Mural In Monroeville Historic Downtown Depicting Actors In The Play And Book, &Quot;To Kill A Mockingbird&Quot; One Of Two Iconic Alabama Events Coming Up This Spring — Mural in Monroeville’s historic downtown depicting actors in the play and book, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” (Carol M. Highsmith Collection / Library of Congress)

With pretty spring days just around the corner, we’re hearing the call of the road to explore local landscapes waking up from winter slumber. While road trips are as much about the journey as the destination, we have two iconic Alabama events worth building a trip around this spring, and both are less than 3 hours south of Birmingham in the Alabama Black Belt.

A region as rich in history as the fertile soil from which it takes its name, countless stories are rooted in this swath of 23 counties spanning the south-central part of the state. Exploring them is an odyssey into the works and legacies of artisans, civil rights leaders and literary greats, plus some of the best food and scenery you’ll find in the whole state.

Read on for details about each event + tips for planning your route around delicious eats and cozy sleeps.

1. Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee

Fog Hangs Low Over Still Waters Of The Alabama River Where The Historic Edmund Pettus Bridge Crosses In Selma. — From top left, clockwise: Edmund Pettus Bridge (Rex Jones / Alabama Black Belt Adventures); Participants in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march in 1964 (Library of Congress); Civil Rights Memorial Mural near the Edmund Pettus Bridge (Carol M. Highsmith Collection / Library of Congress)

Participants, Some Carrying American Flags, Marching In The Civil Rights March From Selma To Montgomery, Alabama In 1965 — From top left, clockwise: Edmund Pettus Bridge (Rex Jones / Alabama Black Belt Adventures); Participants in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march in 1964 (Library of Congress); Civil Rights Memorial Mural near the Edmund Pettus Bridge (Carol M. Highsmith Collection / Library of Congress)

Every year over the first weekend in March, the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorates the spring 1965 civil rights marches that helped awaken our nation and forced action to enact the Voting Rights Act later that year.

Highlights of this year’s event include:

Children’s Sojourn across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Friday
Jubilee Parade on Saturday
March to the Bridge on Sunday
Music, dance + theater performances
Educational workshops + presentations

61st Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee

Where: Throughout Selma
When: Thur.-Sun., March 5-8 | Schedule
Cost: Some events are free; see website for details
More info: Website | Instagram | Facebook

If you can’t make it to the Jubilee, Selma is a powerful destination year-round for learning about Alabama’s role in civil rights history and is part of the ALBBA Civil Rights Trail.

2. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ in Monroeville

The Monroe County Heritage Museum In Monroeville, Alabama — From top left, clockwise, the Monroe County Heritage Museum (Preston Keres / USDA); Actors in the annual production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Monroeville. (Carol M. Highsmith Collection / Library of Congress)

A Scene From The Play &Quot;To Kill A Mockingbird,&Quot; Performed In Monroeville, One Of The Most Iconic Alabama Events Each Year — From top left, clockwise, the Monroe County Heritage Museum (Preston Keres / USDA); Actors in the annual production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Monroeville. (Carol M. Highsmith Collection / Library of Congress)

Starting March 27, fans of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird can see a theatrical presentation of the book in Monroeville, Lee’s hometown.

For over 30 years, this production has taken place on select dates through spring at the historic Old Courthouse Museum, the building replicated for the 1962 film adaptation.

Some things not to miss while you’re there:

Walk Monroeville self-guided tour
Literary Capital of Alabama Bronze Sculpture Trail
See Monroe County’s murals
Admire the “A Celebration of Reading” sculpture by Birmingham sculptor Branko Medenica

Annual Performances of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Where: Monroe County Heritage Museum, 31 N Alabama Ave, Monroeville, AL 36460
When: Regular Performances | Friday, 6:30PM, March 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1 | Saturday, 2PM + 6:30PM, March 28; April 11, 18, May 2 | Special Harper Lee Birthday Celebration, Saturday, April 25 at 5:30PM
Cost: General Admission, $72, Get Tickets | Birthday Celebration, $135, Get Tickets
More info: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Where to stay + what to eat

Many Food Products Available In Clarke, Wilcox And Monroe Counties In Alabama As Part Of The Scout For Tasty Treasures Trail — Discover many delicious stops and goodies along Black Belt backroads. (ALBBA)

Depending on where in the state you’re coming from and which direction you’re headed, you can use these resources for great places to stop to shop for treats, sit down for eats and enjoy one-of-a-kind overnight accommodations throughout the Black Belt Region:

😋 Flavors of the Black Belt Trails: 9 different foodie guides by sub-region
😴 Guide to unique places to stay: Extraordinary places to rest + recharge

Let us know when you go! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram and tag us to share your Alabama Black Belt adventure this spring.