Sweet Home Alabama

Florence

Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Florence offers a unique collection of diverse attractions, including the Children’s Museum of the Shoals, Indian Mound and Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House Museum, and Pope’s Tavern Museum, as well as a host of recreational activities such as boating, fishing, golfing, birding and hiking. Across the river, Muscle Shoals is rich in musical heritage, and world-class golf at The Shoals, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is just a short drive away.

Attractions

  • Alabama Outdoors

    Gear, clothing and footwear for backpacking and all outdoor adventures; full-service Orvis fly-fishing dealer. Located in historic downtown. Check web for events.

  • Blackberry Trail Golf Course

    Steven Plumer design. Rolling fairways, fairway and green-side bunkers, undulating Bermuda grass greens, wetlands.

  • Children's Museum of the Shoals

    Fun, creative, enriching "touch everything" experiences focusing on places and heritage of the Tennessee Valley at Muscle Shoals, where exploration stimulates lifelong curiosity and learning.

  • Deibert Park

    Family-oriented park with walking trails, ponds and playground. Located next to Children’s Museum of the Shoals. Various lesson plans for group tours.

  • First Fridays in Florence

    Visit historic downtown Florence and experience First Fridays. A family-friendly environment filled with art, music, shopping, dining and fellowship.

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Events

  • Frontier Day Celebration

    Jun 2-3, 2012

    Jun 2-3, Florence Frontier Day Celebration 256-760-6439 or 256-760-6379. www.florenceal.org. Free. Pope's Tavern Museum--Step back in time and see basket weaving, woodcarving, wool spinning, broom making, pottery making, and much more. Sat., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sun. 1- 4 p.m.

  • Sunset Walk to Key Cave Observation Tower

    Jun 16, 2012

    Jun 16, Florence Sunset Walk to Key Cave Observation Tower 256-366-1937. freshairfamily.org. Free. Key Cave National Wildlif Refuge-- A fun outing for the entire family, with an easy 3-mile walk to view flora, fauna and the sunset at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Florence. Led by Charles Rose. 5 p.m. - until

  • Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration

    Jul 4, 2012

    Jul 4, Florence Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration 256-740-4141. www.VisitFlorenceAL.com. Free. McFarland Park--Live, nationally-known musicians perform all day, food vendors are onsite, and activities for the entire family will all be at the park throughout the day. The Independence Day Celebration culminates with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

  • The Wizard of Oz

    Jul 19-22, 2012

    Little Dorothy day dreams about what lies over the rainbow! Then one day a twister comes and takes little Dorothy away to the land of Oz. There is is finding desperately to go home all the while finding herself. 7:30 p.m.

  • W.C. Handy Music Festival

    Jul 20-28, 2012

    Jul 20-28, Florence W.C. Handy Music Festival 256-766-7642. Florence--A weeklong tribute to the “Father of the Blues”, W.C. Handy. Great Jazz and Blues music can be heard throughout the Shoals at restaurants, theatres, malls, parks and other locations. The week will include over 100 events perfect for the jazz and blues enthusiast as well as great family entertainment. Hours vary.

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Accommodations

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Restaurants

  • 360 Grille

  • Bunyan's Barbeque

    With two locations, one in Florence and one in Sheffield, owner John Cole’s caters to barbecue lovers with his special smoked barbecued chicken, ribs and pork meat.

  • Cedar Mill Grille

    A family restaurant, with establishments in Florence, Decatur and Tuscaloosa, offering steaks, ribs, salmon and an array of other foods with special entertainment on Thursday and Friday nights.

  • Dale’s

    Origin of the famous Dale’s Steak Seasoning, which can be purchased in local grocery stores, this restaurant landmark specializes in delicious, marinated steaks and seafood.

  • Eva Marie’s Specialty Shop

    Specializing in Southern gourmet food, Eva Marie’s offers everything from a grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a deli roast beef or ham roller.

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