Experience Alabama’s Best-Kept Secrets On This Remarkable Road Trip

Alabama is home to a variety of places. While some of these places are well known, others aren’t. Instead, they’re among Alabama’s best-kept secrets. Listed below is a mapped route that’ll take you to seven of Alabama’s best-kept secrets. With a distance of only 256 miles (512 miles round trip), this remarkable road trip can easily be completed in a single weekend.

Let’s get started:

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For complete driving directions, click here.

google/Steven Hughes

Rattlesnake Saloon is quite possibly the most unique restaurant in Alabama. It's located inside a cave and has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Even though Rattlesnake Saloon is located off-the-beaten path, it's so worth the trip. You can visit Rattlesnake Saloon at 1292 Mt. Mills Rd., Tuscumbia, AL 35674.

google/Ryan Beverly

Open seasonally, Dismals Canyon is one of North Alabama's true hidden gems. This picturesque canyon is one of the few places in the world where you'll find dismalites - rare insects resembling glowworms. Dismals Canyon is a definite must-visit for the entire family, and it's located at 901 Hwy. 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581.

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Natural Bridge, which is believed to be more than 200 million years old, is the main feature of Natural Bridge Park. This unique bridge measures 60 feet high and 148 feet long, which makes it the longest natural bridge east of the Rockies. You can visit Natural Bridge Park at Co Rd. 314, Natural Bridge, AL 35577.

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Lewis Smith Lake, which is best known as Smith Lake, is located in Cullman, Winston, and Walker counties. Covering nearly 22,000 acres, it's the third cleanest lake in the country. Smith Lake offers a variety of activities for all ages, including boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing.

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The Pizitz Food Hall opened in 2017 and is one of Alabama's most unique dining establishments. While dining at this food hall, customers can enjoy food from all around the world under one roof. A few examples include American food, Ethiopian food, and Mexican food. The next time you're craving a delicious meal in "The Magic City" and can't decide what you want, be sure to check out The Pizitz Food Hall. With so many choices, you're sure to find the perfect meal to satisfy your craving. You can visit The Pizitz Food Hall at 1821 2nd Ave. N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

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Orr Park is one of Alabama's most unique parks. The most unique feature about this park is the trail that's hidden inside it. This trail is the remarkable Tinglewood Trail, which features a collection of intricate tree carvings by Tim Tingle. A few of the tree carvings include whimsical faces (pictured), storybook characters, animals, etc. To experience this one-of-a-kind trail, you can visit Orr Park at 277 Park Dr., Montevallo, AL 35115.

google/Revadee Godwin

Wilderness Park is another unique park in Alabama. What makes this park truly unique is the towering bamboo forest that's tucked away inside it. Because some of the stalks are as tall as 60 feet, this bamboo forest needs to be seen in person to be truly appreciated. To experience this bamboo forest up close and in person, you can visit Wilderness Park at 800 Upper Kingston Rd., Prattville, AL 36067.

Have you personally experienced any of these best-kept secrets? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. Also, please let us know what other best-kept secrets belong on this road trip.

To experience more of Alabama’s great outdoors, you’ll want to take this road trip.