[doss1]

We are a family of 3 driving from STL to FL (Fort Walton Beach area) and need to plan a stop around Birmingham/Montgomery area (highway 65 route) for a short break from driving (30-1hr break).

We have a 3yr old and would like to have a park or something where he can run around for a bit while parents relax?

Anyone have any suggestions on a good stop?

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by doss1

We are a family of 3 driving from STL to FL (Fort Walton Beach area) and need to plan a stop around Birmingham/Montgomery area (highway 65 route) for a short break from driving (30-1hr break).

We have a 3yr old and would like to have a park or something where he can run around for a bit while parents relax?

Anyone have any suggestions on a good stop?

Lots of nice rest stops on I-65, all of them have areas you can let the kid run, of course with normal supervision.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by doss1

We are a family of 3 driving from STL to FL (Fort Walton Beach area) and need to plan a stop around Birmingham/Montgomery area (highway 65 route) for a short break from driving (30-1hr break).

We have a 3yr old and would like to have a park or something where he can run around for a bit while parents relax?

Anyone have any suggestions on a good stop?

There's a rest stop at Exit 300 near Cullman, and another about halfway between Birmingham and Montgomery near Clanton (water tower looks like a big peach). Both are very nice, and there's plenty of room for the little guy to run around, as noted, with normal supervision.

Here's a list of I-65 rest stops in Alabama: https://www.interstaterestareas.com/...interstate-65/

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by doss1

We are a family of 3 driving from STL to FL (Fort Walton Beach area) and need to plan a stop around Birmingham/Montgomery area (highway 65 route) for a short break from driving (30-1hr break).

We have a 3yr old and would like to have a park or something where he can run around for a bit while parents relax?

Anyone have any suggestions on a good stop?

If you leave at 8 a.m., you get to Birmingham around noon. I'd suggest Railroad Park, McWane Science Center, or Vulcan. McWane Science Center has a great place, the Pizitz Food Court across the street where you can get a bite, a beer, and unwind a bit

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by doss1

We are a family of 3 driving from STL to FL (Fort Walton Beach area) and need to plan a stop around Birmingham/Montgomery area (highway 65 route) for a short break from driving (30-1hr break).

We have a 3yr old and would like to have a park or something where he can run around for a bit while parents relax?

Anyone have any suggestions on a good stop?

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

If you leave at 8 a.m., you get to Birmingham around noon. I'd suggest Railroad Park, McWane Science Center, or Vulcan. McWane Science Center has a great place, the Pizitz Food Court across the street where you can get a bite, a beer, and unwind a bit

St. Louis to Birmingham is a bit more than a 4 hour drive.

[preguntas]

It is a around seven hours. A good time to go through BHM and miss the traffic. Railroad Park is a great suggestion. It is just one block off I-65. (take the Fourth Avenue South exit, back on at University Blvd.)


The park provides all that a rest stop would, but so much more. Great walk paths, water features, restrooms, and even a small child's play area and a free outdoor gym area. Great coffee shop across the street as well as Mile End, a super nice deli-bakery based out of Montreal. Also a large Grocery/pharmacy two blocks away if you need to pick up something you might have forgotten.


This stop would be invigorating and CONVENIENT, you can't do better.


Have a great trip.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

St. Louis to Birmingham is a bit more than a 4 hour drive.

Whoops, had it backwards. But it IS good advice for the return trip.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

https://peachparkclanton.com/

/thread

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

Whoops, had it backwards. But it IS good advice for the return trip.

Someone just pointed out to me that the title of the thread says Nashville to Florida, in which case your 4 hour estimate is correct. I didn't even see that ... the text of the thread say STL, which I assumed to be St. Louis. I have a habit of not paying attention to thread titles.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Someone just pointed out to me that the title of the thread says Nashville to Florida, in which case your 4 hour estimate is correct. I didn't even see that ... the text of the thread say STL, which I assumed to be St. Louis. I have a habit of not paying attention to thread titles.

It takes me about 6 hours to drive from Decatur AL (north Alabama) to my brother's house just outside Pensacola, Fla. And there's no interstate from Montgomery to the Fort Walton area. The roads are good, but no interstate.
We too our 2 grandkids back to Florida at the end of sprig break and stopped at a zoo park just south of Montgomery. It was great fun, and the kids really enjoyed it. Railroad Park is also another very convenient stop in Birmingham.
Between Birmingham and Montgomery is "Peach Park," which is actually a privately-owned place to stop and buy fresh vegetables, lunch, cobbler and ice cream. There's a shady, not so deep ravine with graveled pathways, fountains, some playground equipment, a big tractor to crawl around on, generally run up and down and spend some energy.