Alabama offers a variety of spring attractions for the entire family. From active to passive, from blooms to birds, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy.
Hurricane Creek Park
Hurricane Creek Park in Cullman (also known as the William Buddy Rodgers Natural Area) is a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts with its 500-foot deep gorge, soaring cliffs and waterfalls.
Visitors can enjoy the swinging bridge, three miles of scenic hiking trails, primitive tent camping and picnic tables. A scenic vista includes a natural bridge. The area is a favorite for mountain bikers as well.
The park also offers climbing instructions from basic backpacking to different types of climbing techniques. For a more relaxed trip, try fly fishing, birding and enjoying the scenic overlooks.
The park is popular with families and church groups and is open from 9 a.m. till sunset seven days a week. It is located off I-65 on U.S. Highway 31 in Cullman. For park visitor information call 256-734-2125 or visit www.cullmanrecreation.org.
Alabama Birding Trail
Spring has arrived when you hear the song of spring performed by Alabama’s bird population along the Alabama Birding Trail. Alabama is a birding paradise with four national forests, acres of natural wilderness, woodlands, mountains and rock-craggy valleys.
The seashore, soggy swamps and broad rivers are also habitats for birds, and the trails for watchers crisscross the entire territory. For information on specific birding locations call 1-800-Alabama and request the Alabama Birding Trail brochure.
Alabama Garden Trail
Spring also blooms on the Alabama Garden Trail. For a peek at the blooms of Alabama, request the Alabama Garden Trail brochure that features a variety of gardens, events and programs across the state. For information call 1-800-Alabama or download the brochure at www.800alabama.com.
Herb Day
Herb Day is an annual spring event held on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, (May 8, 2004) from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Kiwanis Park in Old Alabama Town in Montgomery.
Sponsored by the Old Alabama Town Herb Society, the event features hands-on children’s activities, entertainment and workshops presented by experts on growing, using and preserving herbs. An open-air market will feature unique herbs and gardening supplies. For information call Chris Brown at 334-262-1418.
Old Alabama Town
While enjoying Herb Day make sure you visit Old Alabama Town where authentically restored 19th- and early 20th-century buildings stretch along six blocks in historic downtown Montgomery. The complex is located at 301 Columbus Street and will be open for tours on Herb Day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For information call 1-888-240-1850 or visit www.oldalabamatown.com.
For other area attractions, contact Montgomery Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-240-9452, www.visitingmontgomery.com.
Festival of Flowers
While in the southern part of the state, attend Mobile’s Festival of Flowers, the premier flower and garden event of the gulf coast held on the campus of Spring Hill College, March 25–28. For information call 251-633-1000 or send an e-mail to koaks@comcast.net.
Bellingrath Gardens
Located 20 minutes southwest of Mobile, Bellingrath Gardens is renowned for the spring display of azaleas.
You will also want to tour the Bellingrath Home, a National Register of Historic Places landmark that has been featured on A&E’s “America’s Castles.” For more information call 1-800-247-8420 or visit www.bellingrath.org.
For historic home tours and attractions for children, contact Mobile CVB at 1-800-566-2453 or visit www.mobile.org.
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