Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Bridges, Bravery & Breaking Bread (Day 9)
Welcome to Day 9: Selma to Montgomery Trail
If you’re looking for meaningful things to do with kids in Central Alabama, Day 9 of our road trip follows one of the most important Civil Rights routes in American history. From walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge to visiting the Lowndes Interpretive Center, today’s stops offer powerful moments that will spark deep questions and unforgettable family conversations.
If your kids are reading Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, Chapter 9 captures this journey through courage, silence, and story—barefoot steps, heartfelt whispers, and the sacred rhythm of learning from the past.
📍 Day 9 Itinerary Overview:
Route: Selma ➡️ Montgomery
Drive Time: ~1.5 hours total
Activity Time: 6–7 hours (including stops and drive-bys)
Stop 1: Edmund Pettus Bridge (Selma)
What to Expect:
Walk the bridge where John Lewis and other peaceful marchers were attacked on Bloody Sunday in 1965. A deeply moving site of bravery and resistance.
Educational Tie-In:
Explore Civil Rights History with NPS
Notebook Prompt:
What would you march for if you were there in 1965?
Faith Tie-In:
Amos 5:24 — “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Kid-Friendly Tip:
Pause in the middle of the bridge to look out at the Alabama River—it’s a quiet moment that speaks volumes.
Memory Maker:
Our boys held hands as they crossed. Oliver whispered, “I wouldn’t let anyone push you down.”
Stop 2: David Hall Farm
What to Expect:
A lesser-known, privately owned site where marchers rested along the Selma to Montgomery trail. Visible from the road.
Educational Tie-In:
Talk about the importance of hospitality, sacrifice, and physical endurance during the march.
Notebook Prompt:
What supplies would you pack if you had to walk for days for something you believed in?
Optional Add-On:
Do a mini family walk—half a mile—in honor of those who marched.
Drive-By: Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Sign
What to Expect:
Quick photo opp at the trail marker. A symbolic stop that anchors the story visually.
Educational Tie-In:
Discuss why we preserve trails, markers, and memorials—to help the next generation remember.
Stop 3: Lowndes Interpretive Center
What to Expect:
In-depth exhibits about the voting rights movement, the Lowndes Tent City, and everyday heroes.
Short films and life-size tent replica
Educational Tie-In:
Discuss systemic injustice and perseverance through historical examples.
Notebook Prompt:
How does learning history like this help us today?
Faith Tie-In:
Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary of doing good…”
Kid-Friendly Tip:
Interactive and manageable exhibits make this a solid stop for younger kids.
Drive-By Stops (Optional but Meaningful)
- Campsite 3 (National Park Marker): One of the overnight stops for marchers.
- Robert Gardner Farm: Final resting point before reaching Montgomery.
Use these markers to reinforce how long and grueling the walk really was.
Educational Tie-In:
Connect the journey with a map, and show the total distance from Selma to Montgomery (54 miles).
Evening Wrap-Up: Dinner with Aunt Jan (or with family at hotel)
What to Expect:
A quiet meal, meaningful conversation, and a chance to process the day as a family.
Faith Tie-In:
Proverbs 2:6 — “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Family Moment:
The boys asked deep questions at the table—and Aunt Jan answered them with grace and love.
Notebook Prompt:
What’s one thing you learned today that you’ll carry into tomorrow?
What We Learned:
- Courage isn’t always loud—sometimes it looks like walking in silence
- History becomes real when you walk where it happened
- Big conversations start with small steps—especially when taken together
Read the Story Version:
Day 9 of Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip walks you through this day—bravery, deep questions, and a family table full of grace.
📬 Coming Next:
Day 10: Courage, Change & Conversations
Subscribe for printables, family travel tips, and the next chapter!
Here is our Alabama Roadtrippers Map
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.
