Cherokee Rock Village
This 200-acre Cherokee County park features a stone "village" made of ancient boulders. It is a place where Native Americans lived from about 8000 B.C. until 1838, when they were forced to leave by the Indian Removal Act. Also known as Sand Rock, this scenic spot perched on Shinebone Ridge features a spectacular view of Weiss Lake and the valley below. On a clear day, you can see as far as Rome, GA.
www.cherokee-chamber.org/rock.htm or 256-927-8455.

Train Ride
Depart from the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera for a ride on one of the historic trains pulled by first-generation diesel electric locomotives on a trip through scenic Shelby County.
www.heartofdixierrmuseum.org or 800-943-4490.

Fairhope Pier and Park
Dating back to 1895, this park offers tons of opportunities for shutterbugs. It features the longest pier on the Alabama coast, a rose garden with more than 800 bushes and two Alabama Champion trees. It's also a site on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, so look for pelicans, herons and egrets.

Getting there: The park and pier are at the end of Fairhope Avenue on Mobile Hwy.
For more information, call 251-928-2835.

Downtown Fairhope
Often called the "Carmel of the South," Fairhope has restored buildings decked out with loads of flowers – they're even planted on top of the trash receptacles. In fact, Fairhope won the Green Oscar for beautification as a finalist in the Nations in Bloom competition.

Getting there: In Fairhope, wander on Fairhope Avenue downtown and on Church, Section, DeLaMare and Murphy streets.
For more information, call 251-928-2835.

Flowers of Olde Town Daphne
If botanical prints are your thing, you'll find plenty of them in downtown Daphne and along Corridor 98. Restored buildings and parks are festooned with flowers, and the huge trees are draped with silvery moss. Bring a lunch and picnic in one of the two parks on Main Street.

Getting there: From I-10, take Exit 35A for Corridor 98. Scenic 98 and Main Street are easy to find in downtown.
For more information, call 251-621-3703.

Middle Bay Lighthouse
Take a boat ride to view the 1885 Middle Bay Lighthouse. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most painted structures in Alabama. The lighthouse rises out of the middle of Mobile Bay and is especially beautiful by moonlight if you have the right camera equipment. Built as an exact replica of the Chesapeake Bay lighthouse, it was manned until 1935 when the light was automated.
www.alabamalighthouses.com
Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce 251-621-8222.

Mobile Bay Boat Race
Imagine the colorful shots you'll take of these sleek boats skimming along the water. The Dauphin Island sailboat race is the most famous competition in these parts. It's held during the third weekend in March and is the largest point-to-point sailboat race in North America.

Getting there: Fairhope Yacht Club is at 101 Volanta Avenue in Fairhope.
For more information, call the Fairhope Yacht Club at 251-928-8888 for a complete list of the races.

Capitol Park – Tuscaloosa
A little-known fact is that Tuscaloosa was actually the state capitol before Montgomery from 1826 to 1846. At Capitol Park you'll find reconstructed architectural features of the old capitol building. In fact, the site uses actual bricks and stonework from the original building to outline the ground floor and partial rotunda. Plus several massive columns have been repaired and placed on their original sites.

Getting there: The park is just west of downtown Tuscaloosa on University Boulevard.
For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama at 205-758-7588

Kirkwood Mansion – Eutaw
This may be the most photographed historic home in Alabama. It's an exceptional example of Greek Revival architecture. Take time to tour the interior with its fine antiques. You can even have lunch there if you make an appointment.

Getting there: The mansion is at 111 Kirkwood Drive in Eutaw in Greene County.
For more information, call 205-372-2694.

The Oaks – Tuskegee
No photo album of Alabama sites would be complete without a shot of the family home of Booker T. Washington, the founder and first president of Tuskegee University. The house was built in 1899 by students and faculty members using bricks made by students.

Getting there: The Oaks is at 1212 West Montgomery Road in Tuskegee.
For more information, call 334-727-3200.

The Octagon House – Clayton
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is the only antebellum example of octagon-style architecture remaining in Alabama – and one of the few in the country. It's open only by appointment, but you can drive by anytime with your camera in hand for a memorable photo.

Getting there: The house is on North Midway Street in Clayton.
For more information, call 334-775-3254.

Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District – Eufaula
Take your camera to the largest historic district in east Alabama, then snap away at any of the more than 700 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Be sure to visit Eufaula's stately Shorter Mansion, where scenes from the movie Sweet Home Alabama were filmed. There's even a house museum with Victorian murals, period furnishings and Italian marble fireplaces.

Getting there: Stop by the chamber office at 333 East Broad Street for a walking/driving tour guide.
For more information, call the Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce at 800-524-7529 or 334-687-6664.

The Year Of Outdoor Alabama
©2006 Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel - Official Web Site
©2006 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Official Web Site