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Things To Do
Helen Keller Birth Place
From the Crazy Tourist website: Helen Keller lost her vision and hearing at a young age through scarlet fever, but incredibly, she still learned to read and speak. Her home ‘Ivy Green’ is located in Tuscumbia, across the Tennessee River. Take a guided tour of her family homestead, visit the famous well-pump where she learned over 600 words in under a year. During the summer months visitors can see the play ‘The Miracle Worker’ re-enacted in the grounds of ‘Ivy Green’, and an annual festival is held in the city to commemorate her achievements in educating and improving situations for deaf and blind people worldwide
Fame Recording Studios
From the Crazy Tourist Site: FAME Studios were founded by Billy Sherrill, Tom Stafford and Rick Hall in 1959, however it in was the mid-1960s that the studios, housed in a former tobacco warehouse, really began to prosper. With legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Rolling Stones and Percy Sledge recording at the studios, it soon became one of the hottest music spots in the Alabama. It was one of the only music studios at the time which invited all races to record in a safe place in perfect harmony. Nashville producers would drive their talent two hours south to Muscle Shoals, hearing of its reputation and welcoming atmosphere. By the 1990s, everyone who was everyone in blues, soul, R&B and country music had recorded at the Muscle Shoals FAME studios, or had some involvement with their founders.
W C Handy Museum
From the Crazy Tourist site: Fans of Rhythm and Blues should not pass up a trip to W.C. Handy’s House in Florence. This understated wooden cabin was once home to William Christopher Handy, Father of the Blues. Today, it showcases a collection of his memorabilia, his famous piano and hand-written music scores. Handy would travel throughout the Mississippi Delta to gain inspiration for his unique sound. You can join him on his journey to cotton plantations and inns and follow him to Memphis Tennessee where he played music in clubs along Beale Street. Get into the mood prior to your visit by listening to some of his greatest hits – St. Louis Blues, Memphis Blues and Beale Street Blues.
Frank Lloyd Wright - Rosenbaum House Museum
From the Crazy Tourist: Take a tour of the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed property in Alabama. The Rosenbaum’s former home is a superb example of the architect’s Usonian house – a stylish, moderately priced property for the middle classes. It was one of the first examples of this design and is one of just 26 pre-World War II Usonian houses.The museum also displays some of Lloyd Wright’s original designer furniture.
Pope's Tavern Museum
From the Crazy Tourist site: Popes Tavern hosts a wealth of history, from originally serving as an inn and stagecoach stop, to being converted into a hospital during the American Civil War. The hospital is well-known for helping to heal soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies. Pope’s Tavern Museum houses a plethora of antiques, plus a range of interesting Civil War artifacts. If you’re a fan of American military history, Pope’s Tavern is a must visit.
360 Grille
From Visit Florence Al site: Experience fine dining in a unique atmosphere. 360 Grille located at Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa is the only revolving restaurant in the state of Alabama. Guests can take in the incredible views of the lakes and the Tennessee River Valley while enjoying an extraordinary dining event with friends or for a special occasion. 360 Grille is a Four Diamond restaurant and has received numerous accolades from Wine Spectator Magazine for the extensive wine list and delectable food pairings. 360 Grille is the perfect place for your special night. Dine Overlooking the Tennessee River
Spa at the Shoals
Services, Treatments and Amenities Body scrub, Couple's Massage, Eye Treatments, FacialsHair & scalp treatments, In-suite massage, Makeup Services, Manicures/pedicures, Massages, Men's services, Paraffin hand treatments, Separate Men's & Women's Lounges, Steam room, Waxing
Miami Ice
With our hot July temperatures in North Alabama, this place is a must for a cool, sweet treat! Their flavor combinations are amazing and the names of their flavors are very clever. They are located right next-door to Lawlers barbecue in Killen, AL. Do not miss visiting the spot!
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center regularly features traveling exhibits from around the world. Learn about the development of the space shuttle program, examine military hardware in our Team Redstone exhibit, challenge yourself on our Mars Climbing Wall, race against the clock on the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge course, experience a motion-based flight simulation on board HyperShip, and experience the Red Planet in our Mars Play Station. Also attend a presentation in our model of NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center and tour through two International Space Station modules as a part of the "ISS: Science on Orbit" exhibit. Enjoy The Live Science interactive presentations that introduce scientific principles, historic information and astronomical facts in 15-minute demonstrations. Finally, enjoy immersive astronomy shows, live entertainment and exciting theater experiences in the state-of-the-art INTUITIVE® Planetarium.
Point Mallard Park
This fabulous park, 19 miles south of Athens, is perfect for a family day out. Home of America’s First Wave Pool, several flume slides and a scenic lagoon, you can splash around and soak up the sun from dawn till dusk. If you don’t want to engage in anything too energetic, you have options too. Simply float along the Lazy River, relax on the man-made beach or head to the picnic pavilions for something to eat and drink.
Spring Park
Spring Park is located in downtown Tuscumbia, just south of the central business district. Spring Park consists of a large spring forming a lake which supplies the city's drinking water; a two story open air shelter; several single story shelters; public restrooms; large playground area: open space areas; off-street parking; BBQ grills, lights, and power outlets. Located inside Spring Park is Cold Water Falls, the world's largest man-made natural stone waterfall to be known in existence. The lake features a memorial water fountain dedicated to the memory of Princess Im-Mi-Ah-Key the wife of Chief Tuscumbia. There are 51 jets that make up the fountain. The center jet shoots water in excess of 100 feet into the air and the other 50-shoot water 40-50 feet into the air. All jets are choreographed to lights and music. There are carnival style rides for the children such as a merry-go-round, small roller coaster, and kiddie train. The ducks and geese are a big hit with the younger children.
Sparkey's Drive Inn
This restaurant is designed for drive-through and carry out but there are a few seats inside, primarily for waiting. Sparky's is an historic restaurant in the area and has been family owned for a very long time. The menu includes catfish, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries, etc. I have tried the hot dog with chili and fried catfish. The chili dog was tasty and the fish was flaky, hot, moist, and delicious. Sparky's has been doing good business for a very long time, which is a good sign that the locals really like it. The owners and folks who work there are super friendly and helpful.