Two days isn’t a long time for a vacation, but it’s plenty to escape the grind and explore a new place. Road trips in Alabama are the perfect way to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. But what’s the perfect destination?

We’ve got you covered.

Jerry

, the

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super app, has put together a guide with the best weekend getaways in Alabama. From the sunny Gulf to the Appalachian mountains, you’re in for a treat—no matter where you go.

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The best weekend getaways for couples in Alabama

Birmingham

Stay at:

Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa

(rooms from $195/night)

Or:

Embassy Suites Hotel

(rooms from $115/night)

Head to

Birmingham

for an urban adventure with your sweetie. Start at

Revelator

to fuel up with coffee and doughnuts and then enjoy an invigorating hike in the 1,038-acre

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

. Fill your bellies at

Saw’s BBQ

and then spend the afternoon exploring the

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

and the

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to get classy. Elevate your morning mood with a luxurious brunch at

Roots & Revelry

and then head to the

Birmingham Museum of Art

for a dignified stroll among world-class artwork.

For lunch, grab some succulent smoked meat and a famous half-moon cookie from

Full Moon BBQ

—and then walk it off with a romantic tour of the

Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens

. Take your loved one by the hand and savor an evening beside the water at

Railroad Park

Fairhope and Point Clear

Stay at:

Grand Hotel Gold Resort and Spa in Point Clear

(rooms from $456/night)

Or:

Key West Inn

(rooms from $122/night)

Is there anything more romantic than a cool ocean breeze on bare skin? The Fairhope and Point Clear area on the Gulf is the perfect place for a couples getaway, with wellness opportunities, outdoor recreation, and incredible seafood around every corner.

Start your first day at

Kind Coffee

with some bagels and coffee. Then put on your swimsuits and enjoy a few hours of sand and surf. For lunch, feast at

Sage Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

(don’t sleep on the garlic labneh). Then, switch it up with a visit to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Once you’re sweaty and ready for refreshment, finish with a flight at

Fairhope Brewing Co

. or live music and a cocktail at the

Book Cellar

Day 2 starts with a hearty brunch at

Another Broken Egg Cafe

. Stroll through

Southern Antiques and Accents

and look for antique homewares together. On your final afternoon, book a luxurious spa treatment and sauna and play a round of golf. Conclude your getaway with a toast and a farm-to-table platter at

The Hope Farm

Pro Tip Book your trip in advance to get the best possible prices!

The best weekend getaways for families in Alabama

Orange Beach

Stay at:

Turquoise Place

(rooms from $568/night)

Or:

Perdido Beach Resort

(rooms from $274/night)

Give your family the gift of a carefree day at the beach—starting with the privileges of resort life at family-friendly Turquoise Place.

Wake up to poolside snacks and the lazy river. Then, head to Gulf State Park for a hike and spend the afternoon creating memories at

Adventure Island

. Squeeze in a dolphin cruise in a glass-bottom boat with

Dolphins Down Under

. For dinner, enjoy a kids' menu that will please even the pickiest eaters at

Tacky Jacks

Day 2 starts with parasailing at

Parasail Sky Surfer

(open to kids 4 and up). Then, encourage your kids to get up close and personal with the Gulf’s flora and fauna on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Fuel up at the

Southern Grind Coffee House

and then explore the Wharf (laser tag is always a crowd-pleaser). Celebrate family with dinner at the waterfront

LuLu’s Buffet

, which accommodates all food allergies.

Montgomery

Stay at:

Red Bluff Cottage

(rooms from $69/pp)

Or:

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

(rooms from $377 per night)

Montgomery

is perfect for a family-friendly getaway. Start at the

Rosa Parks Library and Museum

and teach them about civil rights and the fight for equality. Then, explore the

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum

. Elevate their palates at

Cork & Cleaver

and then enjoy sunset as a family at Riverfront Park.

Kids slept in? No problem! Head to

Cahawba House

for the all-day breakfast. Then walk two blocks to the powerful

National Memorial for Peace and Justice

. For lunch, hit

J.W. Beverette’s Soul Food

and then walk one block to

JoZettie’s Cupcakes

. Spend the afternoon at the

Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

—maybe it’ll improve their grades! Finish the weekend with a memorable dinner at

Rock N’ Roll Sushi

MORE:

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The best weekend getaways for space lovers in Alabama

Huntsville

Stay at:

Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center

(rooms from $144/night)

Or:

106 Jefferson Huntsville

(rooms from $331/night)

There is no better place than Rocket City to immerse yourself in all things space-related.

