Birmingham, Alabama is in the heart of the state with attractions like the Sloss Furnaces and Civil Rights landmarks like the 16th Street Baptist Church. But it's also well located to explore other parts of the state. It’s easy to pick up your rental car downtown or at the airport and return to your hotel in the evening. The Best Day Trips from … [Read more...] about 5 Easy Day Trips from Birmingham
Florence
Southern Stays: Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa
While we usually don't feature chain hotels, the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence, Alabama, is unlike any other from the brand. Located next to the dams of the Tennessee River, the hotel is inspired by the music and people of Muscle Shoals. The contemporary design has the best of everything, from the restaurant to the spa and outdoor pool facility. The hotel … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa
A Music Fan’s Guide to Muscle Shoals
It all connects to the river. The music, the history, the atmosphere. It's one of the most influential places in American music history. You might be thinking of Nashville or Memphis or even Los Angeles. But it's actually a small town in North Alabama, or rather a grouping of towns, all dotted along the Tennessee River: Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and … [Read more...] about A Music Fan’s Guide to Muscle Shoals
Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway
The national parkway known as the Natchez Trace follows the routes of the Old Natchez Trace routes originally used by Native American tribes. The two-lane parkway runs over 400 miles between Nashville, Tennessee, and Natchez, Mississippi. The current incarnation was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and it has become a popular route for road trips, … [Read more...] about Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway
Visiting Alabama’s Breweries
Despite laws that only recently allowed breweries to sell directly to consumers, the craft beer scene in Alabama has exploded. From Huntsville to Birmingham and from Fairhope to Gadsden, you'll find plenty of places to enjoy a pint. In fact, there are organized beer trails in North Alabama and downtown Huntsville, allowing you to get stamps for the places you visit and earn … [Read more...] about Visiting Alabama’s Breweries
