As a local native of the Shoals area, I’ve rounded up my favorite spots, eats, and hidden gems in North Alabama. Whether it’s live music, tasty bites, or scenic adventures, this is your go-to guide for exploring like a local!
Map
Sections
4
Attractions
Eats
Bars
Thrifting
Attractions
Chris Stapleton, Lana del Ray, Cher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more have stepped foot into this studio and recorded magic. Hearing the history of the place is fascinating!
Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Local legend, Helen Keller, was born and raised in Tuscumbia. You can see and touch the famous water fountain where she learned to spell W-A-T-E-R. Also, “The Miracle Worker”, a play about Anne Sullivan and Helen is performed at Ivy Green every June ...
Great place to visit especially if you have kids! They show you all of the cool rockets and things that were built in Huntsville and all science and space related things. Plus, their planetarium is so cool.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The waterfall is so pretty— and it’s one of the largest man-made. The park has a playground, carousel, and train that rides all of the way around the park!
Spring Park - Tuscumbia
“Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers” Tour the iconic FAME Recording Studios where legends like The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, and more have recorded some of the most iconic music that is still known today.
Fame Recording Studios
Eats
A great local place to dine. They have everything from steak, chicken, seafood, and pizza. Their dessert bar is fabulous and their Sweet Chili Chicken Tenders, Delmonico, and salad bar are incredible.
Stanfield’s Eatery
Best ravioli ever!!
Ricatoni's Italian Grill - Florence
Low-key lunch or dinner spot with amazing fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, chicken livers, and chicken stew.
Champy's
Ever had dinner in a tower? That rotates? Check out 360 Grille and experience the Shoals— all of it— from your dinner table. The floor rotates 360° to give you a full view of the Shoals and beautiful Tennessee River.
360 Grille
No rattlesnakes, but a pretty cool saloon located under a cave.
Rattlesnake Saloon
Dinner on a boat!
River Bottom Grille By Stanfield's
Great ice cream and chicken salad! Feels like you are stepping back in time when you dine.
Palace Ice Cream & Sandwich
Great little ice cream and sandwich shop! So cutie. It is also supposedly haunted
Trowbridge's Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop
Bars
Pretty cool place. They usually have live music. It can get pretty packed on the weekend!
On The Rocks
Great place for a good drink and live music! Their ribs are pretty good too
