With autumn upon us and the arrival of October, temperatures will begin to fall as the foliage begins to transition. Classes at The University of Alabama are in full swing as well as the SEC football slate for the Crimson Tide. For most of us this time of year is filled with flannel, pumpkin spice and candy, however, others have an itch for the paranormal and haunting when Halloween rolls around.
If you are the type of person who loves scary movies, suspenseful interactions, and heart-pounding thrills we have an opportunity for you! The Friends of Drish are presenting Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours throughout the month of October. This 1.5-hour journey introduces you to 16 unique locations such as the Drish House, the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion and Capital Park. Provided below is an insight into a few of these locations and the haunting stories which make these places special, yet frightening.
Tuscaloosa’s Drish House on 17th street is considered one of the most haunted locations in the state of Alabama. It was built at the center of a 450-acre plantation in 1837 by Dr. John R. Drish. Rumors say Dr. Drish loved gambling and drinking, which contributed to his death in 1867 after falling from atop a stairwell. His wife, Sarah McKinney, became obsessed with her husband’s funeral, so much so that it became an extravagant event. She supposedly kept candles from the funeral hoping to eventually use them during her own. Her family searched for these candles following her death in 1884 but were able to find anything of the like. This is said to have angered Sarah so much that she has come back to haunt the house, even allegedly causing a fire in the third-story tower by lighting the candles. The Drish House has been featured in the short story “Death Lights in the Tower” in Kathryn Tucker Windham’s popular book of ghost stories, 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.
According to opacity.us, “the history of the Jemison Center, often called ‘Old Bryce,’ seems to be mired in half-truths and speculation on the internet. The earliest information found dates back to when the land was a plantation, called Crab Orchard back in the 1820s, due to the many crab apple trees located on the property. It was owned by William Jemison, who then passed it down to his son, Robert Jemison Jr., a successful politician and businessman. Jemison was a major advocate for the establishment of a hospital for the insane in Alabama and is considered a major influence to select the area as the site for the first asylum in the state – the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane (Bryce Hospital). By the 1920s the asylum had become severely overcrowded, and satellite institutions were created nearby to relieve the pressure, such as the Alabama Home for Mental Defectives (later known as Partlow State School). A mid-19th-century structure was also erected on the property, called the S.D. Allen Intermediate Care Facility; it was used as a nursing home until it closed in 2003.” Visitors claim to feel intense changes in temperature as well as seeing and hearing abnormal things. Supposedly some people have even seen the tail of a doctor’s coat traveling through the halls.
Halloween generates a unique desire to be frightened and spooked as we see examples of this throughout the United States with haunted houses, ghost tours, cemetery tours, scary movies and costumes gaining mass attention in the month of October. If you enjoy any of these or merely have a love for history then we recommend you check out Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours! Going on one of these tours will assuredly have you on the edge of your seat and provoke a heart-pounding thrill in time for the arrival of Halloween. Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours will be happening every Friday night in the month of October with tour times of 7:00, 8:30, and 10:00 pm each night. Costs of tours are as followed: $25 for adults (13+), $20 for students/military, and $15 for kids (8-12). Children under 8 years of age are not permitted and it is required for children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult. To purchase tickets or if you have any questions visit http://www.hauntedtuscaloosatours.com/.
References:
Kirsch, Tom. “Jemison Center: an Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital in Northport, AL.” Opacity, http://opacity.us/site245_jemison_center.htm. Accessed 25 September 2017.
Tilstra, Elisabeth. “Ghost Light in the Window: The Drish House Haunting.” The Lineup, https://the-line-up.com/drish-house-hauntings. Accessed 2 October 2017.
Written by Will Wyatt
National coffee day is here, and the one and only Tuscaloosa has no shortage of local spots to stop in and grab a cup to celebrate. No matter what type of atmosphere you’re looking for, Tuscaloosa has plenty of unique coffee shops to satisfy that caffeine craving.
Edelweiss
Located on Temerson Square, you can find Edelweiss tucked humbly in between the lively downtown bars. The quaint German café opened its doors in 2007 and boasts some of the best pastries in town, made fresh every morning. They also feature lunch specials, which are served Monday through Friday and are changed monthly. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or even just a coffee and a traditional German pastry.
