Top 30 Things To Do In Florence, Alabama

things to do in florence alabama
James
James 
Updated
| 13 min read

Florence is a lovely, quaint city located near the Northwestern border of Tennessee in Alabama. Sitting right on the Tennessee River, this beautiful city has an appealing charm about it. Florence is home to the oldest state college in Alabama, as well as several other historic sites and attractions. The city is also blessed with several parks–some inland and others beside the river where you can find excellent fishing spots, walking/cycling trails, picnic areas, and places to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Outdoor water activities like kayaking, fishing, and canoeing are regular activities here, too. And if you are the indoor type, there are several art galleries, a few music studios and a lot of exquisite restaurants for you to explore, relax and dine in. The city’s small size makes getting around very easy. Have the best vacation of your life with these top things to do in Florence, Alabama.

1. Tour the remarkable Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House

Rosenbaum House Front Pano
Source: Photo by user Mmdoogie used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Arguably America’s most popular and influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright designed quite a few of masterpieces–one of which is in Florence. The Rosenbaum House was built in 1940 and is Wright’s only work in all of Alabama. This unique building offers you a place of unparalleled beauty and authenticity. A tour of the Rosenbaum House takes you through all the rooms of this Usonian-styled home, its features and of course, its lovely garden. Although the garden wasn’t part of the original plan, its addition was done by Wright himself so that nothing is missing from this remarkable work of art called the Rosenbaum House.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House

Address: 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 10 USD

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2. Go jogging along McFarland Park

White Pelicans, Cormorants, Sea Gulls & Eagles from Wilson Dam, Lauderdale Co. & Colbert Co. TVA Rock Pile Rec Area & McFarland Park Campground & Cypress Creek areas.

Posted by Shakey Shutter Photography on Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Have a recreational time at the fantastic McFarland Park. With the beautiful Tennessee River flowing gently by the side of the park, McFarland Park offers you a private and serene place to have fun doing all your favorite outdoor activities. This well-tended park has several campsites, playground for kids, boat ramps, fishing piers, covered picnic areas, open fields for playing soccer or baseball, and loads of beautiful tall trees and hammocks in between them. There is also a floating restaurant and bar to dine, and of course, lighted trails for cycling and jogging around the marina. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day.

McFarland Park

Address: 200 James M Spain Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: McFarland Park

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

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3. Enjoy picnicking at River Heritage Park


Located at the base of the Renaissance Tower, River Heritage Park is a beautiful place to visit. This park overlooks and gives its visitors amazing views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam in Florence. Aside from the lovely views, the park also offers several picnic shelters and spots. River Heritage Park boasts of a charming playground, paved walking trails, a large and exciting splash pad, fountain, and light show that are amazing. Whether you are alone or with friends and family, a visit to this park will be a delightful experience.

River Heritage Park

Address: 15 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: River Heritage Park

Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)

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4. Try fishing at Pickwick Lake

Posted by Pickwick Lake Florence, Al on Friday, 13 April 2012

If you love fishing, then you must explore Pickwick Lake. Located off the Tennessee River and near the Wilson Dam, this lake is often referred to as the best trophy smallmouth fishery in the country. Pickwick Lake is famous among fisherfolk for its massive population of Largemouth bass fish. The lake plays host to a few renowned fishing tournaments every year. Whip out that fishing rod and sail out onto the lake–who knows, you may catch the biggest Largemouth bass yet.

Pickwick Lake

Address: 200 Jim Spain Dr Florence, Alabama

Website: Pickwick Lake

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5. Browse through the ancient artifacts at Florence Indian Mound and Museum


The prehistoric Indian Mound in Florence rises a stunning 13 meters (43 feet) high and is over 2000 years old, according to archaeologists. Experience a rare foray into the past as you explore the museum filled with artifacts right beside this great mound. This exciting museum is home to a vast collection of ancient tools, jewelry, weapons, and relics belonging to the Native American Indians – some dating as far back as 10,000 years ago. With other real items from their lifestyle back then and detailed explanations attached to the artifacts, you will enjoy a tour through this museum.

