There are so many great places for a family to take a vacation near Birmingham, Alabama. Amazing cities await just within a short drive of our city. Here are the 8 best road trips from Birmingham…
1. Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia is about a 2.5 hour drive to the heart of downtown from Birmingham. Here are a few of our favorite family activities in Atlanta… visiting the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke (located right next to each other), watching the Atlanta Braves in America’s favorite pastime at Truist Park, and exploring the Legoland Discovery Center located in Phipps Plaza. One of the most famous places to eat in Atlanta is The Varsity near the campus of Georgia Tech. You also might enjoy eating at the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. For more details on visiting Atlanta, read Experience Atlanta, Georgia :: Quick Getaways from Birmingham.
2. Chattanooga
Chattanooga is about a two and a half hour drive and is a great place for a day trip. You can hike on Lookout Mountain, explore the Chattanooga Aquarium and Hunter Museum of American Art, and enjoy the shops and restaurants downtown and walk the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. You might also enjoy Ruby Falls, to see the tallest underground cave waterfall open to the public in the United States.
3. Destin / 30 A / South Walton
There is so much to do, see, and enjoy in Destin / 30A / South Walton. Only a short 4 hour drive from Birmingham, enjoy beautiful white sands and clear water in South Walton County. Not only are the beaches great, there are many activities to do like tennis lessons, outlet shopping, eating at restaurants, the Gulfarium and more. For more details on what to do in South Walton, check out 5 Things to Do in Destin / 30A / South Walton Beach.
4. Gulf Shores / Orange Beach
We have 2 beautiful beaches in Alabama… Orange Beach and Gulf Shores! Known for their sugary, white sand and emerald waters, you are sure to love the beaches on the Gulf Coast. Enjoy the best seafood around and the many restaurants and enjoy every minute of that slow, beach life! For a full list of beaches, check out The Ultimate Guide to Drivable Beaches from Birmingham.
5. Nashville
Just a short jaunt up I-65 North, Nashville is a great spot for a road trip from Birmingham. Enjoy sports events like a Tennessee Titans football game or a Nashville Predators hockey game. Many families enjoy the Nashville Zoo, the American Girl Doll Store, the Opryland Resort, and Adventure Science Center. Franklin, TN located right outside of Nashville, is also a fun town to explore with small town shops and restaurants.
6. Orlando
It’s about a nine and a half hour drive to Orlando, home to many theme parks including Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Legoland, and more! Enjoy some of the most popular spots like Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. Many people from Birmingham enjoy vacationing in Orlando, either at a theme park resort or at an Air BnB to jump around to several local tourist spots.
7. Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg
Just a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Birmingham, the charming town of Gatlinburg is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge offer a myriad of activities from dining and dinner shows, to quirky museums, to classic mini-golf, to go-karting, to zip lines, and more. Retreat to a cabin or stay in the action within walking distance to the attractions. Enjoy one of the prettiest them parks in the world, Dollywood, according to USA Today. Read more about Dollywood in A Mom’s Guide to Dollywood.
8. St. Louis
We love visiting St. Louis, Missouri and experiencing all of the fun it has for families. It is about an 8 and a half hour road trip from Birmingham to St. Louis. There are many FREE activities for families in St. Louis… the St. Louis Zoo is free, the St. Louis Science Museum is free, the St. Louis Art Museum and more. Our kids love the City Museum, and eating at Imo’s Pizza and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a must. Watch some great St. Louis Cardinal baseball at Busch Stadium and explore one of their most iconic tourist spots, the Gateway Arch.
