Cherokee Rock Village

If you haven’t been up to Cherokee Rock Village yet, you’re genuinely missing out on one of the better-kept secrets in this part of Alabama. The rock formations up here are serious — we’re talking real climbing and bouldering, not some playground rubber surface situation, so it skews older kids and adults who can handle a little adventure. There’s a walking path and open field if someone in your group isn’t quite ready to scale anything, plus picnic tables under shade trees when you need a break. The views out over the landscape near Leesburg are the kind of thing that actually makes you stop talking for a minute. Pack a lunch, bring the teenagers, and honestly consider camping overnight if you can swing it.