8 days in Alabama Itinerary

The three historical districts of Huntsville are tucked amid the lush greenery of nearly 60 parks within the city limits.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): make a trip to Maple Hill Cemetery, then see the sky in a new way at U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and then contemplate the long history of Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial.

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Huntsville trip site.

Detroit to Huntsville is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In April, Huntsville is a bit warmer than Detroit - with highs of 72°F and lows of 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) to allow time to drive to Birmingham.

Birmingham may be one of America's most controversial cities.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Tue): take an in-depth tour of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, get curious at McWane Science Center, then admire the masterpieces at Birmingham Museum of Art, and finally examine the collection at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, take some stellar pictures from Vulcan Park and Museum, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Birmingham Zoo, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of 16th Street Baptist Church.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Birmingham trip builder app.

You can drive from Huntsville to Birmingham in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In April, daily temperatures in Birmingham can reach 75°F, while at night they dip to 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Montgomery.

Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama and is the county seat of Montgomery County. On the 4th (Thu), contemplate the long history of Dexter Parsonage Museum - Dr. Martin Luther King home, then steep yourself in history at First White House of the Confederacy, then take an in-depth tour of Rosa Parks Museum, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.

To find reviews, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Montgomery online driving holiday planner.

Getting from Birmingham to Montgomery by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 77°F in April, and nighttime lows around 55°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can drive to Gulf Shores.

Gulf Shores is a resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. Kids will appreciate attractions like Dolphin & Whale Watching and Parasailing & Paragliding. When in Gulf Shores, make a side trip to see Fort Morgan Historic Site in Fort Morgan, approximately Fort Morgan away. There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Gulf State Park, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, look for gifts at Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermans Market, and zoom along the surf with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure.

To find ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Gulf Shores trip planner.

Traveling by car from Montgomery to Gulf Shores takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or fly. In April, plan for daily highs up to 75°F, and evening lows to 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sun) early enough to travel to Dauphin Island.

Dauphin Island is a town in Mobile County, Alabama, United States, on a barrier island of the same name (split by the Katrina Cut), at the Gulf of Mexico. On the 8th (Mon), steep yourself in history at Fort Gaines and then take in nature's colorful creations at Bellingrath Gardens and Home.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, go to the Dauphin Island journey planner.

Do a combination of car and ferry from Gulf Shores to Dauphin Island in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and ferry. In April, plan for daily highs up to 75°F, and evening lows to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Mon) to allow time to fly back home.