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
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!
When it comes to cuisine, the Southern States are known for many things, but vegetarian food is probably not one of them. The focus in food is surely set on the amazing barbecue, burgers, and chicken – justifiably. But as living vegetarian becomes more and more popular, it’s worth looking for options around town that accommodate that! Yet there is no dedicated vegetarian restaurant in Tuscaloosa, but there are some pretty amazing dishes in town that are live-saving for all vegetarians and also a delicious culinary experiment for anybody else. Go out and try these five terrific veggie dishes in Tuscaloosa:
Hummus at Glory Bound
Hummus has not only become a trendy dish throughout the last few years, it is also literally the perfect meal for your lunch – healthy, tasty and filling! At the cultish Glory Bound in downtown Tuscaloosa, hummus is one of the flagship dishes and definitely their specialty! The variety is striking: Choose your favorite hummus out of ten variants, for example, chipotle-lime, Mediterranean olive or spinach-pesto! Or take the hummus-trio and get any three tastes of your choice! Every hummus dish is served with unlimited delicious warm pita bread. The portions look overwhelming, but you won’t have a choice but eat it all in the end – it is simply too good.
Pasta at DePalma’s
Although their pizza and antipasti are pretty amazing as well, the most striking dishes at Tuscaloosa’s favorite Italian restaurant is their pasta! Many of them are also delicious vegetarian options! Dedicated meat free is, for example, the portabello mushroom ravioli, Mediterranean penne with olives, spinach angel hair, their very own DePalma’s pasta with artichoke hearts and much more! All these are so delicious, you don’t even realize or think about missing meat in them. One of the best parts is also the fresh garlic bread that comes with the pasta. So, drive downtown and spend an amazing and not-so-obviously-vegetarian dinner at DePalma’s!
Panini at Sweet Home Food Bar
The one and only Sweet Home Food Bar is always a good choice, no matter if you want to grab lunch, dinner or a leisure brunch on Sundays. You can also find a meatless dish at any time of the day there, but our focus lies on a dish that can be found in their afternoon menu: The Vegetable Panini. These Italian-inspired grilled sandwiches can’t be found at any corner – they should be, though! Sweet Home has a wonderful vegetarian Panini that is made with eggplant, roasted peppers, plenty of cheese and a balsamic dressing. One more delicious dish not only for full-time vegetarians. Be adventurous and try veggie!
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! Lake Lurleen will be closed until Summer of 2025 for renovations!
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!”
International Museum Day is a holiday that shouldn’t be overlooked! May 18th, the whole world celebrates and values the importance of museums for the development of society. A museum stands for cultural exchange and enrichment, mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. As Tuscaloosa is a city with a long and rich history, important cultural legacies and a prosperous art scene, there are numerous amazing museums in town that are worth a visit – not only on National Museum Day! These are our favorites:
Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
This former private collection, amassed by Jack Warner, turned into a Museum in 2003 and is truly a treasure within the community. You can marvel at approximately 1000 pieces of fine and decorative arts, and also the building itself is special: It’s an Asian-inspired complex that also contains a beautiful garden! As the “Home of the Westervelt Collection,” the museum holds one of the greatest private collections of American Arts in the nation.
Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center
Even if cars are sometimes more of a man’s passion, this museum is worth a visit for everybody! Take a short drive east of Tuscaloosa and enter the ground of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International – the only Mercedes factory in the United States! The visitor center is located in its own building and contains the museum and a souvenir shop. Stroll through the stunning exhibits and discover the history and tradition of this classic car brand, and you will walk dreaming of owning a beautiful Mercedes! German engineering meets Southern hospitality – a successful combination!
Alabama Museum of Natural History
Usually, the huge dinosaur bones in the Alabama Museum of Natural History don’t come alive like they do in Hollywood, but it doesn’t make this museum any less exciting! For more than 150 years, it offers permanent and temporary exhibits, collections and programs to learn everything about Alabama’s fascinating natural history! Among the obvious highlights, like the dinosaurs, there are many exciting things to discover. Recently added: An Augmented Reality sandbox, in which you can create topography models out of sands that are then augmented by a digital simulation! Give it a try and go explore!
Paul W. Bryant Museum
One of the most important aspects of Tuscaloosa Culture is, of course, football! When it comes to fall season, dixie’s football pride is present all over the city and everybody comes together to be a part of the gameday experience. To feel that spirit even in the off season, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Paul W. Bryant Museum! It opened in 1988 and since then, houses the history of Alabama football, with a special emphasis on the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Permanent and changing exhibits, including Bear Bryant’s original office, can be visited daily from 9 am to 4 pm – just as on National Museum Day on May 18th!
Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa
You can’t start early enough to introduce your kids to arts and culture! Take the National Museum Day as an occasion and take them out to Tuscaloosa’s Children’s Hands-On Museum. 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!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
It might not apparent at first, but Tuscaloosa is a city with a fascinating and rich history! While Alabama Football’s history is rich enough for an article all its own, this is not one of them! There are scenic old mansions, hidden gardens, Native American history and even ruins to discover in the one and only Tuscaloosa! Let us take you on a short trip through town on which you can you can see, touch and live Tuscaloosa history!
1.) Moundville
Let’s start furthest back in time: The most represented Native Americans in Alabama were the Mississippians. The mound building culture settled their second largest town down by the Black Warrior River in Central Alabama and it was an important political and religious center back in the height of their era! Since 1999, you can discover the ancient lives of the Mississippians in their former village at the Moundville Archeological Park and Museum, 20 minutes south of Tuscaloosa. Marvel at unearthed treasured found on the site, stroll through the mounds and learn everything about the culture!
