West Alabama Attractions

Bama Belle Riverboat Cruises

Relax and enjoy the scenery of the Black Warrior River as the Bama Belle paddles along the riverbanks of Tuscaloosa. The Bama Belle is a modern day replica of the grand paddlewheel riverboats which graced the nation's riverways in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Afternoon cruises take place from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM every Sunday from April through October. Sunset cruises take place from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM every Tuesday. The adult fare for afternoon and sunset cruises is $7.50. Dinner cruises take place every Friday evening by reservation only. Boarding begins at 6:00 PM and the cruise departs at 6:30 PM. The adult fare for dinner cruises is $39.95.

Directions: Take I-59/20 to exit #71B (I-359 spur). Go 3 miles North and turn right on 6th Street. Go 1 block East and turn left on Greensboro Avenue. Go four blocks North to the Bama Belle pier.
Web Site: Bama Belle
Phone: 205.339.1108

Moundville Archaeological Park

Stroll along the Black Warrior River on a boardwalk nature trail, scale the Temple Mound to view a life-sized diorama of Native American rituals, and view videos on Native American culture in the museum theatre. The 320-acre park preserves 26 mounds constructed by Native Americans between 1000 AD and 1450 AD. The Jones Archaeological Museum contains exhibits on the culture of pre-Columbian Native Americans along with artifacts unearthed during the 1930s excavations. Adult admission is $4.

Directions: Take I-59/20 to exit #71A (AL-69) and continue 13 miles South on AL-69. The park entrance is on the right.
Web Site: Moundville Archaelogical Park
Phone: 205.371.2234

Paul W. Bryant Museum

"Nothing but a winner" is how legendary Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant described himself. With 323 victories and 6 national championships during his career, Bryant was the winningest, most successful coach in major college football history. The museum that bears his name is dedicated to preserving the history of the storied Alabama football program and its most successful coach. The museum features exhibits that document the beginnings of Alabama football and each national championship. Among the exhibits are artifacts from Alabama's first trip to the Rose Bowl in 1925 and a replica of Coach Bryant's office. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. Adult admission is $2. Warning: The campus is very crowded on game days and parking near the museum is difficult. Alabama plays Mississippi ("Ole Miss") at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on September 11th.

Directions: Take I-59/20 to exit #73 (US-82). Go North 2 miles on McFarland Boulevard (US-82) to the University Boulevard exit. At the top of the ramp, turn right onto University and move immediately to the far left lane. Veers onto Bryant Drive and go 0.5 miles. The museum in on the right. Parking is available behind the museum and at Coleman Coliseum across Bryant Drive from the museum. Address: 300 Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Web Site: Bryant Museum
Phone: 205.348.4668

Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center

The Mercedes-Benz Visitors Center serves as the public gateway to the adjacent assembly plant which produces the M-class SUV. The only Mercedes-Benz museum outside of Germany, the 24,000 square foot center features exhibits detailing the history of the world's oldest automobile maker, including its products, technology, and commitment to safety. Many of the artifacts on display are from the Daimler-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Included among the vintage items is one of the worldÕs first motor vehicles, a Daimler motor carriage built in 1886. Visitors to the center may also tour the assembly plant. The center is open weekdays from 9AM to 5PM.

Directions: From Tuscaloosa, take I-59 North to exit #89. From the Riverchase Galleria, exit the mall on the South side and turn right onto John Hawkins Parkway (AL-150). Go 3.2 miles to I-459. Take I-459 South 10.3 miles to I-59 South. Go 17 miles to exit #89. Turn left crossing over then interstate, then turn left again onto Mercedes Drive. The center is on the right.
Address: 1 Mercedes Drive, Vance, AL 35403
Web Site: Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center
Phone: 205.507.2253

Restaurants

Dreamland Barbeque

Very little has changed in the years since John "Big Daddy" Bishop opened this rib joint in the Jerusalem Heights neighborhood. The building has expanded and the streets are now paved, but the ribs are still cooked in the same open pit and the atmosphere and menu remain the same. That menu is very simple: a slab of ribs, half a slab, or a rib sandwich. The phrase "side items" is not spoken here. A sign on the wall proclaims "no beans, no slaw, no potato salad, don't ask!". They mean it. This is a place to eat wonderful ribs and nothing else. PETA members would be well-advised to move on down the road. We hear the nearby McDonalds offers a nice salad.

This is also not a place for pretentiousness. If that was not made obvious by the concrete floors, cinder block walls, and plywood tables, a sign on the wall that reads "Thank you for not farting" should drive home the point. The atmosphere is relaxed, and nobody is bashful about using the sliced white bread served with the ribs to sop up the spicy, tasty sauce. Those trying to avoid the mess of consuming finger food should be warned: the rib sandwich is 4 ribs with the bones.

This is a "shonuff, down home rib shack" serving what are arguably the best ribs in the South. As Big Daddy would say, "Ain't nothin' like 'em nowhere!" Few if any of his customers over the past 46 years would disagree with that assessment. When the Crimson Tide is playing in Tuscaloosa, it can take an hour or longer to get from the back of a line that extends from the front door into the street and down the block. Dreamland now has franchises in 3 states and 8 cities, including Birmingham, but this is the original and the best. They are open from 11AM to 9PM, Monday through Saturday.

Directions: Take I-59/20 to exit #73. Travel South on McFarland Boulevard (US-82) 0.5 miles and turn left on Jug Factory Road (just beyond McDonalds). Go 0.8 miles and turn right on 15th Avenue East. Dreamland is about 200 feet from Jug Factory Road on the left.
Address: 5535 15th Avenue East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Web Site: Dreamland BBQ
Phone: 205.758.8135