Day Trippin' › Alabama › From Birmingham › Best history spots
Our picks for the best history spots within 3 hours of Birmingham: 64 places, 3 under an hour away, 29 between 1 and 2 hours and 32 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 35203.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, 35 min southwest of Birmingham.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Historic site · 1 hr 58 min northwest
The small house where Elvis was born, plus a museum, memorial garden and his childhood church.
Heads-up: Prices and hours differ by source.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
#2 · Historic site · 1 hr 42 min south
The bridge in Selma where marchers were beaten on Bloody Sunday in 1965. Walking across it is a moving experience.
Heads-up: Sidewalks are narrow and traffic is busy. Pair with downtown Selma.
Photo: Soniakapadia, CC BY-SA 4.0
#3 · Museum · 1 hr 21 min south
A powerful museum on the history of slavery, lynching, segregation and mass incarceration in America, built on a site where enslaved people were once held.
Heads-up: Timed entries sell out; buy online ahead. Heavy subject matter for young kids.
Photo: Ryan Cragun, Public domain
#4 · State park · 1 hr 26 min east
The highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet, with rock overlooks, a lake, CCC history and access to the Pinhoti Trail.
Heads-up: The old hotel was torn down; a new one is planned. Dog park on site.
Photo: Ralph Daily from Birmingham, United States, CC BY 2.0
#5 · Museum · 1 hr 33 min southeast
A free art museum set in Blount Cultural Park, with American art, a hands-on kids gallery and lakeside grounds.
Heads-up: Guided tours are not included in free entry. Park grounds open dawn to dusk.
Photo: Allen Patterson from Auburn, Alabama, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
#6 · Historic site · 1 hr 45 min southeast
The site of the 1814 battle that ended the Creek War, with a tour road, river views and trails.
Heads-up: Phone 256-234-7111 for current conditions.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
#7 · Museum · 1 hr 47 min northwest
Exhibits on Alabama music stars from country to soul to rock, in the music-rich Shoals.
Heads-up: No advance tickets needed.
Photo: Lestocq, CC BY-SA 4.0
#8 · Historic site · 1 hr 59 min southeast
Moton Field, where the first Black military pilots trained in World War II, with restored hangars and vintage planes.
Heads-up: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Photo: Chris Light (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0
#9 · Historic site · 2 hr 4 min northwest
Small 1864 battlefield site in Tupelo with a monument and cannons.
Heads-up: Quick stop in town.
Photo: Dudemanfellabra, CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 · Small town · 2 hr 9 min southwest
Downtown full of museums, historic theaters, shops and breweries.
Heads-up: Railfest runs each November.
Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0
#11 · Historic site · 2 hr 13 min east
Walk the Sweet Auburn blocks where Dr. King was born, preached at Ebenezer Baptist Church and is laid to rest. Moving and free.
Heads-up: Birth home tours are limited and can fill fast. Check the park hours page before you go.
Photo: Wilson44691, Public domain
#12 · Historic site · 2 hr 17 min northwest
One-acre memorial to a June 1864 battle west of Baldwyn.
Heads-up: No visitor facilities on site.
Photo: The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center from Columbus, GA, USA, CC BY 2.0
#13 · Museum · 2 hr 34 min southeast
A large museum honoring the US infantry soldier, near the Army post in Columbus.
Heads-up: Graduation days are busy.
Photo: MauraWen, CC0
#14 · Museum · 2 hr 57 min southwest
Excellent art museum in Laurel, free since 1923.
Heads-up: Pair it with a walk in downtown Laurel.
Photo: James Emery from Douglasville, United States, CC BY 2.0
#15 · Museum · 2 hr 59 min southeast
One of the largest collections of military helicopters in the world, on the Army's aviation post.
Heads-up: On a military post; visitor ID rules apply. Call 334-598-2508 before you go.
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park (35 min), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (46 min), Noccalula Falls Park (59 min), Moundville Archaeological Park (1 hr 6 min), Cook Museum of Natural Science (1 hr 17 min), Hank Williams Museum (1 hr 21 min), Rosa Parks Museum (1 hr 21 min), National Memorial for Peace and Justice (1 hr 21 min), Old Alabama Town (1 hr 22 min), Alabama State Capitol (1 hr 22 min), Freedom Rides Museum (1 hr 22 min), Dexter Parsonage Museum (1 hr 23 min), Montgomery Zoo (1 hr 26 min), U.S. Space & Rocket Center (1 hr 28 min), Burritt on the Mountain (1 hr 40 min), Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (1 hr 48 min), Ivy Green (1 hr 49 min), Gaineswood (1 hr 49 min), Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (1 hr 50 min), Rosenbaum House (1 hr 54 min), Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (1 hr 55 min), Columbus (1 hr 55 min), Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (1 hr 58 min), Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site (2 hr), Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center (2 hr 1 min), Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (2 hr 8 min), Jimmie Rodgers Museum (2 hr 11 min), National Center for Civil and Human Rights (2 hr 12 min), World of Coca-Cola (2 hr 13 min), Zoo Atlanta (2 hr 14 min), Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library (2 hr 15 min), High Museum of Art (2 hr 17 min), Atlanta History Center (2 hr 20 min), Fernbank Museum of Natural History (2 hr 20 min), Etowah Indian Mounds (2 hr 23 min), Russell Cave National Monument (2 hr 24 min), Coca-Cola Space Science Center (2 hr 25 min), Booth Western Art Museum (2 hr 27 min), New Echota (2 hr 30 min), Tellus Science Museum (2 hr 31 min), Westville (2 hr 35 min), Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center (2 hr 38 min), Rowan Oak (2 hr 47 min), Holly Springs (2 hr 48 min), Roosevelt's Little White House (2 hr 48 min), University of Mississippi Museum (2 hr 48 min), Chief Vann House (2 hr 53 min), Shorter Mansion (2 hr 57 min), Laurel (2 hr 59 min)
Our top picks are Elvis Presley Birthplace (1 hr 58 min), Edmund Pettus Bridge (1 hr 42 min), The Legacy Museum (1 hr 21 min), Cheaha State Park (1 hr 26 min) and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (1 hr 33 min). The page lists 64 places in all.
64: 3 under an hour away, 29 between 1 and 2 hours and 32 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 35203.
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, about 35 min southwest of Birmingham.
18 need no pass or fee, including Edmund Pettus Bridge, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. Fees change, so check each place.
27 of the 64 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.