There have been some incredible weekends in Tuscaloosa recently and this one is no different! Kick your weekend off at Green Bar this Thursday as they play host to “The Hollows”! When the first notes reach your ears, whether from a sweet and breezy mandolin, a whiskey-tuned banjo, or an unrepentant guitar, it will seem to you that the sound of The Hollows is uniquely New York: a contradictory, harmonic melting pot that takes all of its roots, twists them around, and produces something else, something new. This scruffy ensemble of multi-instrumentalists might just as soon swap glockenspiels, trumpets, and harmonicas as plug in a squawking electric guitar or an airy, spacey synthesizer. The result is a veritable junkyard of instruments and musical personalities, a carnival on wheels, a one-man band in six bodies that owns the stage with all the mobile, rhythmic ease of a seasoned railroad gang!
Keep the music going this Friday at the Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa for “Live at the Plaza” featuring Tarred & Feathered! A perfect event for families and friends alike, it will be complete with great music, delicious food, and tasty drinks! Tarred & Feathered is a cover band made up of old buddies who love playing live music together and have unique ways of covering the old & new favorites with a raw but full sound. With three-part harmony, they ensure their covers never fall flat!
Get ready to rumble on Saturday as the Druid City Dames host their first ever home bout in Tuscaloosa! Roller Derby is surely a sight to see and if you’re unfamiliar with it, here is a brief description: Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Gameplay consists of a series of short matchups (jams) in which both teams designate a jammer who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team. The teams attempt to hinder the opposing jammer while assisting their own jammer—in effect, playing both offense and defense simultaneously. Head out to the Super Skate on McFarland Blvd and watch the ladies of Druid City Dames as they look to take down the Southern Harm Derby Dames!
If roller derby isn’t quite your cup of tea, you can catch Tyrese as he performs at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater! In 1998, his self-titled album went platinum with the singles Nobody Else, Lately, and Sweet Lady, earning him his first Grammy nomination for the Best R&B Male Vocal Performance! He became busy with TV and film roles before releasing other popular albums in between 2002 and the present. He is also an accomplished author, and will be releasing his third book soon! This soul filled Amphitheater is the place to be this Saturday so don’t miss out!
Finally, wrap up your weekend with Band of Brothers Brewing Co. as they host “Trucks by the Tracks”! All of the local food truck favorites like Local Roots, Archibald & Woodrow’s BBQ, SouthFresh Mobile Catfish Kitchen, Pastor’s Kitchen, Get Mix’d and more! great beer, live music, and good company – who could ask for more?
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!
Originally a Japanese specialty, Sushi has made its way across the oceans and is now one of the most popular dishes all over the world! Because the one and only Tuscaloosa is always up with the times, it holds many amazing restaurants to enjoy the raw fish specialties. From seafood restaurants to authentic Japanese grills and actual sushi restaurants, you have the choice and you can’t really go wrong! Still, we would like to introduce the following restaurants as an inspiration for a destination the next time you’re craving some sushi (which could be at any moment)!
Chuck’s Fish
Located in the heart of downtown, this restaurant is the local expert when it comes to seafood in Tuscaloosa! For more than ten years, their dishes are all made with locally caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico! Their sushi is guaranteed to be fresh and delicious which makes them one of the best in town! The variety is striking and so is the taste: Fabulous creations a la carte or even individually made for you! If you take a seat at the sushi bar, you sit by the source and can even chat along with their sushi masters! The atmosphere in the main restaurant is worth a visit just as well because sushi also makes a perfect starter for your main dish!
Hokkaido Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar
On the edge of Tuscaloosa’s Midtown Village waits another sushi gem: The Hokkaido Steak and Sushi Bar. As a local single business, it puts its focus on the perfect overall dining experience. While their live cooking is definitely a highlight, we put the focus on their fabulous sushi: Fresh, creative and delicious. Choose from a large variety of sushi classics or the so-called chef’s selection that provides exciting creations with anyone’s favorite ingredients. Beautifully garnished, that sushi is perfect for having a nice dinner with friends or your partner. But they also have great offers for lunch!
This recently opened restaurant is already known for its unique theme: Rock ‘n Roll and sushi seem strange together, but turn out to be a great combination! Besides the obvious, the music, the theme also shows out in the interior: Industrial chic with decorations like KISS posters, guitars and a showy red bar! You surely have never enjoyed sushi in an ambiance like that. The dishes themselves are also included in the theme, as they can be found under names like Green Day Roll, Rolling Stones Roll or Bob Marley! There’s only one way to find out what’s hiding behind these names!
