If you've been shopping for Tuscaloosa homes for sale, you probably want to know what your prospective neighborhood has to offer in the way of schools, houses of worship, medical facilities, restaurants, and recreation. But our real estate agents also recommend that you broaden your horizons by checking out the local arts scene.
Maybe you're already in a home, and it just never occurred to you to get to know what artistic and cultural amenities are nearby. Whether it's going to a gallery show, taking art lessons, listening to live music, or hearing a lecture in an independent bookstore, you'll find fun, interesting and edifying things to do for the whole family.
Here are some of our recommendations for the Tuscaloosa area.
Here's hoping you'll find your way to one of the fabulous arts and cultural venues around our area. Questions? Contact us today.
Many homeowners have acquired dogs and cats during the time of the pandemic — both to keep the kids occupied and also, for adults, as companions to combat enforced loneliness and isolation. As first-time pet owners may be learning, these animals are not inanimate stuffed toys, but living creatures that have needs. Dogs often need vigorous walks to keep them mentally and physically fit.
It just so happens that April is Active Dog Month. If you're not doing it already, what better time to begin a regular regimen of exercising and playing with your dog outdoors? The weather's grand and your canine will love it, no matter when or where. But to get you started, here are some venues near Tuscaloosa homes for sale where you can concentrate on your dog's — and your — fitness and fun.
Tuscaloosa Canine Fun Spots
Freeman Park. 3001 Dragons Lane, Tuscaloosa
Freeman Park has a lot of amenities, including a swimming pool and shelter, but also a nice trail where you can walk your dog.
Sokol Park, 5901 Watermelon Road, Northport
Sokol Park is a multi-purpose park, which includes Will May Dog Park. But for dogs that don't enjoy dog parks, there are trails, which are usually not crowded. Trails are of varying lengths and are not difficult.
Hurricane Creek Park. 7005 Old Birmingham Hwy., Tuscaloosa
The setting for Hurricane Creek Park is geologically special (it's where the Gulf coastal plain meets the Appalachian Paleozoic rock area ecosystem). Once a site where extensive mining occurred, it is now known for rare plants, scenic beauty, and some local history. You can hike on the Eagle Scout Trail but be aware there are some stream crossings, and your dog should be big enough to manage these.
The Riverwalk. 2710 Jack Warner Pkwy., Tuscaloosa
The Riverwalk is a 4.5-mile walk that starts at Capitol Park and ends at the gazebo east of Manderson Landing. The paved two-way trail offers places to rest and rehydrate. There are even a few off-leash places on the trail.
University of Alabama Arboretum. 4801 Arboretum Way, Tuscaloosa
The 60-acre University of Alabama Arboretum is pet friendly. Devoted to Alabama's native flora and fauna, the arboretum is open daily during business hours, so bring your dog and take a walk in a beautiful setting. It's crucial to pay attention to the arboretum's pet policies so that it can stay pet friendly: keep dogs on leash; pick up after your dog; and don't allow your pet to dig in beds, disturb plants, or urinate on plants.
You'll enjoy living in a Tuscaloosa neighborhood near a park where you can exercise yourself and Fido. Ask our real estate agents about buying or selling a home in Tuscaloosa. Contact us today.
Bet you didn't know that Friday, March 25, was International Waffle Day. Yeah, yeah, we know — as if we needed a designated day to enjoy waffles. These days, waffles have been front and center on the menu, not only at breakfast but for every meal, with everything from chocolate chips and peanut butter to crushed pineapple and bacon (!) being added to the mix. Not to mention, we're now topping them with not only whipped cream and syrup, blueberries and strawberries, but also chicken. Where will it end?
Whether you're whipping up your own favorite waffle recipe for the family in your new home from Tuscaloosa homes for sale, or dining out on the town, adding delicious waffles to the menu will be a hit with everyone. Who can blame the Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes for starting up International Waffle Day and also opting for the delicious waffle as a way to also celebrate the advent of spring?
If you're wondering how to celebrate International Waffle Day, our real estate agents have some suggestions:
Otherwise, try out some of these notable eateries and ask for the waffles.
At home or dining out, there are plenty of options for celebrating International Waffle Day. Have questions about buying your home in Tuscaloosa? Contact us today.
