Tuscaloosa is one of the most underrated college football towns in the United States. There is plenty to do after you’ve seen the famous Roll Tide play and browsed the University of Alabama campus.
Southern food is a staple throughout the town, but it offers enough unique restaurants and bars to suit any palette. It also has green spaces for nature lovers, historic buildings and museums to engage the mind, and more.
Like and subscribe to ViewCation for everything you need to know about this town. Watch our video for a list of the best things to do in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Tuscaloosa Ampitheater
This 15-acre ampitheater is the largest outdoor theater in West Alabama with a capacity of 8,400. It’s conveniently located outside the University of Alabama campus on the banks of the Black Warrior River, features beautiful landscaping, and hosts a wide range of concerts and events.
The River Market
This site hosts the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market every Saturday morning. It’s also a popular event space that you can rent for special occasions.
The Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center
This is the first site you’ll see on Tuscaloosa’s City Walk. It’s a unique building with plenty of content focusing on the latest technology. It also offers free laptops and tablets to use, a growing digital library, and more.
Government Plaza
This 5-acre park sits in the middle of downtown Tuscaloosa next to other memorable sites such as City Hall and the Intermodal Facility parking deck. It also hosts several yearly festivals and events, including local bands on Fridays in June and July and the annual Live at the Plaza event in the summer.
The Riverwalk
This path along the Black Warrior River is approximately 4.5 miles long. It passes shops, restaurants, a playground, and more. You can walk or run along it or rent a paddleboard at the docks. All of these options let you visit its attractions and experience some beautiful views.
Lake Tuscaloosa
This beautiful location serves as the primary water source for the Tuscaloosa area. It’s over 9 miles long with enough space for most water activities, including fishing, boating, and more.
The Children’s Hands-On Museum
Nothing gets the mind and body moving quite like a museum where you’re allowed and even encouraged to touch and interact with everything. Tuscaloosa’s Children’s Hands-On Museum contains permanent exhibits meant to stimulate children and get their parents and teachers involved. Its 3 floors contain 25 exhibits. Recent additions include Once Upon a Farm, Lil’ Sprouts Farmer’s Market, Beyond the Garden Gate, and the Creation Station. It also hosts regular events.
Parks and Recreation
This is the place for almost any outdoor activity you could wish for. It contains 2,000 acres of green space, 35 parks, boat landings, 6 activity centers, an 18-hole golf course, event spaces, and more.
The Bama Theatre
This historic performance space was built in 1938. Thanks to management by The Arts Council, it remains the oldest operating theater in Tuscaloosa. It’s occupied almost 300 days of the year and continues to draw in audiences with its year-round performance calendar. It’s a haven for theater fans, but it also shows off a wide variety of architectural styles including art deco, atmospheric, Moore, Italian, and Spanish.
The University of Alabama
3 unique buildings are the most historic features of this famous campus. Gorgas House was part of the original campus and now serves as a museum. The President’s Mansion has plenty of green space to walk around in. Denny Chimes is a 115-foot-tall bell tower dedicated in 1929 to then-president Dr. George H. Denny. It’s surrounded by the walk of fame where Alabama football greats make their mark in the cement.
All 192,000 residents of Tuscaloosa County can check books from the University’s library, including students of Shelton State Community College and Stillman College. They can check out books in all formats from one of its 4 service outlets; the Main Library, Brown Branch, Weaver Bolden Branch, and the Bookmobiles. They can also enroll in the library’s online learning programs.
The Arboretum has a mission of encouraging biodiversity in Alabama. It includes walking trails and 3 gardens; one with wildflowers, one that’s experimental, and one for children.
The University is also a popular sports hub since it’s the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide that plays at the Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Bryant Denny Stadium
This spot is more than the home of Roll Tide with over 101,281 fans showing up at every game. It also has delicious food such as the famous Denny Dogs and houses the Walk of Champions with statues of championship-winning coaches.
Heritage House Coffee & Tea
You’ll love this cozy cafe-like spot as much as Tuscaloosa’s locals and college students do. Visit either of its 2 locations to choose from its large coffee, breakfast, and lunch menu, pick up a cute trinket, or just enjoy its antique decor.
