ATTRACTIONS

Historic Homes & Buildings

• Belle Mont Mansion (circa 1828)
  8513 Cook Lane • Muscle Shoals, AL 35674
  Located 3.5 Miles South of Tuscumbia
  256-383-0783
  As one of Alabama's most distinguished homes, this house is owned by the Alabama Historical Commission. Appointments for a tour of the lovely neo-classical building are available.  map

• Colbert County Courthouse
  201 North Main Street • Muscle Shoals, AL 35674
  This stately building, built in 1881-1909, still houses county government and serves as the centerpiece for the surrounding Tuscumbia National Register Historic District. The District showcases a large collection of 19th century architecture, including the Tuscumbia Depot.  map

• Helen Keller Birthplace, Ivy Green
  300 West North Commons • Tuscumbia, AL 25674
  256-383-4066, 888-329-2124
  The dramatic life and times of Helen Keller are preserved at her childhood home, Ivy Green. Keller, left blind and deaf by a severe illness at the age of 19 months, captured the world's attention in 1882 with her indomitable spirit. Located on a 640-acre tract in historic Tuscumbia, Ivy Green was built in 1820, only one year after Alabama became the 22nd State of the Union. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1954. The Miracle Worker is performed annually in June and July. This is also the site of the Helen Keller Festival, held each year on the last full weekend of June. more...  map

• Ritz Theater, The
  103 West Third Street • Sheffield, AL 35660
  256-381-8370
  Built in the 1920's, this building was a silent movie house. It has been restored to its Art Deco style and is frequently used for local events. more...  map

Historic Sites & Monuments

• Coon Dog Cemetery
  Post Office Box 440 • Muscle Shoals, AL 35674
  256-383-0783
  Since Troop was buried here in 1937, more than 100 coon dogs have been laid to rest here, thus making this area a unique place to visit. The cemetery is located off Highway 247 in western Colbert County near the Natchez Trace.  map

• Indian Mound & Museum
  Near Tennessee River/Florence
  256-760-6427
  This mound is made completely of earth and is the largest of the Indian Mounds on the Tennessee River. The temple on top of the mound was a place for ceremonies. The adjacent museum contains exhibits showing how the mound was built along with Indian artifacts of weaponry, culture and lifestyle dating back 10,000 years.   map

• La Grange College Site Park
  1491 LaGrange College Road • Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
  Leighton
  256-383-0783, 800-344-0783
  This memorial park commemorates the burning of Alabama's first chartered college, known as the West Point of the South, during the Civil War. It strives to preserve the memory of the college established in 1830 and the pioneer village that was associated with the institution. The park is open daily.  more...  map

• LaGrange College Site and Antebellum Cemetery
  1491 LaGrange College Road • Leighton, AL 35646
  256-446-9324
  This historic area includes period structures and so much more that are meant to celebrate life on LaGrange Mountain. The buildings were relocated to the park and feature a log-cabin museum, country store and outbuildings.   map

Museums & Galleries

• Tennessee Valley Art Center, The
  511 North Water Street • Tuscumbia, AL 35674
  Located in Historic Downtown
  256-383-0533
  The Tennessee Valley Art Center host several rotating exhibits, programs, and activities. One special permanent exhibit includes ancient Native American Petroglyph that was found in the Shoals area. more...  map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

• Spring Park
  Spring Park Road • Tuscumbia, AL 35674
  Spring Park is home to The Big Spring, which provided the site in 1815 for the original settlement of Occocoposa, later named Tuscumbia, for a Native American chieftain, Tash-ka-ambia. Spring Park is host to such events as the Helen Keller Festival, Indian Festival, and Memorial and Labor Day celebrations.   map

Science & Technology

• Wilson Lock and Dam
  Highway 133 • Muscle Shoals, AL 35645
  256-383-2442
  Wilson Dam is one of the highest single lift locks in the world. It crosses the Tennessee River and provides visitors with a view of everything on the water!  map