Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours

book (Readers Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=1992 Texas travel soft-cover book, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: A=2005 trip B=2006 trip C=2007 trip No letter = 2008 trip & later trips NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !

ALABAMA
AAA Gem Sites:
Anniston: Anniston Museum of Natural History Birmingham: Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Museum of Art Vulcan Park & Museum Florence: Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum Museum (1940 home) Huntsville: U.S. Space & Rocket Center Mobile: Mobile Museum of Art Mobiles Historic Districts USS Alabama battleship Memorial Park Montevallo: The American Village Montgomery: Alabama Shakespeare Festival Civil Rights Memorial Center First White House of the Confederacy Old Alabama Town Theodore: Bellingrath Gardens & Home Tuskegee: Carver Museum Vance: Mercedes Benz Visitor Center

AL001D Anniston (A39) A) Anniston Museum of Natural History, 800 Museum Drive at jct SR21 & US 431 in Lagarde Park, features 400 species of birds, 100 African animals, Egyptian mummies, nature trails, picnic facilities, Berman Museum of World History. Allow 2 hours min.; Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5, Memorial Day thru Labor Day; Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, rest of year. Closed Thanksgiving & Dec 24-25. Adults $4.50, $4 (ages 61+); $3.50 ages 4-17), FREE Thursdays 1-5. Ph: 256-237-6766. B) Berman Museum of World History, jct US 431 and SR21 at 840 Museum Drive, contains more than 3,000 objects including rare weapons & armor, and other historic items. AL00D Birmingham A) Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens (A48) Gem Site, 331 Cotton Ave. SW, dates from 1840s, Greek revival architecture, house on 6 acres, furnished w/ 1800s decorative arts collection. Last tour 1 hour before closing. Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4, CLOSED MONDAYS and major holidays. Admission $5, $4.50 55 yrs & up, $3 6-18 yrs. Ph: 205-780-5656.

B) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (A48) 2612 Lane Park Road, 67.5 acres of flowers, shrubs & trees. More than 230 species of birds, Japanese and 24 other landscaped gardens. Picnicking in designated areas, food available. Allow 2 hours. Gardens open daily dawn to dusk; growing houses open daily 7-3. FREE. Ph: 205-414-3900. C) Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (A48, 49) Gem Site, 520 16th Street, N., contains permanent exhibits describing the Birmingham civil rights movement and worldwide human rights struggles. 8-minute introductory movie details class struggles and violent labor strikes occurring in early 1900s between wealthy Birmingham steel industrialists and coal miners. AV history library accessible through touch-screen monitors. Allow 2 hours. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, CLOSED MONDAYS and major holidays. Admission $10, $5 65 yrs & up, $4 college students w/ID, free ages 0-16, FREE on Sundays. Ph: 205-328-9696 or 866-328-9696. D) Birmingham Museum of Art (A49), Gem Site, 2000 Eighth Avenue, N., features permanent collection >17,000 pieces plus pre-Columbian, Asian, African and American Indian art & artifacts, European silver, porcelain and glass, pottery, photographs. Audio self-guide electronic touring devices available. Allow one hour. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5; closed city holidays, CLOSED MONDAYS and major holidays. FREE. Ph: 205-254-2565. E) Birmingham Zoo (A49, 50) south on US280 in Lane Park. One of the Souths largest zoos. Besides many animals in native surroundings, also features childrens zoo, predator display, train, and carousel. Food available. Daily 9-5, also Tues, Fri & Sat 5-7, Memorial Day thru Labor Day; 9-5 rest of year. CLOSED MONDAYS, Thanksgiving & Dec 25. Admission Wed-Mon $11, $6 ages 2-12 & 65+). Trains & carousel = $2 each. Ph: 205-879-0409. F) Ruffner Mountain Nature Center (A50) 8mi. NE; from I-59 exit 132 go east one block, then east onto 83rd Street, southeast on Rugby Ave., and 0.7 mi east to 1214 S. 81st Street. 