City: Birmingham, AL

Category: Tours & Attractions

Description: The Society of American Travel Writers recently named the Talladega Scenic Drive one of the 10 most beautiful drives through scenic America. The bulk of the 26-mile drive follows Highway 431 just east of Talladega. It passes by small towns, rock outcrops, and the Talladega National Forest. Here in Cheaha State Park (800-ALA-PARK, alapark.com/cheaharesort) in the southernmost Appalachian Mountains is Mt. Cheaha, Alabama’s highest point at 2,407 feet. For those wanting to stay longer than just a drive, there are spots to camp, fish, picnic, and hike, such as the excellent Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, Alabama’s longest foot trail, pinhotitrailalliance.org. Cheaha has some excellent sandstone cabins dating back to the days of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression that were recently totally renovated. On the west side of Talladega National Forest in Childersburg, DeSoto Caverns Park, (800) 933-2283, desotocavernspark.com, offers guided tours in the underground caverns which start in a room 12 stories high and larger than a football field. It’s a great experience for families. The park also runs a slightly kitschy Family Fun Park above ground with gemstone panning, moon walks, games, and a maze. Cheaha State Park is 60 miles from Birmingham.