Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city of 111,038 people in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, founded in December 13, 1819.
Why visit Tuscaloosa
Townapedia lists 29 museums and landmarks, 59 parks and trails, 216 places to eat, 29 places to stay and 12 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Bama Theatre, Hollywood 16 and IMAX, Caplewood Drive Historic District and Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 92°F; January lows average 35°F.
Weather in Tuscaloosa
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the county seat of Tuscaloosa County in west-central Alabama, United States, on the Black Warrior River where the Gulf Coastal and Piedmont plains meet. Alabama's fifth-most populous city, the population was 99,600 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 114,288 in 2025. It was known as Tuskaloosa until the early 20th century. It is also known as "the Druid City" because of the numerous water oaks planted in its downtown streets since the 1840s.
From the Wikipedia article Tuscaloosa, Alabama (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do12
Bama Theatre
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Movie theater and performing arts center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hugh R. Thomas Bridge
Bridge · 3.0 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Paul Bryant Bridge
Bridge · 1.4 mi
Bridge in Alabama, United States of America
Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Cinema and theater · 3.1 mi
Outdoor theater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, primarily used as a music venue
University of Alabama
School · 1.9 mi
Public university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Woolsey Finnell Bridge
Bridge · 0.8 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Museums and landmarks29
Caplewood Drive Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Foster Auditorium
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Multipurpose facility at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Pinehurst Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Audubon Place Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic district in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Battle-Friedman House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic house in Alabama, United States
Bryce Hospital
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Mental hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Carson Place
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
Historic mansion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
City National Bank
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Building in Alabama, United States
Collier-Overby House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
House in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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Dr. John R. Drish House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Human settlement in Alabama, United States of America
Fitch House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
House in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
17 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds59
Rock Quarry County Park
Park · 2.4 mi
Located Here- Cedar Shelter, Chestnut Shelter and Phelps Activity Center.
2200 Rock Quarry Drive, Tuscaloosa
John and Ann Rhoads Softball Stadium
Sports field and stadium · 1.4 mi
Midtown Village Park
Park · 2.8 mi
Walking Paths, Fountain, Playground, Restrooms
1800 McFarland Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa
47 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes216
7 Brew Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.5 mi
1404 Skyland Boulevard East
Su-Th 05:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:30-23:00
Glory Bound Gyro Co.
Restaurant · Greek · 2.2 mi
1301 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00
Ichiban Japanese Grill
Restaurant · Japanese · 2.7 mi
2128 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Tu-We 11:00-14:45,16:30-20:45; Th 16:30-20:15; Fr-Sa...
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.2 mi
1201 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Mo-Su 07:00-18:00
Rita's Italian Ice
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 2.2 mi
1201 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Mo-Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 12:00-21:30
Buffalo Phil's
Restaurant · 2.2 mi
1149 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Su-We 11:00-21:00; Th-Sa 11:00-22:00
The Houndstooth
Bar and pub · 2.2 mi
1300 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Mo-Th 16:00-26:00; Fr 16:00-27:00; Sa 16:00-26:00
204 more on the map.
History
Reportedly the name Tuscaloosa is a compound Choctaw Indian word; "tusko" meaning "warrior" and "loosa" meaning "black". The Black Warrior River flows through the north portion of the city. In 1809 Creek chief Occechemolta established a settlement at the falls of the river. (US-T125/Alabama: A Guide to the Deep South/p 244). County seat of Tuscaloosa County 1818 to 1822 and 1826 to the present. State capital from 1826 to 1846.
From the History section of Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay29
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tuscaloosa - Univ. of Alabama
Motel and hotel · 4.6 mi
1201 Skyland Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown
Motel and hotel · 2.9 mi
2410 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa-University
Motel and hotel · 2.6 mi
1120 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Tuscaloosa
Churches and places of worship88
First African Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 4.2 mi
733 James I. Harrison Junior Parkway E, Tuscaloosa
Riverwood Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 0.9 mi
501 Rice Valley Road North, Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa Skyland Seventh-day Adventist Church
Church · Seventh Day Adventist · 4.7 mi
2211 Skyland Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa
Shopping42
Gas and EV charging56
Schools, colleges and libraries59
Healthcare25
Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.1 mi
115 Harper Court, Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.8 mi
3701 Loop Road East, Tuscaloosa
Northeast Medical Building
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.2 mi
211 Peter Bryce Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
Map of Tuscaloosa
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 35°F | 5.1 in |
| Feb | 61°F | 38°F | 5.6 in |
| Mar | 68°F | 45°F | 5.5 in |
| Apr | 76°F | 52°F | 5.4 in |
| May | 84°F | 60°F | 4.0 in |
| Jun | 90°F | 68°F | 5.3 in |
| Jul | 92°F | 71°F | 4.9 in |
| Aug | 92°F | 71°F | 4.2 in |
| Sep | 87°F | 64°F | 3.5 in |
| Oct | 78°F | 53°F | 3.6 in |
| Nov | 66°F | 42°F | 4.8 in |
| Dec | 58°F | 37°F | 5.2 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Northport 2 S (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Tuscaloosa County has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Hurricane)
- 2020-09-14: Hurricane Sally (Hurricane)
- 2020-05-21: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2020-03-29: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2017-10-08: Hurricane Nate (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Tuscaloosa National Airport (TCL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 5 miles away.
- Northport 4 mi west, about 7 min by car
- McCalla 29 mi east, about 47 min by car
- Hueytown 32 mi east, about 51 min by car
- Bessemer 33 mi east, about 54 min by car
- Helena 37 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Alabaster 41 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Hoover 43 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Homewood 44 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Birmingham 47 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Pelham 47 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Tuscaloosa Greensboro Avenue, Nilson Cain, Public domain
- Race and ethnicity 2020 Tuscaloosa, AL, CensusDots, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2025-04-15 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Killdeer Nesting, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- Warrior Tombigbee Waterway Marker, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Pairko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- James B. McMillan Building, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, GreaterPonce665, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Looking South on 7th Avenue, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-10 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Snowman 3, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Shelby Hall and Fountain, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-10 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Snow Day 3, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - UA Student Center East Entrance, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Looking West on Campus West Drive, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-10 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Snowman 2, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - UA Student Center Southwest Entrance, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Crimson Promenade, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-08 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - UA Emergency Phone, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Gordon Palmer Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Marr's Spring Bridge, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Garland Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Marr's Spring Cisterns, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Tuomey Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Clark Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Presidents Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Crimson Ride Bus Arriving, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-10 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Snow Day 4, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Oliver-Barnard Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-22 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Madison Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2025-01-10 - Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Snow Day 2, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- 2024-10-24 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Rowand-Johnson Hall, Kai NeSmith, CC BY 4.0
- Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, UA, Tuscaloosa, Southwest view 20160714 1, DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Quad, UA, Tuscaloosa, East view 20160714 1, DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Foster Auditorium Malone Hood Plaza University of Alabama, Ttownfeen, Public domain
- 2024-10-21 - Tuscaloosa, AL, USA - Pinehurst Historic District 2, Kai NeSmith, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Drish House Tuscaloosa 01, Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
- UA President's Mansion 02, Maggie Hammond, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Battle-Friedman House, W. N. Manning, Public domain
- Bryce Hospital by Highsmith 01, Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
- City National Bank (Front from across the street), Gregr, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ua clark hall, Jorge1767 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- First African Baptist Church - Front (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), Gregr, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion, Altairisfar, CC BY-SA 3.0
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