Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Critters, Curiosity & Creation (Day 2)
Welcome to Day 2: Decatur + Cullman + Huntsville
If your kids are following along with Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, this post brings the real-life inspiration to life! You’ll walk through Civil War sites, marvel at glowing insects and rare sea turtles, and end the day with pizza aboard a gently rocking boat.
Day 2 of our Alabama road trip with kids brings a whole new rhythm—blending hands-on history, glowing science exhibits, and peaceful moments of faith. From Civil War battlefields and glowing bugs to a boat sleepover under the stars, this part of the journey invites your family to slow down, ask big questions, and see God’s beauty in unexpected places.
Itinerary Overview
- Stop 1: Historic Decatur District & Old State Bank — Decatur, AL
- Stop 2: Point Mallard Park — Decatur, AL
- Stop 3: Cook Museum of Natural Science — Decatur, AL
- Stop 4: Ave Maria Grotto — Cullman, AL
- Stop 5: Overnight Stay at Ditto Landing Marina — Huntsville, AL
Route: Decatur → Cullman → Huntsville
Total Drive Time: ~2 hrs 10 min
Activity Time: ~8–9 hours
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Stop 1: Historic Decatur District & Old State Bank
Website: Old State Bank
What to Expect
Step into the past in Decatur’s Historic District, where brick sidewalks and preserved buildings tell stories from the 1800s. Built in 1833, the Old State Bank served as both a hospital and supply storage during the Civil War. Guided tours share its history, and you can peek into rooms where soldiers once stood. Renovations are underway to preserve this landmark for future generations.
Why Visit
As a military family, we believe in honoring hard history with honesty. Old Decatur allows you to step into a setting that witnessed division and pain—but also perseverance. It’s an approachable place to introduce the Civil War to kids in a way that connects deeply.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Civil War history and its causes
- Importance of river and rail control in military strategy
- Preservation of historic buildings
- Geography: How rivers and rail shaped towns and tactics
- Architecture: Using buildings as windows into the past
- Observation: Sketching, journaling, and storytelling prompts
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: What do you think it would feel like to live in Decatur during the Civil War?
Parent Tip: Keep the conversation age-appropriate, but don’t shy away from tough truths. This is a good moment to talk about slavery, division, and the fight for freedom.
Book Snippet:
“Wait… what even was the Civil War?” Oliver asked.
“It happened over 150 years ago,” Dad said. “The southern states wanted to keep slavery. The northern states wanted to end it. The disagreement became so big… it led to war.”
Faith Connection: History reminds us that people can change — and that God can redeem even the darkest chapters.
Stop 2: Point Mallard Park
Website: Point Mallard Park
What to Expect
This scenic park offers trails, open fields, and a Confederate memorial. Interpretive signs describe the 1864 battle where Union forces held Decatur. Standing on the field makes history tangible.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In
- Strategic importance of river cities
- How geography affects military outcomes
- Reflection on the cost of war
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: Why is it important to visit real historical sites instead of just reading about them?
Faith Connection: Standing in places where conflict happened can inspire us to be peacemakers today.
Stop 3: Cook Museum of Natural Science
Website: Cook Museum of Natural Science
What to Expect
Named USA Today’s #1 Best New Museum in 2021, this museum is filled with live animals, hands-on exhibits, and fascinating displays. Highlights include a 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, live sea turtles, glowing insects, eastern indigo snakes, crawl-through cave systems, and Alabama ecosystem exhibits. Interactive features like the kinetic sand table and digital seashell design station make science come alive for kids.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Alabama’s biodiversity
- Conservation and endangered species
- The interconnectedness of ecosystems
- STEM: Observation, hypothesis, and exploration
- Nature: Encouraging environmental stewardship
Parent Tip: Buy tickets online in advance. Early time slots are quieter and less crowded.
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could create a museum exhibit, what would it be and why?
Faith Connection: Exploring nature helps us appreciate the creativity of our Creator.
Stop 4: Ave Maria Grotto (Optional but Worth It)
Website: Ave Maria Grotto
What to Expect
Nicknamed “Jerusalem in Miniature,” this four-acre garden showcases over 125 miniature buildings crafted by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk. Using concrete, marbles, shells, and glass, he recreated famous churches, castles, and landmarks from around the world. A quiet, reflective stop that’s peaceful, poetic, and unlike anything else on the trip.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Benedictine monastic life
- Architecture from different cultures
- Perseverance in creative work
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: If you could build something to honor God, what would it be?
Faith Connection: Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
Stop 5: Overnight at Ditto Landing Marina
Website: Ditto Landing
What to Expect
Located on the Tennessee River near Huntsville, Ditto Landing offers a peaceful place to end the day. Ethan and Oliver stayed aboard a friend’s boat, eating pizza on deck as the sun set over the water. If you don’t have access to a boat, nearby Airbnbs, hotels, and campgrounds are available.
NPS Stamp: No
Educational Tie-In:
- Life on the river
- Basics of boating and marina operations
- How waterways connect communities
Notebook/Conversation Prompt: What would you name your boat, and where would you sail it?
Faith Connection: Just like the river flows steadily, God’s presence moves quietly but powerfully through our lives.
What We Learned
- The Civil War changed the course of U.S. history and ended slavery
- Nature and history both teach us about change and resilience
- Creativity can be an act of worship
- Rivers connect people, places, and stories
State Symbols Spotted Today: None — but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there!
Read the Story Version
This day is reimagined in Day 2 of Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip. You’ll find battlefield conversations, sea turtle facts, and a starry boat sleepover—all through the boys’ eyes.
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: Alabama Road Trip Map
Up Next: Day 3 — Boosters, Butterflies & Blooms
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.