Monarch
One of the newest additions to Tuscaloosa’s growing coffee scene, Monarch opened its doors earlier this year and has already established itself as a local hotspot downtown. The community-powered coffee shop was founded by two UA alumni with not only a passion for a good cup of coffee but also a love for Tuscaloosa and its people. Even before opening its doors in 2017, Monarch was backed by the community through a Kickstarter campaign to help fund startup costs and make what was once a dream a reality. Although new to town, Monarch embraces the diversity of Tuscaloosa with an inviting, ‘come as you are’ atmosphere where all are welcome.
OHenry’s
Dr. Henry Bright founded OHenry’s Coffee in Downtown Homewood, AL in 1993, completely unaware of the landmark he just established. 17 years later, OHenry’s has grown to 5 locations and boasts over 30 different types of coffee. The Birmingham-based icon opened the doors of its new Tuscaloosa location last year and it has quickly become a favorite of both college students and locals alike.
Heritage House
As the original coffee house of Tuscaloosa, Heritage House has been serving up fresh baked goods and café breakfasts and lunches to its customers since 1994. The local favorite has seen three different owners and has grown just as much as the town itself, with a new location opening its doors at Riverfront Village last year. The easygoing rustic atmosphere makes this gem feel like a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, somewhere to warm your heart and also fill your stomach.
Written by Katy Aspinwall
Another big weekend in Tuscaloosa is around the corner. Eric Church, The Black Jacket Symphony, and Alabama football headline a slate of exciting events. An entertainment district will be in effect in the downtown area on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., so feel free to grab a drink and visit some of Tuscaloosa’s great downtown shopping locations.
You can kick off your weekend this Friday at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater with country music mega-star Eric Church. Church will be continuing his tour playing hits like “Springsteen” and “Talladega”. The event will take place rain or shine and will be one big party, so get ready for a good time.
The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater isn’t the only ones putting on a concert on Friday. The Bama Theatre is presenting the Black Jacket Symphony as they perform a note-for-note rendition of the Grateful Dead’s classic album American Beauty. You are sure to hear favorites like “Friend of the Devil,” “Truckin’,” and “Brokedown Palace.” The Black Jacket Symphony will begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Between these two concerts, downtown Tuscaloosa will be an exciting place to be on Friday night.
Kids will have plenty of exciting things to do this weekend as well. The Children’s Hands-On Museum will kick off Saturday with Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special games and fun activities will be available throughout the museum for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Bryant-Denny stadium will turn on their lights Saturday evening as Alabama faces the Colorado State Rams in a 6:00 night game. Alabama comes in 2-0 after decisive victories over #10 Florida State and Fresno State. The Crimson Tide are a 28.5 point favorite, but the Rams have an offensive system that keeps Alabama on their toes.
Wrap your weekend on Sunday up with University of Alabama soccer action as the #19 ranked Crimson Tide square off against Chattanooga. The 7-1 Tide are on a five-game winning streak after a win over Tennessee Tech and will look to keep rolling this Sunday evening. The match will begin at 5 p.m. on inside the Alabama Soccer Complex.
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!
We’re gearing up for another great weekend in Tuscaloosa! Start your weekend early tonight across the river at Kentuck Art Center! Kentuck is hosting their monthly Art Night! This month will feature the opening reception of “The Seven Deadly Sins” and artist talk with fiber artist Yvonne Wells in the Museum Gallery! You can lose yourself to dance as a band plays throughout the night, eat a cob oven pizza, and then top it off by learning more about Charlie Lucas as he discusses his art and answer questions!
It wouldn’t be a complete weekend in Tuscaloosa without a great artist coming through town! Clint Black will be performing at the Bama Theatre Friday night! You can enjoy a rare, intimate evening with the man who has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. Raised in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, Clint Black is the youngest of four brothers. He began performing with brother, Kevin at the family’s backyard barbecues. After high school, he worked construction for a year and spent 10 years on the local nightclub circuit. He auditioned for a Nashville recording contract in 1988 and has been playing nationally ever since!
Crimson Tide football is back in Tuscaloosa this Saturday as Alabama takes on Fresno State! After a big win in Atlanta against Florida State, Alabama will be looking for a tune up before getting into SEC play. Alabama football, which was inaugurated in 1892, ranks as one of 10 winningest programs in US history and they don’t plan on changing that anytime soon. You can also enjoy events like the Elephant Stomp, the Walk of Champions, and check out the Bryant Museum or grab a drink at Gallettes while you’re in town for the game!
