Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Chicago, Illinois and Gulf Shores, Alabama

Chicago, Illinois and Gulf Shores, Alabama may seem worlds apart, but with a little planning and a lot of hours behind the wheel, they could become the perfect destinations for an exciting road trip. The trip will take you through seven states total - Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan - and will include a stop in the beautiful Brentwood, TN, right at the halfway point of the journey.

Here are the top five best things to do on a road trip from Chicago, Illinois and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Visit Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is a must-visit location for any road trip enthusiast. The park owns the world's longest known cave system, with over 400 miles (640 km) of explored caves. Visitors can choose between guided and self-guided tours and can explore different parts of the cave system through cave crawling, hiking, and even camping. The park also has a rich ecosystem, with over 70 species of animals living in the area.

Interesting fact: More than 2 million people visit Mammoth Cave National Park each year!

Go on a bourbon trail in Tennessee

Tennessee is known for its love of whiskey, and the best way to experience that is through a guided bourbon trail. The tour will take visitors through a series of distilleries, where visitors can learn about the history and process of bourbon-making, and of course, try some free samples. The trail is ideal for whiskey enthusiasts or anyone who wants to learn something new about America's favorite brown liquor.

Interesting fact: In 2020, Tennessee Whiskey sold around 5 million cases.

Take a walking ghost tour in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia is an ideal stop for history and paranormal aficionados on any road trip. Visitors can indulge in a guided walking ghost tour that explores the city's haunted streets and buildings. The tour includes visits to some of the 15 public squares in the city, as well as stops at famous landmarks, such as the Owens-Thomas House and Davenport House Museum, which are synonymous with well-known ghost stories.

Interesting fact: Savannah is known as one of the most haunted cities in not only Georgia but the entire country.

Visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Tennessee

What's a road trip without a stop at one of America's favorite distilleries? Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, is a must-visit and a bucket list worthy experience. Visitors can tour the distillery and learn about the entire whiskey-making process, including a visit to the onsite cooperage where barrels are made. The tour also includes a whiskey tasting and a visit to the famous Jack Daniel's Cave Spring, the cave where spring water used in whiskey production is sourced.

Interesting fact: Only 10% of Jack Daniel's Whiskey product stays in the US, the remaining 90% is exported to an international market.

Bask in the sun on Gulf Shores, Alabama

The final stop on this road trip is Gulf Shores, Alabama, the perfect location to unwind and relax after a long journey. Visitors can lay on the beach and soak in the sun, swim and surf in the Gulf of Mexico, or go to one of the numerous golf courses around the area. The most popular event in town is the Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival, which showcases the area's seafood and attracts thousands of people every year.

Interesting fact: Gulf Shores, Alabama is home to more than 7,000 different marine animals.

In conclusion, the best things to do on a road trip from Chicago, Illinois, and Gulf Shores, Alabama, include a variety of activities for all types of travelers. From exploring the largest cave system on the planet at Mammoth Cave National Park, following the Bourbon Trail in Tennessee, ticking off ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia, visiting the famous Lynchburg distillery, and bathing in the sun on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, visitors are never lacking for something to do on this seven-state road trip. The journey spans from the Windy City to the Gulf Coast and can take around twenty hours, but its many exhilarating destinations make every stop worth the ride.