Surin of Thailand
While a name like “Thailand” is not screaming sushi at first, this restaurant does indeed have a fantastic sushi menu! Located at the edge of UA campus next to the strip, it is perfect for both lunch and dinner. The menu provides anything a sushi lover could ask for: Maki, Nigiri, Sashimi, classic rolls, special rolls, all with a focus on traditionally fresh or smoked fish. And you should definitely try out their wakame (seasoned seaweed) that is extraordinarily tasty! Surin also runs Midnight Sushi, where you can get your favorite rolls for just $1! Be prepared to wait though, as the line often wraps around the building for a seat!
A short drive across the river on the edge of Tuscaloosa, you can find the probably most unique sushi restaurant where classic or ordinary go out the window. If you are tired of the classics and are adventurous enough to try something really different, Maki Fresh is your place! To mention only some of their creations: You can go for their vegetarian Blazer rolls with sun-dried tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, asparagus and more. Or have you ever had a salmon roll with green apple and goat cheese before, or tried a California roll spiced with wasabi aioli? You see, it is adventurous but sure to be a hit if you love sushi!
Last but not least, this is a great pickup place we have to recommend. OEC Express is located at the Meadowbrook Shopping Center on McFarland and fairly inconspicuous from the outside. Inside is the real treat: terrific sushi for one of the best prices in Tuscaloosa! If you order your food in the shop, it will take ten minutes at most until you get it. You can also call in advance or order online, so you just have to step in and grab your sushi for lunch or dinner. No problem if you want to dine in as well since they also have a few tables to sit and eat inside!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
Father’s Day is fast approaching and if you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect way to celebrate your dad this year, we’ve come up with a few suggestions we hope will help.
1. Golf at Ol’ Colony Golf Course
What dad doesn’t love to golf? This Father’s Day hit the course with your dad and relieve a little stress. Spend the day bonding over 18 holes, and learn some pointers from the old pro. If 18 holes sounds like a bit too much, you and your dad can choose to enjoy 9 holes, or just a basket at the driving range instead. Either way, golf is a great excuse to spend time with your dad and pick up a few tips to improve your game.
2. Take a shot at Tuscaloosa Shooting Sports
Tuscaloosa Shooting Sports just opened in 2015 and has been a hit with Tuscaloosa’s residents ever since. The facility features driving ranges from 50 to 300 yards and 20 covered shooting positions. If this isn’t enough, there is also four handgun bunkers with two metal targets. Whether your dad is an expert with a firearm or just beginning, the range has everything he needs to sharpen his aim. This is the perfect way to enjoy a little friendly competition with your dad this holiday.
Let your old man take a break from the grill this Father’s Day and head over to The Avenue Pub for a meal cooked up by the experts. The Avenue Pub’s Bacon Burger has made headlines all across the state of Alabama and it will definitely entertain your dad’s taste buds this weekend.
With the relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and endless beer list, your dad will savor the opportunity to let someone else work the grill and pour the beer,
4. Fish for dinner at Lake Tuscaloosa
Lake Tuscaloosa is home to hundreds of aquatic wildlife and the perfect place to cast a line this Father’s Day. You and your dad can look for a secluded spot along the banks of the river or rent a canoe, kayak or even a pontoon boat to float in while you hunt for some dinner. Take your dad and take a break from the city crowds this holiday, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon catching fish and floating along.
5. Take a flight at Loosa Brews
Let your dad be the beer enthusiast that he is and take him for an enjoyable evening at Loosa Brews. He can choose from over 60 craft beers, most of which are brewed in Alabama. If he’s in the mood to try several he can order a flight, and if he really wants to heighten the experience, he can indulge in some competition with arcade games such as pinball, ring toss, and ping pong. At the end of the night, after he beats you in all the arcade games, you can reward him with a growler of his favorite beer.
And because we couldn’t just stop at five and leave out one of the best events of the entire weekend, we’ve added one more to the list.
6. Super Dad Day at Children’s Hands-on Museum
If you’ve got small kids and need a way to make Father’s Day special for both Dad and kids, this event is perfect. Take them to Super Dad Day where the kids can dress up in their favorite costumes, make gifts for Dad and meet Batman. This is the perfect event for Dad’s who just want to spend the holiday with their little ones.
