If TDY or PCS brings you to Maxwell, Air Force Base – you probably have a list of places to visit. But it doesn’t mean getting away for a weekend isn’t a good option as well. With the Florida coastline a few hours to the South, Atlanta to the East, Mississippi to the West, there are many, many options. We pulled together the best weekend road trip ideas if you are in Montgomery, Alabama for a few weeks of training or even stationed there for a few years.
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Destin, Florida
Less than a 3-hour drive from Maxwell AFB, Destin Florida is a great place for a getaway. There is Eglin, AFB nearby if you want to look for base lodging or plenty of other great places to stay. The biggest draw is the beach. The white sand, the warm water, and the pier with its great food and drinks make for a perfect day at the beach. While you are there make sure to check out McGuire’s Irish Pub. The food is amazing and with a tradition of putting dollar bills on the ceiling, the atmosphere is amazing. There is also great shopping and other tourist attractions to see.
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Atlanta Georgia
Atlanta is only 2.5 hours away from Maxwell AFB and definitely worth the short drive. One of my favorite things to do in Atlanta to visit the Coca-Cola factory. There you can learn the history of Coca-Cola along with trying different flavors that people drink all over the world. It is located next to the Aquarium, which is another must do if you have kids. With many more museums and national landmarks, you can find a lot to do in this big city.
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Pensacola, Florida
Another beach in Florida worth the less than 3-hour drive is Pensacola. Pensacola is located near Pensacola Naval Air Station where you might be able to find discounted lodging for your weekend adventure. Pensacola is located on the Gulf Coast Barrier Island of Santa Rosa. It has beautiful beaches and tourist stops like Fort Pickens and the Naval Air Station Museum. If you are looking for a beach getaway you can’t go wrong with a stop at Pensacola.
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Nashville, Tennessee
Heading North and away from the ocean, you will find Nashville, Tennessee. While Nashville is known as the country music half fame and there is plenty of great things to see in the city. The things outside of the city are what make this a “must stop” when looking for a fun weekend away. A favorite tour was the home of Andrew Jackson, imagine stepping back in time and learning a little history. Another thing to not miss is the Parthenon, a replica of the one in Italy. It is really is one of the coolest things to see.
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Panama City, Florida
Another great beach city to see is Panama City. It is about 3.5 hours from Maxwell AFB. Just like Destin, there is a military base close by where you can search for lodging or check out any of the other options in the area. The city was recently hit by a hurricane and is still in recovery mode. With a number of beaches, site seeing tours and more inland exploring this is a great place to visit.
What road trip sounds like the best option for you? We love a good beach weekend trip to Destin, Florida, and on the other hand, we loved exploring Nashville. There are so many great adventures out there you just have to take the first step and go.
Written by: Amanda Huffman
