Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Alabama with Your Kids

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July 3, 2007

Ideas for Family Summer Vacations to Alabama

Ideas for Family Summer Vacations in Alabama with Your Kids

Is Alabama a good vacation spot for you and your family this summer? As long as you can stand a little bit of heat, a trip to Alabama can be terrific. The place is rich with history, giving you a chance to give your kids an education during your travels. And believe it or not, even with that summer humidity and the high temperatures, there are some great areas of Alabama which allow for all-ages outdoor activities.

Northern Alabama

If your family is outdoorsy, you should think about centering your traveling plans on the northern area of the state. The Smokey Mountains are where a majority of outdoor travelers will be spending their Alabama vacation time. You can spend some quality time with the family by taking the kids hiking and camping in this area. Or give them a new experience with a horseback riding expedition.

Gulf Shores

Of course, there is a draw to the Southern part of Alabama and that’s the opportunity to explore a bit of a beachside vacation. After all, isn’t that what summer is all about? Not much of Alabama touches the Gulf of Mexico, but the area that does can be enjoyed by all families. The city of Gulf Shores features multiple white sand beaches, fishing and hiking opportunities, and even a theme park (Waterville USA) in case the kids do manage to somehow get bored.

Montgomery

For families which might want to spend more time indoors than outdoors, or who have a preference for urban areas, the capital city of Montgomery is a good bet for an Alabama summer vacation destination. Highlights here include educational museums like the Civil Rights Memorial, Blount Cultural Park for picnicking, and Old Alabama Town, a historic city where your kids can see what life was lived like before Gameboys and iPods.

Festivals

For families that like to spend their summer vacations attending events of different kinds, Alabama is a good destination. The biggest of these is the Alabama Shakespeare Festival which is held in Montgomery, but there are other events all throughout the summer, all throughout the state. Early in the summer, visitors enjoy annual events such as the local rodeo and the hot air balloon liftoff. Later in the summer, Alabama brings in travelers for 4th of July celebrations, BBQ festivals and historic commemoration events. Cities all throughout the state feature their own annual events nearly every week of the summer. And there are also weekly summer activities like First Friday art nights.

Things throughout the state

If you can’t make up your mind about where in Alabama might be right for your family’s summer vacation, here are some final highlights that might help you decide: ” The Montgomery Zoo - Widely recognized as one of the better zoos in the country, this makes for a great day trip for your family during an Alabama vacation. ” Gayle Planetarium - Located in Oak Park, this science center gives your kids a glimpse into a world beyond their own. ” Rosa Parks Museum - What a great way to teach your kids about the value of standing up for what you believe in. ” Little River Canyon - This is a favorite canyon hiking spot amongst outdoor adventuring families. ” Trains, planes and spacecraft - There are museums in Alabama featuring each of these different modes of transportation and exploration. The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is in Calera, The Southern Museum of Flight is in Birmingham and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is in Huntsville.

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