Florence Indian Mound and Museum

Address: 1028 S Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Florence Indian Mound and Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 5 USD

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6. Take an informative tour at the University of North Alabama

UNA HarrisonPlaza
Source: Photo by user Smoothcat used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

The oldest state college in Alabama, the University of North Alabama is the only university in the city. Accredited and renowned, this state university sits on an expansive 52.6-hectares (130-acre) campus in a residential area of Florence. The university offers degree programs across several colleges like sciences, arts, business administration, education, nursing and human sciences. You can take an informative tour of the school and all its facilities. A tour of the school is an eye-opening experience you should check out.

University of North Alabama

Address: 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL 35632, USA

Website: University of North Alabama

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7. Go to Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller

things to do in florence alabama | go to ivy green, the birthplace of helen keller
Source: instagram

Florence is a city that has produced a lot of iconic figures in history. Helen Keller is one of them. This inspirational woman showed the whole world the resilient spirit rooted in the city by overcoming her disabilities to become one of the greatest women of her time. And when you visit the city, you can explore her birthplace and childhood home. Still maintaining the family’s original furnishings, Ivy Green offers you the chance to see several items, gifts, books, and personal memorabilia used by the amazing icon.

Ivy Green

Address: 300 N Commons St W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USA

Website: Ivy Green

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 6 USD

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8. Taste mouthwatering pizzas at The Pie Factory


The Pie Factory is a restaurant that specializes in making delicious handmade pizza using the authentic, traditional methods and baked in the age-old conventional pizza oven. Choose from the mouthwatering options on offer here. Have a taste of the classic pizza, double-layered pepperoni, and the grilled chicken. Not forgetting the cheese pizza, meatballs, peppers pizza, and the classic veggie pizza, there is something for everyone. The Pie Factory also serves tasty desserts and you can also make your custom pizza with any of the available toppings.

The Pie Factory

Address: 106 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: The Pie Factory

Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)

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9. See the serene ponds at Deibert Park

things to do in florence alabama | see the serene ponds at deibert park
Source: instagram

Lush, green, and beautiful, Deibert Park is a place to take a load off in Florence. This magnificent park has the Children’s Museum of Shoals at its entrance and boasts of several other features. Spend time in the covered picnic area, walk the paved trails, or view the stunning pond with geese and fishes. There are also restroom facilities, benches to sit all around the park, and open field area for dog-walking. The view of the peaceful pond here is sure to help you relax and enjoy the beauty of nature’s gifts.

Deibert Park

Address: Darby Dr & Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, AL 35630, United States

Website: Deibert Park

Opening hours: 6am - 7:30pm (daily)

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10. Relish delicious food at Odette

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


A great place with a beautiful atmosphere, Odette is an excellent eatery and shop you should try out. Located in the historic downtown Florence, this restaurant serves deliciously made American cuisines with a southern and international flair. Odette’s menu is rich and offers you a wide range of options to choose from. All the sumptuous meals in this restaurant are usually made using the very best locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients. With its very competent chef and amiable staff, you shouldn’t miss relishing delicious meals at this eatery.

Odette

Address: 120 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Odette

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 1pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 11pm (closed on Mon)

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11. Explore the Civil War artifacts at Pope's Tavern Museum


Take a stroll down memory lane when you visit Pope’s Tavern Museum. The building itself is one of the oldest in the area and has a rich history. Having been previously used as a tavern, hospital, and command center by armies during the Civil War, Pope’s Tavern is now a museum dedicated to displaying essential artifacts from the times before and during the civil war period. There are many items to see at this museum, including a vertically strung piano, a rare Kennedy Long Rifle, military stagecoaches, and many other Civil War antiques and relics.

Pope's Tavern Museum

Address: 203 Hermitage Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Pope’s Tavern Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 2 USD

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12. Play golf at Blackberry Trail Golf Course

Posted by Matthew Holt on Saturday, 9 April 2016

Refresh your golf playing skills at the well-groomed Blackberry Trail Golf Course in Florence. This standard golf course is located just north of the Tennessee River and is an 18-hole course sitting on a sprawling expanse of verdant land. Enjoy playing for birdies on this American links-style course with rolling fairways and greenside bunkers. The course boasts of a practice bunker, putting green, driving green, and helpful and professional staff. There is also a well-stocked golf shop and a grill and snacks bar for your enjoyment.

