How to get there
Where to stay
Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
800 Cox Creek Parkway South
Florence
256-246-3600, 866-746-2569
Top of the line in local accommodations with restaurants, bars, and other amenities. Rates $109-$154.
What to do
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
617 US Highway 72 West
Tuscumbia
256-381-4417, 800-239-2643
See the band Alabama's tour bus, a stage suit worn by Hank Williams Sr., and other artifacts. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5. Adults $8, seniors and students $7, children ages 6-12 $5.
FAME Recording Studio
603 East Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals
256-381-0801
Studio A is the site where many legends worked and their hits were recorded. Not formally open for regular tours, but tourists who stop by are welcome to look around a bit and gaze at the gold records and pictures on the walls. With advance notice, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame arranges formal tours for larger groups. An interesting collection of FAME's memorabilia is displayed in the Swampers Lounge at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa (see above).
W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library
620 West College St., Florence
256-760-6343
Learn the story of the Father of the Blues (1873-1958), and see some of his memorabilia. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $2.
Helen Keller Childhood Home & Birthplace Cottage
Ivy Green
300 West North Commons
Tuscumbia
256-383-4066, 888-329-2124
''The Miracle Worker," the popular play about Keller's life, is performed here in summer. Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4. Adults $6, seniors, AAA members $5, students ages 5-18 $2.
Where to eat
Big Mike's Steak & Fish
524 West 2d St., Muscle Shoals
256-386-5580
Catfish dinner $9; half a slab of ribs $11; 10-ounce ribeye $12 (18-ounce $19); 72-ounce top sirloin $45 -- free if you can eat it in 90 minutes. Has 32-item salad bar. Tuesday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4-10, Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Dale's
1001 Mitchell Blvd., Florence
256-766-4961
Gulf red snapper dinner $18, 9-ounce filet $24. Monday-Saturday 5-10 p.m.
Information
www.flo-tour.org
