Written by NiteOwlTX on 23 Apr, 2006
One day will be plenty of time to see all the attractions in this area. If you have time to spend a second day and have interest in camping and hiking, you should spend it at DeSoto State Park. You can visit on any day…Read More
One day will be plenty of time to see all the attractions in this area. If you have time to spend a second day and have interest in camping and hiking, you should spend it at DeSoto State Park. You can visit on any day of the week, but if you come on Sunday, you will need to watch your schedule as Sequoyah Caverns and the Alabama Fan Club have limited hours on Sunday; Unclaimed Baggage is closed on Sunday.Begin your day in Bridgeport at the Russell Cave National Monument (free). Look through the museum and see the video before walking up to the cave. The park rangers are an excellent source of information; spend a couple of minutes talking to them. The park opens at 8am; if you spent the night in Fort Payne, you should leave your hotel by 7:15am to get to the park for its opening.Next, drive south to Scottsboro to spend a little time shopping at Unclaimed Baggage (free). As you leave Unclaimed Baggage, you will drive by the historic courthouse and town square.Next, drive to Valley Head to see Sequoyah Caverns ($11). The tour begins on the hour, so plan your time to arrive close to the end of the hour. The tour will last for about an hour.Next drive to downtown Fort Payne to visit the Alabama Fan Club and Museum ($5). Spend a couple of minutes looking at the museum and watch the film.Drive just north of town to see DeSoto State Park (free). You should have plenty of time to spend a couple of hours hiking to DeSoto Falls. If you are not interested in the hike, you can drive to top of the falls by going north from the park.You should also take an hour to walk through the shops in Mentone. This would also be a nice place to stop to eat.Next drive through Little River Canyon National Preserve (free). If you begin the drive about an hour before sunset, you will be at the last stop in time to see the sun go down; it is spectacular.Total cost of the trip is $16, plus food, gas, and lodging.I recommend a weekend trip to Fort Payne for anyone interested in nature and history and for families with children. Also, this trip is good for frugal travelers, who will find this to be a very cost efficient day.Close
Written by willow on 06 Nov, 2000
Heading east from Ft. Payne up onto Lookout Mountain enjoy a scenic drive to the tiny Alabama town of Mentone. Mentone is perched on the Western crest of Lookout Mountain. This scenic little mountain community's name means 'singing waters.' There are several…Read More
Heading east from Ft. Payne up onto Lookout Mountain enjoy a scenic drive to the tiny Alabama town of Mentone. Mentone is perched on the Western crest of Lookout Mountain. This scenic little mountain community's name means 'singing waters.' There are several antique and craft shops including the unique White Elephant Galleries which was built as a luxury hotel and rescued from ruin by the community. Close