Another great weekend in the works in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Start off strong as we celebrate the triumphant return of the seminal garage, indie, country, punk, yet Alabama rock-n-roll collective, The Dexateens as they take the stage at Green Bar! The torch carriers of ‘Blue Collar Rock’ are proud to announce their first official release in over four years and their sophomore offering on Cornelius Chapel Records, the label started by the band and run by extended band family. The ‘teens are proudly contrived of a cabinet maker, a carpenter (or two at times), multiple restaurant and bar employees, and one full-time Drive-By Trucker!
The music continues into Friday as Live at the Plaza returns this week with Justin Oliver! Oliver is a Tuscaloosa native and rising star that competed in the television series “American Idol” in 2012. With his R&B/Soul single “Bipolar Love” on iTunes, you can expect government plaza to be filled with some great music! Along with Live at the Plaza comes an entertainment district, incredible food trucks, and its pet and kid friendly! What more could you ask for in an event?
Right down the street Band of Brothers Brewing Co. is boiling up some Crawfish! The Crawfish Boil will start at 7 PM with Tekknology serving up some jams to go with your supper! Band of Brothers always has fun with their events and this should be no different! Enjoy some great brews, tasty food, and smooth tunes as you wrap up your Friday in style!
Of course, it’s not a successful weekend in without visiting the Farmers Market at the Tuscaloosa River Market! Opening at 7 am, it provides fresh fruit, vegetables, grain and more! Accompanied by lovely live music you can stroll through the market, or grab some freshly brewed iced tea to cool off. Local food vendors like bakeries and others also offer a nice range of snacks. The Farmer’s market is the perfect place to kick off a relaxed Saturday or to buy the ingredients for next week’s meals!
Father’s Day is this Sunday! What better way to spend it than with your kids? If you have young ones, SuperDad Day at the Children’s Hands-On Museum is the perfect event! Your kids can meet Batman, wear their favorite superhero costume, and even make a great gift for their dad! All activities are included in admission so once the kids are in they can have fun with all the awesome activities CHOM has planned!
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events below, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa has no shortage of shopping venues. Everywhere you look there’s a store trying to stand out and show you how unique it is. While that is not always the case, Tuscaloosa is home to some incredibly unique stores! We’ve compiled a list of some unique stores that you can only find in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Here are the top five One and Only stores downtown.
1. Cravings
Cravings is Tuscaloosa’s favorite specialty food and drink store. It is owned by a New Orleans native and therefore offers a lot of Cajun inspired cuisine that is made fresh daily. The store offers specialty groceries like candy, bagels, homemade marinades, etc. You can purchase items to take home or you can enjoy the items from the dining area inside. Cravings is the only store in downtown Tuscaloosa where you can go and find an entire wall dedicated to selling craft beer from all across the country. You can go in and create your own six-pack, or choose from over two-hundred wines made to fit any budget. Cravings also sells unique specialty items such as wine ice cream and fresh made-from-scratch quiche, tuna salad, crawfish tail rolls, pasta and more! Cravings has a reputation of rotating stock and accepting customer requests joyfully. This is the best place to go if you’re looking to pick up drinks and a quick dinner that are little different from the norm!
Located in a historic building in downtown Tuscaloosa is West Alabama’s largest craft mall, the makers market. The store is locally owned and operated and is the perfect place to go if you’re in search of homemade goods and décor. It offers all sorts of craft goods from jewelry, furniture, home décor, clothing and so much more. The best part about this store is that everything in it is handmade by people in the community. Decorated with its antique hardwood floors and original brick walls the venue alone will have you in the mood to shop from the moment you walk in. This store embodies the phrase, “shop local” and that’s exactly what you’ll be doing when you visit the makers market!
The owners of Black Warrior Brewing realized they needed more space for their storage. Because of the lack of convenience stores in downtown Tuscaloosa, they turned the front of their new establishment into an incredible one stop shop! They realized there was no place in the area where people could go to get their quick necessity items such as snacks, drinks, sunscreen, toiletries, etc. So Black Warrior Brewing decided to help the public out and open T-Town Market. Thanks to this market you can now skip a few Walmart trips and find all of your day-to-day necessities such as toothpaste, deodorant, snacks, coffee and so much more right in downtown Tuscaloosa. The market also offers grilling supplies like charcoal and locally farmed meats and veggies from time to time. In this case, you can avoid the dreadfully long lines of the supermarket and just make a quick trip to T-Town Market and they will set you up with everything you need for your summer party.
