Sylacauga

Sylacauga is a town in Metropolitan Alabama. It is famed for its high quality white marble that has been widely used in major edifices like the Supreme Court and the Washington Monument in D.C., as well as for being the home of Jim Nabors (you might know him as Gomer Pyle).

This is an archetypal Southern town, off the main freeways. You can get here via US Route 280 from Birmingham in about an hour and a half.

• 🌍 Comer Museum & Arts Center, 711 N Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 256 245-4016. Tu-F 10AM-5PM. This museum pays homage to Sylacauga's noteworthy white marble that has been used to construct many important monuments and buildings around the world, among other things. There is also sculpture and other art on display. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Imerys - Gantt's Quarry Observation Point, 241 Sylacauga Fayetteville Hwy (look for "Welcome" gate on gravel road across from Thompson Ln). Daily 9AM-4PM. See where marble was quarried over the years. Really quite an impressive marvel. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Blue Bell Creamery, 423 N Norton Ave, ☏ +1 256 249-6100. M-F 9AM-4:30PM. Learn how ice cream is made and try a sample. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Sylaward Trail at Lake Howard. Offers some tranquil hiking around Lake Howard and national forest land. Mushrooms, pine needles, misty sunrises. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sylacauga, 40743 US-280, ☏ +1 256 207-1511. You can look out at the indoor pool from the room for the complimentary breakfast, how cool is that? (updated Oct 2021)