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Overview
A charming Southern city with just the right mix of history and modernity, Tuscaloosa is located in west central Alabama at the end of the Appalachian Mountain range where the mountains meet the coastal plain, and the imposing Black Warrior River threads the city. Once dominated by the Choctaw and Creek Indians, the city has a rich Native American history which can be appreciated by visiting the Moundville Archaeological Park, located to the south of the city. Tuscaloosa was officially chartered by settlers in 1819 and has burgeoned into a thriving University town since the inception of the University of Alabama in 1827. The Crimson Tide are the passion and pride of the entire area, and the whole town talks football when the Tide suit up. Nowhere is Tide fever more evident than at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, which chronicles all things Crimson Tide related. In addition to an outstanding University, the city also boasts a wealth of historic structures and educational museums. Located on the University campus, the Gorgas House dates back to the late 1820s and features antiques, while the Battle-Friedman House & Gardens allow guests to enjoy an 1835-era historic home. The Alabama Museum of Natural History provides for insight into the area, and the Westervelt Warner Museum houses some of the nation's finest 19th and 20th century American art. Dining options abound in what locals affectionately call T-town as well. From the iconic Dreamland that's been around since the late '50s and serves heaping platters of ribs to more upscale restaurants like Kozy's and Epiphany Café, offering the finest Southern cuisine. Plenty of nighttime entertainment keeps students and locals busy on weekends, with every type of establishment, from dance clubs to Irish pubs. Many of these are located downtown in the area known as "The Strip." Shopping options include large retail malls like the University Mall and McFarland Mall as well as the charming downtown shopping district of Northport. Since 1993, the city has also been home to North America's only Mercedes-Benz automotive assembly plant, the arrival of which provided an economic boost to the area.