11 miles of hiking trails; one trail ends at overlook with panoramic view of city. Allow 2 hrs, Tues-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5, closed CLOSED MONDAYS, Jan 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec 25th. Donations. Ph: 205-833-8264. G) Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark (A50) at 20 32nd Street N., Built in 1882 to produce pig iron, these blast furnaces were the backbone of the citys industrial economy until the 1970s. This is the only such preservation project in the nation. Allow 30 minutes. Brochure for self-guided tours describing furnaces operation. Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun noon-4, CLOSED MONDAYS and city holidays. Guided tours Sat-Sun at 1, 2 & 3 PM. Tour schedule may vary. FREE. Ph: 205-324-1911. H) Vulcan Park and Museum (A50) Gem Site, at the top of Red Mountain at 1701 Valley View Drive near junction of 21st S., and Richard Arlington Jr. Blvd. Both the observation tower and the grounds of this 10-acre urban park offer spectacular views of the city. Interpretive center offers views of Birminghams past, present & future. Allow 2 hours. Park open daily 7AM-10PM (open 1-10 Jan 1 & Thanksgiving). Center open Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-6. Observation tower Mon-Sat 10-10, Sun 1-10 (weather permitting). Closed Dec 24-25. Hours may vary, call ahead. Park grounds FREE. Inclusive Vulcan Center and observation tower = $6; $5 65 yrs +, $4 ages 5-12; tower alone = $3 ages 5+ after 6PM. Ph: 205-933-1409. I) Vulcan Statue (A50) in Vulcan Park off US31 at the summit of Red Mountain at 1701 Valley View Drive. One of worlds largest iron figures, 60-tons, 56 feet high with a 78-foot-high pedestal cast in Birmingham for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. On 10-acre public park. A visitor center traces the history of Birmingham. Park open daily 7AM-10PM (open 1-10 Jan 1 & Thanksgiving). Observation tower open Mon-Sat 10-10, Sun 1-10. Visitor center open Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-6. Closed Dec 24 & 25. Hours may vary; phone ahead. Admission: $6; $5 (ages 65+), $4 ages 5-12); after 6PM is $3. Ph: 205-933-1409. Birmingham vicinity AL003 D Leeds (A52) Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is off I-20E exit 140, east on US78, south on Rex Lake rd., then west to 6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy. Considered to be nations largest motorcycle collection with 650 of the 1,000 machines displayed. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun noon-6, Apr-Sept; Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5, rest of year. Closed major holidays/ Admission $10; $6 (ages 4-12). Ph: 205-699-7275. AAA discount mentioned in TourBook.

AL004 D Montevallo (A52, 53) The American Village, Gem Site, is at 3727 SR119. Costumed interpreters reenact Colonial times and events that shaped American history. Contains replicas of White House Oval Office, a Colonial courthouse, Liberty Bell and Constitution Green, Contains the Pettus Randall Miniature Museum of American History with collections of American presidents and first ladies as well as some 35 historical diorama. Guided tours are available. Allow 1.5 hours. Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4, programs vary. Admission: $8.50; $8 (ages 5-17, students, senior citizens.) PH: 205-665-3535. AL005 D Pelham (A53) Oak Mountain State Park is 3 miles east of US31 off I-65 exit 246. The 9,940-acre park is the southernmost part of the Appalachian chain and offers a scenic drive to the top of Double Oak Mountain. Also has a wildlife center, 18-hole golf course, beach, nature and hiking trails, horseback riding, BMX track, tennis courts, pedal boats & canoes. Camping is available. Daily 7AM to dusk. Admission $2 Mon-Fri, $3 Sat, Sun & holidays. Ph: 800-252-7275 or 205-620-2524. Also see AAA Southeastern CampBook. AL006 D Centre (A54) Cherokee Historical Museum is at 101 E. Main Street, contains an eclectic mix of more than 7,000 artifacts filling this 1919 three-story former department store, which itself provides an interesting glimpse into the past. Offers vintage cars and tractors, photographs, a