Community Calendar
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Tuscaloosa County abounds in unexpected treats, from cultural activities to outdoor fun. Whatever whets your appetite for entertainment, exercises your creativity, inspires, excites or just relaxes you can be found in Tuscaloosa County year round.
Theatre, dance, opera, visual arts, music, crafts, festivals, film and educational programs all provide the Tuscaloosa County area with exceptional cultural opportunities. Many sources are unique and world renown.
A
variety of spectator sports are also available in the area. Tuscaloosa County
is the home of The University of Alabama, Stillman College, & Shelton State
Community College, which offer various sporting events throughout the year.
Recreational and sports activities are challenging, diverse and fun.
Tuscaloosa County is a Mecca for water sports. The most popular lakes for recreation are Lake Tuscaloosa, Holt Lake, Lake Lurleen, Lake Nichol and Oliver Lake. The Black Warrior River also provides additional recreational opportunities. There are three state parks in the Tuscaloosa area: Lake Lurleen State Park, Moundville Archeological Park, and Tannehill State Park.
The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA) operates over thirty-six public parks totaling almost 2,000 acres of public land. In addition PARA provides citizens with a full range of playgrounds, 20 softball field, 8 baseball fields, 45 tennis courts and 17 picnic areas. Golf courses in the area include: Five public courses, four private courses, and two practice ranges.
Click here to watch a 70 second clip about Tuscaloosa sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
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Tuscaloosa County enjoys an abundance of fresh items from our gardens, catfish ponds, neighboring chicken farms and Gulf Coast waters, less than a day’s drive away. Our local farmers markets boom during the growing seasons.
Our restaurant scene is varied--One can find a quick burger, dine fancifully along the Black Warrior River or in the downtown areas, with lots of character and flavor. Residents and visitors will tell you that some of the best barbeque they’ve ever eaten was served to them here. From formal dining rooms to sports pubs to down-home cooking, dining in Tuscaloosa County is a great experience.
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For a listing of upcoming events in the West Alabama Area see The Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events (click here).
| Alabama Museum of Natural History: Located in Smith
Hall (6th Avenue) on the University of Alabama campus, this museum displays
fossils, rocks and minerals from the Age of Dinosaurs, Ice and Coal Ages.
For more information call (205) 348-7550. View
Website |
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Bama Theater: The oldest operating theater in Tuscaloosa,
located at 600 Greensboro Avenue. For more information call (205) 758-5195.
View Website 
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Battle-Friedman House: Greek Revival Mansion houses
city cultural center and museum. Located at 1010 Greensboro Avenue. For
more information call (205) 758-6138. View Website |
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Capital Park: Reconstructed architectural features of the capitol
building when Tuscaloosa was the state's capital from 1826-1846. The park
is located in downtown Tuscaloosa at the intersection of University Boulevard
and 28th Avenue. For more information call (205) 562-3200. |
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Children's Hands-On Museum (CHOM): A fun and educational
learning experience for children of all ages through hands-on exhibits, programs,
and special events. Kids can navigate a towboat, view a planetarium or even
be a bird. For more information call (205) 349-4235.
View Website
Denny Chimes: Named after former University President George Denny,
the tower was constructed in 1929, and then restored in 1986. This landmark
is home to the "Football Walk of Fame", with hand and footprints of legendary
Alabama players. For more information call (205) 348-6010. View Website
Gorgas House: Built in 1829, the Gorgas House is the oldest
building on the University of Alabama campus. Family heirlooms are on display
at this home located on Capstone Drive. For more information call (205) 348-5906.
View Website
Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion: The 1862 antebellum mansion,
located at 1305 Greensboro Avenue, is one of the finest remaining examples of
Italianate architecture in the South. It is home of the Tuscaloosa Convention
and Visitors Center. For more information call (205) 391-9200. View Website
Kentuck Art Center: The gallery, located at 503 Main Avenue, Northport,
features rotating monthly exhibits of some of the region's finest arts and crafts.
There is also a gift shop specializing in arts and crafts by local, regional
and national artists. For more information call (205) 333-1252. View Website
Lake Lurleen State Park: Located about 10 minutes from downtown Tuscaloosa,
the park offers 1,600 acres of recreational area for camping, hiking, swimming
and fishing in the 250-area lake. For more information call (205) 339-1558.
View Website
Mercedes-Benz
Visitor's Center: Plant tours are available Monday thru Friday by advance
reservations. Exhibitions trace the history of Mercedes-Benz from 1886 to the
present. This is the only Mercedes-Benz assembly plant outside of Europe. The
plant is located at 11 Mercedes Drive, Vance. For more information call (888)
2 TOUR-MB or (205) 507-2252. View
Website
Mildred Warner House: This exquisitely furnished home, located at 1925 8th Street, has changing art exhibits. For more information call (205) 553-6200.
Moundville Archaeological Park: Located fifteen miles south of Tuscaloosa
(1 Mound Parkway, Moundville), the park is part of the Alabama Museum of Natural
History. It is internationally known as one of the most important prehistoric
Indian settlements. The 320-acre park includes nature trails, Indian villages,
and a museum. For more information call (205) 758-2861. View
Website
| Murphy African-American Museum: This museum was home
to the first licensed mortician in Alabama. The exhibit rooms feature the
Murphy family memorabilia. This museum is located at 2601 Bryant Drive and
Lurleen Wallace Blvd. South. For more information call (205) 758-2861. |
The Old Tavern Museum: The museum is an 1827 inn and
stagecoach stop. Authentic antique furnishings are from the capitol period.
Location is 500 28th Avenue. For more information (205) 758-2238. View Website |
Ol’
Colony Golf Complex: Named one of the "Top 5 Best New Public Courses
in America" by Golf Digest (2001), Ol’
Colony Golf Complex certainly lives up to its reputation. This Jerry Pate
designed course is considered one of the best public courses, not only in Alabama,
but also in the nation.
The 18-hole course has rolling hills and is heavily wooded with tall pines
and soaring oaks. It’s sure to test even the most advanced golfer with
large bunkers, mature trees, and water hazards that will challenge every shot,
including a 25-acre lake. Another 18-holes, already designed by Pate, will be
a welcome addition in the coming years. View
Website
Paul W. Bryant Museum: Celebrate more than 100 years of Crimson Tide
football, beginning with the first team in 1892. Also view the re-creation of
the legendary Coach "Bear" Bryant's office. The Bryant Museum is located at
300 Bryant Drive, University of Alabama. For more information call (205) 348-4668.
View Website
Renaissance
Art Gallery: This gallery displays pieces by nationally known folk, traditional
and contemporary artists. Gallery located at 431 Main Avenue, Northport. For
more information call (205) 752-4422. View Website
Tannehill Ironworks: This historical state park contains a monument
to the Confederacy. The park offers camping, golf, hiking and swimming. Special
events include a re-enactment of a Civil War battle and monthly Trade Days.
This park is located at 12632 Confederate Parkway, McCalla. For more information
call (205) 477-5711. View Website
University of Alabama Arboretum: Loop Road and 15th Street. Explore
meadow, bog, and woodland wildflower gardens of native Alabama plants and plant
communities. For more information call (205) 553-3278. View Website
