The great states of Alabama and Arkansas have being Southern down to a science. Both states are full of Southern history, Southern culture, college football, and Southern iced tea. Neither state is a huge tourism draw, but they shouldn’t be missed on a road trip through the Southern United States.
Visit with a President in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas is located in northern Arkansas. During the 1970s, the city was the home of future U.S. President Bill Clinton and future U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Their home is now a museum honoring their service. During the fall, thousands of people visit Fayetteville to watch sporting events at the University of Arkansas. Additionally, visitors can take in theater and music along Dickson Street. The Cosmopolitan Hotel Fayetteville is centrally located to all the tourist attractions.
Return to school in Little Rock, Arkansas
Image from Flickr by Cliff
Little Rock, Arkansas was a sleepy city that became one of the most important battlegrounds in the American civil rights movement. Little Rock’s Central High School became a hot-bed of protest activity after the U.S. Supreme court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education. The school was one of the first integrated schools in the United States. This historic event is one that is remembered throughout the United States. The city is also known for its natural hot springs, which are protected by Hot Springs National Park. Be sure to check out the Capital Hotel while in town.
Enjoy the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama is a coastal city featuring Southern flair with a French twist. The city was the capital of the French territory. It is home to one of the largest and longest running carnival (Mardi Gras) celebrations in the United States. The city is home to many art and cultural museums showcasing American and French art and celebrating the city’s history. The city has many historic buildings that played an important part in the Civil War. Stay within walking distance of the museums at the Fort Conde Inn.
Roll Tide, Roll in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Image from Flickr by m.jay.johnson
Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a college town through and through. The town has one religion, and it is all things University of Alabama. The town is the epitome of a college town with nationally recognized bars and clubs that cater to the many ‘Bama fans and college students. Enjoy a stay at the Hotel Capstone while in Tuscaloosa.
Remember the fight in Birmingham, Alabama
As important as Little Rock was to the civil rights movement, Birmingham, Alabama played an even more important role in the movement. The city was home to some of the most iconic incidents of the movement, including protesters being sprayed with water cannons and having dogs sicced on them, Martin Luther King Jr.’s arrest, and a church bombing. A tourist doesn’t have to travel far to visit the historic sites of the city. The city is home to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which focuses on the history of the movement and is still fighting for equal rights. Enjoy the history while staying in the Cobb Lane Bed and Breakfast.