Monarch Espresso Bar
University of Alabama alumni Paul and Audrey Vermilyea opened this spot after graduating. Its menu is made up of specialty drinks named after their friends. It also features a Bed & Breakfast loft space.
Avenue Pub
This spot offers creative cocktails and twists on typical comfort food for any time of day. It also has a cool but casual atmosphere. Try a signature drink, eat the Huevos Rancheros or Chicken Biscuit and Gravy for breakfast, eat the Thai Nachos for lunch or dinner, and try the Bacon Burger whenever you get hungry while staying in Tuscaloosa.
The Historic Wayside Restaurant
This popular breakfast spot hidden away in a crimson cottage was a favorite of football coach Paul Bear Bryant. You can sit at his favorite table and order his favorite country ham or enjoy any of the restaurant’s other country comfort dishes.
FIVE
This restauraunt gets its name for the 5 dishes on its selective menu. The real draw is its unique Sunday events. Try the Sunday jazz brunch and build-your-own Bloody Mary bar or visit in September for a $5 burger with homemade bacon relish. You can also stop by FIVE Java next door if you’d rather get coffee.
Rama Jama’s
This spot sits only a few feet outside of Bryant Denny Stadium and is the best place to refuel after watching a nail-biting game. They serve breakfast all day as well as other dishes such as biscuits, burgers, friends, hot dogs, and milkshakes. Each one has Roll-Tide-inspired names like 17 National Champ Burger, The SEC Champ Breakfast, and the Ain’t Nothing but a Winner Polish hot dog.
301 Bistro, Bar, & Beer Garden
This restaurant was built on a former 1912 railroad passenger station. It maintains a historic air while offering an impressive menu. Enjoy a charcuterie board or giant pretzel with your drinks in the beer garden, listen to live jazz with your Sunday brunch, or try its custom cocktails and re-imagined Southern dishes.
Heat Pizza Bar
This spot isn’t the most historic, having only opened in 2015, but it’s still one of the best things to do in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Its outdoor patio provides a great view of Government Plaza, and it offers exclusive dishes such as its Thai Chicken pizza and Spicy Kale Cobb salad. It also has signature cocktails such as the Cucumber Smash, Strawberry & Peach Runner, Buffalo Soldier, Vodka & Basil Gimlet, First Lady, and Wall Street.
Innisfree Irish Pub
This pub has become such a popular destination for college students that they proudly wear hats and t-shirts with its slogan “Head to the Free.” All of their dishes, including chicken fingers, french fries, and wraps are enhanced by their signature Irish Gold sauce. Eating outside on their patio also adds to the experience.
Hooligans
This red-and-white building with a red awning sits right next to Innisfree. It’s a small spot with a menu that combines classic Southern comfort food with Mediterranean favorites.
City Café
This historic location has been part of downtown Northport since 1931. It’s so popular that it usually has a line out the door during peak lunch hours. Their breakfast is worth coming for, but their lunches are delicious, large, and rarely cost more than $10.
Archibald & Woodrows B-B-Q
This family-owned restaurant began serving hickory-smoked ribs in 1962. It became one of the most popular B-B-Q spots in Tuscaloosa and has been recognized nationally more than once.
Big Bad Wolves
This restaurant is only open on game days but is worth the wait. Their most popular dish is their customizable barbecue nachos.
Dreamland Bar-B-Q
John “Big Daddy” Bishop opened the original location of this famous Alabama chain in Tuscaloosa in 1958. Locals insist the food here is better than other locations. Start by dunking your bread in Dreamland’s famous sauce, order ribs, and get banana pudding for dessert.
Chuck’s Fish
This is another chain that opened its original location in Tuscaloosa. It offers fresh seafood from the Harbor Docks market in Destin, Florida. This means it’s one of the few locations in the area to get quality sushi, but you can also try the fresh fish of the day or paneed chicken.
Evangeline’s
This is one of the most romantic, exclusive, and elegant spots in Tuscaloosa. The menu features fresh local produce and quality seafood.
River
This restaurant gets its name from its location on the Black Warrior River. It offers beautiful views and enough outdoor seating for everyone. A few of its delicious brunch options on Saturday and Sunday mornings include beignets with espresso cream, butter pecan pancakes, fried oyster benedict, and a smoked chicken Hot Brown. Go during happy hour for drinks and appetizers such as flatbreads and roasted oysters. Come for dinner for a range of surf and turf options.