doll collection, housewares and cowboy bathtubs. Allow one hour. Tues 9:30-4, Wed-Sat 8:30-4, CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY and major holidays. Ph: 256-927-7835. AL007 D Cullman A) Clarkson Covered Bridge, (A54) 7 miles west of I-65 on US278, then 2 miles north following the signs. One of Alabamas largest. The surrounding wooded area contains picnic facilities, hiking paths and a nonoperating gristmill. B) Ave Maria Grotto, (A55) is off I-65 exit 308 then 3 miles east on US278, is on grounds of St. Bernard Abbey and its preparatory school. Over a period of 50 years, Benedictine monk Brother Joseph Zoettl created a beautifully landscaped 4-acre park with 125 miniatures of famous churches, buildings and shrines from many parts of the world, using pictures as a guide. Construction materials range from bits of discarded glass and jewelry to native stone and marble. Food available, picnicking permitted. Daily 8-6, Apr-Sept; daily 8-5 rest of year. Closed Jan1 and Dec 25. $7; ages 60+ $5, $4.50 ages 6-12. Ph: 256-734-4110. C) The Evelyn Burrow Museum, at 1315 CR222, has eclectic objects displayed as part of personal collection amassed by local couple over a 65-year period. Includes a 600-pound bronze, double-mermaid fountain pond, historical Biblical scenes made of fine china, Tiffany lamps, Faberge eggs, and Dresden porcelain. The horse sculptures are said to be the largest known. Allow one hour. Mon-Fri 9-4; closed weekends, major holidays and college holidays. FREE. Ph: 256-775-7477. AL008 D Florence (A59, 60) Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum, at 601 Riverview Drive: take Hicks Blvd. To Riverview Dr. Houses in Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonian genre were designed to provide low-cost yet elegant suburban homes for individual middle-income families, homes that would grow and evolve as the family grew and evolved. The flat, multilevel roof and overhanging eaves, the board and batten walls, the expanses of glass, the flowing space, and the hot-water heating system embedded in the concrete floor are Usonian hallmarks. Allow one hour. Guide tours as needed Tues-Sat., 10-4; closed major holidays and Monday & Sunday. Last tour leaves 30 minutes before closing. Fee $8; $5 ages 63+. Ph: 256-740-8899. AL009 D Fort Payne (A60) A) Little River Canyon National Preserve located south of town The Little River, which flows atop Lookout Mountain, has created waterfalls, canyons and sandstone cliffs, all of which can be appreciated from numerous overlooks along the scenic rim drive. Also note DeSoto State Park within the preserve. Preserves headquarters is at 2141 Gault Avenue N. Ph: 256-845-9605.

B) DeSoto State Park, off I-59, 8 miles northeast. The range known as Lookout Mountain runs through the park, which is situated along the Little River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons east of the Mississippi. Also within park is DeSoto Falls with 100-foot drop. Hiking, nature trail, swimming pool (Memorial Day thru Labor Day). Lookout Mountain Trail is a scenic road with overlooks, follows the west rim for 20 miles. Camping permitted. Daily 7AM to dusk. Park free. Picnic area $1 per person. Swim pool $2. Ph: 256-845-5380 or 800-568-8840. AL010 D Gadsden (A61, 62) Noccalula Falls Park, 2.5 miles north of the business district and 2 miles east from I-59. Creek waters plummet 95 feet from the limestone ledge within the park. Highlights include a covered bridge, botanical garden and pioneer village of split-log buildings, also a petting zoo and animal habitat house (extra charge). A 1-mile train departs from the parks train station, passing the falls en route to the pioneer village. Picnicking permitted. Park and amenities open daily 9-6, June thru Sept; 9-5 March thru May; 9-4 in Feb. Special Holiday Wonderland days Nov 23 Dec 25. Park free. Combined admission for garden, village, petting zoo, animal habitat and train ride is $6; $4 for 55+ yrs; $3 ages 4-12. Ph: 256-549-4663. AL011 D Huntsville (A63+) A) Guided walking tours (A63) of Twickenham are provided by the convention and visitors bureau on Saturday during summer months. Huntsville / Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau is at 500 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, ph: 256-551-2370 or 800-772-2348. (see color ad on A63) B) Unclaimed Baggage Center (A64) is for the adventurous or thrifty, near Huntsville (but check map, says its 30 miles away) is located at 509 West Willow Street in Scottsboro. Open Mon-Fri 9-6 and Sat 8-6 CST. CLOSED SUNDAY. Their merchandise consists of unclaimed cargo and the contents of unclaimed luggage, and ranges through nearly everything that can be packed in baggage or shipped by air. The building covers a city block. C) Historic Huntsville Depot (A64) is at 320 Church Street, with highlights including an extensive collection of locomotives and railway cars, a multimedia presentation about railroad history, and an HO model train exhibit. During Civil War it served as a prison. Graffiti written by prisoners can still be seen in walls. Life-size robotic figures tell about 1912 railroad operations. Wed-Sat 10-4, Mar-Dec; CLOSED SUN, MON, TUES., and closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25. Admission = $7; $6 ages 4-17 and senior citizens. Combination tickets with Alabama Constitution Village and EarlyWorks Childrens Museum are available. Ph: 256-564-8100. D) Huntsville Botanical Garden, (A64) off I-565 exit 15, then .5 miles east to 4747 Bob Wallace Ave., offers 112 acres of year-round gardens, reflective pool, childrens garden, and 9,00 sq. ft. butterfly house (open MaySept). Picnicking permitted. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 9-6 (also Thur 6-8PM), Sun noon-6, Memorial Day thru Labor Day; Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5, rest of year. Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving and Dec 25. $10; $8 ages 55+, $5 ages 3-18. Admission may be higher during special events. Ph: 256-830-4447. E) U. S. Space and Rocket Center (A65) Gem Site at 1 Tranquility Base just off I-565, is an exposition center featuring one of the worlds largest collections of space and rocket hardware. Interactive exhibits including Mars climbing wall, MARS motion simulator, and several others. Rocket Park displays NASA rockets and Army defense missiles. Picnicking permitted. Food available. Daily 9-5; closed Thanksgiving and Dec 24-25. $16; $11 ages 6-12. Combination ticket (museum, IMAX and Rocket Park = $20.95, $15.95 6-12. AAA member discount implied. Ph: 256-837-3400 or 800-637-7223. F) Veterans Memorial Museum (A65) at 2060A Airport Road. Visitors see some 30 military vehicles from world wars as well as modern vehicles. Artifacts from as far back as Revolutionary War on display. Wed-Sat 10-4; CLOSED SUN, MON, TUES., & closed Jan 1 and Dec 25. $5; $4 55 yrs +; $3 ages 0-17. Ph: 256-883-3737. AL012 D Mobile A) Mobile Museum of Art (A68) Gem Site is off Springhill Ave. in Langan Park at 4850 Museum Drive. This art museum is one of the Gulf Coasts largest, having a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works spanning more than 2,000 years of cultural history. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5; closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving,

and Dec 25. $10, $9 ages 51+; $6 students, free ages 0-6. AAA member discount implied. Ph: 251-208-5200. B) The Museum of Mobile (A69) is near the historic district at Government and Royal streets. Housed in an 1857 landmark building, this museum presents more than 300 years of local history and culture including early development, epidemics, hurricanes, explosions, and a childrens Discovery Room with hands-on exhibits. Guided tours available. