Nothing beats an old fashioned road trip! What’s even better is a road trip that can be experienced on a budget. Listed below, we’ve included a road trip route that’ll take you to four of Alabama’s most stunning sites. And not only that. These sites are also quite affordable to visit. In fact, you can visit all four of them for less than $100. With a driving distance of only 140 miles, this road trip can easily be tackled in a single day. It of course depends on how long you wish to stay at each site. Take a look below to learn all about this affordable Alabama road trip.
1. Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne
Little River Canyon National Preserve, 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
Your road trip will begin in Fort Payne at Little River Canyon National Preserve. Covering more than 15,000 acres, Little River Canyon National Preserve is one of Alabama's top outdoor spots. Little River Canyon is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," and one of the preserve's most popular features is Little River Falls, which happens to be one of the South's most beautiful waterfalls. There's no fee to tour the Scenic Drive, Little River Falls, or the Backcountry Area. However, there's a $3 fee per vehicle to enter Canyon Mouth Park.
2. Noccalula Falls Park - Gadsden
Noccalula Falls Park & Campground, 1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
Following a short drive to Gadsden, you'll arrive at Noccalula Falls Park. Noccalula Falls Park is home to Noccalula Falls, a 90-foot waterfall that's also one of Alabama's most-visited natural attractions. Admission prices to this park are as follows: Adults, $6; Senior Adults/Military, $4; Children (4-12), $4; Children 3 and under are free. If it's just the falls you'd like to view, you can do that for free.
3. Ave Maria Grotto - Cullman
Ave Maria Grotto, 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055, USA
Your next stop will be Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman. Ave Maria Grotto, nicknamed "Jerusalem in Miniature," is a beautiful, 4-acre park that's situated on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey. It features 125 miniature reproductions of famous religious buildings and structures. Standard admission rates to Ave Maria Grotto are as follows: Adults, $10; Teens (13-17), $8; Children (5-12), $7; Seniors, $8; and Military/Veterans/1st Responders, $7. Children 4 and under are free.
4. Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Birmingham
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, USA
Following a drive to Birmingham, your road trip will end at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which covers 67.5 acres, is one of Alabama's most popular outdoor attractions. With more than 12,000 plants of 1,500 species, this botanical garden is also Alabama's largest living museum. In addition to Birmingham Botanical Gardens being such a beautiful place to visit, admission is also free.
Have you ever been to any of these four stunning sites in Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below.
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