Day 1 is all about outer space. But first, start with some fresh air at the

Huntsville

Botanical Garden. Then, grab lunch at the quirky

Toybox Bistro

. Explore the

Huntsville Museum of Art

while the sun is still up. Spend the evening at the

Space & Rocket Center’s

Cocktails & Cosmos event, where you can sip drinks beneath the planetarium. Then, spend the night at a

VBAS observatory

where you can learn to operate telescopes.

Day 2 is about appreciating Earth. Start your morning at the Monte Sano State Park, then head to the

Madison County Nature Trail

for the afternoon. Back in town, quench your thirst at

Straight to Ale Taproom

, and then take a sunset hot air balloon ride with

Gone With The Winds

to get a new perspective on this tiny speck we call home.

MORE:

9 best road trip destinations for music lovers in the US

The best weekend getaways for foodies in Alabama

Ashville

Stay at:

American Inn & Suites

(rooms from $73/night)

Or:

Rustic Mountain Cabin Airbnb

(entire cabin from $136/night)

Just 45 minutes from Birmingham is the Appalachian town of

Ashville

—and this area is a secret foodie haven for people who want to explore homestyle ‘Bama food. After you’ve explored the

Ashville Museum and Archives

and the

Springville Antique Mall

, head to

Two Sisters Homestyle Cafe

to try some fried okra and chowder peas. Fill your belly with old-fashioned ice cream from

Laster Sundries

On Day 2, check out the

Ashville House Quilt Shop

located in a gorgeous Victorian-style house. Then, head to Horse Pens 40 to watch the world’s best rock climbers tackle the mountains. When your tummy is growling, go to the nondescript

Landmark BBQ

for hickory smoked pork or an unforgettable chicken sandwich.

Decatur

Stay at:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

(rooms from $141/night)

Or:

Home2 Suites by Hilton

(rooms from $269/night)

Come with an empty stomach because

Decatur

is full of amazing dishes! When the sun rises, go to

Whisk’D Cafe

for Southern-style dishes like smothered waffles. For lunch, hit

Big Bob Gibson BBQ

to try their famous white sauce. For dinner, head to

Simp McGhee’s

on the picturesque Tennessee River for Cajun-style seafood, lobster ravioli, and derby pie.

On your second day, get a little adventurous and try an inventive hot dog from

Downtown Dawgs

. Then head slightly out of town to

Fulin’s Asian Cuisine

for a seafood bird’s nest and fried ice cream. If you have any room leftover, go to

Taqueria El Palomino

for a mouthwatering taco salad.

MORE:

The best Southern road trip for foodies

The best outdoor weekend getaways in Alabama

Gadsden

Stay at:

Gadsden Inn & Suites

(rooms from $113/night)

Or:

River Rocks Landing

(rooms from $108/night)

Just one hour from Birmingham is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise:

Gadsden

Start out of town at Neely Henry Lake. Explore the reservoir and throw your line in the water at this stop on the Alabama Bass Trail. Then head back into Gadsden to enjoy catfish on your plate at

Top O’ the River

. Meander the picturesque Forrest Cemetery and then spend your afternoon on the Coosa River—bring your own boat or rent one.

Get ready to be impressed.

Noccalula Falls

is beautiful in every season. Explore the 90-foot waterfall, ride the train, enjoy outdoor miniature golf, and admire the natural rock formations along Black Creek Gorge. If you have kids along, get a break from the sun with a visit to the

Factory

for some trampolining and epic indoor adventures. Spend the night at a rental cabin onsite.

Dauphin Island

Stay at:

The Inn at Dauphin Island

(units from $100/night)

Or: Dauphin Island Harbor House (rooms from $110/night)

Feeling beachy instead of woodsy? Head to Dauphin Island on the Gulf and spend the day looking for rare birds at the

Audubon Bird Sanctuary

—the

Bayou boardwalk trail

is your best bet. Enjoy lunch at

Skinners Seafood

and then explore

Indian Shell Mound Park

, an ancient indigenous settlement nestled amongst trees and dunes.

