Location: Tuscaloosa
Top Things to do in Tuscaloosa
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What to do and see in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (AL): The Best Specialty Museums
Tuscaloosa (/tʌskəˈluːsə/ TUSK-ə-LOO-sə) is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama (in the southeastern United States). Located on the Black Warrior River at the Atlantic Seaboard fall line of the Piedmont, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with an estimated population of 99,543 in 2016.
Restaurants in Tuscaloosa
1. Bryant Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By 22clintd - Rome, United States
Our high school basketball from (GA) came to watch a Bama basketball game and I had to bring the guys by the museum to see some of the history of Alabama football! To begin, all of our coaches were allowed free entrance for bringing a large group in. I believe normal admission price is $1. Our guys really enjoyed seeing the history of Alabama football. They also were giving away some older National Championship car tags as well. Of course our guys had to get some! Every time I’ve been here it seems they are giving something away! If you are a fan of college football in the least bit, you must make this a must see if in town! It is definitely worth your time!
2. Mercedes-Benz US International Visitor Center/Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
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.
Reviewed By kariesue
I tried to arrange a tour before our trip, the website was not very helpful so upon calling I discovered by a recording that they have tours only 2 days a week and that they were booked for the whole month! Other reviews stated that the visitors center was worth a visit so we went anyway and as we were there on a tour day, we asked if anybody had failed to show up for their tour. It turned out they had room for the 2 of us on a tour. It was $5 each. A bus took us to the plant from the visitor center and everyone had a head set so we could hear the guide. We were also giving safety glasses. There was a lot of walking but it was so interesting getting to actually walk through the plant while listening to the narrative of our informative guide.You can't take photographs and there is a security guard that also accompanies the tour as there are fork lifts, bicycles and other hazards all around. Tour lasted a little over an hour and there was time for questions on the bus ride back.
3. Paul W. Bryant Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
Museum dedicated to the famous football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Reviewed By PoppaLoppa - Dothan, United States
This was the second time I visited the museum and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had updated quite a bit in the short time between visits. While it is called the Paul W. Bryant Museum it actually showcases everything football related from The University of Alabama. There are game balls and trophy’s dating back many, many decades. There is an interactive display for searching stats about players and whole Crimson Tide teams from throughout the years. This attraction is worth the time and an absolute bargain for the price of admission!
4. The Old Tavern Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
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.
Reviewed By Explorer704812
Had a great afternoon adventure touring the Old Tavern and the Capitol Park next door with my mom and sister! The Old Tavern was full of historical tidbits and knock knacks. We learned a lot about Tuscaloosa’s early history and place in the Alabama political realm too. Loved this picture of my sister next to the much smaller clothes and shoes of someone from the 1800’s!
5. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
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.
6. Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
7. Murphy-Collins House & African-American Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