Lou and Company is the perfect little gift shop for any occasion. Started by a University of Alabama alumni, the store features gifts, party favors, sorority items and home décor pieces for every occasion. The local One and Only shop is named after the owner’s goldendoodle, Lou, who often greets shoppers at the door upon arrival. The store is home to elegant, high-end gift and décor items that are otherwise hard to find in the area. Most of the items in the store can only be found online. Luckily for us, Lou and Company has hooked us up, and given us a place to find these specialty gifts right in the heart of downtown. Whether you’re looking for baby gifts, wedding gifts, housewarming gifts or just looking to treat yourself, this shop is the best place to go for any celebration.
The Shirt Shop is a staple and one of the most familiar shops in Tuscaloosa. The historic building is packed full of name brand apparel such as Vineyard Vines, Fish Hippie, Elan and Peter Millar making it one of Tuscaloosa’s best shopping venues. The one and only shop even started its own clothing line called “Elephant Wear” that features products branded with a distinctive game day elephant. The Elephant Wear line is one of the most popular staples among University of Alabama students on game day. This store is always trending in Tuscaloosa and is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to stock your wardrobe with special occasion attire and UA apparel.
Written By: Bailee Kennamer
We’re gearing up for another great weekend in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Kick your weekend off a little early and join a family fun night of local and nationally acclaimed tap dancers this Thursday! “Tap into the Night” is produced and directed by Gregg Russell, emmy nominated choreographer and founder of L.A. based Tap Sounds Underground. Gregg has worked with such stars as: Bette Midler, Gene Kelly, The Nicholas Brothers, Michael Jackson, Gregory Hines, and Kenny Ortega. It’s not every day that you can watch world class tap dancing in Tuscaloosa which makes this a program you shouldn’t miss out on!
Friday night you can catch “Mulan” by the Actor’s Charitable Theater! The Summer Camp program will be presenting this play all weekend long at the Bama Theater! For those who haven’t seen the famous Disney movie, the story starts soon after the Huns have invaded China, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous dragon sidekick, Mushu, to save the Emperor! Defying the village matchmaker, Mulan takes up arms and disguises herself as a boy in order to spare her father from having to serve in the army. As the great battle with the Huns approaches, Mulan must choose between revealing her true identity as a girl or saving all of China with her clever plan.
Kick off your Saturday with the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market! Located at the beautiful Tuscaloosa River Market, you can find anything from the famous Chilton County peaches to freshly brewed iced tea! Musicians sit propped up against the door, playing guitars as you walk in and put together a great atmosphere as you shop for your produce. Additionally, local Food Trucks, bakers, artists, and craftsmen gather here to sell their gourmet grub, fresh-baked yeast rolls, homemade jams and jellies and hand-carved cutting boards. Popular summer foods include tomatoes, Chilton County peaches, squash, corn, and local honey!
You can wrap up your weekend with Band of Brothers Brewing Co. this Saturday as they welcome Earl Guitar Williams & The Juke Band! Known in and around his hometown of Bessemer, Earl Guitar Williams is no stranger to blues lovers. He is recognized for the electrifying sound of his guitar and harmonica. Earl discovered his interest in music at the tender age of seven, and crafted his own guitar by using a cigar box, broomstick, and fishing cord. This marked the beginning of Earl’s musical career. At the age of nine Earl became a regular fixture on the porch of Mr. Gip, now a backyard juke joint in Bessemer, Al. Earl currently plays in numerous venues and with various blues artists!
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!
Weekends are always packed with great events in the One and Only Tuscaloosa and this one is no different! Start your weekend off across the river at the Kentuck Art Center for their monthly Art Night! Their event is headlined by the opening of “Protègè” an exhibition of work by Bernard Wright, a student of the late internationally known folk artist, Jimmy Lee Sudduth. Along with art night comes pop-up shops in the Courtyard of Wonders, live music, a food truck, even cob oven pizza!
