While a college town known for barbecue and big games may not sound like a place for healthy, athletic people, you’d be surprised to find just how active and healthy we can get here in the deep fried south. Tuscaloosa is a proudly named runners city with a plethora of trails and is home to some of the most flavorful healthy food in the state. With the Triathlon on the same day as Alabama Roots Fest, you’ll find the city in full swing with a buzzing downtown and live music from Robert Randolph and the Family Band in Government Plaza!

  1. Explore nature!

If you aren’t used to the springs in Alabama, you might not know that the outdoors can be immaculate in April, and this weekend will be no different. From Lake Nicol’s cliffs to Lake Lurleen’s sandy shores, you’ll feel at one with nature without having to go more than 20 minutes from downtown.

  1. Take some tea time!

Like any college town, we have an abundance of third wave coffee shops like Monarch or Heritage House that serve some fine brews, but for those who like the serenity of a fresh batch of tea or house-made kombucha, welcome to Tea Town. Located in historic downtown Northport, Tea Town started as a tea bike at our farmers market, then became the brick and mortar hang out for live poetry and original tea mixes.

  1. Pedal over to our bike shops!

Worried your bike needs some last minute repairs or just want to spend some quality shopping time? We have great local and regional stores to meet your needs.

Velocity Pro Cycle in Temerson Square is a fixture in our cycling community with events and races around town.

Queen City Cycles in Pinehurst is known for its quality care when it comes to bike repair. They are dedicated to the art of the bicycle, bringing a love that has really elevated the sport in our city.

Trek Bicycle Store is located in Midtown Village and offers Trek bikes and apparel along with repairs and maintenance. Perfect for those loyal to the Trek brand

  1. I can Escher you we have good art

We have such a thriving art scene in Tuscaloosa, from our growing gallery collections to our museums there’s more than enough art to go around. For some classical and historic works like original John Singer Sargent works to up and coming local artists there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Kentuck Art Center

Located in the historic district of downtown Northport, Kentuck dedicates themselves to nurturing our city’s art scene. With their recently renovated space, they have constantly changing exhibits and collections that you’ll find it rare to see the same thing twice. The art campus has over four buildings with free Wi-Fi to make a true art space that’s open to everyone. Hours are: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm

Tuscaloosa Museum of Art

A gift to the city by the late Jack Warner of the Westervelt Company, Mr. Warner was a true lover of the arts with his massive collection that he graciously donated to both his hometown and to a wing in the Met in New York, as well as his private collection in his home. The Tuscaloosa Museum of Art is on the Westervelt campus off of Jack Warner Parkway with a wide collection of original American art.

  1. Find a Foodie Oasis

We are not without some incredible eateries in Tuscaloosa beyond the standard southern classics. With new places popping up, there is always an exciting new element to our foodie scene.

Local Roots

Be on the look out or follow them on Twitter to see with this beloved food truck is going to be around town. With a dedication to great local food, they offer healthier choices with some flavorful salads to more indulgent delights like their crispy pork belly with rice buns.

Animal Butter

With options from hot chicken bao buns to their latest Japanese style pancake, there are exotic dishes inspired by the culinary world of international street food. One of their more popular dishes is their veggie burger that has people considering making the switch to living meatless with the savory treat.

Five reasons to attend the Soul of America Film Tour at Band of Brothers.

Acclaimed English Film Maker Nic Askew (Soul Biographies Series) has set out to find and document the ‘Soul of America’ in these divided times. On Wednesday, September 20th he will be live on location at Band of Brothers to tell the story of ‘The Soul of America’ and of how the Human Soul might be witnessed by anyone willing to stand still enough. This film lives in exploration. The event will mix also feature live music from Matt Jones’ new album ‘Redemption’. The event begins at 5:30 and runs until 7:30. 

  1. 1. Film! Have you ever wanted to be in a film or experience the film making process? English Film Maker Nic Askew will be on site filming footage for his upcoming project “The Soul of America.” This could be your opportunity to get on screen as a part of Askew’s experimental film making style and share your thoughts about the division in America. Anyone remotely interested in film and the process of creating a film will enjoy this unique experience.
  2. Music! Local musician Matt Jones will perform live beginning at 5:30. Jones is a singer/songwriter from Tuscaloosa. He has recorded four albums and is currently touring to promote his latest project, Jones’ website describes his music as “beautifully paints pictures with words through melody over the landscape of his southern roots.” This is a great opportunity experience some of the best local music Tuscaloosa has to offer.
  3. Food! Local Roots will be on site in their food truck until 8pm. Local Roots offers delicious meals made entirely from locally sourced ingredients. You haven’t experienced Tuscaloosa until you have dined on Local Roots’ Bacon-Egg-Lettuce-Tomato or their Gulf Shrimp Tacos. Their food also pairs well with our next reason to attend…
  4. The Beer! If you haven’t tried Tuscaloosa’s very own Band of Brother’s craft beer then you are missing out. These guys have perfected the art of brewing and are kind enough to share it with the rest of the world. “Monk on the Radio” and “Voodoo Mild” are two of their best offerings and provide a unique taste of Tuscaloosa.
  5. All of the above! This is a unique event that showcases the best music, food, beer, and people that Tuscaloosa has to offer. The combination of these elements will create an unforgettable experience for you and your friends that you simply won’t find elsewhere.

We’re approaching summertime in Tuscaloosa which means things are heating up and the idea of staying indoors becomes less appealing with each passing day. To help you out we’ve created a list of some of our favorite restaurants in town that offer superb outdoor seating areas so you can enjoy the summer heat and thrilling atmospheres all day long.

