|
|
 |
|
|
Road Trip Vacation to
Alabama
Alabama was one of our first states we posted vacation information on but,
since the focus was on National
Parks, trying to determine
how to present Alabama was difficult. 2011 brings our
best foot forward on Alabama vacations showing the
worthiness of Alabama that includes the Gulf Coast and
golf resorts, from Mobile to Fort Payne, which is just a
few miles from the Little River Canyon (photo right),
Dauphin Island and direct links to vacations in
Alabama.
The Little River Canyon Preserve is a 12-mile-long canyon and is the
largest canyon east of the Mississippi
and a scenic drive is
available with look out points to enjoy the beautiful
scenery. One such
look out point is Lynn Overlook, which is the head and starting point for
the Beaver Pond Trail. The
three quarter mile trail is a bird watchers paradise. The Canyon beauty
includes, "sweeping panoramas of the
canyon walls and
the raging Little River below. Scan the walls of
the canyon and you will see natural bridges and
amazing formations created by the action of the
river and the elements." (Alabama Tourism
Department) Enjoy relaxing at the end of the
scenic drive at Canyon Mouth Park, which is a
day use park and a relaxing place to enjoy a
picnic. The park offers grills, a beach and
swimming in the crystal clear waters. Fishing
is also permitted at the park. The preserve is
detailed with vacation options on our Alabama
National Park page.
Lookout Mountain is the ideal location for a quality couple get-away,
perfect for a peaceful anniversary
vacation or summer
family vacation.
A one-week vacation is ideal but, nobody
can become board for a vacation to this area of
Alabama/ Tennessee even during a two week
vacation.
The Little River flows for nearly the entire
length atop Lookout Mountain.
The area offers scenic views of forested
uploads, canyon cliffs and bluffs and pools
where waterfalls flow into.
The cliffs are of sandstone and have
stunning beauty.
Just a couple examples of fun and
vacation fulfilling things to do include Ruby
Falls and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
Ruby Falls is the deepest commercial cave
and has the highest underground waterfall at 145
feet in height.
Guided tours are available and they end
with an incredible panoramic view from the
Lookout Mountain Tower.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
trolley ride is a one mile ride at a 72% grade
straight up the mountain.
Tour Civil War sites such as the Battles
for Chattanooga Electric Map & Museum, Point
Park and the Chattanooga National Military Park
system is only a short walk.
The bottom or start of the ride offers
many stores to shop and good restaurants.
The good dining though can be extended by
a short drive to downtown Chattanooga.
The one restaurant that has stood out
when we researched Chattanooga restaurants is
212 Market St. Restaurant, which you can view at
www.212Market.com who offers fine dining
at its best in a casual atmosphere.
The menu is one of the best I have ever read.
Starters include Grilled
Georgia Quail
Breasts served with Blueberry Compote & Rosemary
Shortbread, a Mediterranean Sampler and Fire &
Ice, which is Rock shrimp Gazpacho, Cilantro
Sorbet and Avocado but, the best of the
appetizers is their fried green tomatoes served
with Cajun slaw and Creole Remoulade.
One salad example is their Baby Spinach
salad topped with Hazelnut vinaigrette, spiced
pecans, Gorgonzola, Apples and smoked bacon.
Their entrées, desserts and rewards I am leaving to your imagination.
Little River Canyon is a choice vacation
spot with so much to offer for a romantic
vacation or a family vacation.
The featured accommodations is the Weiss
Lake House in Cedar Bluff.
Visit our Alabama section of
VacationsNationalPark.com for details and many
vacation options.
Included for Alabama vacations in this issue of National
Park Vacations is the Marriott Grand Hotels in
Mobile,
which is near Dauphin Island.
Mobile Alabama may not be top pick for a
anniversary vacation or honeymoon but, once you
view this hotel that could very well change.
Located in Fairhope Alabama, near Mobile,
the hotel
has their own private beach. The dining options
are fruitful even not leaving the hotel with
five restaurants and a bar/lounge. The four star
hotel does offer room service as expected for
this quality of resort but, is limited to
specific hours. The golf course is 36 holes and
the hotel offers an outdoor pool, an indoor
pool, a children's pool, and a health club. Spa
amenities include spa services,
massage/treatment rooms, facials, and body
treatments.
