By Kelly Kazek
As the “odd travels” writer for Alabama and the south, I get lots of questions from people seeking fun day and weekend road trips.
For this list, I chose 13 quaint or quirky small towns in nearby states for day or weekend getaways. I decided all trips should be within a 4-hour drive (one way) of one of Alabama’s major cities. Each destination described below gives Google Maps drive times from Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery. Of course, all the towns had to be places I’ve personally visited.
I also did my best to give categories for each town; for example, they are described as being for “history lovers,” for “romantics,” for those who love “shopping” and more.
I have lots more favorites and I’m sure I’ll do another list later. I also have lots of favorite destinations outside these drive times so stay tuned for more lists.
Oh, and I left off obvious places like Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. I even left out some of the more touristy towns, such as Helen, Ga., because many of you have probably already heard of those. This list is for small, out-of-the-way places.
If you need a short-term rental in any of these areas, I’ve had great luck with Vrbo.com. For inns, try Booking.com or Hotels.com. If you prefer camping, RVshare.com offers short-term rentals of recreational vehicles.
Juliette, Ga. (History Buffs, Film Lovers, Shopping & Dining)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 36 minutes
From Birmingham: 3 hours, 22 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 3 minutes
Fewer than 300 people live in Juliette, Ga., a small community located about 10 miles east of Exit 187 on Interstate 75. Yet, on any given weekend, Juliette is filled with curious tourists ready to spend their money with local merchants.
The reason? It’s the only place people can eat at the Whistle Stop Café seen in the 1991 movie “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
Although many people come just for the amazing southern food, Juliette is also the place where fans can see other familiar sites from the 1991 film, including a building that still has its fake film façade, and the “graves” of the main characters, Ruth and Idgie.
The Whistle Stop Café in the film was recreated in a 1927 general store in Juliette, complete with hand-painted window signs, creaky floors, plank ceiling and cozy booths. While the building is original, the booths were built to create the café for the film. After filming ended, a real restaurant was opened at the site and it has been a tourist draw ever since. The wait at the café is long on weekends so be sure to arrive early or call ahead.
Laurel, Miss. (Shopping & Dining, HGTV Fans)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 22 minutes
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 58 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 32 minutes
Laurel is a thriving small town, largely thanks to the hit show “Home Town” on HGTV. Now it is an unlikely tourist destination where fans can see people and homes featured on the show and perhaps catch a glimpse of hosts Ben and Erin Napier.
Be sure to stop in Pearl’s diner for a traditional southern meat-and-three, or try Café Le Fleur, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant, among other options. Visitors can shop at the Napiers’ stores: Laurel Mercantile, The Scotsman General Store and Laurel Mercantile Scent Library.
This Scotsman location includes Ben Napier’s real workshop were portions of “Home Town” are filmed, as well as a gift shop. You can buy wood products made in the shop (not necessarily by Ben himself), or watch the show being recorded if it happens to be a filming day.
Monroeville, Ala. (Literary Trail Lovers, Shopping & Dining, Statues, Murals, History Buffs)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 20 mins
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 56 minutes
From Montgomery: 1 hour, 41 minutes
The “Literary Capital of Alabama,” Monroeville is the town that nurtured writers such as Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Hank Williams Sr., Mark Childress (“Crazy in Alabama”), Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Cynthia Tucker and more.
The historic courthouse in the center of the downtown square has been renovated to its 1930s appearance and now houses a museum about the lives of Lee, Capote and Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
In addition to the museum, visitors can see other important sites from the lives of the authors, including the location of Lee’s childhood home, which was torn down and is now the home of Mel’s Dairy Dream; the ruins of a stone wall surrounding the home where Capote lived as a child, Lee’s grave, a monument to Atticus Finch, the fictional attorney from “Mockingbird;” murals on buildings around town; small bronze artworks that represent Monroeville’s best known citizens; and more. You can eat at one of Harper Lee’s favorite restaurants, David’s Catfish House, or visit her church, First United Methodist.
If you visit in spring, be sure to check out the local production of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a unique drama based on the book.
Jackson, Ga. (Dining & Shopping, ‘Stranger Things’ fans, History)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 18 minutes
From Birmingham: 3 hours, 5 minutes
From Montgomery: 2 hours, 54 minutes
With Atlanta acting as the southern hub for filmmaking, the small towns in central Georgia have become stand-ins for locales in numerous shows and movies. Jackson is particularly well-known as the home of the Netflix hit “Stranger Things.” The quaint town stands in for the fictional Hawkins, Ind.
