<p>My husband is coming with my son to bama bound in May. Since it is memorial weekend they have decided to make the most of their time together and stay through the weekend. Coming out from California, we don’t really know the best places to visit so we are open to suggestions. They are considering a trip down to the coast. Can anyone make any recommendations?</p>
<p>I’ll give it a stab…</p>
<p>I’m not from Alabama, but I’ve been there a few times. </p>
<p>You mentioned you might be going down to the coast…is that the AL coast or the FL or MS or LA coast?
Because if you could fit a trip into New Orleans, that would be cool, but that is pushing it in just weekend. </p>
<p>Mobile is a cool city, I enjoyed my short visit there. Be sure to check out Dauphin Street (it’s is like a mini French Quarter minus the trash and urine smell). I’d also try to get lunch at the Original Wintzell’s Oyster House (there is another one of these in t-town, though, I believe).
Fort Conde also looks cool.
About an hour from Mobile is Pensacola, FL. Though it was raining for most of the time I was down there, it was really cool. Looked like it had a vibrant nightlife and fun outdoor activities. And the white sandy beaches.
Another thing, the big Naval Air Station is down in Pensacola, where they train pilots for the Navy and Coast Guard (and maybe Marines, but don’t quote me on that). The Air Station is an open base, meaning it is open to civilians, mostly due to a military aviation museum on base. The base was really nice (I’m a military brat, so I’ve been on my fair share of bases) and the museum was really cool. </p>
<p>Sorry, my suggestions were all kinda far from t-town, but the gulf coast is a really cool part of the country, IMO.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion of going down to the Mobile area and Dauphin Street. The Gulf shores/Orange Beach are popular destinations.</p>
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<p>Oh, I second Pensacola. Santa Rosa Island. White sandy beaches, clear green water. But with the oil spill, don’t know how pretty it will be when you’re there.</p>
<p>For a short trip, though, how about checking out Birmingham? It’s only an hour away. We enjoyed an extra day there when we were checking out UAB.</p>
<p>The statue of Vulcan is awesome, and the view from the top is gorgeous. Look up the visitor’s bureau on line and have them send you a travel guide for free.</p>
<p>There’s some kind of mountain there, Oak Mountain or Red Oak Mountain, that is supposed to be nice for hiking and such.</p>
<p>And Birmingham also has a place called Five Points, near the UAB campus, I believe, that has some night life.</p>
<p>But around T-town, I am looking forward to exploring the river and lake, and of course, the good food. There is also good food in Birmingham.</p>
<p>In Birmingham, there was a place called Temple something. It was at the entrance to a nice subdivision. We walked up there and had a nice view of Birmingham. Very romantic place.</p>
<p>Mobile is very nice, and the people couldn’t be friendlier. You can get some good seafood. The beaches are not as nice as Florida, though. I love the battleship in Mobile, and the submarine, and there is also a small air museum there, too, with a stealth plane. Pretty cool. Never been to the town of Mobile, but have just recently also been told that there are areas that have the charm of the nicer parts of New Orleans.</p>
<p>Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>I do not recommend going to the Gulf Coast - the oil spill wil have reached Orange Beach/Mobile area- and it’s going to be devastating- NO is close- I am from Birmingham if you have any ?'s- the Mercedes plant is b/w TTown and B’ham- there is a nice Botancial Gardens, Oak Mtn State Park, Tannehill State park, Vulcan, 5 Points area- nice bars/restaurants-Not sure what the Temple area is-I’ve lived here all of my life- I’ll think on that one-</p>
<p>If they’re flying into B’ham, then it’s not too far to go to Atlanta. There are also things to see and do there. </p>
<p>Hlsess…what would you recommend in Atlanta?</p>
<p>I am not really sure- My sister lives there but we don’t go that often- Peachtree Battle area/Buckhead area is nice- the aquarium is great- I am not impressed with the Coke museum- they have concerts often there- catch a Braves game-</p>
<p>Oh, yes, if you’re into baseball, check out the schedule of the nearby Double A teams. Alabama has several. There’s the Huntsville Stars, Birmingham Barons, Montgomery Biscuits, and the Mobile Bay Bears. Husband has plans to visit all the Double A parks as part of our trips to and from school. Double A has most of the prospects, cheap ticket prices, good food, and great views of some good baseball. We went to the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, MS, one weekend just for fun and really enjoyed it. Go on their websites and check out their rosters and schedule. Don’t just pay attention to the local team. You may get to see a major leaguer rehabbing on the other side. </p>
<p>And I want to say the temple is by Vestavia Hills. It’s really more of a lookout area, but very nice. Not a big temple, more like a large gazebo. But it was a nice little side trip, just to get a nice view. </p>
<p>The Vulcan statue was very windy at the top, which was a new thing for us, since we don’t have big skyscrapers. The wind was howling and was amazing. And you could see hawks flying at eye level. Awesome!</p>
<p>aw man! someone stole my thunder! i was going to say BISCUITS BASEBALL!!!</p>
<p>Oh, Mike, glad you recommend them! Was trying to decide which one to do first!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for this thread, guys! Us OOS parents will be looking forward to doing some road trips after we drop the kids off!</p>
<p>It is an hour longer drive, but Memphis might be a fun father/son adventure. Blues clubs (some must accept 17 year olds), blues museums, Elvis Presley’s house, Rendevous Ribs, the ducks at the Peabody.</p>
<p>Since you were considering driving to the coast (and the oil spill may make that undesirable), it’s about a 3 hour drive north to Nashville from B’ham. There’s a lot to see there. The Grand Ole Opry House, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Belle Meade Plantation (interesting history there!), etc.</p>
<p>^^^And civil war battle sites in Franklin, TN including Carter House & Carnton Plantation. The flooding might receed by then…</p>
<p>we wanted to go to a biscuits game when we visited, but we didn’t get to!</p>
<p>what’s not to like about watching a baseball team names the BISCUITS!!! hahahaha</p>
<p>really wanted to find a biscuits tshirt for DD, but never did.</p>
<p>RobD- we will be in Franklin over Memorial Day for 15 yo sons baseball tourney- which restaurants do you recommend- we will have a fairly large group-I 've look on a few sites- and found Bosco’s, Sportsman Lodge, chuy’s, cozymel’s,pie in the sky pizza and cool springs Brewery- these all have room for a big trouo- 40 or so- not looking for the best food but decent food</p>
<p>Chuy’s is always crazy crowded…I’ve been once, it was fine but IMHO not worth the wait. Bosco’s is good but price (OK, this is Frankin, so a lot of places are pricey 
Over by Bosco’s are a few smaller places that are more casual: Swanky’s Taco’s, Noshville (but they’re not open late) Cajun Steamer. Over by Chuy’s is a brand new Five Guys, Carabba’s, Chef Paul’s (cajun, very good & relatively inexpensive. they might be able to fit 40) </p>
<p>Pie in the Sky is good. Right over there is also: Red Lobster, Buca di Beppo, Chili’s, Logan’s Steakhouse. </p>
<p>Will this all be for dinner? What fields are they playing at?</p>
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<p>We are playing at Franklin HS-staying at Embassy Suites- will not know schedule until that week so it’s hard- will do the best we can- also Embassy has a sports bar- thanks for the info- Hope the rain is receding soon!!</p>
<p>Atlanta .</p>