We are considering taking a little trip to northern Alabama this fall. Visit some canyons, Huntsville, some waterfalls, etc. We are active and mid-40s. Any suggestions for activities and special places to visit?
Thanks,
Speedy

Any Alabama experts up yet?

You may want to explore the portion of the Natchez Trace that cuts through the northern corner. I've not had a ton of luck when traveling through Alabama so I hesitate to suggest much else.

Okay, SAnParis, what do you mean by "ton of luck"?? There are some beautiful areas in the northeast corner - canyons and waterfalls. Have you seen those? I thought for sure someone here would load me down with great ideas.

Anybody even go to Alabama anymore?

Now a days I either fly over or sometimes I go to Birmingham on business. I have visited the corner you are speaking of, but living in NC, I have lots of that much closer.

I'll be going to Huntsville this fall, so I'm also interested in what to do in the area.

My husband is there for 6 months, but I said he'd have to wait until the summers over for me to come for a visit. It's been very hot there.

The only touristy thing he's done so far is go to the space and rocket center, which he said was great.

Maybe people don't go to Northern Alabama. I haven't been in an age, but here's a good looking site about that part of the world: http://www.northalabama.org/

Joanne
http://www.vacationing-with-kids.com

I go down to Alabama frequently (Birmingham, Mobile), but have not yet had the opportunity to go to the area that you're asking about.

My father lives near Huntsville in Madison, and I've visited several times. The Space Center is very interesting and I also recall visiting a lovely bird sanctuary in the general area. Helen Keller's birthplace in Tuscumbia is also worth a visit. I believe they shot much of the movie "The Miracle Worker" on that site.

Good point, SAnParis!

I have been to Alabama quite a few times on little trips, but I was hoping a local or someone who loves that area would fill me in on the latest, greatest. Alfisol, it looks I may have to try to answer your questions unless some help shows up soon. ;-)

Where's Photodog? He seems to have been the local expert on a lot of old threads.

Thanks for trying, gang!

Have not traveled northern Alabama for acouple years. But a not to miss in Huntsville would be the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Then just a hour away at Tuscumbia is the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Helen Keller Birthplace.A short distance to Cullman is the Ave Maria Grotto. There is also a Nature Trail 12 miles from downtown Huntsville on Green Mountain. My DS lived as far south of Alabama as one can almost go for years, so have covered all of Alabama in our travels.

You need to go to the Unclaimed Baggage store! See if you can find any of our missing stuff.

Honestly, that corner of Alabama is really pretty. I haven't been in years though. The last time was for a Cher concert in Huntsville.

Check out the state park sites. My nieces went to a camp in the NE corner for years. Now, I spend my extra time in the NE corner of an adjoining state.

Have fun!

Yep, Georgia on my mind . . . that's probably where we'll wind up. It tough to resist northern Georgia.

Come on up. I'll buy y'all lunch at the Dillard House!

Thank you, Marlene. We visited some of those spots years ago, but maybe it's time for a return trip.

We might take you up on that, Starrsville.

Little River Canyon near Fort Payne. DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne. Noccalulu Falls in Gadsden. Guntersville State Park. Cathedral Caverns in Grant between Guntersville and Scottsboro. Russell Cave near Scottsboro.

Weekend of September 16 is the Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride between Chattanooga and Waterloo, AL Over a hundred thousand motorcycles have taken part in the ride in the last few years.

Keith

Too bad Bamakelly no longer posts ( had a baby and life got hectic, I believe )! she'd have filled this gap nicely!!

OSB, I've been thinking that all day.

Nope, she actually came back. Posted for one day. Someone took offense to her trip report to NO. Really blasted her. She emailed me to say that she really didn't have the patience for that kind of nonsense anymore.

She posted her opinion. It wasn't the "right answer" according to another poster. It's a shame. I really liked (well, still do) bamakelly.

I drove 11 hours each way, two years in a row, from Houston to Birmingham just to drive on the Barber Motorsport Park racetrack. It's one of the more interesting and prettiest racetrack in the country. Their vintage motorcycle museum is also really world-class.