Introduction
Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a city rich in history and culture. From the University of Alabama to the city’s many museums, Tuscaloosa has something for everyone. Here are 14 things to do while visiting this charming southern town:
Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is an open-air entertainment district in Downtown Tuscaloosa on the Black Warrior River. It features restaurants, shops, and other businesses along a paved walkway with a relaxing atmosphere. The Riverwalk is also home to many events each year including concerts, festivals, art shows, car shows, and more.
The hours for the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk are 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday & 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday through Saturday. The attractions include an outdoor amphitheater; boat dock; boat rentals; beautiful scenery along river banks; a children’s play area featuring waterpark slides; numerous restaurants & bars including Quench & Brews (brewery), Dragon City Sushi Bar & Grill and Bamboo Asian Fusion Cuisine; retail shops such as Mama’s Boutique Furniture Co.; visitor center with interpretive displays about local history & culture that provide information on what to see/do while visiting Tuscaloosa as well as maps showing where various businesses can be found within this district named after our famous football team!
Paul Bear Bryant Museum
The Paul Bear Bryant Museum is a museum dedicated to the life of Paul William “Bear” Bryant, who served as head football coach at the University of Alabama from 1958 to 1982. The museum is located on campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and features exhibits about his career as well as memorabilia from his time as an athlete.
The museum is open year-round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday. It is closed for two weeks over summer break between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.
The museum offers tours of its exhibits daily with tour guides available for questions or comments throughout your visit.
University of Alabama Museum of Natural History
The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History is a great place to visit in Tuscaloosa. It’s part of the University and it has a large collection of fossils and specimens that have been found across the state, including many Native American artifacts. The museum also houses a large collection of minerals and meteorites.
The museum opened its doors in 1939 and was known as the “Alabama Museum” at that time. It was later renamed as an honorarium to William Louis Powell, who served as president from 1927 until 1937. He was known for his passion and dedication toward paleontology studies at UA before he died in 1942 while serving on active duty during World War II
Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum
Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum
A hidden gem within the University of Alabama campus, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum houses a collection of antique automobiles. It’s named after its founder, Mildred Westervelt Warner, and was founded in 1982. The museum is open to the public for free seven days a week and hosts over 100 cars from the early 1900s through the early 1950s. This includes cars from manufacturers such as Ford Motor Company, Chevrolet Motor Company, and many others!
Capitol Park
The park is a historic site that commemorates the early days of Alabama. It is home to the first state capitol building for Alabama, which was constructed in 1820.
The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 25, 1972, and underwent an extensive restoration from 2009 through 2011.
Lake Tuscaloosa
Lake Tuscaloosa is a man-made lake located on the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was created in 1954 and became Alabama’s largest lake at the time. Lake Tuscaloosa has an area of 10 miles long by 2 miles wide and a surface elevation of 200 feet above sea level. The lake has over 3,500 acres of water with depths up to 35 feet deep.
Munny Sokol Park
Munny Sokol Park is named after Tuscaloosa native Munny Sokol, who was a decorated World War II veteran and a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. The park features a lake, boat launch, playground, and softball field. It’s open from 7 am to 10 pm every day.
Munny Sokol Park has been a popular destination for residents since it opened in 1957. The park also hosts festivals and concerts during warmer months; check out its Facebook page for more information on upcoming events.
Governorís Mansion
Alabama’s Governor’s Mansion is one of the most historic buildings in Tuscaloosa, as it has been home to Alabama governors since 1853. The mansion is open for tours during limited hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Tours are free and begin on the hour at 10 am and 1 pm. The tour lasts about an hour and includes a look at the first floor with its parlors, dining room, and kitchen among other areas. It also includes access to the second floor where you can see some of Alabama’s most important artifacts such as its collection of Civil War uniforms and weapons. Tour groups are limited to 20 people so be sure to get there early if you want first dibs on a spot!
Black Warrior River
The Black Warrior River is a tributary of the Tombigbee River, which itself is an important tributary of the Mobile River. The Black Warrior is also known as the Tuscaloosa River and has been used as a source of water for Tuscaloosa since its founding in 1819.
Today, visitors come to paddle down this popular destination for canoeing and kayaking. If you’re looking to get out on the water but don’t have your equipment yet, check out one of our local outfitters who can help you out!
The river has also become an increasingly popular fishing spot over the years; it’s not uncommon to see fisherman wade into these waters with their lines ready at any given moment throughout summer months (and even sometimes in winter).
Lake Lurleen State Park
Lake Lurleen State Park is located in the heart of Tuscaloosa and offers a variety of activities for both children and adults. The park includes a boat launch, fishing pier, picnic area with tables, grills, and shelters (including one equipped with electricity), playground equipment, and hiking trails. It also has an interpretive nature center where you can learn more about the local wildlife.
Come visit this beautiful state park to enjoy all that it has to offer!
Lake Nicol State Park
Lake Nicol State Park
Lake Nicol State Park is a wonderful place to visit. The park has plenty of amenities and activities for you to participate in, making it an excellent choice for your next family adventure. Located just outside Tuscaloosa, Lake Nicol is easily accessible from your home or hotel room so make sure you add this one to your list of places to see!
If you love fishing, this would be a great option for you! There is no shortage of different species here including bass, catfish, and bream lake. You can also enjoy boating with your family during the warmer months by renting one of their boats out on the lake or simply enjoying some time on the water as well. Another fun activity at Lake Nicol includes camping because there’s nothing better than spending quality time with loved ones outdoors while enjoying nature together. They have plenty of campsites available as well as cabins where families could stay overnight if they prefer not camping outside under the stars but still want that same experience at night which can be done inside instead if needed due to their large size rooms being quite cozy too!
Alabama Museum of Natural History
The Alabama Museum of Natural History—located in Tuscaloosa’s downtown area—is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free with a suggested donation of $2 per person. Visitors may also purchase gift shop items and snacks at the museum cafeteria.
The wildlife exhibits at this museum include snakes, turtles, fish, and other aquatic life on display in aquariums; taxidermy displays; as well as animal skeletons on display behind glass cases. Numerous dinosaur exhibits throughout the museum feature fossils excavated from several different sites across North America including Montana and Alberta Canada; New Mexico USA; Wyoming US.; Alberta Canada.; Colorado US.; Utah U.S. A & Alberta Canada.
Snow Hinton Park
Snow Hinton Park is a public park in the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The park was named after the late Snow Hinton, former president of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education. She donated land for this site to be used as a park and it was built on land donated by the City of Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama.
The park has picnic tables, pavilions (with grills), restrooms, two basketball courts, and softball fields. It also has walking trails that go through woods and along creekside banks where you can view wildlife such as turtles, ducks, and beavers.
Takeaway:
Tuscaloosa is a great place to visit and live. There are lots of things to do, the people are friendly, and the food is good. The weather is nice too! Tuscaloosa has a lot of history with all sorts of museums and historic sites you can visit. It’s also home to one of Alabama’s top universities: the University of Alabama (Go Roll Tide!).
Conclusion
As you can see, Tuscaloosa has a lot to offer. From museums and parks to the river and lakes, there are many ways to enjoy your time in town. Whether you’re visiting with family or just looking for something fun to do on a weekend afternoon, take some time out of your busy schedule and explore this beautiful city!