A few local buildings seen in the show include:
Butts County Probate Court at 25 Third Street, which serves as the Hawkins Public Library.
Jackson Drug, 4 Second Street, which serves as Melvald’s General Store where Joyce (played by Winona Ryder) works;
An old furniture store at 2 North Oak Street, which serves as Hawk Theatre. (A marquee was added to the outside of the building for those scenes.)
Take a short drive to nearby Stockbridge, Ga., to see the abandoned high school which served as Hawkins Middle and Hawkins High schools. The school at 109 South Lee Street was built as Stockbridge High, then abandoned because of mold issues in 2015.
Patti’s 1880s Settlement (Grand Rivers, Ky.) (Family Activities, History, Shopping & Dining, Camping)
From Huntsville: 3 hours, 38 minutes
From Birmingham: 4 hours, 31 minutes
From Montgomery: 5 hours, 48 minutes
This interesting stop is a little farther from southern parts of Alabama but definitely worth the drive. Patti’s 1880s Settlement is actually an entertainment area with restaurants, shopping, lodging and activities in an area that was once a small town.
Patti’s has a bakery and fudge shop, fine dining, historic buildings, mini golf, panning for gold, playing with remote-control boats, gardens, boutiques and more. It looks like what might happen if a really upscale Cracker Barrel and a Hallmark movie mated. If I had to describe Patti’s in one sentence, I’d have to say it is a town built by one family to entertain thousands of others.
“We have 365,000 people dine and shop with us each year all in a town with a population of only 353 residents,” said Ann Martin, co-CEO of Patti’s.
“Patti’s has been said to be a magical place with a Hallmark-movie setting,” she said. “A step back into slower times where couples have gotten engaged, married and now bring their children to experience our quaint, charming location. We are more than just a tourist attraction, we are a homecoming for so many family traditions over the past 45 years. As technology has evolved, we still choose not to offer WIFI in our dining rooms. Miss Patti always said, ‘Time at the table is family time, enjoying each other without any distractions’ and we still feel that same way today.”
Patti’s has a lodge, a B&B and a campground. Find outdoor equipment for your stay at REI.com. Be sure to check the “Deals” and “Outlet” sections.
Rome, Ga. (History, College Campus Tour, Romance, Shopping & Dining)
From Huntsville: 2 hours, 17 minutes
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 4 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 16 minutes
Rome is a great destination. Perhaps not as large as its Italian counterpart but, thankfully, also not as crowded. Not only does the downtown area have lots of historic buildings, shops and eateries, but there are also fascinating statues and historic markers. In addition, you can take a tour of the Berry College campus, the largest in the world. The old Gothic buildings there are gorgeous – so much so that the campus is a favorite of filmmakers. Just a few of the movies with scenes filmed on campus: “Remember the Titans,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Perfect Harmony.”
If you’re into funerary art, or simply want a great view of the city, head to Myrtle Hill Cemetery. It is basically a large hill and you can see the entire city from its apex. Plus, you’ll find more statues and historical markers there.
Clarkesville, Ga. (Quirky Roadside Attraction, History, Shopping, Tours)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 36 minutes
From Birmingham: 3 hours, 41 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 51 minutes
This town is home to SamG Land, created by folk artist Sam Granger.
SamG Land features the must-see World’s Largest Grit.
Clarksville also has a quaint historic downtown where you can find a place to eat and some cute boutiques for shopping. You can take the Historic Clarkesville Walking Tour to learn about the town.
In nearby Summerville, visit Paradise Gardens, another folk-art installation by the late Howard Finster, the king of outsider art. It includes a coffin that supposedly contains a 200-year-old body. It has been preserved and is open for tours.
Tupelo, Miss. (History Buffs, Elvis Lovers, Museum, Cocktail Trail, Nature, Adventure)
From Huntsville: 2 hours, 21 mins
From Birmingham: 1 hour, 59 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 16 mins
If you’re an Elvis fan, you’ve likely already make the pilgrimage to his birthplace. If you haven’t, there is plenty of Elvis to be found there. His childhood home and the church where he first sang are fascinating exhibits. There are also statues, an art guitar trail, and places where “Elvis moments” occurred, such as Tupelo Hardware where his mother bought his first guitar.
Tupleo is also at the beginning of the Natchez Trace, where you can take a scenic drive or hike, and is home to Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo.
If you get bored with Elvis and nature – like that’s possible – Tupelo has other claims to fame: It was the first city to gain an electrical power grid in the 1930s under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs that included creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority and it was the site of the last robbery committed by 1930s gangster Machine Gun Kelly. He and his gang robbed the Citizen’s State Bank on November 30, 1932, stealing $38,000.
