Southeast travel tips

ALABAMA

The Montgomery parsonage where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived from 1954 1960 is now open to the public. The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage offers a combination tour of the historic church and the white, wood framed home where the great civil rights leader lived while leading the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955 1956. The parsonage has been carefully restored to replicate its 1950s appearance and much of the King familys original furniture is on display in the home.

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail has garnered praise from birders nationwide, including being named by Audubon Magazine as one of the best places for bird watching in the country. Its huge success has led to the development of the North Alabama Birding Trail, which opened last spring with fifty birding sites throughout Northern Alabama. Visitors can find trail maps and information on their respective websites.

ARKANSAS

At the new Forrest Wood Crowleys Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro, visitors can experience a virtual rainstorm, enjoy handsm on nature exhibits and explore an aquarium. And for the brave of heart, a film about the 1811 New Madrid earthquake literally shakes the audience. A two story diorama introduces guests to the plants and animals of the region, while a 16 minute film and interactive exhibits explore the ridges formation and its wildlife. Outdoors, get a birds eye view atop the observation tower, or hike along Willow Pond on the Habitats Trail, a quartermile scenic walk. Avid hikers can set out on longer trails that lead to Craighead Forest Park.

Recent renovations have upgraded and restored the historic building that is home to the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in downtown Little Rock. The center, which aims to present, interpret and celebrate Arkansas African American heritage, features exhibits from 1870 to the present day, including a recreated 1920s drug store. The center also houses a theatre and museum store.

War history buffs and sea-lovers alike will enjoy a day trip to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in northern Little Rock. The first installment phase features the USS Razorback, a 311 foot submarine that was present in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the peace treaty that ended World War II. This floating museum opened for group tours in July, and the USS Hoga, which served in 1941 at Pearl Harbor, will soon offer added adventure. Plans include exhibition areas and a gift shop aboard the vessel. The Arkansas Queen, the third installment, will offer riverboat dinner cruises and will open by years end.

Located in Pocahontas, the new $2.5 million Imperial Dinner Theatre features state of the art, computerized lighting and sound, as well as a Broadway type backdrop. The 18,000 square foot theatre offers seating for up to 200 guests. A complete schedule of shows can be found on the theatres website.

FLORIDA

On Nov. 12, the new Florida Discovery Bicycle Center in Lake Helen will launch its inaugural training and touring program the first of its kind. The program aims to combine adult bike safety with touring and offers packages that include accommodations, meals, entertainment and sightseeing along the St. Johns River region of Western Volusia County.

Courtesy of grouptravelblog