relocating to Birmingham, Alabama
What’s your favorite thing to do or see in Birmingham, Alabama?
Day Trips in Alabama:
Ready to get out of town for a bit? Here are some day trips to explore cities still within Alabama!
Huntsville, Alabama
Dubbed the number one place to live in Alabama in 2023, Huntsville is teeming with shopping, activities, dining, outdoor parks, and more! If you’re making a trip, make sure you check out the Space and Rocket Center, Monte Sano, Trash Pandas stadium, Bridge Street for shopping and a movie, the Botanical Garden, and so much more.
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the Capital of Alabama, so if you’re a history buff this is the perfect place to explore the Alabama State Capitol, Rosa Parks Museum, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, and more! There are great places to eat and there’s even a Drive Thru Safari you can go through!
Orange Beach
Ready for some sun, sand, and fun? Orange Beach is a beautiful getaway located in Alabama. The white sand shores, restaurants, and shopping (local boutiques and The Wharf shopping area) will be worth the trip. Book yourself a dolphin tour and enjoy the water and sites, or take some time to do a family activity (besides the beach) like putt putt golf (a must do on a beach vacation). Get out for a walk, run, or bike on a trail such as Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Closeby is the Gulf State Park Nature Center, so don’t miss out on this! Gulf Shores isn’t far away, so keep reading on what to see there while you’re at Orange Beach.
Gulf Shores
Another popular beach getaway destination in Alabama is Gulf Shores. Besides the beach, the fishing pier is an iconic spot to head to. You can also enjoy a waterpark called Waterville USA, or head out to Gulf State Park for the day to walk or bike the trails. If you’re a bird lover, make sure you visit the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. The Gulf Shore Museum is another spot to check out and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Also, don’t forget to take a picture inside the shark mouth at Souvenir City gift shop. It’s an usaid rule that you have to do this while you’re visiting Gulf Shores.
Mobile
Mobile is city mixed with beach. Mobile is where Mardi Gras originated, so this is a great place to go if you want to celebrate. There are so many things to see here, so add these to your list: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile Carnival Museum, History Museum of Mobile, GulfQuest – National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, and more! There is a lot of history, lots of charming homes to walk past, great local shopping and amazing seafood to enjoy while you’re in Mobile!
Tuscaloosa
Fan of football? Alabama football is a whole nother ball game. Get tickets to a game at the Bryant-Denny stadium and enjoy the atmosphere like you’ll find nowhere else. You can also tour the University of Alabama campus while you’re here, go shopping, and even do family friendly activities like the Children’s Hands on Museum. You could also check out the Tuscaloosa RiverWalk, Mercedes-Benz US International Visitor Center/Museum, and more while you’re in town!
Fairhope
Looking for some small town charm? Head on over to Fairhope and enjoy small town shopping, dining, and living. Make sure to visit Fairhope’s French Quarter and the Fairhope Municipal Pier. Take it easy at the Fairhope Brewing Company and enjoy more local things to do like going to the Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope Avenue (downtown), or Fairhope Museum. Want to do something outdoors? Check out Tolstoy Park, Weeks Bay Reserve, or the Alabama Eastern Shore Trail!
Guntersville
Lake life is big in Alabama. Lake Guntersville is the largest lake in Alabama, and you can enjoy it by renting a house, cabin, taking your trailer, etc. There are plenty of ways to stay entertained while relaxing on the lake, but there are also several state parks close by that you can go to as well while you’re in the area and you can also check out the Guntersville Museum and Cultural Center.
Out of State Day Trips
If you’re looking to head a little out of town, then check out these cities in surrounding states! Birmingham, Alabama isn’t far from some major cities that are a great place to vacation or just head to for the weekend!
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is such a popular city, and from all of the things you can do there, you can imagine why! From great shopping, dining (including plenty of great rooftop bars and restaurants to get great views of the city) and plenty to do and see, Atlanta should be on your list if you haven’t been before. Ever wanted to do a trolley tour? Well trolley tours are offered in Atlanta, so book your trip! You can visit places like the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site, Georgia Aquarium, Ponce City Market, World of Coca-Cola, go on a bus tours, Stone Mountain Park, Fox Theater, Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park Zoo Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Center, and oh so much more.
Helen, GA
Small town charm. Shopping, local restaurants, oh and did we mention it’s German themed? Helen has great German food, a German small town charming atmosphere and lots to do outdoors! Sign up for an hour culture tour in Helen, get outdoors to the Bartram Trail for hikers, Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, Dukes Creek Falls Trail, Yonah Mountain Hiking Trail, or Raven Cliff Falls. You can even go tubing down the Chattahoochee River or wine tasting at Habersham Vineyards and Winery! Other activities include the Georgia Mountain Coaster which is located downtown, or explore a castle called Uhuburg!
Another city close by that you can stop by on your way to or back home from Helen is Dahlonega, GA: Relax and enjoy yourself at one of the many wineries like Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery or Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery. If you’re sight seeing or looking for an activity then, head to the Crisson Gold Mine, Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, Lake Zwerner Trail, or Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo. Even just walking around this small quaint town’s downtown area may be enough to make the trip worth it.
