Take Route 24 southwest from Huntsville, and you’ll run into the town of Russellville, AL. Nestled between the Tennessee River and Bankhead National Forest, Russellville serves as a great stop for a road trip or a vacation of its own. The town has a campground where you can stay in cabins, RVs, or tents, known locally as Cedar Ridge Campgrounds. There’s also Slickrock Campground, located on Cedar Rock Reservoir. Golfers can enjoy the local country club, Twin Pines, where you can enjoy 18 scenic holes or get lessons from PGA pro Matt McCollum. 

Of course, at some point, you’re probably going to get hungry, in which case you’ll want to visit the best restaurant in the area—Pilgrim’s Place. While the eatery offers plenty of southern fare and other foods, its signature dish, BBQ ribs, is something you can’t miss while you’re in town. After dinner, head to King Drive-In Theater, the oldest drive-in theater in the state.