A Nick Saban-Inspired Itinerary Filled with Things to do in Tuscaloosa
You know what they say… “All good things must come to an end.” And while we’re excited about this new era of welcoming Coach Kalen DeBoer to Tuscaloosa and to the Crimson Tide family, we can’t help but be a little in our feels about Coach Nick Saban’s retirement. So, what better way to pay a Tuscaloosa tribute to the GOAT than a Saban-themed trip to the town he and Ms. Terry have called home for 17 years?
Whether you’re local or coming in from out of town, this lineup is built for champions!
Since we’re celebrating the Saban’s, it’s only right we remind you of the option to stay at the hotel they have ownership in. Built in 2022, The Alamite is filled with elevated Crimson Tide touches.
Once you check in and settle into one of the 112 boutique guest rooms, you don’t even have to leave the property for dinner. The Alamite boasts two incredible restaurants guaranteed to please any palette.
If you’re feeling more of a casual, laid-back atmosphere we recommend hopping on the elevator to the rooftop bar Roll Call. You’ll find a thoughtfully curated menu of seasonal shareables and entrees. They often have live music you can enjoy while looking out over the Downtown Tuscaloosa skyline or towards the lights of Bryant Denny Stadium.
If you’re leaning toward a formal dining experience, you’ll love the Alamite’s house restaurant Forte Cuts and Cocktails. Forte seamlessly marries the charm of classic old-world European cuisine with the sophistication of a modern setting. Step into a world where timeless flavors meet contemporary elegance.
For music lovers, the newly renamed Mercedes – Benz Amphitheater doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. Shows are still being announced for the 2024 season. The music venue seats 7,470 along the Black Warrior River right next to the future location of The Saban Center, a first of its kind STEAM hub for education training, arts participation and academic support for teachers and families, opening in 2026.
If you’re an early riser like coach and want to start your process in the morning, we’ve got a breakfast spot that has never lost.
Opened in 1951, The Waysider is one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in all of west Alabama. You’ll need to bring your appetite and your patience to this local favorite. Crowds are known to gather early for the generous portions of hearty breakfast classics. If these walls could talk, they’d have quite some tales of Tuscaloosa. Another legendary Alabama football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, was known to dine on his favorite menu item, country ham, regularly at a particular table tucked away by the door.
Once your bellies are full, you might want to walk off some of that delicious breakfast with a stroll along the Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. There are several social media worthy photo opportunities here. You’ll definitely want your picture made with the 2,000-pound bronze statue of Nick Saban along the Coaches Walk. This is the site where students and fans brought tokens of their appreciation in the days following his retirement announcement.
The University of Alabama hosts student-guided stadium tours most days at 11:00 a.m. For $25.00 per person, you can get a first-hand look at the game day experience from the perspectives of coaches and players.
To truly understand Alabama Football, you’ll need to go back in time to long before Nick Saban stepped on campus. Paul “Bear” Bryant coached at The Capstone from 1958-1982. He is considered by many, including Coach Saban, to be one of the greatest football coaches of all time. To celebrate his legacy, The University of Alabama houses the Paul W. Bryant Museum, complete with six exhibits that highlight the university’s sports successes. Bryant won a record 323 career games and six national championships.
By this point, you’ll probably have worked your appetite back up. Don’t worry, we’re not sending you far. Located in the shadows of Bryant- Denny Stadium, sits one of the most iconic restaurants in Title Town. If a Crimson Tide football museum and a classic diner had a baby, it would be Rama Jama’s. Alabama sports memorabilia hangs, sits and stands on every wall, ceiling and surface in sight. You’ll walk away from this place with not only a fantastic meal, but also more knowledge of one of the most storied sports programs in the country. You might have to play a little defense depending on the crowd, but the food and experience is well worth the wait. We recommend having the National Championship BLT. It has 18 strips of bacon on it, one for each Crimson Tide national title.
