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On Lake Time

June 2023

Summertime, and the livin’s easy, so the song goes. People love to escape the hustle and bustle of the city during the summer, and there’s no better place to find a slower pace in the summer than on the lake. There’s something to be said about living on lake time, especially when escaping everyday life. Lake life also has many advantages when the heat of the summer kicks in, so when visiting Alabama this summer, we invite you to disconnect and try lake living for a while.

Lake Guntersville

Guntersville

Lake Guntersville, located in Northeast Alabama, encompasses 30 miles and is at the center of the mighty Tennessee River. The lake is a popular spot for bass and crappie fishing, boating, sailing and skiing. Lake Guntersville State Park offers many family-friendly outdoor activities for an incredible scenic vacation. The state park is on 6,000 acres of woodland along the Tennessee River. Visitors can stay at the park’s hotel or in one of the mountain-setting chalets or cottages. A campground also is available to those who would rather camp. Families enjoy more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnicking, fabulous vistas and numerous sites for viewing wildlife. It is the winter home of the American bald eagle, and the Park features educational programs. 

Eat at City Harbor at Another Broken Egg where they offer southern-inspired entrees for breakfast, brunch, and lunch and hand-crafted cocktails that are each "craveably" delicious and made with an artisanal flair. Have dinner at Big Mike’s Steakhouse which has been voted as one of Alabama’s best steakhouses. Big Mike’s offers mouthwatering steaks and seafood. Their sixth location is at City Harbor. 

Lewis Smith Lake

Cullman

Located 20 miles northwest of Birmingham, Smith Lake touches Central Alabama's Cullman, Walker and Winston counties. It impounds the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, and its scenic beauty winds through the Bankhead National Forest. The lake’s surface area covers 21,200 acres and has 500 miles of shoreline. The lake is a well-known sports fishing destination featuring large-mouthed white and spotted bass, bluegill, longear and redear sunfish, black and white crappie and catfish.  

Eat breakfast in Cullman at The Duchess Bakery. This family-owned bakery has been around since 1939, and its specialty is the Duchess Glazed Doughnut. If you’re looking for a fun hangout, Goat Island Brewing offers a number of beers and live music. 

Wilson Lake

Muscle Shoals

Wilson Lake stretches 15 mi./24 km between Muscle Shoals and Rogersville, where it meets Wheeler Lake. The lake is an excellent fishery for small- and largemouth bass, crappie, spotted bass, striped bass, hybrids, sauger, bluegill, freshwater drum and channel catfish.

Grab a cup of coffee at Turbo Coffee in Florence which also offers brunch and smoothie bowls. Experience the Rattlesnake Saloon. It’s a watering hole under a rock where the whole family can come relax, connect to local history, eat and listen to live music.  

Lake Martin

Alexander City

Known as Alabama’s Freshwater Coast, Lake Martin is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties on the Tallapoosa River. The lake offers 900 miles of shoreline and over 40,000 acres of scenic views. Grab coffee at Nirvana Latte in Dadeville and a burger at Niffer’s at the Lake, a fan favorite.

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