This summer, the temperature won’t be the only thing rising. Alabama’s state average for fuel prices has been steadily increasing. The state average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.93 Friday.
With the summer months starting, many people are searching for vacation destinations for themselves and their families. However, traveling long distances for a weekend of family fun or a week-long vacation may not be a reasonable option as gas prices continue to increase.
Both Talladega and St. Clair counties host several attractions that can provide amusement and activity without the long drives or high gas bills.
For those more interested in spending time outdoors, there hiking trails in both the Talladega National Forest and Cheaha State Park, home to five walking trails. Both areas also have camping facilities and other ways to enjoy some of the best natural scenery in the region.
“(The park) is one of the most beautiful places in the state,” said Tracey Comer, an account clerk for Cheaha State Park.
The Nubbin Creek Trail inside the Talladega National Forest can be a six-mile straight hike or a 31-mile loop trail. Camping off the trail is also allowed.
The Pinhoti Trail system spans more than 46 miles, beginning at Coleman Lake, located north of the Cheaha State Park. The Odum Scott Trail, which ends at High Falls, is approximately 11 miles in length.
Shorter trails include the Lake Trail, which is one mile in length, as well as the Rock Garden Trail at one-quarter mile and the Pulpit Rock Trail at a half-mile.
Both the Rock Garden Trail and Pulpit Rock Trail are rated at easy to moderate for climbers and both lead to the overlook area.
Comer said anyone who enjoys the outdoors would enjoy spending time at the state park, adding there is also a trail specifically designed for handicapped people. Cheaha also has a restaurant and places for picnics and cabins available for rent.
For more outdoor activities, there’s the Kymulga Grist Mill and DeSoto Caverns Park, both located near Childersburg.
“With the outside attractions, most people come for the cave tour and stay for the attractions,” said Christie Graham, a marketing assistant at DeSoto Caverns. “The attractions are neat, and you probably wouldn’t find (them) anywhere else.”
Graham said the most popular of the park’s 24 attractions are the tours of Big Cave, the Lost Trail Maze, which covers three quarters of an acre, and gem stone panning, where participants can pan for semi-precious stones.
The park is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. during the summer.
Admission prices vary depending on the types of activities. An attraction package, which includes the cave tour and two outside attractions, costs $22.99 per person. Cave tours cost $16.99 for each adult and $13.99 per child. Graham said the park also offers a season pass.
The Kymulga Grist Mill and Covered Bridge, just north of Childersburg, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April through October. Both the covered bridge and park are located adjacent to the mill, which is still functional.
Alice Bateman, a volunteer at the mill for more than four years, said the mill tours include seeing how corn meal is made. She also said there are walking trails, where 4-wheeler vehicles are allowed, and fishing available around the park.
“It’s nice and pleasant out here,” Bateman said. “It’s peaceful and safer for kids because we’re not close to roads and they can ride their bikes.”
Admission for the mill tours costs $3 per person with children ages six and younger are admitted free.
Between Talladega, Sylacauga and Childersburg, there are five museums, including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum.
It offers museum tours daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and track tours from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, with the exception of race weekends. Admission tickets cost $5 to $10. Kristi King, director of public relations for the Hall of Fame, said the tours are basically self-guided and can take anywhere from one hour to several hours to complete, depending on how much time tourists spend at each exhibit.
“The hall of fame is different from others from others because it’s a little more than just NASCAR,” King said. “It’s the history of all motor sports in the world, not just NASCAR and not just Alabama.”
King said the museum is good for families because she says any type of history is good for children.
Keeping on the historical track is the Veteran’s Military Museum in Childersburg, which is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The museum displays historical artifacts from World War II, and no admission fee is charged. The Butler-Harris-Rainwater Museum, also in Childersburg, is a house museum dedicated to the history of the town. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
The Jemison-Carnegie Heritage Hall displays art and photographs from both national and local artists. The museum, located on East South Street in Talladega is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Admission is free.
Sylacauga is home to the Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Comer Museum, which has no admission charge, features historical displays and Indian artifacts, as well as art exhibits.
Also in Sylacauga is the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for tours, which must be scheduled in advance. During the tour, guests can see the ice cream production from behind glass, and the guide can answer questions about the ice cream making process.
“Usually, we have people looking for things to do with their kids,” said Susan Odom, office and country store manager at Blue Bell Creameries.
“I know it’s not as fun as going to Six Flags, but seeing the kids watch the ice cream is worth it to me,” she said.