2.) Capitol Ruins
You probably wouldn’t expect to find ruins in the middle of downtown, right? Just follow University Boulevard to the west end of downtown and you will find the stunning capitol ruins. Before the capitol of Alabama had moved to Montgomery in 1847, it was located here in Tuscaloosa! After that, the majestic building served other functions, until a fatal incident in 1923: It was accidentally set on fire and nearly completely burned down. But that left us one of the most magical places in town today: The ruins still show the capitol’s stone foundation alongside a few wall fragments.
3.) Paul W. Bryant Museum
As the hometown of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa will forever be connected with football, the most successful department of the UA Athletics! The Crimson Tide is 26 times SEC Champion and 16 times National Champion – no need to explain the fascination for football itself! Aside from everything around Bama’s most legendary coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, the museum also offers an exhibit about “The Tide through time”, beginning in 1892!!
4.) Battle-Friedman House
This Building is a hidden gem in Tuscaloosa, and also has an impressive story to tell – a piece of history in his nicest appearance! Built even before Civil War, in 1835, it is one of the oldest mansions in town! The North Carolina native Alfred Battle and Hungarian Bernard Friedman, who bought it from Battle in the late 19th century, served as the house’s namesakes and created themselves a monument. The House and its beautiful gardens can be visited for a small admission and also be rented for private events. It has even served as a location for music videos! The scenic beauty of this house is just undeniable.
5.) Denny Chimes
This legendary campanile in the center of UA campus has been an emblem for not only the University but also for Tuscaloosa as a City for almost a Century now! Since it was built in 1929, the chimes traditionally ring every 15 minutes and also play other songs. Surrounding the tower is another piece of UA history: The walk of fame, where captains of the football team have placed their hand and footprints in cement since 1948. It is worth to take a closer look next time you stroll by – you’re going to feel the history!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
Interview with the One and Only: Courtney Poist – 2017 Nationals Cacchione Cup Qualifier
Favorite One and Only Restaurant: Chucks Fish
Favorite One and Only Attraction: Lake Tuscaloosa
The University of Alabama is home an incredible football team, but they aren’t the only students that are championship bound this year. Courtney Poist, a 21-year-old Tuscaloosa native is competing in the 2017 Nationals Cacchione Cup today and representing the University of Alabama Equestrian Team. Courtney first got her start in Equestrian 15 years ago. Jumping from softball to basketball to gymnastics among others, she seemed to find equestrian by accident. After riding a pony at one of her friend’s birthday parties she fell in love. Her mom then took her to a farm for her first lesson. She said that “Ironically my coach now, Ashley Morrison, was the first person that got me started in this sport. When I was only 6 years old, Ashley taught me my first lesson at her farm, Westminster. Ever since then, Ashley has been my trainer, mentor, and now collegiate coach.” It seems to be working just fine for her as now she’s on one of the biggest collegiate stages for her sport! When Courtney was growing up she was quite the athlete.
The University of Alabama’s Equestrian Team has 16 horses that the athletes train on during the season. These horses are donated, leased or owned by the university. Of course, Courtney has a favorite and his name is Big. A “15-year-old, 17.2 hand bay Hanoverian gelding that was actually donated by the Auburn University’s Equestrian program.” If she has the choice, he’s her go-to pick because of his extreme athleticism, smartness, and response that allows for performing the more technical movements. The facility the University leases is located on Culver Road right past Stillman College. The University’s program has nearly doubled in size in the past two years. An incredible 80 students tried out for 30 spots which has made the program very competitive to get into compared to previous years.
I asked Courtney about a day in the life of training and it was actually quite extensive! Each practice (which is 2-3 times a week) the riders are responsible for cleaning their horses and tacking them up for their ride. This entails grooming, splinting or wrapping the horse’s legs, and putting on all tack. Courtney said, “Since a horse is basically considered an athlete too, they require optimal care and preparation for practice to reduce the risk of injury.” After prep, the riders walk the horse to the ring where their coach, Ashley Morrison, will run them through strengthening exercises (riding without stirrups), balance exercises (riding without hands or without vision), and flat and jumping exercises. After an hour to an hour and a half, practice is over, but the work is not. After dismount, “we are responsible for cooling down our houses, un-tacking, bathing and putting them back out to pasture.” Courtney said that the entire process takes about two and a half hours from start to finish.
The most common statement she gets when people come to watch them ride is “All you do is sit on the horse and tell it to go.” But in reality, equestrian is a much more complex sport. Each rider must create a bond with the horse, have proper aids, balance, and strength to keep the horse going. In addition to this, the rider must make all of their moves look effortless. She then said, “So yes, if it looks like we aren’t doing anything, then we are doing it right!” To make it even harder, when riders compete they do not get to bring their own horses. At every meet, the teams are given a brief description of each horse and are allowed to watch them warm up before the competition. Once you mount the horse you draw, you must go immediately into the ring to compete!
With the motto “Attitude is everything”, Courtney will ride fearlessly into the National Cacchione Cup with her coach. Since her coach has been her trainer since day one, Courtney says “It’s safe to say that I am very close to my coach and couldn’t be happier to have her standing by my side at (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) Nationals.” It’s hard to believe that a University team is competing on the national level without much press, but hopefully, with the help of Tuscaloosa’s One and Only Courtney Poist, The University of Alabama’s Equestrian Team will soon have their day in the sun.