Let’s Explore Alabama
Did you know that I-65 runs along Alabama? If you are planning a road trip, Add Alabama to your list. Previously, we discovered Indiana and Kentucky on a virtual drive along I-65. Today, we explore Alabama along I-65 and focus on these places: Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, and Gulf Shores. Let’s explore Alabama; here we come!
Alabama is a southeastern state. You’ve heard these words, “Sweet Home Alabama.” It is known for its history, culture, food, and adventure. Alabama has a rich history in the Civil Rights Movement, which we will explore later. Did you know that music legends Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy, and Hank Williams were born in Alabama? Did you know that the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is located in Alabama? Let’s discover more about Alabama.
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Montgomery, Alabama
Our first stop is Montgomery, Alabama, the capital and one of the largest cities. It is situated on the banks of the Alabama River. Montgomery is also known as the Birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. Montgomery also has historical remnants of the Civil War and slavery. However, the city offers a variety of experiences for any traveler. Let’s take a look at some places to visit in Montgomery.
Museums and Memorials
Visit the National Memorial of Peace and Justice. “It opened in April 2018 and is dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.” Visiting the National Memorial of Peace and Justice is very emotional for many visitors. Sculptures and art designs are used to demonstrate the horror and terror of slavery and lynchings of African Americans.
National Voting Rights Museum & Institute
Continue to the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute and the Rosa Parks Museum. The National Voting Rights Museum is located in Selma at the foot of the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of “Bloody Sunday.” Visitors learn about the struggles of African Americans to gain the right to vote. Artifacts and materials represent the voting rights struggles of the past and present.
Visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. The church is a National Historic Landmark and was also the center of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Other places to visit are the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. It houses over 4,000 art pieces from the 18th to the 21st century. Admission is free. Check the website for special exhibits. Visit Downtown Montgomery. You can walk to museums, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. You can be adventurous and take a Segway Tour. For more information, visit the Sweet Home Alabama website.
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Birmingham, Alabama
Next, we are heading to Birmingham, Alabama, the Magic City. This city is also known for its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham is located in the north-central region of Alabama and has approximately 202,000 people.
It is called The Magic City. It comes from the city’s rapid growth in the 1870s and again at the turn of the 20th century when the city’s downtown area developed from a collection of small houses and businesses to an impressive downtown area. The nickname, The Magic City nickname, still resonates today.
Photo by David Youngblood
Birmingham Museums and Landmarks
Our first stop in Birmingham is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened in 1992 and is a large interpretive museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama, that depicts the Civil Rights Movement’s struggles in the 1950s and 1960s. The museum is a Smithsonian affiliate with multimedia exhibits documenting Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights Movement through movement participants’ voices.
Barber Motorsports Museum
Next, let’s visit the Barber Motorsports Museum. It houses the most extensive collection of motorcycles. Here, you can view vintage racing cars and motorcycles. Over a quarter of a million tourists visit the museum each year. Over 900 bikes are displayed, but the collection is over 1600 motorcycles.
Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark. Once, it was the largest manufacturer of pig iron in the world. The monument is a monument to the Industrial Revolution and represents Birmingham’s industrial heritage. Did you know that Sloss Furnaces operated for almost 80 years, from 1882 to 1970?
Sloss received a National Historic Landmark designation in 1981 and opened its gates in September 1983 as a museum of the City of Birmingham. You can visit the historical site and learn about the materials, the process, and the people who ran the furnaces.
Mobile and the Gulf Coast
While you explore Alabama along 1-65, plan to visit the port city of Mobile. Beach lovers, Mobile is along the Alabama Gulf Coast. It’s a place where many snowbirds visit to escape the cold winters of the Midwest. The white sand and turquoise waters are tough to resist.
Mobile Carnival Museum
Delicious seafood is also a big draw. You can visit Mobile, Alabama. If you love to play golf, Mobile is a place for you. Also, did you know Mobile is known for its Mardi Gras celebration? Floats, costumes, and photos at the Mobile Carnival Museum will enlighten you about the city’s centuries-old Mardi Gras tradition.
Battleship Memorial Park
Explore the WWII-era USS Alabama battleship anchored in Battleship Memorial Park. The 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception features intricate German stained glass. The Mobile Museum of Art displays international fine and decorative art.
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores is a resort community known for its bright white beaches and soothing warm water. Visitors can participate in scenic cruises, dolphin watching, and hiking. Gulf Shores is an excellent place for families. They can visit The Track, a family recreation center with bumper boats, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
For beach lovers, Alabama has its Gulf Coast. You can visit to escape the cold winters of the Midwest. The white sand and turquoise waters are tough to resist. Delicious seafood is also a big draw. You can visit Mobile, Alabama. If you love to play golf, Mobile is a place for you.
Gulf Shores is a resort community. Its bright white beaches and soothing warm water is very enticing. You can participate in scenic cruises, dolphin-watching, and hiking. Gulf Shores is an excellent place for families. They can visit The Track, a family recreation center with bumper boats, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Conclusion
Before you explore Alabama along I-65, visit the Sweet Home Alabama website. This post only touches upon a few places to see across the state. If you seek more adventure, Alabama has many outdoor activities, state and national parks, and nature-related locations to visit. If you are a foodie, Alabama is known for food like catfish, BBQ, seafood, and delicious sweets. My bags are packed, and I’m ready to explore Alabama along I-65.
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/montgomery-us-al-mon.htm
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/birmingham-us-al-b.htm
https://travel.usnews.com/Gulf_Shores_AL/Things_To_Do/
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/26-foods-in-al/