Blackberry Trail Golf Course

Address: 112 Clubhouse Dr, Florence, AL 35630-8922

Website: Blackberry Trail Golf Course

Opening hours: 7:30am - 7pm (daily)

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13. Discover W. C. Handy's Birthplace

Posted by Ken DeWalt on Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Many have sung along and grooved to his famous blues songs, but only a few have seen his birthplace. W. C. Handy, fondly called the Father of Blues, was born in 1873 in this city. The simple cabin home that was his birthplace is now a museum displaying items, music sheets, and memorabilia from the life and times of this great musician. Enjoy going through the house where the iconic blues legend lived as a child and even see the piano that first played the famous St. Louis Blues.

W. C. Handy Birthplace

Address: 620 W College St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: W. C. Handy Birthplace

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 2 - 3 USD

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14. Marvel at Georgian-style houses at Walnut Street Historic District


Walnut Street started as a simple residential area in the 1880s and 1890s with homes built in a unique Victorian-styled architectural design. This historic street still boasts of its original elegant houses; beautiful tree-lined side walkways, and different gorgeous architectural designs. Take a tour down the road and enjoy exciting sights of the marvelous homes here that have been beautifully restored to retain their impressive Georgian- and Victorian-style architecture. Walnut Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Walnut Street Historic District

Address: N Walnut St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Walnut Street Historic District

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15. Admire artworks at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

Amita Bhakta's gallery

Posted by Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts on Friday, 7 September 2018

The Kennedy-Douglas Center for Arts is a cultural arts center located in the heart of downtown Florence. This center is housed in three historic homes and specializes in displaying art exhibits of different themes for all ages. The whole complex also boasts of a gift shop and mini-museums with ever-changing exhibits on display. Admire the beauty and excellence of art, culture, and history in this fantastic arts center. The Kennedy-Douglas Center for Arts also hosts a local arts festival each year that draws several art lovers and artists to the city every May.

Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

Address: 217 E Tuscaloosa St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: Free

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16. Sample beer at Singin’ River Brewing Company

things to do in florence alabama | sample beer at singin’ river brewing company
Source: instagram

The first craft brewery in the city, Singin’ River Brewing Company was established to provide the very best homemade beer to the people and visitors of this thriving city. Visit this brewery during any of its weekly events (almost daily) and sample the enjoyable beer, produced in a warm and friendly atmosphere. So, if you love good beer and even better company, you shouldn’t miss this remarkable place in the Shoals.

Singin’ River Brewing Company

Address: 526 E College St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Singin’ River Brewing Company

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 4pm - 9pm; Sat: 2pm - 9pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm (closed on Mon)

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17. Stroll along Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall


The longest un-mortared wall in the whole country, the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall is an incredible structure. Built by Tom Hendrix as a tribute to his great-great grandmother’s remarkable journey back to her homeland, this wall has a rich history and immense cultural and sentimental value. This stone wall passed through the forests near Florence and took about three decades to build. Today, it’s a serene place with a prayer circle where you can sit, relax, and reflect on the beauty of life.

Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

Address: 13890 Lauderdale County 8, Florence, AL 35633, USA

Website: Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

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18. Savor Thai and Japanese cuisine at Yumm Thai Sushi and Beyond


Craving some delicious Japanese dishes? Then you should visit this fantastic restaurant. Even if you are not craving Asian delicacies, the exquisite cuisines and great ambiance at Yumm Thai Sushi and Beyond is more than enough to keep you coming back for more. With several meal options on their menu, including purely vegan dishes, fancy cocktails, incredible sushi and quick, as well as friendly service and modern ambiance, this restaurant is one of the best places to savor authentic Asian food.

