Nearby to Try
Nearby to Try/Summer Adventure Spots
Are you looking for a summer adventure that’s within driving distance? Want to take your family and just get away from it all this summer?
The Shelby County Moms Guide team has rounded up some great budget-friendly adventure spots all only a few hours away.
The Special Gulf
The Awesome
Shores Area
Oak Mountain
State Park
The Gulf Shores in Alabama offer a tremendous variety of things
to do. This location offers terrific opportunities for visiting
beautiful beaches, dolphin watching, and visiting water parks
and museums. According to their website, "Gulf Shores is a place
where you can slow down, let loose, rediscover yourself and savor
your loved ones. It's the Alabama Gulf Coast, and it will cast its
spell over you." www.gulfshoresal.gov/
The activities at the Oak Mountain State Park are different from
other destinations. At this location you have more than 50 miles
of biking, hiking and equestrian trails. You can spend days among
this picturesque landscape as the park offers camping, a sandy
beach area, canoeing, paddle boats and golfing. Oak Mountain
State Park is located in Pelham, AL.
www.alapark.com/oakmountain/
Alabama Splash Adventures is the Birmingham area’s closest and
biggest water park. It is newly renovated and located in Bessemer,
AL. Cool down in the “Warrior River” pool as you relax in an
inner tube, ride the Kahuna waves, plummet nine stories down the
“Acapulco drop” or go for an adrenaline-pumping adventure on
their new zip lines.
www.splashadventurewaterpark.com
The Spring Valley Beach in Alabama is a special destination for
water lovers. It has been recognized as a “Driving Destination,”
an “Absolutely Alabama Attraction,” and a “Tennessee Valley
Treasure” according to their website. Spring Valley Beach is also
known for its water park that is a destination meant for complete
family entertainment. Not only do they offer FREE parking, they
also offer FREE suntan lotion! Spring Valley beach is located in
Blountsville, Al.
www.springvalleybeach.com/
The Splendor of
The Special
Splash
Spring Valley
Adventures Water
Beach
Park
The Wilderness at the Smokies
Wilderness at the Smokies is a large water park complex with one indoor and two outdoor water parks located in Sevierville, TN. The property holds six restaurants, a deli,
gift shop, mini golf, 36 hole champion golf course, an arcade and countless waterslides.
It also has an Adventure Forest dryplay area with climbing walls, rope courses, mini golf
and laser tag.
www.wildernesssatthesmokies.com
Shelby County Moms Guide / june 2014 11