While you’re close by, you might as well hit up another UA staple if you’re up for a boozy beverage. Just down a stretch of campus known as “The Strip,” sits a bar famous on its own. Gallettes is home of The Yellowhammer—and we’re not talking about the state bird. This drink is a blend of rum, vodka, amaretto, orange juice and pineapple juice. While it is delicious, we don’t recommend having too many. They’ll sneak up on you… and we’ve got a lot more Saban celebrating to do!
For afternoon activities, we have a few different plays in our playbook.
Coach Saban has been known to spend time with his players off the field and on the water. That’s right…. the GOAT on a boat! Several videos have gone viral of coach captaining his pontoon while relaxing with several of his players on board. Lake Tuscaloosa is the perfect place to tube, waterski, wake board and sight see. No boat? No problem. You can rent vessels from Pier 43 or one of Tuscaloosa’s newest attractions Captain’s Club.
If the water isn’t for you, and perhaps you have little ones with you on your trip, the Sabans thought of that too. During their time in Tuscaloosa, they’ve donated funds through their nonprofit Nick’s Kids Foundation to create two new playgrounds for children of various ages. One is located on the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, and you can find Mason’s Place, an all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities, at Sokol Park.
If you’re looking to volunteer while you’re in Title Town, here’s a unique way to say you helped the Saban’s build their dynasty, literally. Coach and Ms. Terry have sponsored 20 Habitat for Humanity homes in this community since an EF-4 tornado destroyed much of Tuscaloosa in 2011. Hours after Coach Saban’s retirement announcement, Habitat confirmed the Sabans would sponsor one last home to commemorate the Tide’s latest SEC championship win against the Georgia Bulldogs. This home is known as the LANK House (Let All Naysayers Know). If you’d like to volunteer your time to help with this historic build, you can visit habitattuscaloosa.org/volunteer.
Regardless of how you spend your afternoon in Tuscaloosa, we think you’ll love ending your day on a sweet note. River is a restaurant favorite here locally. Living true to its name, this urban dining experience is located on the beautiful banks of the Black Warrior River. If you really want to tip your hat to Coach Saban, order his all-time favorite treat, the Oatmeal Crème Pie. This delicious dessert is a made from scratch buttercream filling sandwiched between two warm oatmeal cookies. Is your mouth watering yet?
As you can tell, the Saban’s have done a whole lot more for our city than just win a lot of football games. They’ve helped weave the fabric of this community by giving, serving and building a legendary legacy here. Although Coach Saban is stepping off the field, he and his family are continuing to leave their mark on Tuscaloosa.
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The road to Alabama’s eighteenth football national championship begins this beautiful spring weekend in Tuscaloosa at Bryant-Denny Stadium! The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater will be hosting Chris Young on Thursday night and Casting Crowns on Friday night. There are plenty of family events happening this weekend such as the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre’s presentation of “Peter Pan, Jr” and the Alabama Football Spring A-Day game. Get out and enjoy a fun-filled weekend in the One and Only.
Chris Young at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
If you’re a country music fan you don’t want to miss Thursday night at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Chris Young’s “Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour” is making a stop in Tuscaloosa, and he is bringing special guests Kane Brown, Morgan Evans and Dee Jay Silver with him. The show begins at 7:30 pm, and it’s going to be one of the best shows of the spring! You can get in the door right now for $37, so purchase your ticket from www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com before they are all gone!
Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre presents “Peter Pan, Jr.”
Based on the Disney film and J.M. Barrie’s enchanting play, Disney’s Peter Pan JR. is a modern version of the timeless tale about a boy who wouldn’t grow up… with no flying required! The score includes new arrangements of classic Disney songs and a story featuring one rousing adventure after another. Wendy Darling loves to tell stories to her brothers, Michael and John. But when her father announces she must move out of the nursery, Peter Pan comes to visit the children and whisks them away to Neverland. Their journey introduces them to the Lost Boys, Mermaids, Indians and even the infamous pirate, Captain Hook! It’s Peter to the rescue when Wendy is taken captive by the dreaded captain, who has his own sinister plans in mind for our hero. There are multiple times that you can catch this presentation at the Bama Theatre. The times are Friday 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Come out and show your support for the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre.