Both Helen and Dahlonega are full of small town charm and sparkle even brighter during the Christmas season. Head over for some magic.
Nashville, TN
The country city. If you love country music, live bands at every bar and restaurant, then this place is for you. Nashville has trolley tours where you can hop on and off, narrated bus tours, and live shows at the Grand Ole Opry. Visit the Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens, learn to line dance (hey while you’re in town you may want to try it), visit the Nashville Zoo, Ryman Auditorium, Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, downtown Nashville, Lane Motor Museum, Centennial Park, Cumberland Park and oh so much more. There’s so much to do and see and enjoy in Nashville during the day and night, enjoy!
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is a gorgeous area that allows you to enjoy the feel of the outdoors while being in a big city. There’s plenty to do here so you won’t get bored. Here are just some options: walk the Tennessee RiverWalk or Bluff View Art District, head to Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, the Chattanooga Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, Coker Automotive Museum, Raccoon Mountain Caverns, Walnut Street Bridge, Creative Discovery Museum, Coolidge Park, and so much more! You can even book a trolley or train ride, go on haunted tours (if this is your thing), sign up for a downtown food tour, and unwind at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery.
Memphis, TN
Love BBQ? Then this is the right spot for you! Night life is great, and during the day you can visit sites like the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Brooks Museum of Arts, Memphis Zoo, Graceland, Sun Studio, Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Beale Street, Burkle Estate Museum, and AutoZone Park. You can even attend guided walking tours, biking tours, haunted tours, or go on a riverboat cruise!
Tupelo, MS
Known for the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, Tupelo is a great place to go for some history and patriotism. Check out the Tupelo Automobile Museum, Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo Veterans Museum, Elvis Presley Center, Ballard Park, Oren Dunn City Museum, Vietnam Memorial Replica Wall, and the Relics Antique Market Place.
Daytona Beach, FL
Race Track lovers rejoice. The Daytona International Speedway brings in crowds each year. If this is your thing, be sure to make a trip. Looking for things to do in Daytona Beach other than Nascar racing? From segway rides on the beach, a trip to visit Museum of Arts and Sciences, going on theRichard Petty driving experience, visiting Beach Street, walking the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, or going to Daytona Lagoon (a local waterpark), there are plenty of things to do while you’re in town!
Outdoor Parks in Alabama to Visit – Day Trips from Birmingham:
How’d you like our list of places that are day trips from Birmingham? If you’re looking for something outdoors instead of a location or city, then you’re in luck! Alabama is full of caves, waterfalls, and outdoor parks for nature lovers. Checkout these well known locations if you’re looking to explore:
DeSoto Caverns – Childersburg, AL
DeSoto Falls – Mentone, AL
Cathedral Caverns – Woodville, AL
Noccalula Falls – Gadsden, AL
Stephens Gap – Scottsboro, AL
Talladega National Forest – Brent, AL
Bankhead National Forest – Double Springs, AL
More Parks and Outdoor Adventures in Birmingham, Alabama
Want to explore the outdoors, but still stay in the Greater Birmingham area? One of these might be for you!
Barber MotorSports Park – Leeds, AL (hit shopping mall – The Shops of Grand River and Buc-ee’s Gas station while you’re there)
Oak Mountain State Park – Pelham, AL
Red Mountain – Birmingham, AL
Ruffner Mountain – Birmingham, AL
Birmingham Zoo – Birmingham, AL
Vulcan Park & Museum – Birmingham, AL
Birmingham’s RailRoad Park – Birmingham, AL
Kelly Ingram Park – Birmingham, AL
Linn Park – Birmingham, AL
Blue Water State Park – Pelham, AL
So there you have it, there are so many options to enjoy the outdoors in Birmingham, Alabama! What’s your favorite?
Looking for a Home in Birmingham, Alabama?
Want more information on the Birmingham, Alabama area? Living in the Greater Birmingham, AL area will be a great move for you and your family. IIf you’re looking to sell, buy or build a home in Birmingham, Alabama, let me help you. If you’re new to the Greater Birmingham area or looking to relocate to Birmingham, Alabama, please feel reach out to Dianna Howell, a top Pelham Real Estate Agent with The Howell Group: 205-568-5435 or dianna.howell@kw.com
Have more places that should be on our list? Whether it’s a day trip from Birmingham or something to do near Birmingham or in Alabama, let us know in the comments below! We would love to add more to our day trips from Birmingham, AL list!
For information on Birmingham, Alabama contact real estate agent Dianna Howell, a top real estate agent in the Birmingham, Alabama area. Visit our website for more information on the Greater Birmingham area: https://diannahowellrealtor.com/category/lifestyle/
📕 Read more about the Birmingham area in this post: Relocating to Birmingham, Alabama
🏡 Learn more about what it’s like to live in Birmingham, Alabama in this YouTube video 📺: https://youtu.be/Yo3Fr2lT8PI?si=fXNY594lathzwr_i
I have plenty of resources and information to provide including my expert help. Call me today and let’s get started on the search for your new home, whether you want to buy or build!
Sincerely,
Dianna Howell
The Howell Group of Keller Williams in the Birmingham Alabama area
Top Birmingham Real Estate Agent
