Amy C. Marshall works as an attorney practicing a variety of legal services including divorce, custody, dependency actions, estate work, and other legal areas. As an Alabama native, Amy C. Marshall discusses exciting activities in and around the state, keeping individuals and families alike busy throughout the season.
Don’t let the Deep South summer heat keep you away.
Though it is often overlooked by tourists in favor of its beachier neighbor to the east, Florida, or the big city attractions of Atlanta, Alabama is a must-visit state in its own right.
From the exciting food and art scene of Birmingham to the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast (yes, Alabama has beaches, too), the state offers a little bit of everything for every traveler even in the summer heat.
Amy C. Marshall, Attorney provides below a few of the exciting things to add to an Alabama adventure itinerary this summer.
Amy C. Marshall Says to Visit the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville
Perfect for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an astronaut (or just likes staring up at the stars), the U.S. Space and Rocket Center offers both a flight simulator and a shuttle experience, as well as one-of-a-kind experiences modeled after NASA training programs.
The center also happens to be home to the venerable Space Camp program, so visitors may find it difficult to leave.
Gulf Coast Beaches
The beach options in Alabama may not be as plentiful as other Gulf Coast states — only 32 miles in the state are on the coast — but Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, and more are gorgeous, replete with white snowy sand, turquoise waters, and surprisingly excellent surfing conditions.
There’s even a chance to paddleboard with dolphins. Whether it’s exploring beaches on the eastern or western side of Mobile Bay, visitors often find beaches they won’t soon forget.
Music Legends Tours Across Multiple Locations
Amy C. Marshall, Attorney explains that jazz, blues, country, and rock all play a significant role in Alabama’s history. In the 1960s, Muscle Shoals was home to the Swampers, a legendary group of session musicians, and fans can sign up for tours of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and FAME Studio, where musicians such as the Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin have recorded.
Close to Muscle Shoals is the town of Florence, where “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy was born (his birthplace is now a museum and a library of African-American music) and where the W.C. Handy Music Festival is held each summer. In Montgomery, country fans can check out the Hank Williams Museum, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Williams’ birth in 2023.
The Birmingham Zoo
Children will love the various beaches along the Gulf Coast, but the next stop should be this renowned 122-acre zoo that’s home to over 200 animal species and more than 50 exhibits open year-round. A train ride through the property highlights its residents, which include sea lions, lemurs, black bears, and rhinos.
Amy C. Marshall, Attorney says that depending on the length of one’s visit, children can even sign up for Summer ZooFari Camps to get an extra special experience. The zoo also hosts several events during the summer, including August’s Fairytales & Frogs Day and late September’s Oktoberfest.
Cheaha State Park, Clay and Cleburne Counties
Amy C. Marshall, Lawyer notes that the highest point in the state is found at this 2,799-acre state park, Alabama’s oldest. It’s the perfect getaway during the hottest days of the summer, especially since it’s just a half-hour away from several historic Alabama downtowns. It’s a unique outdoor experience, part of the large nearly 400,000-acre Talladega National Forest and sporting ancient trees and 3,000 acres of granite boulders.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Visitors can spend weeks in Birmingham to see all that the city has to offer, but the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute should be at the top of the list. A comprehensive look at the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, the institute both honors Alabamans that were significant voices in the fight and showcases how their work shaped the country today.
The Coosa River, Wetumpka
Amy C. Marshall, Attorney says that during some summer weekends, the Jordan Dam is opened to allow a much-more powerful water flow, making the Coosa River’s most popular rapids including the Moccasin Gap, the Pipeline, and River Falls, more of an extreme experience for kayakers and canoers.
The river’s 7 miles sport a mix of rapids levels and flat water paddling, with a swampland along the way that includes old cypress trees and gorgeous azaleas and dogwoods. Summer is a very popular time at Coosa River Adventures, so don’t forget to book a rental kayak or canoe ahead of time.
