Alabama Weekend Trip
Planning a special Alabama weekend trip with the family? Solo? Significant other? Here are a couple of my favorite spots from some day trips during my vacation to Northern Alabama earlier this summer!
- Ave Maria Grotto
Located in unsuspecting Cullman, AL is a little (literally) 4 acre park located within St. Bernard Abbey. Within this park is a walking path that takes you past hundreds of small miniature replicas of some of the most famous religious structures of the entire world (my favorite was the mini great wall of china). These structures are so so realistic, and made me feel like a giant, and added bonus made for some really cute instagram worthy backdrops, just sayin’.
Entrance to the grotto costs about 8$ a person, with free parking
located on site. I spent about 15 minutes here, but you may take as
long as you like (in my defense it was raining). Another bonus is that
this place is super pet friendly! Very unique and educational.
2. Natural Bridge, AL
Located in (who would have thought) Natural Bridge, Alabama is a 148
foot long natural sand stone bridge. Stated to be the longest natural
bridge this far east of the Rockies. You cannot walk over top of the
bridge as this would be dangerous, but there are formations under the
bridge that you can certainly walk underneath and explore. In addition
there is a trail you may hike here as well.
The park costs $5 to enter, and once again there is parking on site for
free. I loved this little park. The bridge is one of those things where
pictures just don’t do it justice and you just have to see it for yourself.
Walking underneath felt almost cave-like and it always blows my mind
knowing that these structures were formed naturally.
3. Cathedral Caverns State Park
This day trip was probably my favorite of all the trips I took this summer. The state park is located in Woodville, AL, is open 7 days a week, costs about $18 per tour, and has free parking on site. The tour probably took us about 2 hours, but was guided by a very educated man, who had a huge passion for caving (in fact provided a lot of really great information about other caves around the area as well). The reason why they named this place Cathedral Caverns is because some of the stalactites and stalagmites in the cave give the appearance of a cathedral, and they are just absolutely stunning.
Caves never fail to blow my mind for the very same reason the natural bridge did. All of these structures were formed naturally over seriously long periods of time, and are just so beautiful and unique. The park does a great job with theatrics, setting up the light fixtures in just the right places, and turning them on at all the right times. I highly recommend this tour if you’re ever in the area. It was truly a memorable one.
There are so many other places in this area that I did not get a chance to visit. But if you’re taking an Alabama weekend trip to the north, I definitely recommend checking out my top three.
Here are some other places perfect for your Alabama weekend trip:
– Harmony Park Safari
– Bangor Cave
– Buck’s Pocket State Park (only about 5 minutes from Cathedral Caverns)
– Horse Pens 40
– Downtown Birmingham (hopefully I’ll get good coverage here prior to my move)
– Rock Zoo (literally a zoo made of rock animals, could be cool right?)
– See some additional places to explore in my last post here.
Thank you for following along with all of my recent summer travels. I’ve kind of put a hold on anywhere after my father passed away, and have some trips planned for the near future. So please be patient with me, they are coming I promise!
In addition to this, I will be posting one of my first newer-niche posts within my lifestyle content later this month regarding my weekly exercise/health routine. Here I will be giving some tips on how I manage to stay active and eat healthy while working a full time job, picking up small side jobs on the side, and solo running my blog (i.e. finding time to travel, take photos, and find new content to post regularly).
In the near future, as you are all aware I will be moving to Philadelphia to start my Physician Assistant career. Be on the lookout for a decent sized road trip across the east coast as I make my way to my new home. In addition, I’m looking for suggestions on places to visit along the way, so comment some of your favorite east coast travel spots for some inspiration please! 🙂
Make sure to follow me on instagram @unfriendlyadvice for additional content and coverage. I often share some cute little places around my current city, so if you’re ever around you can stop by some of them! (They don’t always make it onto the blog).
