Summer Series: Must Do’s In My State, Alabama!

Hey y’all, I’m Beth from Alabama and I’m here to tell you…it’s not what you think.  Go ahead. Think about every stereotype you’ve ever heard or assumed about Alabamians. We talk slow, love sweet tea, say funny things like “y’all” and  “bless your heart.” You might even assume a few of us are what you call “rednecks” down here. Guess what? You’re right about everything!

But…give us a chance. There’s more going on down here than you think!

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From the rolling hills and mountains in north Alabama to the Spanish moss and beaches in south Alabama, I’m sure you’ll find something to love. If not, we absolutely have the best state theme song. Cue some Lynyrd Skynyrd. Also, Reese Witherspoon made a movie about us. Wait, it was filled with awful stereotypes.  Is it bad that I still love it??

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― Mark Twain

I was born and raised in north Alabama and, to be honest, I didn’t really appreciate it until I moved away. I had no idea there were actually some really impressive things happening in my home state. Once I moved home, I started noticing things I never had before.

Top Things To Do in Alabama by Bethany Wilson

Author of Finding The Road To Simple

Beaches – Our beaches really are some of the best in the southeast.  That’s definitely saying a lot being in such close proximity to Florida.  There’s just something about the Gulf Coast. The beaches are beautiful and clean. I’ve been to other beaches where the sand is a weird consistency and the ocean just doesn’t look appealing. Not so in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. It’s truly something to see. Last time we went I even saw dolphins playing in the water.  Now imagine a 6 month pregnant woman jumping up and down like an idiot because she saw dolphins. You’re welcome for that visual. Yep, I love our beaches!

Rockets, Space Shuttles, and NASA (oh my!) – When we moved back, we lived about 5 miles from the first rest stop on I-65 when leaving Tennessee.  There’s a big rocket there to welcome you to Alabama. I honestly couldn’t figure that thing out. I’d lived here all my life and I had never once equated Alabama and rockets.  Now that I literally work with rocket scientists, I more than understand. Huntsville and the state of Alabama are a part of something really cool. The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville has been and remains an important part of the space program. Ever heard of Space Camp?  Yep, come on down to Alabama! You should really visit the Space and Rocket Center where you will be greeted by, yes, more rockets (and a space shuttle too!).  The Saturn V replica stands tall over Huntsville as well as several other rockets in Rocket Park. You can find one of the original Saturn V rockets actually inside the museum. I’ve been to events in the Saturn V Hall where you literally get to eat dinner under a rocket. Have you gotten to do that in any other state?

So next time you’re driving through Alabama to get somewhere else, maybe think about stopping and visiting one of these places (or the other cool places in between–check out Peach Park!). It took me 35 years but I am so proud to be from Sweet Home Alabama! Now that song will be stuck in your head all day…

“Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.” – Jamie Lyn Beatty

Check out more of our Summer Series:

Michigan

Maine

Hi! I’m Beth and I’m a wife and mom to the most adorable little 1 year old boy in all of Alabama. I work full time outside our home so I’m always trying to find balance between work and family. To be clear, our “home” is now a fifth wheel camper! I’m obsessed with lifestyle blogs and vlogs. I think it’s so fascinating to see how other people live and know that we’re not alone in the everyday fun and struggles we all face. We’re setting a lot of new goals for our little family and this blog is just one more step to making it all happen. Join us on our adventure to “simple”!

Finding the Road To Simple
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