Finish your weekend off at the 5th Street Vintage Market! 5th Street Vintage Market is now held four times a year, rain or shine. Markets are Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free and concessions are available on site. Curated by This Ol’ Thing Vintage, Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy, and DJ Tom Kat Kitten, 5th Street Vintage Market brings a one of a kind shopping experience to the area. We will feature many dealers from the region who specialize in vintage and handmade items, artworks and vinyl records! Prices for market goods can range from a few dollars to several hundred. While some vendors can accept credit cards, most require cash payments.
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!
There are great events all over Tuscaloosa this weekend! You can start your weekend early by heading to Green Bar tonight! Exit 27 comes all the way from South Carolina to deliver some Rock to Tuscaloosa! Of course, Green Bar not only brings in great bands but also has a great atmosphere and drink menu. Located right next to Wilhagans, it is the perfect place to ease into a great weekend!
The month of September starts this Friday and with it comes the First Friday Art Walk! Local galleries, businesses, and restaurants are open in the evening for the community to experience what downtown has to offer! Venture into local galleries and businesses like the Canterbury Episcopal Chapel, and others to see their currently running exhibits like “Faces And Places Of Rabbit Holes” or “Small Curious Wonders” at University Medical Center. Take note that Art Night at Kentuck Art Center will take place next week on the 7th. As a part of their Art Night, Kentuck will be opening an exhibition by Kathryn Mayo titled “We are Selma: The Selma Portrait Project by Kathryn Mayo”.
Crimson Tide football is back this Saturday and with it comes all of the exciting festivities! The Children’s Hands-On Museum is hosting a Kid’s Tailgate Party where they can make mascot faces, spirit cookies, and will even have a concession stand! The 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!
You can wrap up your weekend Sunday evening at Black Warrior Brewing Company. Not only are they now pouring the One & Only Pale Ale, but they’re also hosting Jerry Robbins for some live smooth jazz and blues! There is no better way to put a bow on the perfect weekend than with smooth jazz and a One & Only beer!
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!
There are always plenty of ways to spend your weekend in Tuscaloosa! You can kick off the weekend early and join the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art tonight for “Art with Friends”. Every third Thursday the museum opens their doors to art lovers for some light hors d’oeuvres and drinks to go with their short program on a work in the collection!
Get a kick out of Friday by heading to the University of Alabama’s Soccer Complex! Cheer on the Tide as they take on Jacksonville State University for their first regular season game! All Alabama Soccer events are free to the public and love having a crowd watching them play. Expectations and goals are set even higher this season for the team and plan to be fighting for the SEC championship this year! Be on the lookout for even more games as the season rolls on.
Take your kids out for a good time at the Children’s Hands-On Museum. National Potato Day is sure to be a hit with the kids. Activities revolving around potatoes like potato chip taste testing, creating a potato clock, and Mr. Potato Head will keep them busy for hours! All activities are included in admission to CHOM so once you’re in the fun begins! With three different floors, there is plenty for children of all ages to do!
Wrap up your Saturday at Band of Brothers Brewing Co. as they host the Johnny Shines Blues Festival! This will be a family and pet-friendly event featuring various artists, food, vendors, and fun for everyone! Last year the festival brought in about 300 people and it was the first year that Band of Brothers hosted it! The event starts at 11 AM and will last until 10 PM!
Our last event actually takes place on Monday, but is absolutely worth mentioning! On August 21st Tuscaloosa will be part of the 2017 solar eclipse! Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority and the City of Tuscaloosa will be presenting “Midday Moon Solar-bration” where people can go and view this incredible phenomenon! Since the event is expected around 1:30 it makes for the perfect lunch event and will be completed with food trucks providing a variety of lunch fare. The first 500 people will receive a free pair of “eclipse glasses”! The next eclipse won’t take place until 2045 so this is truly a can’t miss event!
There have been great events in Tuscaloosa all summer long and this weekend is no different! Start your weekend off this Friday with a title fight! After a great event earlier this year, Skyy Promotions Inc. Pro boxing will be at the Belk Center Friday night starting at 7 PM. Deon Nicholson, Thomas Knox, and Robert Alfonso with other local talent will continue their climb in the pro ranks. The tickets start at $25 and the last event was packed! This will be a can’t miss event!
Kick off your Saturday at the Tuscaloosa Farmer’s Market! 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. The market opens at 7 am and lasts until noon!
