Things to Do in Muscle Shoals AL: Ultimate Guide to The Shoals Region!

We’ve visited The Shoals region of Alabama twice now while boating the Great Loop, and each trip has left us even more captivated than the last! The heart of the region, Muscle Shoals in Colbert County, is especially known for its legendary music heritage, and surrounding towns like Florence and Sheffield also offer unique attractions.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Muscle Shoals AL, and surrounding areas, along with the top places to stay, the best annual events, where to grab a good cocktail—basically everything you need to plan an amazing visit to The Shoals region of sweet home Alabama! If you’re arriving by boat, stay tuned for our Boater’s Guide to the Shoals Region at the end, which has info on docking, marinas, and insider tips just for boaters.

About The Shoals

The Shoals region in northwest Alabama is a fascinating blend of history, music, and natural beauty located on the banks of the Tennesee River. Comprised of four cities—Muscle Shoals, Florence, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia—the area is best known for its deep musical roots, especially the world-renowned recording studios where iconic hits were made. Beyond music, The Shoals is full of iconic landmarks, such as Helen Keller’s Birthplace and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House! Before you dive into this area’s history, we recommend watching the Muscle Shoals Documentary on Amazon Prime to become familiarized with the area and appreciate all this region has to offer.

Top Things to Do in Muscle Shoals AL

In this section, we’ve put together a mix of paid and free things to do in Muscle Shoals and the surrounding Shoals region. We’ve also tried to include a few lesser-known attractions so that you get to see some of the hidden gems of the region. If you’re interested in several attractions, consider purchasing a multi-attraction pass, which provides access to a group of sites and can save you money!

1. Tour the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios

Despite its unassuming exterior, Muscle Shoals Sound Studios has remarkably shaped modern music, making a guided tour to the studio one of the most popular things to do in Muscle Shoals, AL! A local group of American session musicians, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, AKA “The Swampers,” contributed to the production of countless hits with icons like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Lynyrd Skynyrd in this working studio.

Even today, artists like Chris Stapleton and The Black Keys come to Muscle Shoals seeking that same magic. Our tour, led by a passionate local guide, gave us incredible behind-the-scenes stories about the musicians who recorded here!

Location: 3614 N Jackson Hwy, Sheffield, AL 35660
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday (Closed Sunday and Monday)
Price: $21.90 per adult

2. Walk along the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall—“Tom’s Wall”

The Wichahpi Stone Wall is a hand-built monument created by Tom Hendrix in memory of his great-great-grandmother’s journey. She was a Yuchi Native American woman who, after being forcibly removed during the Trail of Tears, walked back to her homeland in Alabama. Hendrix laid a stone for every step of her long journey, with the wall eventually growing to include millions of stones and stretching for almost a mile. You can visit the wall and walk its length at the below hours, any day of the week.

Location: 13890 Lauderdale County 8, Florence, AL 35633 (this attraction is 15 miles, or a 20-minute drive, from Downtown Florence)
Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Daily
Price: Free

3. Tour the Birthplace of Helen Keller—Ivy Green

One of the most popular attractions in the Shoals region of Alabama is the Birthplace of Helen Keller, famously known as Ivy Green. This is where one of history’s most inspiring figures was born and lived during her early years.

You can explore the historic house and property, see personal artifacts of Helen’s, and even visit the famous water pump, where she made the connection between language and the world around her. Ivy Green is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We left Ivy Green feeling inspired and a bit in awe. We learned about Helen Keller in school while growing up and were inspired to learn more about her story. There are guided tours that last every fifteen minutes, explaining the significance of certain artifacts and depicting Hellen Keller’s story.

Location: 300 N Commons St W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm Monday to Saturday (Closed Sunday)
Price: $15 per adult

4. Visit Fame Recording Studios

It’s a must-stop on any music buff’s tour who wants to understand more about the region’s lasting influence on soul, R&B, and rock music. FAME has welcomed famous artists, including Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin, to Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, and Jason Isbell over the years, making us feel in awe of being in such a musically important place.

The price of admission includes a guided tour that explains much of the history of this building, artists who have recorded impressive records and singles, and visiting the actual recording studios.

Location: 603 Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm, 10 am – 3 pm Saturday, (Closed Sunday)
Price: $20 per adult

5. Explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House

The Rosenbaum House is an architectural masterpiece designed by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939. As the only Wright-designed structure in Alabama, this Usonian home embodies his philosophy of organic architecture, with open floor plans, natural materials, and a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. You can tour the beautifully preserved home, which offers a fascinating glimpse into Wright’s vision for affordable, functional living spaces. It’s a must-see, even if you’re not an architecture enthusiast like Jen!

