10 Museums in Tuscaloosa That You Shouldn't Miss

Built in 1835, this historic home has been a fixture of Tuscaloosa for close to 200 years. Drop by to learn more about the families that lived in this home, their accomplishments, and their influences on the city of Tuscaloosa and its history. The home is open to the public for tours five days a week. Entry for tours is free of charge, however donations to the Preservation Society are much appreciated. Tours start at 2:30pm on Tuesdays-Saturdays. Group Tours (10 or more) are also available through appointment. The Battle-Friedman House and its sprawling lawn and formal gardens are also the perfect setting for your next wedding, party, meeting, or family get-together. Inside the home, a foyer, two parlors, and a dining room are available for event use. Outside the home, there are several garden lawns as well as the front porch portico for perfect for events and photo shoots.

The only of its kind outside of Germany, this vistor center has exhibits on the history of the Mercedes-Benz and offers tours of a manufacturing plant.

Museum dedicated to the famous football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Welcome to the Children's Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa! CHOM, where children Explore, Create and Discover every time they visit. Learning through play is what our exhibits are about, and you're encouraged to touch, feel and play your way through our award winning museum. In 26 exhibit areas we offer newborns through age 13 a fabulous place just for them! Exhibits, birthday party spaces, daily programs and activities, events, holiday celebrations and curriculum specific field trips all wait for you at CHOM! Visit soon - join over 78,000 guests each year who know we're the BEST for family fun! CHOM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and we've provided dynamic learning experiences for 33 years.

The Old Tavern was built in 1827 on Broad Street, now University Blvd., in downtown Tuscaloosa as it became the Capitol of Alabama. The Old Tavern was saved from demolishing and the building of the Hugh Thomas Bridge in 1966 when a group of citizens formed to move the Tavern from its old location on University Blvd. to Capital Park where now resides. The Tavern not only served as a place for early prominent politicians of the State to bed, but also as a gathering spot for their families and others as it was a major stop on stagecoach lines. The Old Tavern is of French design and stands apart from early Alabama architecture in the State. The first floor features gathering areas for guests where meetings could take place as well as a common dining area. The second floor has bedrooms for guests and a small area for gatherings. The Old Tavern offers free museum tours five times a week and boasts a small event space for 20-40 guests.

Free Tours Offered Tuesday-Saturday at 3:30pm. The Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion (constructed 1852-1862) was one of the last and most elaborate great houses to be built in Alabama before the devastation of the American Civil War. The mansion has had many families call it home over the past century and a half, including senators, lawyers, and physicists. It was even home to the Tuscaloosa Public Library for a time. The home was purchased by the Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation in the late 1990's and restored fully to its 1862 original glory. It is now a pristine historical museum open to the public for tours and available for rent for events.