If you're a follower of This Is Alabama's Instagram account, you've seen that we've taken over their feed for the day with Places We Love in North Alabama. If you're not a follower, well, you should be. You'll thank us later.
We've taken those five Places We Love and given you more info on each one below. Enjoy!
Nestled in a canyon near Phil Campbell, Dismals Canyon is an other-worldly type place. Through the heart of the canyon flows Dismals Branch, a winding stream that enters the canyon with a roar through Rainbow Falls. A 1.5 mile hiking trail on the canyon floor follows the stream through skyreaching boulders, past thundering waterfalls, into a secret world of mossy-green and pearl gray filled with ferns and giant trees. Summertime finds Dismals Canyon cool and inviting. The temperature runs some 14 degrees below Alabama's summer average. There are no mosquitoes, flies, or poison oak. Along with hiking and swimming - romantic cabins can be rented, secluded campsites are available, and a country store offers supplies, and includes a soda fountain & grill. Guided night tours allow visitors to view the glow-in-the-dark creatures known locally as Dismalites. {source: www.dismalscanyon.com}
Noccalula Falls in Gadsden is another place we love. Visit the park to see the iconic waterfall and learn about the Legend of Indian Princess Noccalula. In addition to the waterfall is a beautiful park that features a petting zoo, rocks to climb, a campground, miniature golf, and a train that will take you all around the park.
Bankhead National Forest is one of four national forests in Alabama and has several waterfalls to see and miles of trails to hike. There are six recreation areas scattered about the Bankhead National Forest, each offering a unique experience of its own. Facilities for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, and swimming are abundant. All facilities are designed with forest users in mind and provide varying challenges for everyone from the novice to the expert. {source: fs.usda.gov}
The Space & Rocket Center is an amazing place full of space history but also fun things to do like the G-Force, which spins you around super fast, and the Space Shot, which shoots you way in the air. The Davidson Center houses the Saturn V rocket, which hangs from the ceiling, as well as many other exhibits and hands-on activities regarding space travel history. There's a kids' play area, Mars Cafe, IMAX theater, temporary and permanent exhibits, and so much more.
Eating in a cave is standard at the Rattlesnake Saloon, and they’ll even take you down to the cave in the back of a truck. The food is as good as the experience. In fact, the Duke Rustler burger and fried snake eyes (fried jalepenos) is on Alabama's 100 Dishes to Eat list.