Looking for budget-friendly holiday crafts to boost your decorating efforts? Where do we start? There are so many easy-to-make, attractive projects to choose from, you may have trouble narrowing your focus. You might get some ideas from driving around Tuscaloosa homes for sale, studying holiday wreaths, for starters, but you can also go online and find images that inspire you as well as instructions for holiday ornaments, candles, garlands, and much more.
Let's start by taking a look at some of the projects our real estate agents have rounded up for your consideration.
Holiday DIY Projects
Our real estate staff can also answer your questions about buying a home or selling your current property. Contact us today.
December is such a busy month. Most of us are zipping around, shopping for gifts and wrapping them up, decorating, baking, and making sure everything related to the holiday madness gets done. And this year, the pressure is on. We're planning holiday get-togethers again, including Yuletide dinners, parties, and the exchange of gifts. But in the days leading up to the holidays, it's worthwhile to take some time out, get out of the house and visit local holiday attractions. Happily, many are not far from Tuscaloosa homes for sale.
Our real estate agents have some suggestions for attractions near you. Check them out, and enjoy.
Need more suggestions for brilliant holiday attractions you can visit? Contact us today.
Alabama is known for many iconic foods: boiled peanuts, fried okra, pecan pie, banana pudding, grits, and fried green tomatoes. But there's also fabulous barbecue. Fueled by hickory wood, and sometimes oak and pecan, Alabama is most famous for its distinctive pork, including ribs, shoulder, butt, and ham. However, the chicken and brisket are great, too. All in all, Alabama barbecue holds its own among the other Southern states that form the barbecue belt: Georgia, the Carolinas, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Ready to try it out? Fortunately, there are several great BBQ joints near Tuscaloosa homes for sale. Our real estate agents are happy to make some recommendations.
Have questions about Tuscaloosa? Contact us today.
Looking for some fun activities to do this summer? Our real estate agents have you covered. Whether you want something for a quiet afternoon or something a bit more exciting, we put together a list that should have something for everyone. After viewing Tuscaloosa homes for sale, enjoy a day in the area with these activities.
Looking for other fun things to do in Tuscaloosa? Contact us today and we can help you find fun things to do as well as your dream home!
Need a break from searching for your next home? Spend the day in downtown Tuscaloosa! Our real estate agents know that downtown Tuscaloosa is full of unique shops and delicious restaurants. Here are some places to add to your itinerary.
Cravings Artisan Pizza Company serves mouth-water Detroit and Sicilian-style pizzas. Their menu also includes breakfast offerings and sandwiches. Order a refreshing glass of ice-cold beer or wine to complement your selection.
In the mood for a burger after checking out Tuscaloosa homes for sale? Stop by Mugshots Grill & Bar for a grilled Angus burger, complete with your choice of toppings. Mugshots has been voted the Best Burger in Tuscaloosa numerous times.
Try a traditional favorite, like the Middleberger (served with mayo, mustard, pickles, onion, and tomatoes), or order one of the specialty entrees, such as the Southern Burger (served with housemade pimento cheese, bacon, fried pickles, lettuce, and tomato).
Mugshots also offers salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, and a variety of deep-friend sides and appetizers, include beer-battered fries, onion rings, nachos, and wings. They also have milkshakes and a variety of brews on tap.
The Makers Market is a specialty gift shop and grocery store that has something for everyone. Pick up a jar of jalapeno, blueberry lavender, or fig balsamic jam. Or, try the delicious apple butter or one of the pepper jellies.
Many of the flavors also come in sugar-free varieties. Salsa, banana bread, and specialty vinegar combos are also available. This fun gift shop also offers seasonal wares and home decor perfect for your next holiday celebration.
Founded by Alabama native Sydney Powers, Lou and Co. were established to satisfy the unmet need for elegant home decor, gifts, and clothing in Tuscaloosa. This creative shop is an excellent stop to find a gift for any occasion, including baby showers, sorority bid days, and birthdays. Lou and Co. also offers monogramming for many of their offerings, including packing cubes, totes, towels, ad blankets.
Need to overhaul your gameday apparel? Stop by The Shirt Shop! The Shirt Shop offers an extensive collection of shirts, vests, builds, and hats that make it easy for a Bama fan to spruce up their wardrobe.
Or, if you prefer a more customized look, take advantage of The Shirt Shop's option to build your own game day apparel. You can choose practically every aspect of your Bama shirt, including the style, color, logo, and logo location.
