Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa is a city of over 100,000 people (2020) in Metropolitan Alabama and home of the University of Alabama.

Get in
Birmingham Airport serves a majority of residents and students. It is about an hour's drive north east from Tuscaloosa, an hour and a half going the speed limit.

By plane

 * Birmingham International Airport, 5900 Airport Hwy, Birmingham, +1 205 595-0533, Email: info@flybirmingham.com. The closest airport with commercial airline service is in Birmingham, 60 miles north-east of Tuscaloosa. It is Alabama's largest airport serving the Greater Birmingham area and surrounding Southeastern cities. More than 160 arrivals from and departures to major cities throughout the United States are offered daily.

By train
Amtrak serves Tuscaloosa with its once-daily Crecent service between New York City and New Orleans. Both north- and southbound trains arrive early afternoon.



By car
Tuscaloosa can be reached going north or south on I-59 and East or West on I-20.

By bus

 * Greyhound 2520 Stillman Blvd, +1 205 758-6651, Greyhound Package Express: +1 205 758-6653, Greyhound Charter: +1-800-454-2487. Hours of operation are subject to change. Please call to verify hours before making travel arrangements. M-F 7:30AM-6PM, Sa 7:30AM-5PM, Su 7:30AM-9AM, 1:30-5PM, closed on holidays.

By boat
Tuscaloosa is located on the Black Warrior River. It can traveled upon from the Tombigbee River.

Get around
The best way to get around the city is by car.

Taxis

 * Alpha & Omega Taxi Service, +1 205 242-8936
 * Deluxe Radio Cab Co., 3102 Greensboro Ave, +1 205 758-9025
 * Radio Cab Service, 2101 Jemison Ave, +1 205 758-2831
 * AL Sterling Limo-Cab, +1 205 242-2689

Limousine Services

 * Birmingham Airport Shuttle carrequest@birminghamairportshuttle.com
 * Ambassador Limousine Service Inc., +1 205 556-5466
 * Premier Limousine, +1 205 345-0733.
 * Silver Leaf Luxury Limousine Service , +1 205 702-4566, Email: Sales@LimoAL.com.
 * Stardust Limousine Service, Inc., +1 205 349-5466.
 * Stardust Limousine Service, Inc., +1 205 349-5466.

By bus
The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority Phone number: +1 205-343-2300. The main transit stop is the Intermodal Facility Terminal, 601 23rd Ave. Tuscaloosa Transit Authority offers the following trolley services:
 * University Shuttle - Operates along University Blvd. between the Intermodal Facility Terminal and University of Alabama
 * V.A./University Mall

Do

 * See a University of Alabama football game. Game Day on the Quad is a not-to-be missed event; among a sea of crimson-clad fans, the smell of hamburgers, hotdogs and barbecue waft from many tents. Saying a heartfelt "Roll Tide" might even earn you a lunch. Or, you can just shout "Roll Tide" into the crowd, and hear the enthusiastic response.
 * University of Alabama Golf Course, 15th St, Lighted driving range.
 * River Road Park East and River Road Park West are connected by the Riverwalk Path. They overlook the Oliver Lake segment of the Black Warrior River along Jack Warner Parkway. Both parks have an abundance of grills, picnic tables, and benches. River Road Park East can be found at the bottom of Hackberry Lane. It features an overlook pier. a separate fishing pier, and a pavilion with eating tables and an extra large grill. River Road Park West features a large elevated gazebo. The whole area is very well lit after dark with modern traditional style street lamps.
 * University of Alabama Golf Course, 15th St, Lighted driving range.
 * River Road Park East and River Road Park West are connected by the Riverwalk Path. They overlook the Oliver Lake segment of the Black Warrior River along Jack Warner Parkway. Both parks have an abundance of grills, picnic tables, and benches. River Road Park East can be found at the bottom of Hackberry Lane. It features an overlook pier. a separate fishing pier, and a pavilion with eating tables and an extra large grill. River Road Park West features a large elevated gazebo. The whole area is very well lit after dark with modern traditional style street lamps.

Buy

 * A Bear Bryant houndstooth hat

Eat

 * Hooligans Located 515 15th St has the best burgers in the area, and at a bargain. Also serve Mediterranean food. Gyros, wraps, hot wings, top notch hummus, babaganoush, and more. It’s eclectic in choice and delicious in taste, no matter the order.
 * Thai Basil Sushi II, 1402 University Blvd. Formerly Surin, this is a Thai restaurant and sushi bar chain on the strip.
 * Quick grill A small kiosk in front of Publix on the strip. Greek food is their concentration (lamb, falafel, hummus, etc.), but you can also get everything from French fries to chicken. They're open very late.
 * Full Moon barbeque Located off of 15th Street, this restaurant provides BBQ that is out of this world. Try the fried green tomatoes or one of the several baked potatoes that are the size of a small football.
 * Mugshot's A great restaurant bar and grill with famous hamburgers. Try their best burger, the McDonald.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.
 * Swen. Chinese food, located in the Strip area.

Drink
Many of the popular bars in Tuscaloosa are not true bars, but are instead restaurants that serve more alcohol and less food as the night goes on. Since they are not classified as bars, people under 21 may be allowed in, though they typically will be turned away after 10:00pm (when it becomes too crowded for the staff to keep track of who is underage). They may also ask people under 21 who are already present to leave at 10:00.


 * The Strip, a row of bars and shops along University Dr. just off campus. The Houndstooth is a sportsbar that was once voted by Sports Illustrated as the number one college sports bar in the nation.  Gallete's doesn't have a sign on the front, and is one of the most popular student bars around.  The Strip is geared more towards University of Alabama students due to its proximity to campus.
 * Downtown - Tuscaloosa's downtown bar scene includes establishments around the corner of 4th Street and 23rd Avenue including Rhythm and Brews and Mellow Mushroom. Just a block southwest of this area around the corner of 6th Street and Greensboro Avenue you'll find Mugshots, Innisfree Irish Pub, and Catch 22.

Sleep

 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360
 * Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hollywood Blvd. +1 205-722-0360

Stay safe
The Tuscaloosa Metro is relatively safe. The southern and eastern/Alberta City areas of Tuscaloosa are some of the most crime-ridden.

Go next

 * Birmingham (Alabama)