Areas & Neighborhoods in Tuscaloosa
The name Tuscaloosa comes from the Choctaw people, whose words "lusa" and "tushka" translate to mean “black warrior,” making the banks of the Black Warrior River the ideal setting for central Tuscaloosa. Nearby, Midtown Village provides an open-air shopping experience, while additional action can be found on the University of Alabama campus.
Downtown Tuscaloosa
A one-hour drive from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Downtown Tuscaloosa runs along University Boulevard. Here, there's something for everyone—with attractions like the Bama Theatre and the Hands-On Children's Museum, plus an array of sandwich shops, barbecue joints, and microbreweries.
University of Alabama
Head east on University Boulevard and you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by the water oaks and red-brick buildings of the University of Alabama. The Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Paul W. Bryant Museum, which is devoted to athletics, attract sightseers of all ages.
Midtown Village
Tuscaloosa's breezy commercial center Midtown Village is filled with big-name boutiques as well as popular restaurants and pampering day spas. On Saturday evenings in summer, Midtown Village hosts family-friendly film screenings as part of its Screen on the Green event.
Things to See in Tuscaloosa
It's easy to fill up on sights during a trip to Tuscaloosa—the University of Alabama Arboretum winds through piney woods and a stunning wildflower garden, while the Riverwalk invites visitors to consider the beauty of the Black Warrior River. Want to catch a show during your stay in the City of Champions? Music lovers often reserve tickets at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, which books acts like Eric Church, Tyrese, and the Kings of Leon. Mainstream concerts can also be found at the Coleman Coliseum—the stadium where several of the Crimson Tide sports teams play. To see a play, check out the Bama Theatre, an historic brick and limestone building that serves as the city's performing arts center.
Sightseeing in Tuscaloosa
From museums documenting the vast archaeological history of the region to autumn football games where you can proudly don your crimson and white, there are a bevy of things to do in Tuscaloosa. To savor local flavors, venture to the River Market, a farmers' market held on Saturdays and Tuesdays. After filling up on farm-fresh produce and tasty baked treats, head to the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art to see more than 1,000 works of fine and decorative arts amassed by entrepreneur Jack Warner. Or, travel back in time with a look at the Moundville Archaeological Site, which has been used to understand the groups who inhabited Tuscaloosa prior to the arrival of European settlers. In addition to these sites, the Malone Hood Plaza on the University of Alabama campus lends an illuminating look at the institution's role in the United States’ struggle for civil rights. Likewise, football fans can find ample enjoyment on campus. Reserve tickets in advance and see the Crimson Tide play, or simply meander the Walk of Champions and revel in the winning university's athletic achievements.
