Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Courage, Change, and Conversations (Day 10)
Welcome to Day 10: Montgomery & Lake Martin
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in central Alabama, then Day 10 is one of the heaviest—and holiest—days of your journey. From powerful Civil Rights landmarks to quiet questions by the lake, this itinerary invites your family to wrestle with hard history and then exhale in nature’s stillness.
If you’re following along with Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, this blog brings the real-life version of their Montgomery discoveries to life—from heavy truths to healing waters.
Today blends hard conversations with hopeful ones. It’s a day to plant seeds of courage, character, and compassion—and a reminder that our kids are more capable than we think when we walk beside them.
Itinerary Overview
Route: Montgomery City Loop ➡ Alexander City (Lake Martin)
Total Drive Time: ~2.5 hours (including final drive to Alexander City)
Activity Time: ~7–8 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Stop 1: National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Website: Legacy Sites
What to Expect
On a serene hilltop, this six-acre memorial brings visitors face-to-face with America’s painful history. Over 800 rust-colored steel slabs hang overhead—each representing a county where racial terror lynchings occurred. Between them, reflective paths and a dedication garden offer space for families to walk and think. The atmosphere is solemn, with interpretive signage and areas for quiet contemplation.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Systemic roots of racial violence and why remembering matters
- Symbolism in memorial design: steel slabs and open spaces
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: What emotions did / would the hanging slabs bring up? Why is remembering history important for our future?
Faith Connection: Justice actions, as depicted here, reflect God’s call for righteousness and remembrance.
Stop 2: Rosa Parks Library and Museum
Website: Troy University Rosa Parks Museum
What to Expect
Stand where Rosa Parks made her historic choice to stay seated. Step into a life-sized replica bus, trace the details of her arrest, and explore interactive exhibits—including a Children’s Wing with a time-machine reenactment. This empowering space invites kids to literally step into the Civil Rights Movement.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- How one person’s nonviolent choice sparked a movement
- The power of community strategy and persistence
- Courage rooted in faith and principles
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you were Rosa Parks for a day, what would you say or do to make a change?
Faith Connection: Standing firm—even in fear—is a courageous testimony to truth.
Stop 3: Alabama State Capitol & Goat Hill Gift Store
What to Expect
While the Capitol’s doors were closed during our visit, its striking white dome still inspires. Just down the hill, the Goat Hill Gift Store offers Alabama books, crafts, postcards, and local sweets. The hill’s name is a charming nod to its quirky past.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Alabama’s shifting capitals and state governance
- How history is preserved in place names and stories
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could name your hometown’s landmarks, what would they be—and why?
Faith Connection: Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… He will direct your paths.”
Stop 4: Civil Rights Memorial Center
Website: Civil Rights Memorial Center
What to Expect
A polished black granite fountain engraved with the names of civil rights martyrs encircles a moving timeline of events. The gentle flow of water invites visitors to reflect on the cost of freedom and the sacrifices made.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Personal stories behind the names on the memorial
- Water as a metaphor for healing and remembrance
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: Which name or story here would you like to learn more about—and why?
Faith Connection: Water as a symbol of grace and remembrance connects hearts to justice.
Stop 5: Legacy Museum
Website: Legacy Museum
What to Expect
Housed in a former slave warehouse, this immersive museum traces history from slavery to mass incarceration. Through compelling narratives, artifacts, and interactive exhibits, it connects past injustices to the present.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- How past injustices continue to influence society
- The role of storytelling and personal voices in building empathy
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: What story from today opened your eyes? How will you carry that forward?
Faith Connection: Proverbs 31:8 — “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…”
Evening Wrap-Up: Lake Martin (Alexander City)
What to Expect:
After a full and emotional day, the family unwinds at the lake house—where laughter returns, and peace begins to settle in.
Family Tie-In:
Share stories. Ask questions. Let the stillness do its work.
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: How did the quiet of the lake help you process the day?
Faith Tie-In: Psalm 23:2–3 — “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
Memory Maker:
The boys fished off the dock with Granddaddy as the sky turned gold. He quoted Amos 5:24 again—and this time, it settled even deeper.
What We Learned Today
- Remembering painful history is essential for transformation
- One person’s quiet courage (Rosa Parks) can echo for generations
- Justice is an ever-flowing journey, shaped by remembrance and action
State Symbols Spotted Today:
- None officially, but Montgomery’s monuments and stories reflect Alabama’s enduring legacy of change and reflection
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route — and customize it for your own family — using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite 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 11 —Heroes, History, and Home Again
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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.