The golf course is the legendary Robert
Trent Jones Golf trail.
The hotel is known as the “Queen of
Southern Resorts” and is legendary for weddings.
So, for those who do not live in Mobile,
know that the hotel is the quality
|
|
 |
|
many seek for a honeymoon
or anniversary vacation.
The hotel is also family oriented with amenities
such as the children’s pool and family activities
offered in the surrounding area and beaches.
Family oriented adventures for Mobile include the
USS Alabama tour –
www.ussalabama.com, the Mobile Carnival Museum
(Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras) -
www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com, the Mobile Zoo -
http://www.mobilezoo.cc, and the Mobile Mystery
Dinner Theatre –
http://www.mobilemysterydinners.com,
which can be part of a romantic vacation as well.
Planning a romantic vacation in the Mobile area,
many sources of accommodations are available but, the
two main hotels we are mentioning here are the Grand
Marriott and the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina on
Dauphin Island.
Dauphin Island offers much for a romantic vacation and
family vacations from the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
to camp grounds on sugar sand beaches, Dauphin
sanctuary, historic fort and a professional golf course.
The hotel of the Holiday Isle is the Islamorada
Hotel and Resort, which offers astonishing first class
accommodations, a “world famous Tiki Bar,” fine
|
 |
|
dining and
nightly entertainment.
Whether you stay in Holiday Isle or at the
Marriott in Fairview, Dauphin Island should be part of
your planned vacation.
Star Banquets & Travel can plan your vacation and
you can view online options at
www.vacationsnationalpark.com.
To start self planning your visit to Dauphin
Island, start with the Chamber of commerce at
http://dauphinislandcoc.com.
The Islamorada Hotel Resort is world famous for
its fishing at the Marina, with Dauphin Island offering
the only living barrier reef in North America.
An 850’ fishing peer offers premium fishing and
lots of room.
Charters are also available directly from the Marina.
Dive and snorkeling trips are offered as well to
nearby ship wrecks and the reefs.
The golf course is a premium 6,600 yard 18-hole
scenic adventure and the golf course, although a
professional golf course it is offered to the not so
professional.
Direct information can found at
www.dipoa.com/golfcourse.
The Chamber of Commerce website offers details on
the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which offers
164 acres of woodlands with trails through a mix of
pines, live oaks, magnolias and stretches along the Gulf
of Mexico.
Dauphin Island is known is one of the top spots to
observe tropical migrating birds and butterflies
including song birds and humming birds.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an extraordinary
place to visit, which should be top on your list.
The Estuarium offers wonders of Alabama that
include habitat details, aquariums and interactive
exhibits. Last but, not least, for the nature enthusiast
and outdoors man, camping on Dauphin Island is offered
at the Dauphin Island Camp Ground. The park offers 150
sites that have power and water, 75 of which have sewer,
onsite bathhouse with hot showers, washers/ dryers, an
onsite store, a group pavilion with large barbecue
grill, walking trails, bicycle rental and on.
All the information on these fun places to visit
can be found at
www.dauphinisland.org.
Fine dining on Dauphin Island I am not too certain about.
First, I believe that restaurants on Dauphin
Island may not know
the Internet exists.
The only restaurant I could find that appears to
be at all appetizing is the Island Rainbow, who has a
92% rating on Urban Spoon but, no online menu.
Mobile is the best bet for romantic fine dining.
Two restaurants that stand out for fine dining is
Noja,
www.nojamobile.com and Café
Royal,
www.caferoyalmobile.net.
Jesse’s Steakhouse is also a very good choice.
All three are rated four star, Noja has 72
reviews, Jesse’s 30 and Café Royal 54 reviews.
My opinion from reading the reviews is I give all
three restaurants a 4.2 rating on quality of food,
experience and ambiance but, a lower 3.8 rating on their
menus.
|
|
|
|
|