Art continues into Friday as downtown Tuscaloosa hosts the First Friday Art Walk! Local galleries, businesses, and restaurants are open as an event in the evening for the community to see what Downtown Tuscaloosa has to offer. Locations like Harrison Galleries, Grace Aberdean, and the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center will have art displayed, bands playing. Others like O’Connor Art Studios will be open to get a sneak peak at present works as well as allow you to see into the life of local artists!
Like every weekend, the Farmers Market will be taking place at the Tuscaloosa River Market Saturday morning! Vendors set up ripe red tomatoes and famous Chilton County peaches. Musicians sit propped up against the door, playing guitars as you walk in, and freshly brewed iced tea is for sale to help battle the heat! Additionally, local Food Trucks, bakers, artists, and craftsmen gather here to sell their gourmet grub, fresh-baked yeast rolls, homemade jams and jellies and hand-carved cutting boards. Popular summer foods include tomatoes, Chilton County peaches, squash, corn, and local honey!
This Saturday, Band of Brothers will be serving some incredible drinks and will be presenting Kat Taylor and JP Miller! Riding with her father on work trips, she belted out 90s country and cultivated a deep appreciation for the vocal talents of Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and Reba McEntire. Her sets incorporate classic rock favorites, current top 40, soul ballads, and country hits. Today, Kat Taylor’s song “Shame on You” has spent 6 weeks at number 1 on the new music weekly country main charts. This is one performance you don’t want to miss!
Finally, you can catch Annie all weekend at the Bama Theater. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC!
According to reliable sources, there are almost 20% children living among the Tuscaloosa population – which is more than you think! The city has countless schools and daycares, so we know where the little ones spend their time while the parents are at work, but what about the more fun parts of the day, free time and weekends? Playing in the own backyard or doing sports activities is already fun, no question. Now, how about something more special for your kids to spend their precious free time? Tuscaloosa provides tons of amazing places and activities that are children-friendly!
It should be pretty safe to say that all children love animals. Maybe yours are lucky and have a dog or a cat around the home, but when do they have the opportunity to experience all kinds of other animals, too? There is a unique and amazing place in Tuscaloosa that makes it possible: The Tuscaloosa Barnyard! At this petting and fun farm 30 minutes outside of town, you can get in touch with bunnies, ducks, lambs, ponies, pigs and many other cute animals! It also provides a pool, a splash pad, wagon rides and more. During the summers, the Barnyard even turns into a summer camp!
2. The Children’s Hands-On Museum
You can’t start early enough to introduce your kids to arts and culture! “CHOM” is where children explore, create, and discover every time they visit. This unique museum in downtown is tailor made for the little ones, to introduce them to arts, crafts, and exciting exhibits in an interactive and exploring way! It provides fun for kids of all ages and they will never ever get the idea of calling a museum boring afterward!
If you are looking for some indoor fun instead, you should check out the bowling alley Bama Lanes on 15th Street! They help kids of all ages to get familiar with the balls, even the very little ones. Whether you rent a couple of lanes for a birthday party or just play on a random day, there’s always a good time ahead at the bowling ally! And if anybody gets hungry, just grab something to eat right on site. Pause your game to enjoy burgers, wings and more at their amazing grill, or take your snack popcorn to the lane and let it support you while you take on your kids for 10 frames!
As the days are getting hotter, it’s a good idea to look for some water to cool off! Did you know that there is a great beach just a few miles outside of town? The beautiful Lake Lurleen offers not only campsites, fishing, and paddling board rentals – it also provides a sandy beach that children love! The water is clean and refreshing, and there is a sectioned off zone in which it is absolutely safe to splash and swim. The sand is also a perfect playground! On site, you can also find bathrooms and some picnic tables to rest, eat and gain some new energy. Drive out and enjoy a one-day beach vacation!
Last but not least, go back to that old-school excitement of childhood summers bouncing around at Upsurge. Jump from each trampoline inside the giant warehouse with obstacle courses and deep foam pits to try to escape. Not only will your kids love it, but they will also wear you out as you jump along with them! It’s the ultimate adventure for you and your children and right down the road!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
There’s another great weekend coming up in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Kick off your weekend tonight with the 4th Annual Pizza Pie Eating Contest at Heat Pizza Bar! This event is hosted by United Way Young Leader’s Society and after the contest pizza and cocktails will be served! All for a good cause and all in good fun, the person who eats their pizza the fastest wins! One twist is that contestants won’t be able to use their hands! This is sure to be a blast this year as fierce competitors battle it out for the title!
