Guide to Tuscaloosa - Do, See & Eat in Title Town!

Guide to Tuscaloosa - Do, See, and Eat in Title Town

Tuscaloosa, Alabama is home to the state university - The University of Alabama. Maybe you have heard of it, maybe you haven't. We have a pretty good football team, which happens to be coached by the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time), Nick Saban. We also are pretty good at other sports; like basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, swimming & diving, etc. I mean our cheerleaders just won a National Championship!

Aside from being the greatest college in the state of Alabama (sorry alma mater you're a college, not a university, so I can say it), there are many things to do, see, and eat in this great town! I'm going to break down all of these things for you - so you don't have to scroll through TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google reviews, and lengthy articles looking for places you should go! There are some places that I haven't personally been to, but have come highly recommended by my sister (who currently attends the greatest University) & family!

- DO -

Attend an Alabama Football Game -

Of course, this is going to be the first thing I mention. There is NOTHING like going to an Alabama football game in the fall. There are so many people tailgating all around the campus and city throughout the day. The first time you walk up those spirals to ultimately reveal a breathtaking view of Bryant-Denny Stadium is something you will not forget. Walking to find your seat is so hard because you are so focused on the field and the view rather than finding your seat.

The sights and sounds of Bryant-Denny will forever echo in my head. The chills that run down your arms when you hear "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard are so surreal. Watching the Crimson Tide led by Nick Saban run out of the tunnel to "Thunderstruck" by ACDC is literally sending chills down my arms as I type this. The coolest, most bada** tradition (IMO) of any college football team is hearing everyone in the stadium shout the lyrics (and backup lyrics) to "Dixieland Delight" by Alabama. There is literally nothing like it.

Visit the Campus -

The University of Alabama is gorgeous. The trees, the buildings, the freshly cut green grass of the quad..all of it is unique to the campus. The campus is pretty big, but don't be too overwhelmed. You always have Google Maps :). The spot on campus that you most definitely want to see is The Quad.

Denny Chimes rains high above the trees, ringing at the top of every hour. Along the bottom of the bell tower are the handprints and footprints of past captains of the Crimson Tide football team. Names such as Joe Namath, Derrick Henry, AJ McCarron, Tua Tagovailoa, and Devonta Smith are among the many around the Chimes. If you keep walking away from the stadium, you will find The Ferguson Center, aka "The Ferg." This center has a supply store that has all the Alabama gear possible!

The Strip -

The Strip is a stretch of street that contains many bars, restaurants, and shops. All within walking distance from Bryant-Denny Stadium will you find the "college town" part of the city. Regardless of the stereotype behind "college towns", there are really cool spots to hit on this stretch.

At the beginning of The Strip is Gallettes, which used to be called "Campus Party Store." Everyone has to visit this place at least once while they are in Ttown, because it is home to the yellowhammer drink! Another cool thing about this place is upon ordering the Yellowhammer, you get it in a Gallettes souvenir cup that you can take with you! There are tons of TVs for different sporting events to be shown throughout the day. They also have outdoor seating for days with nice weather!

Another cool spot that doubles as a good place to eat & a bar is The Bear Trap. I hung out at this bar before a game one time and had an absolute blast! They have a rooftop with outdoor seating, a stage, and a bar that is perfect for game days with friends and sunny days to day drink! The view of the strip is really neat, especially on days when there is a home game. All you see is people everywhere in crimson and white!

If you're looking for a more low-key spot in Tuscaloosa, definitely check out Loosa's. The best way to describe this place is a Friends coffee shop but for beer. You walk in and immediately get the couch from Friends vibe. If you go through the back, there's a whole outdoor patio with chairs, umbrellas, and benches. It's the perfect spot to casually drink various types of beer and be able to hear your friends and family! There is no food here, but you can bring any outside food with you! You could even get Doordash to bring your food :). They are also pet friendly!

(my sister's last time at Loosa's before graduation)

On a little way down University Blvd, the next place to check out is World of Beer. If you are a beer drinker, you will fall in love with this place. If you drink anything other than beer, then you can probably skip this recommendation. Word of Beer pretty much has the description of it in its name. There are many varieties of beer - domestic, local brews, IPAs, etc! Stop in there for a happy hour drink for sure! My last recommendation for things to do would have to be the bar Rhythm & Brews. First of all, what an awesome name for a bar. I mean, what a play on words. This place isn't exactly on "The Strip" but it is right off of it. It is a fun bar that plays a variety of music! It has a stage that welcomes many cover bands of all genres. When the band isn't playing, they let the DJ do its thing. They also have a mechanical bull in the back that I have yet to try. I like this bar because they have "specialty drinks" that you can order. The last time I went, I think I got all but a couple of them. If you like sweet drinks, definitely check out that list.

- EAT -

My go-to recommendation for a restaurant in Tuscaloosa is always Buffalo Phil's aka BPhil's. This place is so fun and iconic. It sits on the corner of University Blvd. and Frank Thomas Ave. in the perfect location for all. Their menu is extensive and has something for everyone. It is considered a Pub & Cafe, so there are many options to choose from. They also have a full bar & do weekly deals for drinks, shots, and pitchers. I recommend their signature drink, The Philabuster. Not sure what is in it, but it is green and fun!! I have gotten many things from BPhil's, but you can NOT leave without trying their Buffalo Chicken Dip. That is all I will say.

Another place I like to go to in Tuscaloosa is Innisfree. It is also considered a pub. It also has a full bar, along with a lot of room to eat outside. There are also many options to choose from here. I recommend their having their loaded fries with whatever you decide to get! You will not regret the extra add-ons to the fries!! Below, I had their spinach artichoke dip with their Cherry Limeade cocktail. So good!

Not on The Strip, but a Tuscaloosa & Alabama fan must, is Rama Jama's. I have been wanting to go back to this place because I have only had it to go because I went during the early pandemic :( I have heard that the inside is all decked out with Alabama pictures, jerseys, signed paintings, etc! I had a burger and fries from there and it was amazing! When you think of a local diner's burger and fries, that is exactly what you'll get and more! It is right beside the stadium, so if it is a sunny day you could eat outside and enjoy the view!

For an evening meal & something more high-class, I recommend Half Shell Oyster House. They have a variety of food and drinks that is the perfect place for a date or a nice family dinner out! There are two different stories at Half Shell, so if you can sit upstairs I would recommend trying! When I went, I got blackened snapper with their fried new potatoes. Blackened anything is amazing, so definitely give it a shot!

Now if you want something a little off the beaten path and a little more local, it is worth the drive out to Nix in the Sticks. Don't be intimidated by the area surrounded by the restaurant or even the restaurant itself, not all of life's gifts come in the prettiest packages ;). I have been wanting to go back to eat here but haven't had the time. Nix reminds me of the kind of local diner you'd see in a TV show or movie that everyone in the town goes to. I enjoyed getting my Coke in a red solo cup, I feel like that shows the character that you can't find in a chain restaurant. I ordered a steak with a loaded baked potato. It was definitely one of the best steaks I have had at a restaurant, no doubt. If you are in Tuscaloosa for a long weekend, definitely go out of your way to eat at Nix.

Parking Tips -

If you are going anywhere on campus, I recommend parking off of 13th street or in the parking lot by the Ferg. In the map shown below, the Ferg is the Student Center.

If you are going to The Strip and can't find a parallel spot on the street, the Publix parking lot is the perfect spot. *TIP* you have to park in one section of the parking lot or you will get towed. I have circled that spot in the picture below.

I hope this post has given you some starter ideas for a trip to Tuscaloosa! Post any pictures you take of any of these places in the comments, I would love to see and hear about your personal experience! :)