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5; closed major holidays. $5; $4 ages 55+; $3 students. Ph: 251-208-7569. C) 147 A Mobile (p162) Fort Conde is reconstructed French fortress of 1711. Near the fort is the Museum of the City of Mobile. U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park has the famous battleship, plus 20 restored military aircraft, artillery pieces, and the submarine U.S.S. Drum. Oakleigh is the grand Greek Revival structure built by cotton broker in 1830s. Contains an English dinner table carved out of one piece of wood. AL013 D Natural Bridge (A74) on US278 approx 1 mile west of junction with SR5 and SR13. This scenic area was formed 200 million years ago and the rock arch is 148 feet long and towers 60 feet above winding pathways. Picnicking permitted. Daily 8AM to dusk. $2.50; $1.50 ages 6-12. Ph: 205-486-5330. AL014 D Theodore (A79) A) Bellingrath Gardens and Home Gem Site is off CR59. The 900-acre estate includes 65 acres of cultivated and landscaped gardens that surround the 1935 mansion. Grounds bloom with more than 3 million lights and animated displays during Gem Site Magic Christmas In Lights. The brick and wrought iron mansion contains special furniture, china, crystal, sterling silver, porcelain, oriental rugs, etc. Food available. Allow 1.5 hours. Gardens open daily 8-5 (also 5-9 day after Thanksgiving Dec 31). House open daily 9-4 (also 4-9 day after Thanksgiving Dec 31). Combination ticket for house, gardens and cruise $26; $17 Ages 5-11. Combination ticket for house & gardens OR gardens & cruise = $18; $11 ages 5-11. Gardens only = $10 and $5.50 (5-11 yrs). AAA discount appears to apply only to gardens ticket. Ph: 251-973-2217 or 800-247-8420. B) Alabama Cruises at Bellingrath Gardens (A79) (see above) offers 45-minute cruises along River of Birds. Native vegetation and wildlife. Diner cruises available on weekends. Sightseeing cruises depart from the gardens at the River Plantation boat dock daily at 10, noon, and 2, Feb 15 thru Nov 30. Fare (including Bellingrath gardens) = $18, $11 ages 5-12. Combo tickets for cruise, gardens, and mansion = $26; $17 ages 5-12. Tickets for cruise available at gardens. Ph: 251-973-1244. AAA discount appears to apply only to gardens ticket. AL015 D Troy (A79) Pioneer Museum of Alabama is 2 miles north on US231, a multi-building village depicting rural 19th and early 20th-century Southern life. More than 18,000 artifacts in main building. 35-acre site contains corn crib & barn, covered bridge, working smokehouse, 1881 locomotive, 1894 depot, log cabins, tenant house, gristmill, general stores. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 9-5; closed Sun and major holidays. $6; $5 students. Ph: 334-566-3597. AAA member discount implied. AL016 D Tuskegee (A81) Carver Museum Gem Site near the entrance to Tuskegee University on SR126 (W. Montgomery Road) south of I-85 exit 32. Museum follows Carvers careers as an artist, teacher and scientist. His preserved laboratory depicts experiments that resulted in some 400 extractions from peanuts and 175 by-products from sweet potatoes. Other discoveries also covered. Daily 9-4:30; closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving and Dec 25. Free, but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Ph: 334-727-3200. AL017 D Valley Head (A81, 82) Sequoyah Caverns, 1.9 miles northwest on SR117, 5.6 miles north on US11, then 1.5 miles west on CR731, follow signs. Named after inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. Features include waterfalls, creeks and the lighted underground Looking Glass Lakes, which reflects thousands of formations. Picnicking and

camping are permitted. Guided tours are offered Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 11-5; closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25. Last tour leaves 1 hour before closing. $12.95; $6.95 (ages 4-12). Ph: 256-635-0024 or 800-843-5098. AL018 D Vance (A82) The Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, Gem Site, off I-59 exit 89. Traces the German companys earliest days as a motorcycle manufacturer in the 1880s to its current standing as a world-renowned automaker. Vehicle displays include vintage automobiles, 1950s racing & sports cars, and concept models. Engineering techniques are highlighted with videotape presentations and exhibits. Visitor center is located on grounds of the companys only US manufacturing plant. A 90-minute factory tour is available showing assembly of MClass SUVs. Visitor center / museum open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30; closed major holidays. Factory tours depart Tuesday and Thursday (only) at 9AM and 9:15AM (only). Free. Ph: 205-507-2253 or 888-286-8762.