Montgomery Zoo
PO Box 3313
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
Phone: (334) 240-4900
The Spacious, natural exhibits of the new Montgomery Zoo create spectacular views of wildlife for our visitors and also insure the health and well being of the animals. Natural and hidden manmade barriers using the latest features of modern design have eliminated the cages! Completely renovated in 1991 and enlarged from 6 to 40 acres, the Montgomery Zoo is home to over 700 animals from five continents. Visitors can view tigers, lions and cheetahs only inches away. A walk through the free flight aviary will delight and amaze you with the color and diversity of birds from the South American Tropics. The new Reptile Building displays some of the world's most dangerous snakes in natural settings.
Located off Northern Blvd. between Lower Wetumpka Road and Coliseum Blvd. Access to the Zoo is available from either Northern Blvd., Vandiver Blvd., or Fairground Road. Click here for map.

National Parks

Russell Cave National Monument
Bridgeport, Alabama
Phone: (256) 495-2672
Park Rangers give guided tours of the cave shelter. Call ahead for cultural education programming designed for, but not limited to school and scouting groups. One mile hiking trail, one half mile nature trail, a selection of videos, Prehistoric tools and weapons demonstrations including flint knapping (making of arrowheads), atlatl use (ranger will demonstrate the proper way to throw a spear with an atlatl), and fire building as the prehistoric Indians did in past.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
11288 Horseshoe Bend Road
Daviston, AL 36256-9751
Phone: (256) 234-7111
Demonstrations of Black Powder Muskets and Fire Starting Demonstration. Auto touring, biking, bird watching, boating, fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, nature walks and wildlife viewing.
Located in east central Alabama, on State Highway 49, 12 miles north of the town of Dadeville, between the towns of Dadeville and New Site. Signs along U.S. Highway 280 and State Road 22 direct motorist to the park.

Little River Canyon National Preserve
2141 Gault Avenue North
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Phone: 256-845-9605
Little River flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. The river and canyon systems are spectacular Appalachian Plateau landscapes any season of the year. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, stream riffles and pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
2703 Battleship Parkway (Highway 90/98) just off Interstate 10 - Exits 27 or 30
Mobile, Alabama
Phone: 334-433-2703

Museums

Anniston Museum of Natural History
800 Museum Drive
Anniston, AL 36207
Phone: 256-237-6766
Explore the wilds of Africa, the wonders of the North American wilderness, and the mysteries of 2,000 year old mummies in the seven fascinating exhibit halls of the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Open-air exhibits place you face to face with majestic--and often deadly--animals! See one of the country's oldest exhibits of birds in their habitats, and explore the children's discovery room for hands-on experiences with Alabama's natural wonders. Stroll along outdoor nature trails and enjoy global shopping in the Museum Store.
Located in Lagarde Park, Anniston, Alabama, at the junction of Highways 431 and 21. From Interstate 20, exit 185, 7 miles north on Highway 21. Allow 1-1/2 hours driving time from Birmingham or Atlanta.

Southern Museum of Flight
4343 73rd Street North
Birmingham, Alabama 35206
Phone: (205) 833-8226
Explore the miracle of flying! Take off to the Southern Museum of Flight where visitors can view eight decades of aviation history through aircraft, engines, models, and memorabilia of some of the greatest aviation pioneers of all time!
Located two blocks east of the Birmingham International Airport, reached from I-59 exits 132 southbound and 131 northbound.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
1919 9th Street
Calera, Alabama 35040
Phone: (800)943-4490
A visit to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is your special ticket to the past when railroads were shaping the destiny of the country. Turn back the clock forty or more years as you ride one of our historic trains consisting of passenger cars built between 1910 and 1950 pulled by early, first generation diesel electric locomotives.
Located adjacent to I-65, 30 miles south of Birmingham and 60 miles north of Montgomery. To reach the museum, take exit 228 off I-65, go six tenths of a mile south on Alabama Highway 25, turn left on 9th Street and drive to the museum.

Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street, S.
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Phone: (256) 535-4350
Named as one of the state’s “Top 10” destinations by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. In addition to its exhibitions, the Museum offers art classes for children and adults along with special programs, lectures, and musical presentations that add extra dimensions to the art work on display.
Located: From I-65, take Exit 340 on I-565 to Huntsville. Travel approximately 19 miles east on I-565. Take Exit 19C to downtown Huntsville. Merge right and turn right onto Monroe Street. Take first left at light onto Church Street. Go through two lights.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Huntsville, Alabama
Whether you're 1 or 100, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center has something for you! Hands-on learning experiences, thrilling rides: go to Mars and experience the sensation of weightlessness, actual vehicles and artifacts from U. S. and Russian Space Programs, space-related play areas for young visitors, Imax Spacedome theater and the largest collection of rockets in the world.
Located: in Huntsville, which can can be reached from Interstate 65. Exit to Interstate 565 East, which runs directly through Huntsville. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is located off exit 15, within plain sight of the freeway (look for the big rocket!) From the east and west, US Highway 72 runs through Huntsville, and signage is located through the city to point you in the right direction.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

VisionLand
VisionLand Administration
5051 Prince Street
Bessemer, Alabama 35023
Phone: (205) 481-4750
The park is located 16 miles southwest of Birmingham near the interchange of I-20/59 and I-459 in Bessemer, Alabama. The one price admission for rides provides fun for the entire family, including a wooden roller coaster, a children's ride area, a water park and, the exciting river rapids ride, Wild River Gorge. VisionLand is Alabama's Family Place!

Waterville, USA
906 Gulf Shores Parkway
P.O. Box 1017
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36547
Phone: (334) 948-2106
Waterville U.S.A., the ultimate in family fun, is a 20 acre Water Park and Amusement Park located in the beach resort community of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Water Park sports rides for everyone from the thrill seeker in you to the more relaxed family attractions. Ride 3 foot waves in our giant wave pool, feel the rush of our towering "Kamikaze" straight drop, speed down the twists of our water slides or relax on the 1,800 foot long float stream. The Amusement park has grown over the last eight years to become the largest in the area. Ride the 50 mph Cannonball Run Rollercoaster, feel the force in our Ejection Seat, test your skills with Laser Tag and Nascarts or bring the little ones to The Fun Depot.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Alabama, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Cheaha State Park
Route 1, Box 77-H
Delta (near Anniston), Alabama 36258
Park Office: (256) 488-5111
Park Fax: (256) 488-5885
Resort: Highway 281, 2141 Bunker Loop, Delta, Alabama 36258
(256) 488-5115 or 1-800-846-2654
Lodge Fax: (256) 488-5649
Located atop Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the State, 2,407 feet above sea level, this 2,799 acre mountain top retreat exhibits breathtaking scenery year-round. Enjoy an exhilarating day of hiking, swimming, or photographing nature's beauty, you can retire to a comfortable hotel room, mountainside chalet, cabin or a scenic campsite. Cheaha is located near Anniston, Alabama.

Gulf State Park (Beaches)
20115 State Highway 135
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
Resort Hotel: 1-800-544-4853
Campground: 334-948-6353
Seagulls and seashells and sand welcome you to Gulf State Park. Ranging across 6,150 acres with 2.5 miles of sugar white sand beach, the park has a spectacular resort/convention complex. Bask all morning in the sun beside the Gulf of Mexico or knock a ball around an 18 hole championship golf course. Spend a lazy afternoon drifting in a canoe, by the shores of Lake Shelby, or a dip in the Hotel swimming pool. Fish off an 825 foot pier, the longest on the Gulf, or in a 500 acre freshwater lake a stone's throw away. Meander along nature trails. Spend your nights in a camper, a family size lakefront cabin, or a luxury hotel room facing the Gulf. Enjoy fresh seafood in our resort dining room.

Orange Beach
Orange Beach, Alabama
http://www.orangebch.com/

Adventure Island
24559 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
Phone: 334-974-1500
Mini-golf, laser tag, Gas Station Kiddie Ride, paddle boats, roller coaster simulator, NASCAR simulator, go-cart track. Adventure Island is home to the Gulf Coast's only Active Volcano. See a five-story volcano & mountain of fire come alive with an amazing show of power and beauty. Feel the vibrations, hear the boiling water, see the steam, and watch a musical eruption that will amaze the entire family.

Dauphin Island (Beaches, Fort Gaines, Camping)
Dauphin Island, Alabama
http://www.dauphinisland.org/

Lake Martin - Fishing, swimming, skiing, rental cabins and camping. Home of the infamous "Goat Island". Lake Martin is located in central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River.

Lake Logan Martin - Fishing, swimming, general water sports, picnicking and boating. Located off Interstate 20 near Pell City.

Dannelly Lake - Swimming, beaches, scenic bluffs, fishing, campsites, picnicking, launch ramps and visitors center. From Camden take Highway 28 west about 9 miles to dam area.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

If you know of a fun winter family vacation spot in Alabama, let us know and we will add it here.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Alabama, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages

(specials are updated weekly)
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