Take your kids out for a good time at the Children’s Hands-On Museum. The Super Mario Blowout will include games, arts & crafts, and prizes! Be sure to come dressed as your favorite Nintendo character! With three floors of fun, CHOM is packed with 25 fun exhibits that teach children about different topics! Children all the way through age 13 will enjoy spending time playing in all of the exhibits and when they say “hands-on” they really mean it!
Finish off your Saturday at Midtown as they present Disney’s “Moana” this Saturday at 8 pm. Their Screen on the Green, Midtown Village’s Free Summer Movie Series, always brings in a big crowd to enjoy a movie on the big screen! Movies are shown on The Green by the Children’s Play Area at Midtown Village. Bring the kids, your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy movies under the stars!
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!
The One and Only Tuscaloosa is packed with great events this weekend! Kick your weekend off early with Kentuck tonight as they host their Art Night! You can lose yourself to dance as a band plays throughout the night, eat a cob oven pizza, and then top it off by learning more about their featured artist, Bryce Speed as he presents his paintings titled “Bury the Hatchet”. This monthly event is always a huge hit as you can enjoy local artists under the trees in their beautiful courtyard!
The art continues into Friday as Tuscaloosa’s art galleries, studios, and other local businesses open their doors for the First Friday Art Crawl! The Historic Drish House is putting on a beautiful event for First Friday as they exhibit ceramic sculpture by Mallorie Roberts. Find more art downtown in places such as the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center and Harrison Galleries. At Harrison Galleries, you can find incredible work by Daniel Livingston and observe it while eating catered food from Five Bar and listening to a fantastic jazz trio!
Also on Friday night is the legendary Kenny Chesney as he takes the stage at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater! Kenny Chesney released his first album in 1994 and hasn’t slowed down since with 20 albums to date! With more than 40 top 10 singles and 29 reaching number one, he is definitely a can’t miss artist! Kenny will be bringing along special guest Midland who have only released one single to date. Not only will Kenny Chesney be there, but also a band that can see their stock rising fast!
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!
Wrap things up Saturday with the kids! The Children’s Hands-On Museum will be hosting their Summer Fiesta! Complete with fiesta food, music by DJ Chuckie, folklore, and crafts, this event will be a blast for kids! All of CHOM’s events are included in admission so there’s no need to worry about extra fees. If you like keeping the kids busy, this is the event for you!
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!
Tuscaloosa is growing rapidly and we couldn’t be more excited about the new businesses in town. From fruit to cheesesteaks to gourmet doughnuts and more, the options are becoming endless. Here are a few of our favorite new must-try restaurants in town this summer!
Babe’s Doughnut Co. is a family-owned breakfast, brunch and coffee business that recently opened its doors in downtown Tuscaloosa! “Babe’s” sells gourmet and specialty doughnuts that will satisfy all of your sweet tooth cravings. The modern interior makes for a very welcoming environment great for hanging out, studying and of course, eating. Babe’s offers sandwiches and biscuits such as honey butter chicken and bacon avocado. You can also choose from items like muffins, pastries, croissants and a variety of coffee drinks. The specialty doughnuts come in flavors from s’mores to bacon maple all the way to captain crunch and so much more! As strange as some of the combinations sounds, we can promise you they taste absolutely delicious. You won’t regret stopping by on your way into the office for some breakfast and coffee, and your co-workers will surely love you if you throw in a box of doughnuts to take with you!
Frutta Bowls is all about health foods! The franchise began in New Jersey and Tuscaloosa was proud to become the first out-of-state location for the company. Frutta Bowls has a great atmosphere and offers both indoor and outdoor seating and activities. Outside you can grab a table and enjoy the weather, or engage in a little friendly competition of cornhole. Inside you can relax on some couches in the corner and watch some TV, or set up at a table fully stocked with USB outlets for charging your phone and other electronic devices. The food is as good as the atmosphere. You can order fruit bowls made up of acai, pitaya and all the freshest fruit you can imagine. If you want a little more flavor or sweetness in your bowl, you can add coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey or Nutella drizzle on top! The menu also offers delicious smoothies made up of fresh fruits and vegetables. In just a few weeks of being open, the business has already had to adjust its hours due to the high demand of its customers. You don’t want to miss out on the craze!