Casting Crowns at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Chris Young isn’t the only artist playing the Amp this weekend. Casting Crowns will be back in town at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Friday night for their “Very Next Thing” tour performing soulful praise and worship music. They will be joined by special guest “I Am They.” The concert begins at 7:00 pm. Visit www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com to purchase tickets.
Alabama Football’s A-Day Spring Game
The 2018 Golden Flake A-Day Spring Football Game will be played on Saturday, April 21, at 1 p.m. The annual A-Day Game is the 15th and final practice of the spring and takes place at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Admission will once again be free to the public. After the scrimmage, you will have the chance to go onto the football and walk around or take pictures. Some of the other highlights of A-Day include the Walk of Fame ceremony, where the 2017 captains will set their hands and cleats in cement at Denny Chimes and an alumni flag football game with former star players. A-Day is the perfect family event, so come out and support the Crimson Tide as they begin their road to number eighteen.
Beans and Brews Crawfish Boil to benefit Habitat for Humanity
UPerk and Loosa Brews are partnering for a family-friendly crawfish boil featuring local bands, artists, and artisans to benefit the Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity. The crawfish boil is on Saturday at 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, so make plans to swing by after the A-Day game for some crawfish and to support this wonderful organization that does so much for the Tuscaloosa community.
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It’s time for another great weekend in Tuscaloosa. Get out and enjoy the last few days of D.A.T.E. Week at many local restaurants, florists, and jewelers. After your date, you can head downtown to catch Backup Planet with Space Phunk Express and Zoofunkyou at Green Bar and Corey Smith at Druid City Music Hall. Finish off the weekend by heading over to Coleman Coliseum to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Oklahoma Sooners. You don’t want to miss this weekend in the One and Only.
Corey Smith at Druid City Music Hall
Corey Smith is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist that is no stranger to Tuscaloosa. He is back again with special guest Hudson Moore Thursday night, Jan. 25, at Druid City Music Hall. He knows how to put on a show so make sure you grab a ticket before they are gone. The concert begins at 8:30 pm with doors opening at 7:30 pm.
D.A.T.E. Week
D.A.T.E. Week 2018 is coming to a close, but you still have two more days to take your special someone out on the town. This week has been a blast, but Friday night, Jan. 26 is the last day of this year’s D.A.T.E. week. Head to https://www.ttowndateweek.com to get a complete list of participating restaurants, florists, babysitting services, and venues.
Backup Planet with Space Phunk Express at Green Bar
Backup Planet is a progressive funk-rock band out of Nashville, TN. They tour all over the United States and they are making a stop in Tuscaloosa. They will be accompanied Friday night, Jan. 26, by Space Phunk Express. The music begins at 10:30 pm and doors open at 8 pm.
Zoofunkyou at Green Bar
Green Bar just keeps rolling with great music all weekend long! Zoofunkyou is a psychedelic mix featuring Chicago blues, soul, funk and melodic lyric. They will be ready to rock Saturday night, Jan. 27, at 10:30 pm with doors opening at 8 pm. This band will have you wanting to get up and dance.
Alabama Men’s Basketball v. Oklahoma Sooners
Collin Sexton and the Crimson Tide will be back in town Saturday, Jan. 27, to face possibly the best player in the country in Trae Young the Oklahoma Sooners. The tide tips off at 1:15 p.m., so grab some tickets off of StubHub and head to Coleman Coliseum because this sold-out matchup is going to have a Final Four atmosphere.
It’s a weekend of music, sports, and celebrating in the City of Champions. Band of Brothers hosts award-winning blues artist Diedra the Alabama Blues Queen, Alabama men’s and women’s basketball play conference games, and the football team’s national title celebration will take place on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Also, Monday brings with it a special event unique to Tuscaloosa. It’s D.A.T.E. Week! Check out the info below so you can plan your weekend accordingly. The weather is even going to warm up so you can get out and have some fun after this cold spell, so we know you’re itching to get out and get down.