1. Another Broken Egg Café

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat brunch while enjoying the nice breeze of an Alabama morning, Another Broken Egg is a great option! Located on the River Walk, Another Broken Egg offers a beautiful river view from its terrace. Scrumptious menu items such as omelets, waffles, sandwiches and black bean benedict are sure to send your taste buds into a craze.

2. Local Roots

Local Roots offers customers the full outdoor eating experience. The traveling food truck takes pride in serving southern food made from local ingredients. The food truck travels all over Tuscaloosa serving some of the most delicious burgers and tacos this city has to offer. You can find its weekly schedules online to find out where it will be located each day. Its most frequent location is in downtown Tuscaloosa and features picnic tables for assembling. This is the perfect way to enjoy delectable food and the beautiful scenery that is downtown Tuscaloosa.

3. Heat Pizza Bar

This one of a kind pizza place is a local favorite. Located on the first floor of the downtown parking garage, it has a distinctive outdoor seating area facing the communal lawn at the downtown plaza! The modern vibe and exclusive pizzas have proven to be a huge hit in Tuscaloosa. Heat provides a menu that features exclusive items such as the Thai Chicken and Reuben pizzas and a large list of specialty cocktails. This is the perfect place to enjoy a spontaneous lunch or casual dinner with a view and a cocktail!

4. River

Surrounded by the exquisite views of the Black Warrior River is Tuscaloosa’s newest trending restaurant, River! River offers a picturesque outdoor experience. It has areas for both lounging and eating on its outdoor terrace and features canopies and fire pits to enhance the already remarkable atmosphere. With chefs that cook up some of the best oysters, steaks, and flatbreads in town, River is the perfect place to enjoy all the perks that come with dining outdoors this season!

5. Taco Mama

If you have a job that requires you to sit inside on all of these beautiful Alabama summer days, Taco Mama is your perfect lunchtime escape! With one of the most popular patios in Tuscaloosa, Taco Mama is home to specialty tacos, burritos and quesadillas. If you’re feeling lively enough, you can even order one of Taco Mama’s specialty margaritas to accentuate your meal before returning to the office. As the experts at this taco bar say, “stay hungry and be thirsty!”

While a college town known for barbecue and big games may not sound like a place for healthy, athletic people, you’d be surprised to find just how active and healthy we can get here in the deep fried south. Tuscaloosa is a proudly named runners city with a plethora of trails and is home to some of the most flavorful healthy food in the state. With the Triathlon on the same day as Alabama Roots Fest, you’ll find the city in full swing with a buzzing downtown and live music from Robert Randolph and the Family Band in Government Plaza!

  1. Explore nature!

If you aren’t used to the springs in Alabama, you might not know that the outdoors can be immaculate in April, and this weekend will be no different. From Lake Nicol’s cliffs to Lake Lurleen’s sandy shores, you’ll feel at one with nature without having to go more than 20 minutes from downtown.

  1. Take some tea time!

Like any college town, we have an abundance of third wave coffee shops like Monarch or Heritage House that serve some fine brews, but for those who like the serenity of a fresh batch of tea or house-made kombucha, welcome to Tea Town. Located in historic downtown Northport, Tea Town started as a tea bike at our farmers market, then became the brick and mortar hang out for live poetry and original tea mixes.

  1. Pedal over to our bike shops!

Worried your bike needs some last minute repairs or just want to spend some quality shopping time? We have great local and regional stores to meet your needs.

Velocity Pro Cycle in Temerson Square is a fixture in our cycling community with events and races around town.

Queen City Cycles in Pinehurst is known for its quality care when it comes to bike repair. They are dedicated to the art of the bicycle, bringing a love that has really elevated the sport in our city.

Trek Bicycle Store is located in Midtown Village and offers Trek bikes and apparel along with repairs and maintenance. Perfect for those loyal to the Trek brand

  1. I can Escher you we have good art

We have such a thriving art scene in Tuscaloosa, from our growing gallery collections to our museums there’s more than enough art to go around. For some classical and historic works like original John Singer Sargent works to up and coming local artists there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Kentuck Art Center

Located in the historic district of downtown Northport, Kentuck dedicates themselves to nurturing our city’s art scene. With their recently renovated space, they have constantly changing exhibits and collections that you’ll find it rare to see the same thing twice. The art campus has over four buildings with free Wi-Fi to make a true art space that’s open to everyone. Hours are: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm

Tuscaloosa Museum of Art

A gift to the city by the late Jack Warner of the Westervelt Company, Mr. Warner was a true lover of the arts with his massive collection that he graciously donated to both his hometown and to a wing in the Met in New York, as well as his private collection in his home. The Tuscaloosa Museum of Art is on the Westervelt campus off of Jack Warner Parkway with a wide collection of original American art.

  1. Find a Foodie Oasis

We are not without some incredible eateries in Tuscaloosa beyond the standard southern classics. With new places popping up, there is always an exciting new element to our foodie scene.

Local Roots

Be on the look out or follow them on Twitter to see with this beloved food truck is going to be around town. With a dedication to great local food, they offer healthier choices with some flavorful salads to more indulgent delights like their crispy pork belly with rice buns.

Animal Butter

With options from hot chicken bao buns to their latest Japanese style pancake, there are exotic dishes inspired by the culinary world of international street food. One of their more popular dishes is their veggie burger that has people considering making the switch to living meatless with the savory treat.