Philly Boyz is bringing the Philly Cheesesteak to Alabama! The owner is from Philadelphia and is an expert on all things cheesesteaks. He opened the restaurant from scratch in the spring and so far, it has been a hit among locals! The restaurant specializes in authentic cheesesteaks, pizzas, and fries. The ribeye meat is cut in-house and the bread is baked fresh daily to ensure freshness. Philly Boyz is a fast and casual dining spot, but there is no shortage of flavor. The restaurant stays open until 4 a.m. on weekends and with its prime location on the strip, it is the perfect place to go after a night out!
Urban Cookhouse is one of the most popular restaurants in Birmingham and luckily for Tuscaloosa, the owner recently decided to open a location in town! The restaurant relies heavily on serving fresh produce that is locally grown. So much so that the interior is actually decorated with message boards showing where each vegetable in the restaurant came from. The menu is altered throughout the year to ensure quality freshness of foods. Even with the alterations, you can pretty much guarantee year-round that the menu will include steaks, salads, sandwiches, wraps and much more! The Tuscaloosa location is the first of seven to offer a drive-through for pick-up orders. Urban Cookhouse is perfect for an easy, fast, casual and delicious dinner any night of the week, and we are loving having it in Tuscaloosa!
Central Mesa is Tuscaloosa’s newest Mexican restaurant, and so far, we are loving it! The owner is a familiar face in Tuscaloosa as the man behind the one and only Avenue Pub. After three years and immense success with the Avenue Pub, the owner decided to branch out and open a second restaurant downtown. He chose the name of this new restaurant to honor the history of its building that used to be known as Central Shoe Store. While there are tons of Mexican restaurants in Tuscaloosa already, Central Mesa sets itself apart by preparing and cooking everything from scratch, in house. Central Mesa offers traditional Mexican cuisine such as tacos and enchiladas, but adds a little bit of variety with menu items such as the Cuban Sandwich and Brisket and Grits. The restaurant also features a vast variety of tequilas and other liquors for drinks such as margaritas, mojitos and other specialty cocktails. With a unique menu, great atmosphere, ultimate location and experienced Tuscaloosa owner Central Mesa is already shaping up to be one of our favorite new “One and Only” restaurants!
Here we go again with another incredible weekend in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Start your weekend off early this Thursday at Rhodes Stadium for a softball doubleheader! Team USA will be taking on the state of Alabama colligate all-stars at 6 and 8 PM! Team USA, featuring local softball standout Haylie McCleney, University of Alabama graduate and softball Alum, will compete against our own elite collegiate athletes from across our great state, the Alabama All-Stars! Additional events include a Softball Players Camp, an Invitational Tournament, and Team USA and Alabama All-Stars practice.
Get your Joyfunk on with a Tuscaloosa, AL band whose stock is rising fast! CBDB is back in town and looking to bring down the house as they take the stage at Druid City Music Hall this Friday. Fresh off the release of their third album, entitled “The FAME EP”, they are seeing a pattern of snowballing momentum with large, energetic crowds hungry for their unique brand of progressive jam-rock, dubbed Joyfunk. CBDB blends soulful vocals and virtuosic instrumentation with smart, tasteful songwriting resulting in a sound that can be enjoyed by the casual listener and audiophile alike!
The Green Scene Summer Movie Series continues this Friday featuring Moana! This free community event provides an opportunity to educate citizens on the importance of keeping the community clean and litter free and encourages environmental stewardship while enjoying a popular children’s movie on a big screen! Guests will receive a free bag of popcorn and refreshments provided by Coca-Cola Tuscaloosa. This event is geared toward families with children not in school during the summer as it begins at 1 PM.
Friday is packed with events as Moundville is hosting a Knap-In! the Knap-in, an overnight event, is a great event for anyone interested in Native Americans, ancient technologies or outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. Held at Moundville Archaeological Park, 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa, stone toolmakers, artists and ancient technology experts from around the country hammer out stone points, carve intricate pieces, throw spears and shoot bows. Kids can get their faces painted, grind corn or play Native American games!
Wrap up your weekend with the American Ballet Theatre! The renowned American Ballet Theatre chose The University of Alabama for their Summer Intensive and will be hosting a showcase in the Moody Music Building this Saturday! American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive has earned a reputation for being the most thorough and rewarding dance experience a student can have during the summer. Under the supervision of ABT’s Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and Artistic Director of Summer Intensives Kate Lydon, the program offers top quality teachers and master guest teachers that are dedicated to the learning process and growth of each individual student. This is sure to be a performance worth seeing!
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!
Our four legged friends are the best, and here in Tuscaloosa, we have tons of places where dogs are welcome and often the guest of honor. Here are some of the best dog-friendly spots in town for the next time you need a day out with your pup!