Diedre The Alabama Blues Queen at Band of Brothers Brewing Company | Friday, January 19 | 7:00-10:00
Diedra The Alabama Blues Queen is a 15-time Blues Award Winning and Nominated International Artist and a 2014 International Blues Challenge Finalist. Together with her band that includes husband and Alabama Blues Hall of Fame member Keithen Ruff, she belts out blues hits like “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Battered Wild Food Truck will be on site, so you can grab a nice local brew, listen to the best blues around, and grub!
Alabama Men’s Basketball vs. Mississippi State | Saturday, January 20 | 7:30
The Tide iced the hottest team in the country on Wednesday when they snapped Auburn’s 14-game winning streak behind John Petty’s 27 points on eight three-pointers. Alabama now has a nice 4-game winning streak of their own, and look to keep it rolling against Mississippi State on Saturday. Come out and see this special Tide squad before these Freshmen go pro!
Alabama Women’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt | Sunday, January 21 | 2:00
At 13-5 through eighteen games, Alabama is having a great year under 5th-year coach Kristy Curry. Most impressive is the Tide’s 9-1 record in Coleman Coliseum so far. Come see as the squad continues its climb to the top of the conference against Vanderbilt on Sunday. If you enjoy winning, you can’t miss this Alabama team at home. General Admission (All Ages) is $5, so don’t miss out.
D.A.T.E Week | January 22-26
We have a special event for you beginning Monday of next week (1/22). It’s D.A.T.E Week! Local businesses will have special promotions on Diamonds, Arrangements, Tastes, and Entertainment (D.A.T.E.). Your SO would love some pretty flowers and a nice dinner out. Or perhaps they would love to do something fun with you like attend a chocolate making class, a wine pairing, or mixology class. All of this is going on and more during D.A.T.E Week! Visit our website TtownDateWeek.com for a full list of participating locations and start planning your special night out today!
Have a blast in the City of Champions this weekend, and check out visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for more upcoming events!
LSU weekend is always a special weekend in Tuscaloosa, and this year is no different. There are tons of exciting things to do beginning on Friday at 5:30 with Tuscaloosa’s First Friday Art Walk. Due to the success of the entertainment district the past few weekends, it will once again be in effect on Friday and Saturday from 9am-10pm each day. So get out, grab a drink, and explore the shops and art galleries that Tuscaloosa has to offer while you’re in town for the game.
Tuscaloosa’s local art scene comes alive on Friday night for the First Friday Art Walk. Experience the vibrant Tuscaloosa downtown area with drink-in-hand as you visit Harrison Galleries, the Paul R. Jones Gallery, O’Connor Art Studio and more! Check out the First Friday website and map your personalized art crawl. You may even stumble on an original Salvador Dali like we did!
Alabama has its biggest home game of the season on Saturday night when the 19th-ranked LSU Tigers come to town. Alabama is a 21-point favorite, but this is a rivalry where truly anything can happen. Alabama has beaten LSU six games in a row –including the national title game in 2011 – and LSU will once again be looking for revenge under the lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised by CBS.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to brew your own beer? Join Band of Brothers Brewing on November 4th at 1: 00 p.m. when The American Homebrew Association will be on site for Homebrew day! Learn to Homebrew Day brings together thousands of people from all over the world, and we encourage anyone who enjoys beer—from brewing beginners and hobbyists to professionals, to get involved,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association.
The Children’s Hands-On Museum always has something for the kids on Saturday, and this weekend is no different. Join them for River Discovery Days Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as “Riverboat John” Ferguson performs with songs and stories about life on the River! Kids will learn about careers on the river, how to be a Captain, Navigator, Deckhand and more as they trace U.S. rivers, learning and having fun along the way.
Alabama football isn’t the only sport in action this weekend. Come cheer on the Alabama volleyball team as they take on Georgia Sunday at noon. The Tide are looking to bounce back from a loss to Auburn against a good Georgia team that they’ve already beaten once this season, so it’s a good opportunity to get their mojo back. The match will be in historic Foster Auditorium which is a great venue to watch Crimson Tide volleyball.
We have tons going on during the upcoming holiday season, so make sure to check out our great upcoming events and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!
Also, check out our Gameday Fashion Blog for some great places around town to pick up your perfect gameday outfit.