Best Things To Do On A Road Trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Albertville, Alabama

The trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Albertville, Alabama is a journey of exquisite scenic beauty, great cuisine and a chance to visit some of the country's most beautiful locations. The first stop is Greenville, SC, which is the halfway point of the trip. The town is an excellent break point that offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs after a long drive. Greenville offers great activities such as downtown walking tours as well as outdoor adventures such as hiking and kayaking. After Greenville, the journey presents many other opportunities to make the trip unforgettable. Here is a list of the top five things to do on this road trip;

Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a nature lover's paradise and home to beautiful wildlife. As the most visited National Park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN is a must-visit attraction. Those visiting the park can enjoy scenic drives, trails, and explore the flora and fauna of the Appalachian mountain region. The park is home to over 1,500 black bears and an array of wildflowers.

Interesting Fact: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the few places in the USA where wild native brook trout still thrive.

Experience the Chattanooga Choo Choo

The Chattanooga Choo Choo, Tennessee, originally planned as a passenger train service, is a great place to learn about the history of rail transportation in the USA. The train service has since been retired, and it is now a hotel that offers a train car suite, as well as several vintage cabooses converted into a comfortable train car hotel. Visitors can sleep in historical train cars and enjoy the unique experience of traveling back in time.

Interesting Fact: The song 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' was recorded in 1941 by Glenn Miller and his orchestra and was named after the passenger train service that once stopped in the city.

Visit Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama and is a historical museum that offers a perspective on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. It is built on the site of the Civil Rights Movement and traces the history of segregation and civil rights in the area. This attraction is a must-visit for everyone interested in learning about and understanding the history of civil rights in the US.

Interesting Fact: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was opened in 1992, and it won an array of awards for contemporary design.

Explore the Ocoee River Gorge

The Ocoee River Gorge in Eastern Tennessee is famous for its rapids. The river has hosted the Olympic Games, and whitewater rafting is a popular activity for those who enjoy extreme sports. The Ocoee was recognized by the state of Tennessee as a state scenic river, and visitors can witness the beauty of nature along the gorge. Visitors can enjoy guided or self-guided rafting, outdoor adventures as well as fishing available along the river.

Interesting Fact: The Ocoee River was not recognized by the state of Tennessee as a scenic river until 1973, after the TVA completed construction of the Ocoee Dam №3.

Discover the Huntsville Botanical Gardens

The Huntsville Botanical Gardens is located in Huntsville, Alabama. This attraction is a nature lover's paradise. Visitors can explore the property's many acres of gardens, which includes extensive collections of roses, garden pieces, and a variety of floral displays. The garden offers both indoor plant exhibits and outdoor attractions such as a butterfly house.

Interesting Fact: The Huntsville Botanical Gardens was established in 1960, and it offers more than 120 acres of beautiful landscaping to be enjoyed by visitors.

This road trip is a great adventure that requires a person to embark on a journey of adventure, historical sites, beautiful landscapes, and delicious food. The journey covers roughly 700 miles, and visitors can expect to take a minimum of 12 hours to complete the trip. However, the journey is well worth the time and effort spent.