Located in the heart of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa is a vibrant community that’s filled with legendary history. Home to the renowned Stillman College and located along the Black Warrior River, you’ll find a walkable Downtown that’s complete with live music, outdoor spaces to explore, and local restaurants to meet every palate. Not too big. Not too small. It’s how we roll.
The close proximity to the river offers unlimited opportunities for boating, fishing and water sports. As a college city, Tuscaloosa is known for its energy with hundreds of shops, restaurants, historical sites, museums and parks. The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater draws some of the biggest names in music each year.
University Boulevard is the mother road of Tuscaloosa. Stretching from Capitol Park, Past the University of Alabama, to the Arboretum. This main street holds a rich history and a wealth of sights to stroll along. In Downtown, the walk from the Federal Courthouse, to the Capitol park holds much of Tuscaloosa. This 17 minute walk takes you past some of our One & Only storefronts, eateries, and attractions. Stumble beyond University Blvd, either way takes you deeper into Tuscaloosa. To the North between Greensboro and 22nd Ave, is Temerson Square. The back alley style district is home to downtowns thriving food and bar scene. To the South you’ll find 6th street, where Government Plaza anchors the street and its sights. Head South on Greensboro Ave, and you’ll find the Bama theatre, great shopping, and Dining along the Avenue.
The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater sits beautifully on 15 acres amidst the banks of the Black Warrior River. Located only minutes away from the University of Alabama campus and blocks from the lively downtown district, the Amphitheater is the largest outdoor theater in West Alabama and a premier location for arts and entertainment. With a 7,470 capacity, the beautifully landscaped Tuscaloosa Amphitheater provides patrons with a unique, affordable opportunity to see their favorite concert or event. The Amphitheater is not the only option for programming. The open-air theater is connected to the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, offering additional space for community gatherings that incorporate park benches, picnic areas, three miles of striped pedestrian/bicycle trails, pavilions and an interactive fountain.
Midtown Village, a premier destination for visitors and a gathering place for the community since 2007. Simply stated, Midtown Village is the hub of Tuscaloosa, where everything comes together.
With stylish shops and cuisine choices, you can quench your thirst for the newest fashion trends while satisfying your appetite at one of many delightfully delicious restaurants and cafés. Midtown Village offers something for all tastes and ages in a delightful outdoor environment.
Enjoy the convenience of one-stop shopping and dining where everything is just a few steps away! From national retailers like Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Nike Factory Store and Old Navy, to well-known restaurants like Longhorn Steakhouse and Panera Bread, to chic boutiques like Charming Charlie and Chicos, Midtown Village fulfills your every shopping and dining need.
Lake Tuscaloosa is a reservoir in west-central Alabama, created by damming North River. It was constructed to provide water for Tuscaloosa residents and for industrial use as well. It was completed in 1970 at a cost of about $7,725,000. Since it is located just north of Tuscaloosa and Northport, the lake is also very popular for recreational activities.
Lake Tuscaloosa was constructed in response to the rising population of Tuscaloosa, which began to consume more water than its two current reservoirs, Harris Lake and Lake Nicol, could provide.
The Riverwalk is an excellent paved trail along the southern bank of the Black Warrior River near downtown Tuscaloosa. The path is divided by a painted line making a distinct two way road for walkers and bikers.
Riverwalk Bridge
There are a variety of park areas that are all dog friendly sprinkled along the trail. The pathway has plenty of benches, gazebos & hammock-friendly trees for quick breaks and picnics. The trail also provides a playground near the Public Library and a splash pad at the Bama Bell dock for the kids. The trail is well lighted with street lamps lining the trail.
Though expanding, the present entire length is approximately 4.5 miles, starting at Capitol Park on the western end and ending at a gazebo on the East side of Manderson Landing. It is 4.2 miles if you start at the Amphitheater loop, where you can use the ample parking that venue offers.
The Bama Theatre is a historic theatre located in downtown Tuscaloosa surrounded by restaurants and night life. The theatre has been a Tuscaloosa feature since 1938 and continues as a venue for entertainment and art. The Bama Theatre is managed by The Arts Council and features the Bama Art House Film Series, Acoustic Nights, concerts and performances from local arts organizations.
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center (DWCAC) is located in the former Allen & Jemison Co. Hardware building located on the corner of 7th Street and Greensboro Avenue on the same block as the Historic Bama Theatre. Managed by the Arts Council, the DWCAC is a hub of arts and cultural activity in the City of Tuscaloosa and provides Downtown Tuscaloosa with valuable gathering space where artists, educators, and community members can come together to work, meet, rehearse, create, and experience art together. The DWCAC houses the Alabama Power Grand Hall and the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa Black Box Theatre which provides the perfect space for exciting performances by our cultural community as well as a beautiful scene for social events through our private event rentals. The DWCAC also participates in the monthly First Friday events and art walk that take place on the first Friday of the month in downtown Tuscaloosa. Local galleries, businesses, and restaurants are open in the evening for the community to experience what downtown Tuscaloosa has to offer.
The downtown portion of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail focuses on events surrounding “Bloody Tuesday.” On Tuesday, June 9, 1964, one year after Gov. George C. Wallace, Jr.’s “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” at the University of Alabama failed to block the arrival of two black students, a group of peaceful citizens gathered at the First African Baptist Church to march to the new courthouse in protest of its segregated features. Ignoring warnings not to march by local law enforcement, hundreds followed the leader of the movement in Tuscaloosa and pastor of First African, Rev. T. Y Rogers, Jr., and hit the streets. They didn’t get very far. Police and members of the Ku Klux Klan attacked the marchers as they spilled out of the church, swinging night clubs and cattle prods and firing tear gas into the church itself. Many of the wounded were treated at the nearby Howard- Linton Barbershop. Thirty-three were sent to Druid City Hospital; ninety-four were arrested and jailed. All charges were subsequently dismissed, but no formal apologies were ever issued.
For more information about the city of Tuscaloosa visit visittuscaloosa.com.
Stillman College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
