Alabama Bucket List

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We have loved getting to see different parts of the world. Paris was incredible. We will never forget Sydney. But this year we are aiming to discover a different part of the world. Home. We are becoming tourists in our home state of Alabama. Last year I began our bucket list, and then started an Alabama bucket list. My Alabama bucket list was growing fast and I realized my kids really haven’t seen as much in their home state as I would like to think they had.

So we are making 2019 the year of Alabama. I have shared a list of the Alabama State Parks we want to visit this year. We have a camper van that we are loving and we are digging mountain biking, so the parks we will be visiting offer camping and bike trails.

To go along with the state parks we wish to visit I have compiled a list of things we want to do near each state park. And I will share the rest of my list with you.

Cheaha State Park, Cheaha Mountain Alabama mountain views

Near Auburn

Near the 696 acre Chewacla State Park located outside Auburn is the Tuskegee National Forest and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Being an aviation family it only makes sense that we will be visiting this site and learning the history of the brave Tuskegee Airmen. Also, located in Auburn is… well, Auburn University. Shocker, but while my family does in fact live in Alabama we don’t even watch football. But our kids are possibly going to college, so getting them to see college campuses is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Besides, our van is orange and blue… I have a feeling we may be more accepted in Tiger territory than we will be over in Tuscaloosa.

Near Huntsville

Monte Sano State Park is near Huntsville. There are so many places I want to visit in this area that we may need to make this a really long trip or several trips to North Alabama may be in order. There are a few other State parks there that we will make it a point to see. The Buck’s Pocket State Park has some beautiful views, but is currently closed for camping. Cathedral Caverns State Park is within an hour as is Lake Guntersville. That looks like 4 state parks in a small area. That alone could keep us busy.

We love the US Space and Rocket Center and I have a feeling if my kids find out we are that close they will be begging to make a return trip. And since it is a part of the same organization as the museum we are members at we are able to get in free, find out more about that here!

We are planning to do some Alabama History this spring/summer, so it is also high on my priority list to see some historic sites while we are on our state-wide adventures. And with Alabama turning 200 this year it is the best year to study our home state. On our list of historic sites are the Burritt on the Mountain (a historic home), and the Early Works Family of Museums; the Alabama Constitutional Village, the Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Huntsville Depot and Museum.

Near the Lake Guntersville State Park will we will be checking out Ave Maria Grotto, a 4 acre park with more than 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures in the world.

The US Space & Rocket Center is fun for the whole family. Located in Huntsville, Alabama it is out of this world!

Near Fort Payne

The De Soto State Park was on our Alabama State Park bucket list. We were able to camp here several years ago and again recently with our family. We rode bikes, went hiking, found geocaches, and went chasing waterfalls. Check out this post for more details on our stay as well as a video!

Near Tuscaloosa

We plan to head to a state park in another well known college town of Tuscaloosa. The Lake Lurleen State Park is going to give us another opportunity to check out a massive college campus at the University of Alabama. On this campus we will be on a search for Goldie 1971: the Fallen Robot! My son is a huge lover of all things robots, so this is a must see for us.
Also, since he is such a robot fan I would love to be able to go on the Mercedes Benz Factory Tour. I am sure they have a few more modern robots at work here. The tours are often open to the public, but are closed during certain production times and reservations are required.

Near Mobile

And last, but most certainly not least, we want to head south. Stick our toes in the sand. Our family has been to visit the beaches in Florida quite a few times in the past, now it’s time for some Alabama beaches at Gulf State Park.
If we can pull our kids away from the sand castle building I want to visit the USS Alabama Battleship. My son is currently studying American History and we will be covering World War II, so to see a battleship used in this war will be very interesting.
Another historic site down on the coast of Alabama is Fort Morgan. Built in 1819 it was a place of importance for the Spanish American War, WWI, and WW2.
Also near Gulf State Park is Meaher State Park and Bladon Springs State Park.

A few of the places on this bucket list we have already visited, but I wanted to leave them in case anyone wanted suggestions on things to do in my home state.