Location: 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday, 1 – 4 pm Sunday (Closed Monday)
Price: $10 per adult

6. Visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to famous musicians that have come out of Alabama. Here, you’ll discover exhibits honoring legendary Alabama-born musicians like Lionel Richie, Hank Williams, and Nat King Cole. You can explore everything from gold records to stage outfits, instruments, and even tour buses.

Location: 617 US-72 W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday (Closed Sunday and Monday)
Price: $15 per adult

7. Visit the Wilson Lock, Dam, and Waterfall

Another one of the top things to do in Muscle Shoals, AL, is to visit the Wilson Lock & Dam. Not only does this area offer a look at one of the largest dams on the Tennessee River but it also gives you access to the stunning Wilson Dam Waterfall. This waterfall flows from the spillways of the dam, creating a scenic cascade that you can admire from nearby viewing areas. We’ve linked below the address to their Visitors Center, which is a good starting point where you can pick up a map and get oriented towards the best viewing points.

We had the opportunity to take our boat through the Wilson Lock as we traveled up the Tennessee River to Chattanooga. It was a memorable experience as it was one of the largest locks we traveled through on our Great Loop journey. Even if you’re not traveling to Muscle Shoals by boat, it is accessible to see by land, and interesting to see the scale of the infrastructure.

Location: 83 Wilson Overlook, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free

8. Walk the River Heritage Trail

If you’re looking for a scenic spot to hike, don’t miss the River Heritage Trail, a delightful 9.7-km out-and-back route starting at River Heritage Park, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Generally regarded as an easy trail, it typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. This trail is a good option for road biking, running, and leisurely walks alike. Below, we’ve attached Alltrail’s map of the route that you can use as your guide, or look for other trails in the area on their website.

We love using AllTrails to download maps offline so we can always stay on the trail. Sign up for AllTrails+ so you too can download maps offline before your hike!

Extra Places to Visit in The Shoals

In case you’re left wanting more, here are some more of the top things to do in Muscle Shoals AL, and the greater Shoals region. If you’re planning a longer trip (4-5 days) we figured you might be looking for some extra attractions to add to your itinerary!

• Watch local musicians play live music at the Swampers Bar and Grille inside the Marriott Hotel. We visited on a Tuesday night and really enjoyed seeing the locals play. It was easily some of the best live music we’ve ever seen!
• Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is a cultural hub in Florence featuring rotating exhibits of local art and community events.
• The Indian Mound Museum is home to an ancient Native American burial mound and a museum that showcases local indigenous history, located in downtown Florence near the Marina.
• Pope’s Tavern Museum is a historic tavern turned museum, highlighting Florence’s history and displaying artifacts.
• Belle Mont Mansion is an early 19th-century mansion offering guided tours and stunning grounds.
• The W.C. Handy Birthplace Museum celebrates the “Father of the Blues” in his childhood home, featuring memorabilia and history.
• Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is one of the top golf courses in The Shoals region if not all of Alabama.
• The Old Railroad Bridge is Alabama’s oldest river bridge, and you can now walk across it and enjoy stunning views above the Tennesee River—only accessible from the Sheffield side of the river.

Where to Eat in The Shoals

One of our favorite things to do in Muscle Shoals, AL was trying all the local eats, to nobody’s surprise! We mostly ate in Florence, but we’ve included a few options in Muscle Shoals as well! Florence seemed to have more of a centralized “foodie” area in and around Graffiti Alley—so head here if you’re looking to bar-hop or sample several trendy restaurants on the same day!

Restaurants

• The Pie Factory is a local pizza joint with locations in Florence and Muscle Shoals. We visited with some friends and ordered a Calzone and a Veggie Pizza. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Stanfield’s River Bottom Grille is a bar and grill serving up Southern-style seafood and signature cocktails right by the water. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Yumm Thai is a Thai and Japanese restaurant serving up creative Asian dishes and colorful cocktails! Closed Sunday.
• Odette is an upscale bistro open for lunch and dinner. They serve up innovative plates like Seared Gulf Fish and Strawberry-Ricotta Salad. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Staggs Grocery is a hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch joint where you can enjoy classic comfort dishes like a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Drinks and Breweries

• Wildwood Tavern is a trendy restaurant and bar in Florence known for its creative hotdogs as well as other classic American dishes. They hold a happy hour with half-off cocktails! Open daily until 2 am.
• Swampers Bar & Grille is a live music bar in East Florence with Southern eats and tons of music memorabilia! Open daily until 11 pm. They have great live music, so be sure to catch who’s playing.

