Alabama is filled with many types of landmarks. From amazing natural wonders to one-of-a-kind statues, the list is endless. A great way to experience some of the Yellowhammer State’s most iconic landmarks is to embark on a road trip.
Listed below, we’ve included a road trip that’ll take you to seven of Alabama’s most iconic landmarks. Because it covers 366 miles and takes just over 7 hours to complete, it can be tackled as a day trip, or even as a weekend adventure. It depends on how long you wish to stay at each landmark.
google maps Click here for complete driving directions.
- U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Huntsville
wikipedia/Ke4roh Your road trip will begin at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is often referred to as “Earth’s largest space museum.” It’s also Alabama’s top paid tourist attraction and home to the one and only Space Camp. Click here for more information. U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA
- Noccalula Falls - Gadsden
flickr/Andy Montgomery Following a scenic drive southeast, you’ll arrive at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden. Noccalula Falls Park is home to Noccalula Falls, one of Alabama’s most visited natural attractions. It cascades 90 feet over a ledge into a lush ravine. Click here for more information. Noccalula Falls Park & Campground, 1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
- DeSoto Caverns - Childersburg
tripadvisor/Management You’ll then begin driving southwest to DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg. DeSoto Caverns is a series of caves located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Known as “Alabama’s Big Cave,” it’s one of the state’s top cave attractions. Click here for more information. Majestic Caverns, 5181 Desoto Caverns Pkwy, Childersburg, AL 35044, USA
- Vulcan - Birmingham
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Following a short drive northwest to Birmingham, you’ll arrive at Vulcan Park and Museum. The main attraction at Vulcan Park and Museum is Vulcan. This incredible statue, which was sculpted in the early 1900s, represents the Roman god of fire and forge. Measuring 56 feet high and weighing more than 100,000 pounds, it’s also the largest cast iron statue in the world. Click here for more information. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA
- Sloss Furnaces - Birmingham
flickr/Thomas Hawk While still in Birmingham, you’ll take a short drive to Sloss Furnaces. Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark that currently operates as a museum. In fact, it’s the only twentieth-century blast furnace in the United States that’s currently being preserved and operated as a historic industrial site. Sloss Furnaces is also believed to be haunted. Click here for more information. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222, USA
- Natural Bridge - Haleyville
flickr/David Brossard
Following a scenic drive northwest, you’ll arrive at Natural Bridge Park in Haleyville. The main feature of Natural Bridge Park is of course Natural Bridge. Measuring 60 feet high and 148 feet long, Natural Bridge is the longest natural bridge east of the Colorado Rockies. It’s also one of Alabama’s most incredible natural wonders.
Click here for more information.
Natural Bridge Park, Co Rd 3500, Haleyville, AL 35565, USA
- Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell
google/Ryan Beverly You’ll then continue driving northwest to Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell. Dismals Canyon is one of the few places in the world where dismalites (rare insects resembling glowworms) live. This is what makes it one of Alabama’s most unique outdoor attractions. Click here for more information. Following your visit to Dismals Canyon, you’ll head back to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center - the road trip’s starting point. Dismals Canyon, 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, USA
Have you ever visited any of these seven Alabama landmarks? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below.
google maps
Click here for complete driving directions.
wikipedia/Ke4roh
Your road trip will begin at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is often referred to as “Earth’s largest space museum.” It’s also Alabama’s top paid tourist attraction and home to the one and only Space Camp. Click here for more information.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA
flickr/Andy Montgomery
Following a scenic drive southeast, you’ll arrive at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden. Noccalula Falls Park is home to Noccalula Falls, one of Alabama’s most visited natural attractions. It cascades 90 feet over a ledge into a lush ravine. Click here for more information.
Noccalula Falls Park & Campground, 1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
tripadvisor/Management
You’ll then begin driving southwest to DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg. DeSoto Caverns is a series of caves located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Known as “Alabama’s Big Cave,” it’s one of the state’s top cave attractions. Click here for more information.
Majestic Caverns, 5181 Desoto Caverns Pkwy, Childersburg, AL 35044, USA
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Following a short drive northwest to Birmingham, you’ll arrive at Vulcan Park and Museum. The main attraction at Vulcan Park and Museum is Vulcan. This incredible statue, which was sculpted in the early 1900s, represents the Roman god of fire and forge. Measuring 56 feet high and weighing more than 100,000 pounds, it’s also the largest cast iron statue in the world. Click here for more information.
Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA
flickr/Thomas Hawk
While still in Birmingham, you’ll take a short drive to Sloss Furnaces. Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark that currently operates as a museum. In fact, it’s the only twentieth-century blast furnace in the United States that’s currently being preserved and operated as a historic industrial site. Sloss Furnaces is also believed to be haunted. Click here for more information.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222, USA
flickr/David Brossard
Following a scenic drive northwest, you’ll arrive at Natural Bridge Park in Haleyville. The main feature of Natural Bridge Park is of course Natural Bridge. Measuring 60 feet high and 148 feet long, Natural Bridge is the longest natural bridge east of the Colorado Rockies. It’s also one of Alabama’s most incredible natural wonders.
Click here for more information.
Natural Bridge Park, Co Rd 3500, Haleyville, AL 35565, USA
google/Ryan Beverly
You’ll then continue driving northwest to Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell. Dismals Canyon is one of the few places in the world where dismalites (rare insects resembling glowworms) live. This is what makes it one of Alabama’s most unique outdoor attractions. Click here for more information. Following your visit to Dismals Canyon, you’ll head back to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center - the road trip’s starting point.
Dismals Canyon, 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, USA
For more information about Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center, be sure to take a look at the following article: 11 Fascinating Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About The U.S. Space & Rocket Center In Alabama.
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