It’s the season for graduations & get-togethers & other good reasons for a northwest-Alabama road trip. If you’re headed to any of MSNHA’s six counties, you’ll want these recommendations from MSNHA staffers for the best eateries, shopping & photo ops. We’re all local folks who know our communities’ hidden treasures—and we’re sharing with you! Check back often for more tips & hidden treasures.
Best restaurants—
- For dining with kids, MSNHA grants administrator Emily Rhodes recommends Rosie’s Mexican Cantina, in downtown Florence; and The Pie Factory, Muscle Shoals & downtown Florence. Bonus: Outdoor seating is perfect for youngsters who haven’t mastered the “don’t-bother-other-people” part of eating in public.
- For date night, Rhodes suggests Yumm, a quietly elegant sushi & Thai restaurant, and Odette, which serves upscale locally- and sustainably-sourced American dishes. Both are in downtown Florence & both have bars offering outstanding adult beverages.
- For entertaining out-of-town company, Rhodes heads to Rattlesnake Saloon, in Tuscumbia–the only MSNHA restaurant in a cave. Your visitors will be impressed.
Best brewery–
- Singin’ River Brewery Co., in Florence, offers the best local brews, Rhodes says. Tip: Check the website for hours & events before you go.
Best coffee —
- BLANK is where MSNHA graduate assistant Julia McGee goes for the perfect coffee experience. “I love BLANK,” she says. “They have coffees and their ice is made from coffee, too, so if you get an iced coffee, it does not water down your drink when it melts!! They also have records and comics you can sit and read while there. It’s a very nice atmosphere.”
Best hiking–
- Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, a privately owned 700-acre natural scenic site in Colbert County’s Little River area, is Rhodes’ favorite spot for enjoying the outdoors. Tip: Check the About section of the Facebook page & the preserve rules on the website before you go.
Best historic site–
- The most popular place for tourists in the MSNHA–and Rhodes’ top choice, too– is Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s birthplace, in Tuscumbia. Although most locals take it for granted, Ivy Green attracts visitors from around the world. Tip: Reserve seats for “The Miracle Worker,” performed on site during the summer. The experience of watching Keller’s inspiring story unfold on the exact spot where it actually happened is not-to-be-missed.
Best music site–
- While the MSNHA features several sites focusing on northwest Alabama’s musical heritage, Rhodes recommends FAME Studios, in Muscle Shoals. FAME produced dozens of hits & award-winners. Words painted over the studio doorway say it best: “Through these doors walk the finest musicians, songwriters, artists, and producers in the world.” Tip: Check the website for tour info.
Best Native American site–
- Tom Hendrix, who died in 2017 at age 83, spent years building & maintaining a stone wall in memory of his Yuchi great-great-grandmother. Mary Hipp (aka Te-lah-nay) walked back to Lauderdale County after she was forcibly removed, along with other Native Americans, in the 1830s. Located in a wooded area near the Natchez Trace, Tom’s Wall also is Rhodes’ favorite quiet spot for some peaceful contemplation. Tip: Visit the website for directions & hours.
Best Tennessee River photo op–
- “I’m thinking the little waterfall next to Wilson Dam, here in Florence,” McGee says. “It’s very peaceful during the day and at sunset.”
- McFarland Park, operated by Florence Parks & Recreation, is Rhodes’ go-to spot to capture the river’s breathtaking scenery.
Best shopping–
- Rhodes recommends downtown Tuscumbia for the best day-long shopping trip; Alabama Chanin (online or at flagship store The Factory, in Florence) for the best locally produced items; and makers collective Studio 23, in Florence, for best choice of locally made gifts.
Got other recommendations to share? Drop them in the comments below.
