Pelham, Alabama

Good golf, good tunes, good grub, great visit

Looking for a hike, a round of golf or a concert? Pelham, Ala., is a great destination for you. The Birmingham suburb offers plenty of action in a small space.

Named after Maj. John Pelham, a Civil War hero, the town with about 20,000 people offers Oak Mountain State Park, the largest such park in all of Alabama. There, you will find plenty of outdoor activities for the bike lover, the hike lover or someone who just wants to sit back and watch a waterfall.

Or maybe you prefer to stay cool. If that's the case, head down to the ice rink. Or maybe you want to see some of the best bands in the world shred. Check out the schedule at the amphitheater.

No matter what you like, Pelham is a great place to escape for a weekend.

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Grab some grub> The locals enjoy hanging out at the Margarita Grill, a spot for traditional Mexican food. The restaurant features tacos, enchiladas, beer, wine and mixed drinks. The attraction, however, is the outdoor patio. Artists even swing by every night to play for you.

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Outdoor adventure> Oak Mountain State Park covers 9,940 acres, making it Alabama’s largest state park. Want to hike? Want to bike? The park features more than 50 miles of trails. There are short loops. There are loops that will require you to camp overnight. And then there is the Red Trail, which the International Mountain Biking Association includes on its list of EPIC rides.> There are plenty of other activities, of course. You can cable ski. Or rent a boat. Or play basketball. Or sit on the beach. Or swim near the beach. Or fish. Or ride a horse. Or simply just watch the relaxing Peavine Falls.> If you go to the Tree Top Nature Trail, an elevated boardwalk, you can watch members of the Alabama Wildlife Center help rehabilitate injured birds.> The park is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.You can also stay there overnight by renting a cabin. Call 205-620-2524 for more information.

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Listen to the hits> With more than 10,000 seats, the Oak Mountain Amphitheater is Alabama’s largest outdoor theater. The amphitheater is divided into three tiers of reserved seats.> When you purchase a concert ticket at theoakmountainamphitheater.com, you will be able to park for free in one of two bays on the sides of the venue.> Some of the upcoming concerts include:Sept. 1: Chris Brown, Kid Ink and Omarion; Sept. 3: Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt; Sept. 17: Van Halen and Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Oct. 8: Alt-J

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Slide down the ice> The Pelham Civic Complex features two National Hockey League-sized rinks, often available to the general public. Admission is $7, plus an extra $2 if you need to rent a pair of skates.> If you are bringing a large group, you can rent out the rink for an hour or two. Check out pelhamciviccomplex.com if you’re interested in booking the rink.> The complex also features an event hall, where local vendors sometimes gather to sell arts and crafts.

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Hit the links> The semi-private Ballantrae Golf Club offers one of the prettiest 18 holes in the world. In 2005, Golf Digest named it the “Best Affordable New Golf Course.” Meanwhile, Golf for Women magazine said it was one of the country’s 50 best courses.> The course, designed by renowned architect Bob Cupp, runs through a scenic valley, filled with Birmingham woodlands and other beautiful views.> Playing a round cost $62 on weekends, $42 on Mondays, and $52 the rest of the week. You can book a tee time at ballantraegolf.com.> If you’re looking for a quick game, the course offers a deal to let you play one-third of the course. For $16, you can shoot six holes.> Hungry after a round? Check out the club’s Fireside Grill, a comfortable dining room filled with sandwiches, salads and more.

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