Ready for more? Start your day at the Lighthouse Bakery for a crab omelet. Then, head to the Sea Lab and Estuarium to check out the stingray touch pool and learn about local wildlife. Then head back to the white sand beaches and explore Fort Gaines, a historic fort used in the Civil War. Finish with sunset and dinner at

Pirate’s Bar and Grill

overlooking the sparkling waters of Pelican Cove.

Pro Tip This is a delicate natural area so do your best to minimize negative impacts on the environment. Stay on the paths and pack out your trash.

MORE:

Alabama electric vehicle incentives

The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Alabama

Mobile

Stay at:

Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel

(rooms from $205/night)

Or:

Fort Conde Inn

(rooms from $161)

From centuries-old to millennia-old,

Mobile

has what it takes to impress history buffs.

Start at the

Bob’s Downtown Diner

for Po-Boys or French toast. Now, head to the

Mobile Carnival Museum

to learn about 300 years of Mardi Gras history. Grab a bite at

Panini Pete’s

(vegan-friendly) and then spend the afternoon at the

Alabama Contemporary Art Center

Wake up to brunch at the

Ruby Slipper Cafe

and then check out the

University of South Alabama’s Archaeology Museum

for prehistoric artifacts. Pop into the

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

, built in the early 1800s, and then take a self-guided walking tour in the

Church Street Historic District

. Check out Fort Morgan State Historic Park for some Civil War education and finish with dinner at the historic Trellis Room.

Florence

Stay at:

GunRunner Boutique Hotel

(rooms from $509/night)

Or:

Stricklin Hotel

(rooms from $228/night)

Florence

is home to the famous Indian Mound and Museum where you can peruse ancient indigenous artifacts from thousands of years ago. It’s also home to the

Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

. Remember to fuel up! The best breakfast joint is

Big Bad Breakfast

and the classiest dinner spot is

Odette

On Day 2, turn your focus on more recent history. Start at the

Pope’s Tavern Museum

, a sorrowful building used as a hospital in the Civil War. Then spend time at the architectural landmark

Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House

. Grab a bite at

Esther’s Eatery

. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the local spots on the

Alabama Quilt Barn Trail

and finish with a drink at the 360 Grille with a view of the water.

MORE:

Odd roadside attractions for your summer road trip

The best cheap weekend getaways in Alabama

Mentone

Stay at:

Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast

(rooms from $140/night)

Or:

Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort

(rooms from $80/night)

Not far from the Georgia border is the small town of Mentone. If you want a charming and affordable getaway, this is it.

Start with farm-fresh snacks from

Mentone Market

. Then, head to the DeSoto Falls for an invigorating hike alongside a picturesque waterfall. Check out the

A.A. Miller Dam

and take some Instagram pics. For lunch, head to

Wildflower Cafe

. Take in the sunset over the rolling hills at Brow Park and finish with an affordable (but tasty) meal at Elevation Bistro.

Eufaula

Stay at:

Super 8 by Wyndham

(rooms from $70/night)

Or:

Quality Inn & Suites

(rooms from $73/night)

Eufaula

is a lovely town located on the Walter F. George Reservoir, on the Georgia border. This town may be far from major cities, but it’s far from boring.

Explore the historic

Shorter Mansion

and the equally charming Fendall Hall. Then, explore the

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge

. Grab lunch at

Graffiti’s Pizza Joint

and then spend the afternoon at

Lakepoint State Park

fishing at the Bass Capital of the World. Finish with incredible soul food that won’t break the bank at Thelma’s Kitchen.

Pro Tip If you’re very budget-minded, schedule your visit for the off-peak season.

MORE: 10 ways to get cheap car insurance that’s actually good

Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

Wherever you decide to go for your

Alabama

getaway, make sure you have

car insurance

that will protect both you and your vehicle.

Jerry

can help you compare policies and find a low rate—so you have more money to spend on your adventure! The app works fast. Enter your information and get personalized quotes from top companies. If you find a better rate, Jerry can help you switch over before you leave home.

The average user finds nearly $900 in annual savings! That could cover the cost of your entire weekend.

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