Yumm Thai Sushi and Beyond

Address: 117 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Yumm Thai Sushi and Beyond

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm (closed on Sun)

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19. Shop at Florence Mall


The beautifully designed Florence Mall is the number one destination for shopping in the city. This outstanding mall offers a unique mix of stores and luxurious outlets. Satisfy all your shopping desires by exploring the beautiful stores in this mall and buying absolutely everything you may need, from clothing items to electronics, even children’s toys and grocery products. And if you want to take a break from all the shopping, you can catch a blockbuster movie at the on-site cinema or grab a bite in any of the great restaurants inside.

Florence Mall

Address: 301 Cox Creek Pkwy #78, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Florence Mall

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 1pm - 5:30pm

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20. Visit the historic Forks of Cypress


Established in 1818, the Forks of Cypress Plantation is a historic place in the city. This plantation, built by one of Florence’s founding fathers, James Jackson, and his wife, Sarah Jackson, is home to one of Alabama’s most iconic houses. The Forks of Cypress was also famed for producing some of the greatest thoroughbreds in the world back then. At some point, it was believed that all the successful thoroughbred horses in the world originated from this place. Open to the public only twice a year, it is an exciting place to visit in the city.

Forks of Cypress

Address: Jackson Rd, Florence, AL 35633, USA

Website: Forks of Cypress

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21. Relish seafood at River Bottom Grille By Stanfield's


The only floating restaurant in the entire city, River Bottom Grille by Stanfield’s is an incredible place to dine. It is located on the fantastic Tennessee River and offers its customers great views of the water, especially those eating outdoors. This restaurant offers a wide range of delicious food with fresh Southern-style seafood topping the menu. Savor the mouthwatering fish and chips, crabs, and famous oysters on the half shell special. If you aren’t in the mood for seafood, this restaurant also serves the best of burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, and desserts.

River Bottom Grille By Stanfield's

Address: 1050 Clayborn Liles Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: River Bottom Grille By Stanfield’s

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)

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22. Play exciting games at The Boiler Room

Posted by Boiler Room - Florence on Thursday, 18 October 2018

Where do you go to have a fun and exciting time indoors in Florence? The Boiler Room is a beautiful indoor area filled with a collection of exciting games and snack options for you to enjoy. Play in the different sections of this indoor arcade area with parts for shuffleboards, darts, foosball, skeeball, vintage arcade tables, bowling, and more. Located in the basement of an impressive building, this indoor games area has something for everyone regardless of age. You can even enjoy a game of making your food from scratch at the breakfast area on-site. It’s an excellent place for all-around fun in the city.

The Boiler Room

Address: 313 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: The Boiler Room

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 5pm - 2am; Sun: 2pm - 10pm; mon - Thu: 5pm - 12am

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23. Enjoy live music at On The Rocks

Friday Night Live at On the Rocks with the amazing Blind the Sky!!! 9:30-until, right in the heart of Downtown Florence!

Posted by On The Rocks on Friday, 21 September 2018

On The Rocks Restaurant is a place of premium entertainment and dining right in the center of downtown Florence. At this fantastic restaurant, you get to enjoy exciting features like live music on most of its nights, full dinner options, and even large HDTVs to watch your favorite team play on game nights. Enjoy a peaceful and relaxed evening dining to sumptuous dishes while listening to live music from the city’s best artistes. It’s a must-visit location for the best foods, drinks, and live music performances in the city.

On The Rocks

Address: 110 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: On The Rocks

Opening hours: 4pm - 2am (daily)

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24. Cruise through Wheeler Lake

Posted by Wheeler Lake Scenic Cruises on Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Located in Northcentral Alabama, Wheeler Lake is the second largest lake in the whole of Alabama. This sprawling lake is a serene and beautiful location for premium fishing and cruising in the city. Enjoy a relaxing cruise down this lake that stretches about 60 miles (96.5). You can decide to try your fishing skills with the lake’s numerous smallmouth and largemouth bass fish population. Otherwise, sit back, sip a glass of wine, and enjoy gazing at the remarkable Alabama landscape from the deck of your cruise boat.