This event keeps making it into our top 5 because it never disappoints! Live at the Plaza will be featuring Plato Jones! The band is a Tuscaloosa staple that you can’t miss! Since their debut in January 2005, the band has played over 600 shows in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida! The band themselves would call themselves a high energy jam band if they had to put a name to the style they play. This Friday you can expect Government Plaza to be filled with the sounds of Funk, Southern and Classic Rock, as well as a few others!
Music continues on into Saturday as Band of Brothers Brewing Company plays host to Soul Tide, another great Tuscaloosa band! Rick Henson, the band’s founder, decided to start his own group after years of experience with other bands. If you see them just once, you’ll know that they are truly an R&B, Funk, and Soul melting pot with each member of the band adding uniquely to this style! With great beer and great tunes, this is definitely a good mix for a fun night!
Finally, finish off your weekend at the Bama Theater! This weekend you can catch a screening of “Camp Nichols”! A fun and touching film about summer camp, friendship, and second chances! For $2 you can catch the screening as well as a Q&A session after with some of the cast and crew! With only one screening so far in Los Angeles, Tuscaloosa gets the unique opportunity of a first look at what seems to be an incredible project!
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!
Dear Ms. Field,
Some people in Alabama have taken issue with your recent statement that had you not become an actor, you would have been a “really, really unhappy overweight person somewhere deep in Tuscaloosa.”
At Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, we are not offended, as we see that there is an “absence of malice” in your statement. Rather, we think your comment merely reflects a lack of knowledge about our great city. We would welcome the opportunity to show you just how nice Tuscaloosa is, and how happy you would be if you came for a visit.
You once said, “never, ever have I felt really accepted in Hollywood.” Well, here in the heart of Dixie, we take pride in making everyone feel right at home. Southern hospitality is very much a real thing and we have a strong tradition of welcoming everyone around the dinner table. In Tuscaloosa, our dinner tables are full of some of the finest cuisine this country has to offer.
Trust me – we hear you on being afraid of becoming “overweight”. With all of our incredible restaurants to choose from, it is a constant battle for us all. Luckily, Tuscaloosa has a 4.2-mile-long walking trail along the beautiful Black Warrior River that provides breathtaking views. Your son Forrest Gump would have loved our city as it was named as one of the top runner friendly communities in the United States in 2016 by running.net!
What can we do to entice you to come?
Have Denny Chimes ring out the theme song to “Norma Rae”?
Have the mayor declare “Steel Magnolias” our city flower?
Maybe ask the University of Alabama to name the football stadium’s playing surface “Sally Field”?
People in Tuscaloosa are very easy to please. Just say, “Roll Tide”, and they would like you. They would really, really like you.
Please accept our gifts of Left Hand Soap for your “Soapdish” and a box of Peterbrooke chocolates, because life . . . well, you know.
We hope to see you soon as our guest.
Sincerely,
Bill Buchanan
And the Staff of Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports
Spring is here and with it come showers! No need to worry though, Tuscaloosa offers a bunch of interesting and fun things to do indoors! Alongside the typical museum visit – which is of course still an awesome adventure – we show you some exceptional and memorable things to do on a rainy day!
- Any of Tuscaloosa’s Museums
Yes sure it is the cliché part of this list, but even at a classic topic like museums, Tuscaloosa has some places to surprise you. Have you ever been to a car museum? The Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, located 15 Minutes outside of Tuscaloosa, offers you an inside view on car production in America’s only Mercedes factory and the famous brand’s history! On top of that, guided tours are available.
For the ones who are rather interested in extinct models, the Alabama Museum of Natural History is a perfect place to visit with its impressive dinosaur bones and many other exciting things to discover!
- Art Galleries
As John F. Kennedy already said, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” and so the diverse art galleries in town are always worth a visit. The Kentuck Art Center in Northport is an all-in-one museum, gallery and event location that offers exciting exhibitions at all times. In the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa lies the Paul R. Jones Gallery, currently showing the exhibition “Perspectives: Individual Explorations of Identity Through Image” and the Sarah Moody Gallery, which is known for the UA’s Permanent Collection!