The Side By Side Restaurant
This restaurant is part of the Embassy Suites hotel. It has a quality bar, and you’ll enjoy plenty of natural light even if you don’t choose its outdoor seating. It offers a seasonal menu with fresh produce. You can also come at happy hour from 4-7 p.m. for drinks, small plates, or $1 oysters.
Catch 22
This is one of the best places to go in Tuscaloosa for cocktails. You can choose from any of the gallon jars of vodka distilled with fruits and vegetables that sit behind the bar. A few are bizarre, such as the pickle vodka, but they all offer a more traditonal drinking experience as well.
Carpe Vino
Wine-lovers will enjoy a day at this place. You can schedule a group wine tasting, join a formal tasting in process, sample recommendations, or leave with a bottle of your own.
Loosa Brews
You’ll still have plenty to do at this spot after sampling any of the 63 beers it has on tap or visiting its package store for wine or a bottle of liquor. It also has recreational activities including an arcade, pinball parlor, and ping pong.
Alcove International Tavern
This small bar opened in 2009 as the first smoke-free bar in Tuscaloosa. It’s difficult to find but offers a comfortable place to enjoy spirits, wine, and beer.
Session Bar
This spot only opened in the fall of 2019 but has already become a popular hangout. It serves a rotating menu of cocktails and wine and its patio provides beautiful views.
Kentuck Art Center and Festival
This campus has 5 buildings with artist studios, galleries, a classroom, a store, the Courtyard of Wonders, and a Big Red Dog named Rusty. It hosts a free Arts Nights on the first Thursday of every month, but be sure to visit in October for the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. The event attracts over 10,000 visitors every year and hosts hundreds of exhibitions enhanced by live music, food trucks, craft beer, and children’s activities.
Moundville Archeological Park
This Native American heritage site is 326 acres of beauty. It has massive mounds, a nature trail, and a museum, and you can partake in the Moundville Native American Festival in October.
Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail
The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History & Reconciliation Foundation founded this trail with over 18 historic stops. You can see the Alabama Capitol building at Capitol Park, the Paul R. Jones Museum, the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, and more.
Mercedes-Benz Visitor’s Center and Plant Tour
This is the only Mercedes-Benz Museum outside of Germany. You’ll get a sense of the iconic brand’s history as you tour the on-site manufacturing plant and visit multimedia exhibits, or you can just shop at the nearby gift shop. Admission is free, and the visitor’s center and plant are open Monday-Friday.
Snow Hinton Park
Children will have a blast at this location. Its most iconic feature is the tallest slide in the Southeast, a 38-foot monster you can reach the top of by climbing a ropes course.
Alabama Museum of Natural History
This spot sits outside of the University of Alabama campus. It houses thousands of specimens, including a dinosaur skeleton that hangs from the ceiling on the top floor.
Paul W. Bryant Museum
This museum has everything you could want to learn about the University of Alabama football program. It houses artifacts, memorabilia, videos, and more.
Woods Quad Sculpture Garden
This green space sits amongst buildings of the College of Arts & Sciences. It contains beautiful sculptures, the most famous of which is Goldie 1971.
Quick Grill
College students stand in line to visit this small cinderblock building. Its delicious late-night offerings include burgers, kabobs, falafel, and the famous Messy Fries.
Nick’s in the Sticks
This historic building was opened in 1953. You’ll get a basket of biscuits the moment you sit down, and then you can choose from a range of comfort food options including steak, onion rings, fries, and loaded baked potatoes. You can also order the signature drink the Nicodemus.
Galettes
The Yellowhammer is the official bird of Alabama and the official drink of the University of Alabama. The best place to get one is Galettes on the Strip, a bar that’s been making them since 1976.
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
This park contains a confederate monument and spots for camping, golf, hiking, and swimming. It also hosts events such as Civil War reenactments and monthly Trade Days.
Tuscaloosa Transporation Museum
The Queen City Bath House has been transformed into the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum. Its exhibits and educational programs help display and maintain Tuscaloo’s history.
Are you a Roll Tide devotee, or are you looking for more from your next trip? Let us know in the comments below. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more vacation guides.