Central Alabama
VisitTuscaloosa.com; @VisitTuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa stands out as a destination where Southern hospitality meets vibrant energy, says Jasmine Rainey, director of tourism for Visit Tuscaloosa. “As the home of the University of Alabama (UA), Tuscaloosa offers a balance of big-city amenities and small-town warmth. We have diverse venues, a rich cultural history, and a lively arts, music, and culinary scene, all set along the Black Warrior River. In Tuscaloosa, planners can create experiences that feel authentic and memorable.”
Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus is the city’s largest event space, with more than 28,000 square feet of function space, including tiered classrooms, 16 meeting rooms, and ample pre-function space. Paul W. “Bear” Bryant Museum on campus has after-hours event space for 150 guests and includes admission to the museum. Adjacent to the center, Hotel Capstone has 150 guest rooms and 12,000 square feet of function space for up to 400 event guests.
There are 4,128 guest rooms in the city, according to Visit Tuscaloosa. The recently renovated Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown has 154 guest rooms and 5,618 square feet of function space; AC Hotel Tuscaloosa Downtown has four event rooms and a rooftop venue; and The Alamite, Tuscaloosa, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel has 112 guest rooms and event space to host 250 guests.
Offsite event space includes The University Club, which can host up to 300 people, and Tuscaloosa River Market, with 5,600 square feet of versatile indoor event space to seat 400 or host up to 1,500 for receptions. The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is the largest outdoor theater in west Alabama, seating 7,470 for private parties and events.
Tuscaloosa is home to the original Dreamland BBQ, a favorite since 1958. The city offers visitors unique excursion and teambuilding options, including the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail; Kentuck Arts Center, home to the annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts; Alabama Museum of Natural History; and Moundville Archeological Park, with 29 mounds approximately 1,000 years old and a museum with interactive experiences.
