Best Things to Do in The Shoals, Alabama

This humble studio captured the famous Muscle Shoals sound and in turn had an outsized effect on the trajectory of American music. Originally founded across the river in Florence in 1959 before moving to its current location in 1961, its acoustics and unique musical legacy made it one of the most sought-after recording studios for musicians in the ’60s and beyond. Aretha Franklin and Clarence Carter found their sound here, and Wilson Pickett recorded “Mustang Sally.” Mac Davis found a country/pop crossover hit with “Texas in the Rearview Mirror,” and other more modern artists like Jason Isbell, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Demi Lovato have also recorded music at FAME. Check out a guided tour of this historic musical landmark.

In 1969, FAME’s rhythm section, The Swampers, decided to break away and start this music studio. From 1969 to 1978, the Swampers recorded with greats like The Rolling Stones, who recorded “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses” here, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Cat Stevens and many more music industry legends. The studio lay dormant for years until it was recently restored to its former glory as an actual recording studio and museum.

Bronze stars and walkway exhibits honor Alabama’s bevy of music stars across genres. Though the building did not open until 1990, the inductions began in 1985, and the inaugural class included Hank Williams, Nat “King” Cole, Buddy Killen and the founder of FAME Recording Studio, Rick Hall. The inductees’ achievements fill the museum.

William Christopher (W.C.) Handy was born in 1873 at this rustic cabin that now houses many of his memorabilia and artifacts. Nicknamed the “Father of the Blues,” W.C. composed many blues standards such as “St. Louis Blues,” “Beale Street Blues” and “Memphis Blues.” You can see his old piano here and even handwritten musical sheets. 

In 1991, Frank Lloyd Wright was named the greatest American architect of all time by the American Institute of Architects. He has designed famous buildings all over the world like the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Fallingwater. The Rosenbaum House is the only structure he ever designed in Alabama. He designed this single-family dwelling in his signature style, blending the house with the nature around it instead of perching the building atop its surroundings. 

Get some fresh air and take in a glorious look at the Tennessee River and York Bluffs across the way at this luscious green space. This waterfront park has a walking trail, campground sites, fishing piers and even a beach for swimming. The park is the most access to the water that you will get in downtown and is within walking distance of a restaurant and a shaved ice business. The park hosts many festivals and fishing tournaments throughout the year.

Helen Keller is one of the most well-known residents in Alabama’s history. At just 19 months old, Helen was stricken with an illness that left her blind and deaf. At age 6, she was united with Anne Sullivan, a teacher that helped Helen have a remarkable communicative breakthrough. With just a limited memory of spoken language, Keller had her hand placed under a flowing water pump while Sullivan repeatedly spelled out “water” on her palm. After doing this slowly, then quickly, Keller was able to grasp that the shapes Sullivan made on her hand represented the water she felt flowing on her skin. It was Keller’s first meaningful experience of using words. The water pump where this famous event took place is still present and available to touch. Learn the rest of Helen’s journey at the museum that her birthplace, also known as “Ivy Green,” has become. They have a Helen Keller festival every year during the last week of June.

A white-tablecloth, upscale steak house that features many Southern-style cuts of steak and a stellar drink list. Start with the Greek meatballs, then go with the T bone or filet mignon as your entrée. The hand-cut steak fries are probably the best side, but you cannot go wrong with their baked potato either. Wash down your meal with a dessert drink; they make a fantastic brandy Alexander.

Located in historic downtown Florence, this chic bistro features Southern food staples and prides itself on using sustainably raised ingredients. The ambience inside can best be described as urban with a Southern vibe. It pairs soft lighting, a rough, exposed-brick wall and trendy minimalist table settings with lion-themed art that pays tribute to the local university mascot. Try the deviled eggs two ways as an appetizer, then do the smoked chicken breast for your main course. If you are a brunch fan, they have a great one on Saturdays.

If you like eating with a view, it is impossible to beat this floating waterfront restaurant that overlooks the Tennessee River and its adjacent bluffs. By floating, I mean that it is literally attached to the docks in the marina, just like the surrounding boats. It has a party atmosphere, and the eclectic menu features seafood favorites like crab claws and shrimp to go with a large selection of burgers.

This restaurant rightfully boasts about using one of the only handmade brick pizza ovens in the state to make authentic pizzas like they do in the old country. They also offer delicious takes on Italian standards such as fettuccine Alfredo and veal marsala. Make sure to save room for their cannoli for dessert.

This is locals’ casual hangout just off the main drag of historic downtown Florence. It has a large list of “island remedies,” “land loving libations” and craft beer. The menu tells the story of the drinks’ origins — a particularly nice touch. If you decide to order a dark and stormy, not only will you see its list of ingredients, but also that it was created in Bermuda back in 1860. The back room contains classic arcade and table games to spend some time unwinding with friends. If you get hungry, there is an abundance of hot dog choices, or “fancy dogs,” as they call them here. There are 12 fancy dogs to choose from, with toppings on these glorious hot dogs ranging from house Sriracha mayo and sweet banana peppers to Jamaican jerk sauce with grilled pineapples.

This brewery east of downtown Florence gets its name from the area’s musical heritage. The taproom has a laid-back vibe with lots of laughing locals. The venue also hosts live music acts and special weekly events like Hops and Hymns on Wednesday nights or Pint Night on Friday for the hometown University of North Alabama faculty, staff and students. The more popular beers here include their IPA Ipacalypse Now and their porter named, appropriately, the Swamper. Brewery tours are also available upon advanced request.

This could easily have been put into the “places to eat” list. Their East Asian-themed menu, think: tasty customized eggrolls and lettuce wraps, is complemented by a full bar. Entertainment on stage ranges from vinyl spinning to local bands performing to karaoke. Try one of their creatively named signature cocktails like “Big Bubble in Little China” or “Hello Kit-Tea.”

A patron playfully called this hard-to-find bar the Shoals’ speakeasy. It’s not openly advertised; knowledge of its existence is passed along through word of mouth. The outside can be misleading as it looks like you are entering the back door of a storage building. Inside, though, is a gorgeously decorated bar room with stylishly finished wood walls, leather furniture and walls filled with copious bottles of precious alcohol. Best of all, Kingpin creates one of the  rarest of experiences: a bar that had great live music but at a volume where you could still have a normal conversation with your friends.

This is more than the coffee shops with the cool logo. When I originally asked locals which place to go for coffee, it was almost unanimously Turbo Coffee. The owners cut their teeth at other specialty coffee shops and now roast their own brews. They ship their beans by the bag if you decide you need the same fix when you get back home. The owners are also strong believers in a healthy lifestyle, so they also offer fresh juices, acai bowls and smoothies.

This hotel experience offers 10 luxury suite choices, each uniquely designed to show off the rich musical history of the Shoals. While some suites prioritize the living area and have walls covered with musical art and memorabilia, others offer larger beds with a more open feel and rustic charm with restored brick walls and high ceilings. The hotel is located within walking distance to historic downtown Florence, where you can find shopping, restaurants and bars. The jewel of this hotel lies in its common area: 3,200 square feet of brick walls, wooden beams and ornate chandeliers filled with seating areas, couches and tables to congregate with friends. The area even features a fireplace, and the hotel’s prized jewel, its bar,  lies in the middle of the common area.

With a brick exterior and columns and an antebellum aesthetic, this hotel fits right in with the Shoals’ historical feel. Inside, mirroring staircases lead to the second floor, and the lobby is impeccably decorated with flower vases and glass table sitting areas. It is within close proximity to the Helen Keller Birthplace and Alabama Music Hall of Fame.