31 days in Alabama Itinerary

Birmingham may be one of America's most controversial cities.

Change things up with these side-trips from Birmingham: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park (in McCalla), Paul W. Bryant Museum (in Tuscaloosa) and Ballantrae Golf Club (in Pelham). The adventure continues: examine the collection at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, identify plant and animal life at Ruffner Mountain, take some stellar pictures from Vulcan Park and Museum, and take in the spiritual surroundings of 16th Street Baptist Church.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Birmingham visit planner.

Dallas to Birmingham is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Dallas in November since evenings lows in Birmingham dip to 43°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Florence.

Florence is a city in and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the state's northwest corner.According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 39,319.Florence is the largest and principal city of the Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals" (which includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia metropolitan areas in Colbert and Lauderdale counties). Change things up with these side-trips from Florence: The Apron Museum (in Iuka), Battery Robinett (in Corinth) and Shiloh National Military Park (in Shiloh). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Pickwick Lake, examine the collection at W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library, pause for some photo ops at Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, and delve into the lush surroundings at Sipsey Wilderness.

To see where to stay, reviews, maps, and tourist information, read our Florence trip planner.

You can drive from Birmingham to Florence in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 57°F in December, and nighttime lows around 38°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can go by car to Muscle Shoals.

Muscle Shoals is the largest city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): contemplate the long history of Fame Recording Studios, take an in-depth tour of Helen Keller Birthplace, then see the interesting displays at Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and finally walk around Spring Park.

To find where to stay, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read Muscle Shoals trip itinerary maker.

Muscle Shoals is just a short distance from Florence. In December, daytime highs in Muscle Shoals are 57°F, while nighttime lows are 38°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Huntsville.

The three historical districts of Huntsville are tucked amid the lush greenery of nearly 60 parks within the city limits.

Get out of town with these interesting Huntsville side-trips: Chickamauga Battlefield (in Fort Oglethorpe), Rock City (in Lookout Mountain) and Franklin (Carter House, Lotz House Museum, &more). There's still lots to do: Head underground at Ruby Falls, have fun and explore at Wayne-O-Rama, brush up on your military savvy at U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, and snap pictures at Walnut Street Bridge.

To find photos, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Huntsville online travel planner.

You can drive from Muscle Shoals to Huntsville in 1.5 hours. In December in Huntsville, expect temperatures between 55°F during the day and 38°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can drive to Fort Payne.

Fort Payne is a city in and county seat of DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. Venture out of the city with trips to Unclaimed Baggage (in Scottsboro) and Rising Fawn (G3 Adventures & Cloudland Canyon State Park). Next up on the itinerary: immerse yourself in nature at DeSoto State Park, stroll around Little River Canyon National Preserve, pause for some serene contemplation at Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church, and take in the awesome beauty at Desoto Falls.

To find reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Fort Payne route planner.

You can drive from Huntsville to Fort Payne in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 55°F in December, and nighttime lows around 36°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Auburn.

Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. Get out of town with these interesting Auburn side-trips: LaGrange (Biblical History Center, Hills & Dales Estate, &more), Columbus (National Civil War Naval Museum, National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, &more) and Pine Mountain (F. D. Roosevelt State Park & Callaway Resort & Gardens). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Little Nadine's Grave, sample the fine beverages at John Emerald Distilling Company, and snap pictures at Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Auburn trip planner.

Getting from Fort Payne to Auburn by car takes about 3.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Fort Payne in December; daily highs in Auburn reach 61°F and lows reach 43°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Montgomery.

Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama and is the county seat of Montgomery County. Step out of Montgomery to go to Selma and see Edmund Pettus Bridge, which is approximately 54 minutes away. The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at Legacy Museum, contemplate the long history of Civil Rights Memorial Center, appreciate the history behind National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and take an in-depth tour of Rosa Parks Museum.

For maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Montgomery itinerary planner.

You can drive from Auburn to Montgomery in an hour. In December, daytime highs in Montgomery are 62°F, while nighttime lows are 43°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Mobile.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Mobile: Fairhope (Fairhope Avenue & Fairhope Municipal Pier), Orange Beach (Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead, Dolphin & Whale Watching, &more) and Holmes Medical Museum (in Foley).

To see photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Mobile trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Montgomery to Mobile in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. In December in Mobile, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 48°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.