Wheeler Lake

Address: 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL 35652, USA

Website: Wheeler Lake

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25. Watch wildlife at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge


One of the hidden treasures of the city, Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic place to visit. Established in 1997, this wildlife reserve sits majestically on over 1,000 acres (404.6 hectares) of land and is the only natural habitat of the endangered Alabama Cavefish. The Key Cave is also home to another endangered species - the gray bat. This national Wildlife Refuge offers you the chance to visit and watch the wildlife native to the area flourish in their natural habitat. It’s one of the hidden gems in the entire Alabama area.

Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Address: 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Alabama 35603, USA

Website: Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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26. Have fun throwing an ax at The Lumber Yard

Open Today at 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins welcome all weekend! Book a spot online.

Posted by The Lumber Yard Axe Throwing on Thursday, 16 May 2019

Lumbering is an ancient art of cutting wood into smaller usable pieces with an ax. While it may be too late to go into lumbering as a full-time job, you can do lumbering for fun at The Lumber Yard in Florence. Channel your inner lumberjack, aim at the wooden board, and have an exciting time throwing axes at it. Flex your shoulder strength and see just how many times you can hit your target right in the center. Lumbering is also a great form of exercise.

The Lumber Yard

Address: 418 South Royal Ave Florence, Alabama

Website: The Lumber Yard

Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 4pm - 10pm; Sun: 1pm - 10pm (closed from Sun - Wed)

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27. Jump on trampolines at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

things to do in florence alabama | jump on trampolines at sky zone trampoline park
Source: instagram

Get your adrenaline pumping at the high-flying, wall-to-wall Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Florence. This electrifying park is a place full of energy and is open to all ages of people in the city. Enjoy jumping at the main jump court, Ultimate Dodge Ball courts, flip through the Foam Zone, or slam dunk at the Sky Slam. It is a place of fun for everyone and if you are feeling fit, you can take on the challenging warrior course.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Address: 250 Mangum St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Opening hours: Fri: 4pm - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm; Tue - Thu: 4pm - 8pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 16 USD

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28. Paint your pot at Clay Bisque Studios


Make great memories painting your pottery studio with friends and family at the lovely Clay Bisque Studio. At this studio, you get the chance to bring out your creative side and channel it into a unique work of pottery. All you have to do is choose your preferred pottery piece and choose the colors you want then get to work. Your work will be glazed and fired and ready for pick up within seven days. How nice will it be for you to decorate your home with pottery pieces made especially for and by you?

Clay Bisque Studios

Address: 1551 Florence Blvd, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: Clay Bisque Studios

Opening hours: Wed - Thu, Sat: 10am - 5pm Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed from Sun - Tue)

Price: 25 USD

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29. See the lions at George H. Carroll Lion Habitat


The University of North Alabama took the idea of mascots a notch further by using a live lion as their mascot in 1974. The lion named Leo lived on campus, at the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat, started a trend that is still being used till date. Lions are still being used as the official school mascot with the George H. Carroll habitat currently playing hosts to two lions - Leo III and Una. This fantastic significant habitat is a must-see for everyone visiting Florence for the first time.

George H. Carroll Lion Habitat

Address: 650 Aderholt Way, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: George H. Carroll Lion Habitat

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30. Buy fresh produce at College Street Farmers Market


If you are a lover of organic produce and interested in getting the freshest foods available in the entire Florence area then you should head straight for this market. College Street Farmers Market is a place dedicated for farmers to come together and offers the highest quality locally produced and grown produce for people to purchase. They have a strict “not-grown-not-sold” policy here so you are sure of getting the very best fruits and veggies the city has to offer.

College Street Farmers Market

Address: 526 E College St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Website: College Street Farmers Market

Opening hours: Thu: 3pm - 7pm (closed from Fri - Wed)

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Explore true Southern lifestyle in Florence, Alabama

The lovely little city of Florence is one blessed with a unique mix of historic sites, museums, art galleries, parks, and water bodies. A place rich in tradition and culture, it is a great place to spend quality time relaxing, exploring the rivers and lakes, and experiencing the true Southern way of life. With so many interesting and exciting things to do in Florence, Alabama, there won’t be a single dull moment on your getaway.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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James Kure is an ardent writer from a very humble background. He loves writing about the world’s top travel destinations, especially the Scandinavian and Japanese regions. When not writing, James...Read more

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