According to Bittranslators, Tuscaloosa is located in the heart of central Alabama . This lively city is best known for the famous University of Alabama.Located along the Black Warrior river, the center is easily walkable and you will find plenty of nice restaurants and bars with live music here.Tuscaloosa is not big but not small either, there is for everyone what to do. The perfect city to visit while touring the Deep South.
12 Tuscaloosa Alabama Attractions You Can’t Miss
There is plenty to do and see during your Tuscaloosa vacation. You will probably visit Tuscaloosa on your way to Birmingham. Civil rights history is very important here. The University of Alabama played a major role here.
1. Dismals Canyon
Located about 1.5 hours from Tuscaloosa, Dismals Canyon is a sandstone canyon in Franklin County, Alabama. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1974. Dismals Canyon is one of the few places in the world where insects are found that produce dismalites (larvae that emit a bright blue-green light)
2. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is a park blessed by beautiful nature. A lot of iron used to be extracted here and today this State Park has more than 1500 acres that are used for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railway chugs past the pines here and from spring to autumn the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their craft. Visitors can also visit the Iron and Steel museum.
3. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater is an outdoor amphitheater that is mainly used for live concerts. The theater has a capacity of 7470 people. The amphitheater also hosts an annual Celebration on the River, a free Fourth of July celebration featuring the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. The holiday season is celebrated each winter with Holidays on the Plaza, which includes ice skating and many festive activities. The room can also be rented for private parties and events.
4. The Paul W. Bryant Museum
This Museum is located on the campus of the University of Alabama. Founded in 1985 and opened in 1988, the museum focuses on American Football, especially legendary coach Bear Bryant.
5.Mercedes Benz Visitors Center
Tuscaloosa is home to the only Mercedes-Benz museum outside of Germany and for over 20 years Mercedes-Benz has been producing some of their most popular cars right here in Tuscaloosa County. Currently, the plant is responsible for building the GLE SUV, GL SUV, C-Class and GLE Coupé for the North American market. The Visitor Center is an interactive tour through some of Mercedes-Benz’s greatest innovations and future technological car concepts. It includes vehicles ranging from a model of the 1886 Benz Patented Motor Car, recognized as the world’s first car, to the all-new 2016 GLE Coupe SUV.
6. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
This beautiful Italianate mansion was built in 1859-1862 by Senator Robert Jemison Jr. as his city residence. Today, the house functions as a history museum, fully restored to its 19th-century splendour.
7. Tuscaloosa Federal Building
Tuscaloosa was once the capital of Alabama, but is now best known as a city with a famous university and a powerful American Football team.
Part of the city’s Downtown Urban Renewal Project, the building is the new home of the Western Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and will serve 10 counties. The 127,376-square-foot building includes space for the U.S. District Court, US Bankruptcy Court, the US Probation Office, US Marshals Service, US Attorney’s Office, US General Services Administration, congressional offices, the Social Security Administration and the FBI.
8 Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama.
George C. Wallace, then governor of Alabama, had pledged during his campaign not to end racial segregation at the University of Alabama, and on June 11, 1963, stood in the doorway of Foster Auditorium to meet two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood. physically block it. , from entering the building and enrolling in the school. President Kennedy intervened and called for the Alabama National Guard to protect the students and let them in. Gov. Wallace eventually left and returned to the state capital, and Malone and Hood were allowed to enter and register. This event marked a great victory for integration.
9. Bryant–Denny Stadium
Bryant-Denny Stadium is a huge outdoor stadium for American Football and is located on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The capacity is no less than 101,821 spectators!
10.Lake Tuscaloosa
Lake Tuscaloosa is a reservoir created by damming the North River dam. It was built by Thornton Jones to provide water for Tuscaloosa residents and also for industrial use. It was completed in 1970 at a cost of approximately $7,725,000. The lake’s landscape is characterized by iconic southern pine trees and rolling hills that create long stretches of scenic overlooks and cozy, shady coves.
Lake Tuscaloosa is known in the area for its year-round fishing and boating culture.
11. The Grand Battle-Friedman House
The Battle-Friedman House was built circa 1835 by Alfred Battle, a native of North Carolina who had come to Tuscaloosa in 1821. The house and outbuildings took up the entire city block. Originally, the house consisted of the two front rooms, the central hall and the rooms above. The columned portico and rooms at the back of the house were added at various times before the Civil War. In 1875, the Battles’ home was purchased by Bernard Friedman, a local merchant who had emigrated from Hungary. It remained in the Friedman family until 1965, when it was donated to the City of Tuscaloosa by Hugo Friedman. The home is operated by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and is available for rental for weddings, receptions, etc.
12.Alabama Museum of Natural History
The Alabama Museum of Natural History is the oldest museum in the state of Alabama, founded in 1831. This is the state’s natural history museum and is located in Smith Hall on the campus of the University of Alabama. See the Grand Exhibition Hall, built turn of the century, with displays of fossils, rocks and minerals from the Age of Dinosaurs, Ice and Coal Ages. See the only meteorite known to have hit a human.