• Tennessee Street Billiards & Grill is a popular pool hall in Florence with tons of pool tables to play at! Grab some drinks and/or food, and spend the night shooting some pool. Closed on Sunday.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Sweets

• Box Car Cafe is a great little diner in Muscle Shoals with friendly service and reasonable prices. They’re open for breakfast 5-10 Monday to Friday and serve up classics like omelets, biscuits, and breakfast sandwiches.
• Big Bad Breakfast is one of the most popular breakfast spots in the area, serving up everything from Southern breakfast classics like biscuits and gravy to more inventive dishes like a creole omelet. Open daily from 7 am to 2 pm.
• Rivertown Coffee is a locally-owned coffee and breakfast joint in a bright, modern space. All of their food is made of locally sourced ingredients! Closed Sunday.
• Trowbridge’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop is a retro ice cream parlor where you can enjoy everything from classic cones to ice cream sodas and banana splits! Closed Sunday.

Map of The Shoals

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

Farmers Markets and Festivals in The Shoals

Something we used to overlook when traveling were farmers markets and annual festivals, but no more! Farmers Markets, in particular, have become our favorite way to meet locals, learn about local production, and stock up on fresh veg (especially when boating). Here are the 3 farmers markets we found in The Shoals and four of the most popular annual festivals.

Farmers Markets

• Colbert Co. Farmers Market is a market on the Muscle Shoals side of the Tennessee River that runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6 am on (they don’t post an end time). Here you’ll find farm-fresh fruits and veggies at low prices!
• College Street Farmers Market is a market close to downtown Florence with organic, local produce, cheese, jams, and jellies! We couldn’t find times online so we recommend asking locals about it when you’re in the area.
• Florence-Lauderdale Farmers Market is an extensive farmers market with tons of local produce, jams, baked goods, and more a bit further into Florence. This market runs from 6 am – 1 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays although in some seasons they just open one day a week it seems. Check their Facebook banner (linked in the title) for updated times and days of the week when you’re in town.

Festivals

• “Oka Kapassa” – Return to Cold Water (American Indian Festival) held every second Friday and Saturday in the month of September celebrates Native American Heritage in Northwest Alabama.
• W.C. Handy Music Festival is a week long festival to tribute the “Father of the Blues” with live music in the last full week in July with both free and ticked events.
• North Alabama African Heritage Festival held during the first weekend of June to celebrate African American Heritage.
• TVAA’S Winter Art Market is held at the end of November/beginning of December, where 50+ local and regional fine artists sell works varying from paintings and pottery to jewelry, baskets, and scarves at their booths. There is a small admission fee to enter.

Is Muscle Shoals Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Muscle Shoals, AL, and the surrounding areas are a must-visit for music enthusiasts and history lovers alike. As the birthplace of the iconic “Muscle Shoals Sound,” this region has influenced countless hits, from Aretha Franklin to The Rolling Stones. Touring its famous studios, like Muscle Shoals Sound and FAME, will have you walking in the footsteps of legends. Beyond music, explore unique historic sites like the Birthplace of Helen Keller or take in the scenic river views from the Wilson Dam and Waterfall. In our experience, there are countless ways to enjoy this region of Alabama, and you can easily tailor your trip to your preferences and interests.

When to Visit The Shoals

We visited Muscle Shoals twice during the Great Loop—once in November and again in December—and found it pleasant in this cooler weather. Generally, fall (October-November) brings comfortable temps around 50–70°F, perfect for outdoor exploring. Winter (December-February) cools down to around 30–50°F, making for a quiet, cozy time to dive into the area’s museums and music history. In spring (March-May), the temperatures are a pleasant 55–75°F, while summer (June-August) can get quite hot, reaching up to 90°F, ideal for indoor activities or cooling off by the water, like the tiny but quaint riverside beach at McFarland Park. All in all, when you should visit The Shoals depends on the types of activities you’re interested in (indoor vs. outdoor).

Getting To + Around The Shoals

How to get to the Shoals Region

• By car: The Shoals area is easily reached by car via US-72 and US-43, with Florence as a central point. It’s about a 2-hour drive from major cities like Birmingham, AL, and Nashville, TN, making it a great road trip destination.
• By plane: Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the closest major airport, about an hour’s drive from the Shoals. You can also fly into Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals for limited regional flights.
• By train: There is no direct Amtrak service to the Shoals, but the closest Amtrak station is in Birmingham, AL. From there, car rentals can help you complete the journey.
• By bus: Greyhound operates a 3-hour bus from Birmingham to Florence for about $22.

Getting around the Shoals Region

To fully explore the Muscle Shoals region, a car is the most convenient way to get around, as the Tennessee River divides Florence from the rest of the region. However, if you’re planning to stay primarily in Florence, a car isn’t as necessary. Florence’s downtown is walkable, with a good mix of restaurants, shops, and attractions within reach. Rideshares, taxis, and courtesy cars from the marina are available throughout the region.