As one of Tuscaloosa’s hottest hangouts, Innisfree is always guaranteed to be a good time! What makes it even better though is its dog-friendly environment. You can’t go to “the Free” and not run into a four-legged friend hanging out on the patio! It’s the perfect place to go if you want to have a day out with friends, and since dogs are the best friends you can include them in your outing to Innisfree. If you’re looking for a great atmosphere for both you and your dog, grab your pup and head to the Free!
This dog park opened just a few years ago at Munny Sokol Park and at the time was the most requested PARA amenity by Tuscaloosa natives! Since its opening, the park has been a mega success and is a great place to let your dog run and play in a safe environment. The park features three separate areas: a training pen, a small dog pen, and a large dog pen. There are large grassy areas for the dogs to run wild and a small muddy area that is perfect for dogs who love to get a little messy!
The best exercise partner anyone can ask for is a dog! That’s why The Riverwalk is the perfect place to go to bond with your pup. Your dog will never complain about exercising with you and will make it fun for you! There are a few park areas along the trail equipped with gazebos and benches for you and your dog to take a break and rehydrate if needed. Keep your dog and yourself in shape and hit the trail at The Riverwalk!
Black Warrior has some of the best brews in town and welcomes dogs any time of the day! The friendly service and great atmosphere at Black Warrior is a hit among Tuscaloosa natives and their pets. You and your dog can enjoy the atmosphere from the patio, or from the upstairs area where games such as corn hole, shuffleboard, and darts are available. You can also take your dog in the fall and watch the Tide compete on one of the flat screen TV’s with your best friend alongside! What could be better?
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and who better to go fishing with than your best friend? At Lake Lurleen State Park you can take your pup and fish along Lake Tuscaloosa! If fishing isn’t your thing, you can hit the trails for some hiking. Your dog will be in heaven with all the sticks he’ll find lining the trails that will make for perfect chew toys! You can also rent a canoe and let your pup float across the lake with you for some much-needed relaxation. If your dog loves the outdoors, Lake Lurleen State Park will be his perfect playground!
Written By: Bailee Kennamer
Photo By: @elsiemae_the_acd on Instagram
It seems like every weekend is packed with events in the One and Only Tuscaloosa and this one will be no different! Start your weekend this Thursday at the Druid City Music Hall as they play host to Dwight Yoakam! Dwight is an American singer-songwriter and actor, most famous for his pioneering country music. Popular since the early 1980s, he has recorded more than twenty-one albums and compilations, charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and sold more than 25 million records. He has recorded five Billboard #1 albums, twelve gold albums, and nine platinum albums, including the triple platinum This Time! This show is one you won’t want to miss!
The following day doesn’t feature a legend but a rising star. Michael Warren will be playing Friday evening at the weekly Live at the Plaza Summer Series! Michael Warren hooked his fans early and continues to make them proud to support him as he climbs the ladder to stardom. Originally from Hoover, AL, Michael wasted no time working towards his musical dream. In 2005, he was honored with an invitation to perform in a nationally televised UNCF fundraising concert. In 2006, he went overseas to Germany on a USO tour to play for our front line troops on leave from Iraq! He also won the 2007 BAMA Award for best singer/songwriter and has just released his second full-length CD entitled “Race to Beat the Sun”. With this level of trajectory, you should head to Michael’s free show this weekend before he starts making you pay!
Also on Friday is the Green Scene Summer Movie Series featuring WALL-E! This free community event provides an opportunity to educate citizens on the importance of keeping the community clean and litter free and encourages environmental stewardship while enjoying a popular children’s movie on a big screen! Guests will receive a free bag of popcorn and refreshments provided by Coca-Cola Tuscaloosa. This event is geared toward families with children not in school during the summer as it begins at 1 PM. Also, note that this weekend WALL-E will be there live and in the metal!
All weekend long you can catch “Ragtime” at the Bean-Brown Theatre! A brief description of the play is as follows: The hope and promise of the American dream are coursing through the veins of turn-of-the-century New York City in this 1998 Tony Award-winning musical. The inspiring stories of an upper-class wide who unexpectedly becomes a single mother, a determined Jewish immigrant, and his daughter, and a daring, young Harlem musician are masterfully woven together as the original melting pot is on the verge of boiling over! Weekend showtimes can be found on Theatre Tuscaloosa’s website.
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!