If I really want to get the feel of a place when traveling, I know there's no better place to go than to a small town. Sure, metropolitan areas like Birmingham and Mobile certainly have their draws, but if you really want to know a place's culture and what the people are really like, you'll want to visit a state's smaller towns, from the little agricultural communities to the tiny old railroad towns. Alabama certainly has no shortage of amazing small towns, and if you're looking to explore some of the best, we think you'll love this epic small-town road trip that will take you to five of the state's best locales. It's a lengthy trip, and you'll want to make sure to have at least three days to explore all the stops. You'll head all the way from our northern climes down to our shores; this is a wonderful way to fall in love with the beauty and charm of Alabama all over again.

In its entirety, the trip will require just under 550 miles of driving, with nine hours spent on the road. Of course, if you don't have the budget or time for that lengthy of a trip, you can always edit the customizable itinerary on Google Maps.

We'll start our journey down in the brilliant Gulf Coast, in the town of Orange Beach, population 8,450. This is one of the state's top beach towns, and it's worth a visit at any time of year, if you ask us. The white sand beaches and The Wharf entertainment district make it a haven for those seeking outdoor fun. You'll also find hiking opportunities and even dolphin cruises here.

You won't have to travel too far to get to stop number two on this trip: Bayou La Batre. This Mobile suburb has a population of around 2,000 and is a bustling fishing village. This is a charming little town, and if you're looking for great seafood, it's definitely the place. It comes by its nickname of "the seafood capital of Alabama" honestly, and places like Bayou Seafood LLC and Rodney Lyons Seafood are always worth a visit.

You'll drive up a few hours through the middle of the state to reach our next destination: Greenville. This is a small town filled with quintessential Southern charm, and it's got plenty of history, with quite a few historical landmarks and old homes. If you need to fill up your car - and your stomach - pay a visit to the Shell station on Pineapple Highway. It's in this unassuming location that you'll find BBQ 65, one of Greenville's tastiest restaurants.

Long road trips can be exhausting, and if you're ready for some time out of the car, Guntersville is the ideal next stop. The lake that shares this little town's name is the centerpiece of Lake Guntersville State Park, a sprawling preserve offering up boating, hiking, camping, golfing, horseback riding, ziplining, and so much more. It's paradise for nature lovers!

We're just about done with this fantastic trip, but first, we'll head to the northwest corner of the state to visit Muscle Shoals. This city is the largest on this road trip, with a population of around 14,000, but it retains its small-town charm. It's also got quite a rich history and is well-known for its music production and Native American history. Many of the studios famous for that "Muscle Shoals sound" are open for tours, and there's a lot to enjoy in this riverfront city.

How many of these small towns in Alabama have you visited? Are there any that you think we should've put on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Whether you're heading across the state or across the country, it's important to be prepared for a road trip. Check out our road trip packing list to make sure you stay safe and have fun while out on the highway.