Columbia, Tenn. (History, Shopping & Dining, Mule Day)
From Huntsville: 1 hour, 27 minutes
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 20 mins
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 37 minutes
My mother and numerous relatives hail from Columbia, Tenn., which has a quaint downtown with lots of shops and fun eateries.
Be sure to also visit the home of President James K. Polk, the historic Athenaeum, the old arsenal and hydroelectric station, Breckinridge Hatter’s Shop and numerous historic homes. There is also a number of historic farms, some of which are open to the public.
The small town also hosts a Mule Day celebration each April, which has turned into a huge family friendly event, complete with a Mule Parade.
Barnsley Resort, Ga. (Outdoor Activities, Romance, History, Limited Shopping & Dining)
From Huntsville: 2 hours, 28 mins
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 24 minutes
From Montgomery:3 hours, 27 minutes
Barnsley Resort near Adairsville, Ga., is perfect for people who like to ride, shoot or golf. The 3,000-acre resort has beautiful lodging and is known for its outdoor activities, such as shooting, horseback riding and golf. The resort includes a beautiful lodge with nice rooms. In addition, the grounds are dotted with numerous cabins and homes to rent for short-term stays. Check out the deals on TripAdvisor.com.
The centerpiece is the ruins of an Italianate mansion that was once the showplace of a plantation located on the site. Visitors can tour the ruins and also visit a museum dedicated to the original owners of the property. The ruins are beautifully decorated at Christmas.
Dahlonega, Ga. (Romance, History, Shopping & Dining, Museums)
From Huntsville: 3 hours, 53 minutes
From Birmingham: 3 hours, 19 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 34 minutes
Dahlonega is a popular destination at Christmas, when the tiny town looks just like a postcard or a scene from a Hallmark movie – in fact, Hallmark has filmed Christmas movies in Dahlonega.
The old General Store still has a player piano and an animatronic fortune teller and there are tons of shops and restaurants. Dahlonega was also home to the country’s first Gold Rush so you can tour a surviving underground gold mine and visit the Gold Museum.
Find romantic or rustic lodging nearby at Vrbo.com.
Lynchburg, Tenn. (History, Romance, Shopping & Dining, Jack Daniel Distillery Tour)
From Huntsville: 1 hour, 10 minutes
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 29 minutes
From Montgomery: 3 hours, 45 minutes
This adorable small town is known as the home of the Jack Daniel Distillery, but it can also be a romantic destination. The downtown area has quaint shops and restaurants, like the famous Miss Mary Bobo’s. Be sure to check out the historic jail museum downtown.
The distillery tour is definitely worthwhile. You will learn not only about how Jack Daniel’s famous whiskey starts with an underground spring, but how he managed to run a distillery in a “dry” town and how a stubbed toe led to his death.
Senoia, Ga. (Shopping & Dining, ‘Walking Dead’ Fans, Film Buffs)
From Huntsville: 4 hours, 11 minutes
From Birmingham: 2 hours, 49 minutes
From Montgomery: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Senoia, a town of about 3,300 souls in Coweta County, was the locale for much of the filming of the AMC hit, “The Walking Dead.” Although the show has ended, zombies still infest this small town.
Not only can visitors see many of the filming sites from “The Walking Dead,” but other places will look familiar, as well. A “walk of fame” in Senoia of small brass plaques embedded in the sidewalks lists all the movies partially filmed in town, including “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “The Fighting Temptations,” “Meet the Browns,” “Pet Sematary II,” “A Christmas Memory,” and numerous other films and shows. But “The Walking Dead” is definitely the town’s bread and butter.
Those who want to be sure they’ve seen every site from the show can sign up for paid tours of the town.
Other activities for fans to check out include:
Self-guided walking tour: A map you can pick up at gift shops and the visitors center shows spots around town where specific action took place in various episodes of the show. Very few places in town haven’t been tapped by the show for filming.
Nic and Norman’s: A restaurant opened by Norman Reedus, a star of the show, and Greg Nicotero, a producer and director. The Southern eatery is one of several restaurant choices in downtown Senoia.
The Woodbury Shoppe: Part shop, part museum, this locale offers selfie opportunities as well as memorabilia and fan gear. Visitors can see all kinds of props from the show and visit the Walking Dead Café
About four miles away, you can visit Starr’s Mill, a historic grist mill set on a bank beside Whitewater Creek. It was a setting used in filming the 2002 movie “Sweet Home Alabama.” The mill doubled as Jake’s glass shop, Deep South Glass. (See photo at top of story).