I’m planning to make some changes to my site by adding a weekly newsletter, so please subscribe to my site if you’re interested in having weekly updates, recipe shares, product reviews, extra travel tips, and keeping in the know about what I’m up to!
Love you all, hope you’re all having great summers.
Until next time,
– C
28 Comments
Linda Bebbington
Wow, love the mini structures. I’m so inspired to go pay a visit. Thank you for sharing. Great images too.
Rosh
We’re looking at visiting Allabama in the near future so thanks for these awesome tips/inspiration.
Lisa
Many great choices of places to see in Alabama, I love all the outdoor activities at this time of year. We are heading to Calgary to see the pandas at the Zoo! Definitely not made of rocks, lol…
Viano Dee
The picture of the Cathedral Caverns State Park really caught my attention. It’s a great work of art. I like it.
Fae Celine
Alabama looks so beautiful! your photos are amazing!
Lambam
The pictures are so amazing! Looks so goodl. Love the mini structures. Thank you for sharing.
Michael
Haven’t been here yet but heard and seen a lot from movies.. Seems a great place to visit so maybe the net time we go to your country. We always visit LA though lol
Madi Rowan
How fun!! This makes me think of Hannah Brown, who is the current Bachelorette, because she’s from Alabama! You can definitely tell how much she absolutely loves her home state!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Ashley
Wow these places look beautiful! I never knew that Alabama had so many wonderful places to offer. I might need to plan a road trip soon!
Larisa
Loved your article and the photos. Haven’t been here as it is very far from my country, but your article makes me want to pay a visit! Sending positive vibes your way!
Krysten Quiles
Oh that looks amazing! I’ve only really been through Alabama but it looks like a beautiful place.
Kalyan Panja
I would love to plan a weekend trip to Alabama soon. Your photos and recommendations are making me want to visit this place now only.
Lyosha
Your photos and post overall make me want to pack bags and go to Alabama now. It’s in my bucket list but you just pushed higher up!
Sushmita
Okay, so you have made me add this to my travel list of US! Thanks for sharing 🙂
BAckpackingcouple
Wow this area sounds great to us! Especially the Cathedral Caverns State Park is what we like to do a lot. Thanks for the great tips
Sonja Hoff
I never would have guessed there to be such beautiful places to visit in Northern Alabama. I somehow always associate Alabama with the beach. These look like great places to explore though!
Emily Fata
Wow, this looks like such an amazing trip! I’ve been wanting to visit Alabama for a while now and this makes me want to go all the more!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
Wow, I think that the small miniature replicas of some of the most famous religious structures of the entire world are sooo cool. I wonder how long they go for as you walk. Very nice place.
Bindu Thomas
Never been to Alabama, sounds an amazing place. All the best on your new career move.
Laura
It looks so nice place to visit and it seems there is lot to see. I really need to plan a trip to US sometime x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
alexandra cook
Honestly, I have never been to Alabama and these things that you mentioned in this article really helps a person on preparing their future visit in this place. Thanks for sharing these great tips with us.
Dani
What a great list of places to visit! I’ll definitely have to save this article in case I ever find myself in Alamaba!
amy
I would love to visit Alabama at some point in my life. I’ve only ever been to Georgia but would fancy somewhere less busy when going on vacation to America. You’ve included so many great tips for me to remember should I ever take the trip
David Elliott
All of those places look and sound really great. I think I would love going to the Cathedral Caverns. The natural caves with the stalactites and stalagmites are just breathtaking. Reminds me of another cavern I went to when I was younger.
Kristoffer
Thanks for all these great recommendations. We’ll be out in Georgia next year, would be great to head over there for a few’s days to check it out.
Agnes Vazhure
There are so many great tips here! The places there are incredibly beautiful! That is such a great trip that most of us want.
Jackline A
I have never been to Alabama but I have been to a few other southern States and I love the vibe and hospitality. Thanks for sharing this.
Janay
O wow thanks for sharing! I did not know there were so many fun awesome things to do in Alabama!