Want to start your home search? Contact us to get started!
After an exciting day of exploring Tuscaloosa homes for sale, stop and relax with an ice-cold brew at one of the city's local breweries. Or, celebrate National Beer Day on April 7 with a glass of your favorite brew or try a refreshing glass of something new. Our real estate agents recommend the following spots for a frosty glass of beer.
Black Warrior Brewing Company
Located at 2216 University Blvd. in Tuscaloosa, Black Warrior Brewing Company is situated across from City Hall in the city's downtown region. Black Warrior Brewing Company regularly holds discount nights for their wine and beer, as well as team trivia and bingo nights.
Choose from a variety of beverages to find one that suits your palate. The Apricot Wheat and Bama Blonde Ale are popular with patrons new to the world of craft beer, while the Lock 17 IPA and Blood Orange Double IPA appeal to beer drinkers well-acquainted with various types of beer.
Druid City Brewing Company
Druid City Brewing Company rests at 607 14th Street in the Parkview Center area. It's been in business since 2012 and prides itself as "Tuscaloosa's original craft brewery."
Try the Lamplighter IPA for the perfect mix of hops and floral notes. Or, check out the Downtown North Porter for an after-dinner treat; this malt-based beer includes delicious hints of chocolate and vanilla.
The Druid City Brewing Company is also a great spot for an evening of live music or a couple of hours of brain-teasing trivia.
Loosa Brews Craft Emporium
After a day of touring Northport homes for sale, Loosa Brews Craft Emporium is a lighthearted, refreshing way to end your day. Loosa Brews Craft Emporium is located at 412 20th Avenue in Tuscaloosa.
This brewery includes more than 30 draft beers on tap, including traditional favorites and rare offerings. Spend a couple of hours enjoying the onsight arcade and pinball parlor.
Feeling tired, or just want to enjoy your beer at home? Loosa Brews Craft Emporium offers many of their wine and beer varieties to go.
The World of Beer Bar and Kitchen
The World of Beer Bar and Kitchen Strives to help its customers make memories. Situated at 2107 University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, this local gem is pet-friendly and offers an extensive menu of pub fare and lunch and dinner entrees.
Pair a German pretzel with your favorite draft, or take in the Truffle burger with your beverage of choice. You can expect periodic new offerings, as The World of Beer Bar and Kitchen rotates its beer offerings. The beer menu includes local favorites and varieties from across the globe.
Looking for a home with more space for entertaining? Contact us today to check out your options!
Once upon a time, when food was referred to as "healthy," it was considered code for "tasteless." Fast-forward to the 21st century, when "healthy" and "flavorful" are no longer mutually exclusive. Our real estate agents enjoy delicious, guilt-free meals at these wonderful restaurants in Tuscaloosa and think you should explore them too.
Want more reasons why Tuscaloosa is a great place to call home? Contact us at Hamner Real Estate for the inside scoop.
If you're looking to upgrade your home, you'll want to look into projects that can be done on a budget. That way, for a minimal investment, you'll make a big impact that will improve the look or function of your home. Especially, if you are getting ready to list!
Our real estate agents suggest the following 5 upgrades you can make even on a budget:
Contact us at Hamner Real Estate to learn more about Tuscaloosa homes for sale and the upgrades that you can make for a minimal investment. Our experienced real estate agents would love to help!
There are many reasons to love Tuscaloosa homes for sale, but this year, one stands out in particular: The county is dotted with beautiful parks and natural wonders you simply have to see to believe.
National Take a Hike Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 17th, and there are plenty of places in Tuscaloosa where you can do just that. Tuscaloosa boasts many large, well-kept parks in wooded and lakeside environments, many of them pet-friendly. Let's take a closer look at some of the area's most eye-catching hiking spots:
Contact us at Hammer Real Estate to learn more about Tuscaloosa.
Not all outdoor activities involve balls, bicycles, and sneakers. Our real estate agents find reading even more enjoyable out in the fresh air and sunshine. National Book Lovers Day is Sunday, August 9th, so grab a book and head out to one of these scenic reading spots around Tuscaloosa.
Real estate contracts and inspection reports aren't exactly reader-friendly, but we can walk you through them, so you don't miss a thing. For dedicated and experienced help buying or selling a home in Tuscaloosa, contact us at Hamner Real Estate.