Family Road Trip Guide: Before You Visit Alabama
Hey there, family road trippers!
Alabama is one of those states that surprises you — with rockets, white-sand beaches, powerful Civil Rights history, and some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.
I lived there for a season, and when I started researching stops for the Ethan & Oliver Adventures: Great Alabama Road Trip, I told my husband, Aaron, “I’m ready to go now!” Whether you’re passing through for a day, exploring for a week, or traveling along with the Ethan & Oliver Adventures: Great Alabama Road Trip, a little planning goes a long way.
This quick guide is here to help your family make the most of your Alabama adventure — plus you’ll find a few notebooking prompts so your kids can reflect on what really mattered along the way.
When to Visit
Alabama shines in spring and fall — blooming azaleas, colorful leaves, and mild temps make it perfect for outdoor adventures.
Summers can get hot and humid, so pack water and plan indoor stops during the peak heat. And yes, mosquito spray is a must.
For the Ethan & Oliver Alabama adventure, we chose October — the weather is cooler, the Renaissance Faire is in full swing, and most kids are back in school, so attractions aren’t as crowded.
Our Top Kid-Friendly (all-ages) Road Trip Stops
We plan most of our trips using the Roadtrippers app — it’s perfect for finding quirky roadside gems, fun family stops, and great stretch breaks.
You can even search E&O Adventures Great Alabama Road Trip in Roadtrippers to see our full route.
➡️ www.roadtrippers.com
– U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville)
Stand under a real Saturn V rocket! So much to see, touch, and climb on — perfect for kids of all ages. Check out some more about the Space & Rocket Center here: https://www.rocketcenter.com/
– Alligator Alley (Summerdale)
Walk the boardwalks, watch a live gator feeding, and (if you’re brave) hold a baby alligator! Check out the Alligator alley website here: https://gatoralleyfarm.com/
– Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Sugar-white sand and warm Gulf water — need we say more? Don’t forget extra towels. Check out more: https://alabama.travel/places-to-go/areas/beaches-and-gulf-coast
– Dinosaur Adventure Land (Lenox)
A quirky stop with fossils, play areas, and science talks from a creation perspective. More on Dr. Dino and his dinosaurs, check out his website https://www.drdino.com/
– Birmingham Civil Rights Institute & 16th Street Baptist Church
For older kids, this is a powerful and age-appropriate way to learn about brave voices for freedom and justice. You’ll have to book a visit and where a mask, but you can check out more here: https://www.16thstreetbaptist.org/tours/
Notebooking Prompts for Alabama
Here are a few easy prompts to help your kids reflect after each stop:
- What was your favorite new thing you learned today?
- Draw your favorite animal you saw in Alabama.
- How did you see God’s beauty in Alabama’s nature or people?
- If you could invent something here (like Lonnie Johnson did with the Super Soaker!), what would it be?
- What do you want to remember forever about this trip?
Bring It Home
Want a ready-to-go Alabama Adventure Journal?
Notebooking Alabama
And don’t forget to tag @EthanAndOliverAdventures — we’d love to see your Alabama memories!
Safe travels and happy notebooking — one state at a time.
Disclaimer:
This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any organization, attraction, or company mentioned. All opinions are my own, and all recommendations are based on our personal family experiences while researching and writing the Ethan & Oliver Adventures series.
