We will be traveling from Dallas to Tuscaloosa (flying into Birmingham) Jan 4 -7. I have a couple of questions:
1. My husband will be working in Tuscaloosa on Friday, any suggestions on how I can spend the day alone? Any points of interest, museums, or shopping centers you would suggest that would kill a few hours?
2. We will have all day Saturday and most of Sunday to do as we please. Any sites around the area we should check out? I am 30, my husband is 36. We enjoy exploring new places and are not against driving a couple of hours to see new things. This will be our first trip to Alabama.
3. If you have a hotel recommendation for either Tuscaloosa or Birmingham it would be appreciated.

Thank you!
-Jenn

Hi MrsJenn-
DeSoto Caverns Park, south of Birmingham is nice.
http://www.desotocavernspark.com/
We love Alabama and always stay at Oak Mountain State Park, in one of the cabins,when we go to the races at Talladega, however, there aren't any t.v. or radios in them.
oakmountainstatepark.com
I've never been to Tuscaloosa, so I can't tell you anything about it.
Have fun!

20 miles east of Tuscaloosa on I-20 is the Mercedes-Benz plant. They have a museum/visitor center:

http://www.mbusi.com/pages/vc_home.asp

there's a nice little artist community right across the bridge in the town of Northport. There is also a great restaurant there called the Globe that has french and italian cuisine as well as very nice steaks- open for lunch and dinner. Also in Tuscaloosa we visited Dreamland BBQ which was great!


We stayed at the 4 Points Sheraton which was ok but very simple.

If you do not already know, Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. You could visit the campus and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Museum. You will have many more lodging options in B'ham, such as the Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Wingate Inn, etc. While in B'ham, you could visit Oak Mountain State park, the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens.

Though B'ham has several malls, the Galleria currently leads the pack. The Wyndham is connected to it and is nice, but pricey.

The 'Five Points South' section of B'ham is somewhat funky - artsy too.

We have always enjoyed hiking at Oak Mt. St. Park - some small but nice waterfalls and such.

Tannehill State Park is also nearby - though I've heard alot about it, I've never been: http://www.tannehill.org/

There is an ice-skating rink in B'ham if you like to skate.