Tuscaloosa: Museums, Nature and Riverwalk

A trip to Tuscaloosa can be planned around a range of interests: nature and prehistory, university and sports history, river trails, and arts and culture. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tuscaloosa, these highlights can help guide your trip planning. The places differ mainly in their themes and formats.

Museums and Historic Sites

The Alabama Museum of Natural History focuses on the natural history and prehistory of Alabama. Its exhibitions and collections include exhibits on both subjects; individual exhibitions may change. The Paul W. Bryant Museum has a different focus: it collects, preserves and displays objects relating to the sports history of the University of Alabama. Its exhibitions document the history and tradition of the Crimson Tide, from the first team in 1892 to the present day.

Building and family history are also among the topics you can explore. The Gorgas House Museum is the oldest building on the University of Alabama campus. It houses original furnishings belonging to the Gorgas family, memorabilia and a collection of 19th-century artifacts. The museum thus focuses on both the age of the building and the objects passed down through the years.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located in the former Allen & Jemison Co. Hardware building and has two gallery spaces with changing exhibitions. The downtown section of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail covers the events surrounding “Bloody Tuesday.” The Old Tavern offers another historical perspective: it was built in 1827 as a tavern and hotel on the stagecoach route that ran through Tuscaloosa. Today, the building is a museum dedicated to the early history of Tuscaloosa County.

River Trails and Nature

The paved Riverwalk runs along the south bank of the Black Warrior River near downtown Tuscaloosa. Its current total length is about 4.5 miles: it begins at Capitol Park and ends at a pavilion on the east side of Manderson Landing. The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is another location on the banks of the Black Warrior River. It covers 15 acres and is connected to the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk.

The lakes offer different kinds of activities, too. Lake Nicol offers opportunities for canoeing. The area around Harris Lake is entirely designated as protected parkland; Harris Lake is also part of the Alabama Birding Trail. Its protected status and place on the trail distinguish Harris Lake, while Lake Nicol is noted as a destination for canoeing.

The University of Alabama Arboretum offers walking trails through a native forest, a wildflower garden, a collection of ornamental plants, a trial garden and a children’s garden. The combination of woodland trails and different garden areas makes it a botanical complement to the museums and riverfront destinations. When planning your trip, you can choose between a walk in the woods, landscaped garden areas and the museums’ varied subject matter.

Culinary Tour and Visitor Information

Tasting Tuscaloosa is a chef-led culinary walking tour through downtown that takes place every Wednesday evening. As dates may change, check the current event schedule before making plans. The Visit Tuscaloosa Visitor Center provides free maps, brochures and visitor guides. If you’d like to use these materials for planning, check before your trip to see whether they are currently available.

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