Where to Park

McFarland Park has plenty of free parking down by the Tennessee River and there are a few parking garages in downtown Florence as well. You’ll also find plenty of metered street parking throughout all of Florence and Muscle Shoals. If you’re coming in an RV, we ran across this RV parking lot in Muscle Shoals too.

How Much Time Do You Need in The Shoals?

For a visit to the Shoals region, we recommend at least 2 to 3 days to experience a mix of music studios, historical sites, and local restaurants. A longer stay of 4 to 5 days will allow you to enjoy more leisurely activities, like hiking trails, checking out the scenic Wilson Dam, and exploring nearby towns as well. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend tailoring the length of your trip to fit in 2 to 3 spots a day.

Where to Stay in The Shoals

Hotels

• Days Inn by Wyndham Shoals (Budget, 0.6 miles from downtown Muscle Shoals)
• Red Roof Inn Muscle Shoals (Budget, 0.6 miles from downtown Muscle Shoals)
• The Stricklin Hotel (Moderate, downtown Florence)
• GunRunner Boutique Hotel (Luxury, downtown Florence)

Campgrounds

• McFarland Park Campground is the closest campground, located on the Florence side of the Tennessee River. They allow RV camping but temporarily have banned tent camping. We recommend checking their website as the campground is undergoing renovations and rules around the types of camping they permit may change.
• Hidden Creek Campground is a local camp with both RV and tent camping permitted on the Muscle Shoals side of the river.
• Joe Wheeler State Park is a nearby state park with campgrounds and full amenities. It’s about 30 minutes from Florence, AL.

Boaters Guide to The Shoals

The Shoals region is located on the banks of the Tennessee River. We visited The Shoals, Alabama twice while we lived on our boat and traveled around America’s Great Loop. During our journey we docked in Florence, so this guide focuses on our experience docking there and having Florence as a base. We found Florence an ideal base, with a well-equipped marina and a walkable downtown adjacent to the river, giving us everything we needed for a comfortable stay in the Shoals!

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Special Boating Laws in Alabama

A new law went into effect in October 2024 that requires any non-Alabama resident to take a boater safety course before boating in their waters. Even though we boated through Alabama before this law went into affect, the boating exam we took with Boaterexam.com would still be valid. For more information, we recommend checking out Alabama’s government website for more information.

How to Approach

If traveling upriver, you’ll approach the Florence Harbor Marina at Mile Marker 256 on the Tennessee River on Lake Pickwick. There’s a fast current to get into the marina, but since you’re traveling in the direction of the current, you can easily turn into the marina. It’s a tight channel to get into the marina, with plenty of room and depth.

If you’re traveling downriver along the Tennessee River, you’ll want to be cautious of the fast current from the lock and dam. After passing the impressive Wilson Lock, the tallest east of the Rockies with a single lift ranging from 91 to 100 feet, the marina will be immediately on your starboard side. We recommend going downriver just slightly and turning around so you can enter into the marina going against the current instead of with the current.

Boaters heading through the Wilson Lock get a front-row seat to the impressive engineering that controls the river flow—an unforgettable part of navigating into Florence. If you’re planning a boating trip to the Shoals, the Wilson Lock is something to look forward to!

Where to Dock

Florence Harbor Marina is the main marina in The Shoals. We can’t recommend this particular marina enough for the outstanding customer service we received when docking here. They offer all the amenities you’d need, from laundry and showers to wifi and courtesy cars. Their location right by downtown Florence is ideal as well! For more information, be sure to check out Waterway Guide for reviews. The Florence Harbor Marina has a courtesy car that is perfect for reprovisoning.

Use our Referral Code 450ZMS3 for a $15 discount on your Dockwa reservation!

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Wifi

There were plenty of places to comfortably work on a laptop in Florence. Here are three options all around a 30-minute walk from the Florence Harbor Marina:

• Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
• Turbo Coffee
• Rivertown Coffee

Check out our blog post on Boat Internet!

Provisioning

There aren’t any supermarkets within a 20-minute walk from Florence Harbor Marina, but here are some options within a 10-minute drive. We used the Florence Harbor Marina’s courtesy car to reprovision.

• Store-N-Deli (5 min. drive from marina)
• Walmart (9 min. drive from marina)
• ShopRite (located across the river in Sheffield)

Hardware + Marine Supplies

• Duke Equipment Co – It might just be a boat repair shop, but it is located right by the marina. The owner is known to be very friendly and can help get the supplies needed to repair anything on your boat.
• Peck Ace Hardware
• Harbor Freight Tools

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