The 4 Best Sunday Drives to Take in Alabama

Feb 23, 2016

Alabama offers the best of the American South’s diverse landscapes. From coastal roads to mountain passes and colorful wooded paths, here are some of the best Sunday drives in the state.

1. Lookout Mountain

The Lookout Mountain Parkway is a must-see in autumn. This 93-mile stretch of road between Gadsen, AL and Chattanooga passes through dynamic park land, which means amazing foliage and natural formations like canyons and waterfalls.

2. Coastal Connection

Alabama’s coastline on the Gulf of Mexico is just as lovely as the nation’s more iconic ocean coasts, plus it has some unique Southern charm. The Coastal Connection Scenic Byway runs the length of the Gulf Coast, dotted with small towns and quiet beaches along nature preserves.

3. The Selma to Montgomery March Byway

In 1965, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led his historic march from Selma to the capital city of Montgomery. The path of the march is not only a great way to live some of Alabama’s proud history, it also happens to be 54 miles of gorgeous scenes, including some of the state’s postcard-perfect bridges.

4. Oak Alley

This particularly magical stretch of Shell Road on the Spring Hill College campus in Mobile is just as good for a stroll as for a drive. The dramatic oak tree canopy is even more stunning in person than in the many, many photos taken of the site.

There’s no shortage of great Sunday drive locales around Alabama. This list is just a start, but exploration will pay off with a wealth of other scenic paths.

Image provided by Flickr