Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Hidden Wonders, History & Horseback Rides Under the Stars (Day 7)
Welcome to Day 7: From Majestic Caves to Birmingham’s Legacy and Oak Mountain Trails
If you’re looking for things to do near Birmingham, Day 7 of our Alabama road trip offers hidden wonders, history that matters, and the kind of sunset memory you won’t forget. From underground caverns and powerful Civil Rights sites to mountaintop views and forest trail rides, this day takes you deep into Alabama’s past—and leaves you with fresh wonder by nightfall.
If your kids are reading Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, Day 7 captures it all—light and shadow, questions and courage, and one magical ride through the woods as the stars come out.
Itinerary Overview
Route: Majestic Caverns →16th Street Baptist Church → Civil Rights Institute → Vulcan Park → Oak Mountain State Park
Total Drive Time: ~2 hours
Activity Time: ~7–8 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Stop 1: Majestic Caverns
Website: Majestic Caverns (Formally known as Desoto Caverns)
What to Expect
Step into the cool, echoing darkness of one of America’s most historic caverns. Towering stalagmites and glittering stalactites fill the Great Onyx Cathedral, while stories of Native Americans, Civil War soldiers, and early explorers bring history to life. A colorful laser light show illuminates the formations before you head above ground for gemstone panning, outdoor mazes, and sweet treats at the café.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Geology: stalactites, stalagmites, and cave ecosystems
- Early American history: letters to George Washington and Native American use of caves
- Conservation of natural spaces
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could name your own cavern, what would you call it and why? Draw what the inside would look like.
Faith Connection: Psalm 95:4 — “In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.”
I had also told the boys that this was one of the places I went mining for gold and Oliver asked to see my rock collection! LOL! Here is it in all it’s glory from 30 years ago!
Bonus:
Try the fudge recipe from our story, or roast marshmallows if you stay nearby!
Stop 2: 16th Street Baptist Church
Website: 16th Street Baptist Church
What to Expect
A pivotal landmark in Civil Rights history, this church became a rallying point for justice after the tragic 1963 bombing that killed four young girls. Tours and exhibits share both the pain and the resilience that followed.
NPS Stamp: Yes (via Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument) – No Passport book? No Problem — Grab Yours Here!
Educational Tie-In:
- Civil Rights Movement history and its impact
- Courage and leadership in times of injustice
- How memorials help us remember and learn
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could speak to someone from this time, what would you want to ask or tell them?
Faith Connection: Galatians 3:28 — “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Stop 3: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Website: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
What to Expect
This immersive museum walks you through segregation, peaceful protests, and landmark events of the Civil Rights era. From the Barriers Gallery to the Processional Gallery, the stories and artifacts leave a lasting impression.
NPS Stamp: Yes (via Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument)
Educational Tie-In:
- Segregation laws and the fight for equality
- The role of peaceful protest in social change
- Comparing U.S. civil rights struggles to global human rights movements
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: Why is it important to keep telling these stories, even decades later?
Faith Connection: Micah 6:8 — “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Stop 4: Vulcan Park & Museum
Website: Vulcan Park & Museum
What to Expect
Meet Vulcan, the world’s largest cast iron statue, standing watch over Birmingham. Inside the museum, learn how the steel industry shaped the city’s growth. Outside, take in panoramic views of the skyline.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Roman mythology in American public art
- Industrial history of Birmingham
- Role of steel in U.S. growth
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could design a giant statue for your hometown, what would it be and why?
Faith Connection: 1 Corinthians 3:11 — “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Stop 5: Oak Mountain State Park & The Rusted Roof Barn
Website: Oak Mountain State Park and The Rusted Roof Barn Facebook Page
What to Expect
End the day in Alabama’s largest state park with a peaceful horseback ride along moonlit trails. Keep watch for deer, squirrels, and the Northern Flicker — Alabama’s state bird.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Wildlife observation and identification
- Importance of conservation in state parks
- Relationship between humans and animals
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: Describe what you saw, smelled, and heard on the trail. How did it make you feel?
Faith Connection: Psalm 8:3–4 — “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers… what is mankind that you are mindful of them?”
What We Learned
- Geology shapes both our landscapes and history
- The power of memory in Civil Rights history
- The importance of equality and kindness
- Industry played a vital role in Birmingham’s growth
- Experiencing nature up close brings peace and perspective
State Symbols Spotted Today:
- Northern Flicker (Yellowhammer) — Alabama’s State Bird
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route — and customize it for your own family’s adventure — using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite trip-planning tool for finding kid-friendly stops, tracking drive times, and keeping everything in one place.
View our full trip on Roadtrippers: Ethan & Oliver Adventures Great Alabama Road Trip Map
Up Next: Day 8 — Fossils, Football & Flying Water
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate and Roadtrippers affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Unless otherwise noted, all destinations, attractions, and resources mentioned here are places we’ve personally chosen to visit and recommend. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these locations beyond the affiliate programs we participate in. We simply use and enjoy their tools and share them as a resource for fellow travelers.