- Coffee Shops
What cozier place could there be to hide from a rainy day than a traditional coffee shop? The smell of coffee and pastries in the air, people reading the newspaper, studying or chatting steadily alongside a laid-back playlist…. sounds perfect to us! Tuscaloosa offers many such magical places. For example, the local chain Heritage House, the brand new Monarch Espresso Bar downtown or the traditional Edelweiss in Temerson Square. Choose one and enjoy!
- Brewery
The three big breweries in Tuscaloosa are the perfect place to spend a gray afternoon among friends and America’s favorite drink: Beer. Druid City Brewing Company, Black Warrior Brewing Company and Band of Brothers offer great brews and some even offer guided tours to learn something about the brewing process. Of course, it’s also a nice place to just sit and enjoy drinking it in a nice and homely atmosphere!
- Theatres
It doesn’t matter if you prefer classic theater or movie theater because Tuscaloosa has both and either is the perfect place to escape a rainy day! Enjoy a new blockbuster or any other genre you like at the Cobb Theaters Hollywood 16 Cinemas and choose between 2D, 3D and even more fancy options to make your movie experience a perfect fit. You could even dive into more old school theater as you watch a play at the Bama Theater, whose old atmospheric style is almost magical! It offers concerts, independent movies and stage play.
We couldn’t decide on just 5 for this article so here’s our encore! Two more to add to your rainy day to-do list:
- University Mall
Shopping is always a great choice! The “place to be” on a rainy day is University Mall! Located on McFarland Boulevard, it offers tons of stores with all your favorite styles and brands. Children’s entertainment and numerous restaurants also offer fun and entertainment for anyone and guarantee a relaxed day of shopping.
- Breakout Tuscaloosa
You are adventurous and looking for a real challenge on a rainy day? Then you should definitely try the new trend of escaping room games! The reopened location “Breakout Tuscaloosa” offers four different themed breakout rooms in which you have to solve a riddle and escape the room in a certain amount of time. There’s also a breakout expedition downtown with laser tag! The escape rates are between 20% and 35% – it must be a challenge!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
We’re approaching summertime in Tuscaloosa which means things are heating up and the idea of staying indoors becomes less appealing with each passing day. To help you out we’ve created a list of some of our favorite restaurants in town that offer superb outdoor seating areas so you can enjoy the summer heat and thrilling atmospheres all day long.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat brunch while enjoying the nice breeze of an Alabama morning, Another Broken Egg is a great option! Located on the River Walk, Another Broken Egg offers a beautiful river view from its terrace. Scrumptious menu items such as omelets, waffles, sandwiches and black bean benedict are sure to send your taste buds into a craze.
2. Local Roots
Local Roots offers customers the full outdoor eating experience. The traveling food truck takes pride in serving southern food made from local ingredients. The food truck travels all over Tuscaloosa serving some of the most delicious burgers and tacos this city has to offer. You can find its weekly schedules online to find out where it will be located each day. Its most frequent location is in downtown Tuscaloosa and features picnic tables for assembling. This is the perfect way to enjoy delectable food and the beautiful scenery that is downtown Tuscaloosa.
This one of a kind pizza place is a local favorite. Located on the first floor of the downtown parking garage, it has a distinctive outdoor seating area facing the communal lawn at the downtown plaza! The modern vibe and exclusive pizzas have proven to be a huge hit in Tuscaloosa. Heat provides a menu that features exclusive items such as the Thai Chicken and Reuben pizzas and a large list of specialty cocktails. This is the perfect place to enjoy a spontaneous lunch or casual dinner with a view and a cocktail!
4. River
Surrounded by the exquisite views of the Black Warrior River is Tuscaloosa’s newest trending restaurant, River! River offers a picturesque outdoor experience. It has areas for both lounging and eating on its outdoor terrace and features canopies and fire pits to enhance the already remarkable atmosphere. With chefs that cook up some of the best oysters, steaks, and flatbreads in town, River is the perfect place to enjoy all the perks that come with dining outdoors this season!
5. Taco Mama
If you have a job that requires you to sit inside on all of these beautiful Alabama summer days, Taco Mama is your perfect lunchtime escape! With one of the most popular patios in Tuscaloosa, Taco Mama is home to specialty tacos, burritos and quesadillas. If you’re feeling lively enough, you can even order one of Taco Mama’s specialty margaritas to accentuate your meal before returning to the office. As the experts at this taco bar say, “stay hungry and be thirsty!”