Playgrounds and Parks

Deibert Park (Florence) - walking trails, pavilions, large playground, ponds with turtles

Riverfront Park (Sheffield) - special needs playground, splashpad, biking and walking trails

Spring Park (Tuscumbia) - roller coaster, carousel, train that runs through the park, playground, fountain; also event center

McFarland Park (Florence) - playground on the river, rock piles, beaches, soccer field

Skate Park (Florence) - part of Cox Creek Park, which also has a playground and tennis courts

TVA Rockpile - playground that is a part of the TVA trails

River Heritage (Florence Marriott Hotel) - adjacent to the splashpad

Gattman Park (Muscle Shoals) - playground, splashpad, tennis courts

Veterans Memorial Park (Florence) - playground, tennis courts, and a disc golf course

Wildwood Park (Florence)

Martin Park (Florence) - adjacent to the Royal Ave. rec center, aquatic center, and tennis courts; large playground and walking trails

St. Florian Park - walking trails, playground

Trinity Episcopal Church (Florence) - playground, green space

Hiking Trails/ Camping

Shoals Creek Preserve (Florence) - head to the left to take an easier trail that leads to an fun creek to play in; unpaved

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve (Tuscumbia) - beautiful views and access to creeks; unpaved

TVA trails (Sheffield) - endless trails overlooking the beautiful Tennessee River with two playgrounds and the Old Railroad Bridge to walk over the river; paved and unpaved

Davy Crockett State Park (Lawrenceburg, TN) - playground, picnic tables, creeks, walking trails with a waterfall; also have a museum and hawk and owl rehabilitation center; paved and unpaved

Dismals Canyon (Phil Campbell) - walking trails and “glow worms” in the fall that you can see on guided night walks; unpaved

Bankhead National Forest (Double Springs) - over 90 miles of trails in one of Alabama’s four National Forests

Rock Spring Natchez Trace (Florence) - natural spring on site; unpaved

Joe Wheeler State Park (Rogersville) - beautiful trails along the Tennessee River

Splash Pads

River Heritage (Florence Marriott Hotel) - overlooks the TVA dam and Tennessee River

Gattman Park (Muscle Shoals) - great for smaller kids

Riverfront Park (Sheffield) - great for smaller kids, special needs playground adjacent

Rogersville Splash Pad - open for birthday parties; concession stand

Red Bay Water Park - water slides, swimming pools, and a splash pad. Note: Cost for admission.

Libraries and Museums

Children’s Museum of the Shoals - great rainy day activity; fun for all ages; open for birthday parties. Note: Cost for admission.

Florence-Lauderdale Public Library - new contests, programs, and activities for kids of all ages (including teens!)

Muscle Shoals Public Library - wonderful programs and activities

Sheffield Public Library

Helen Keller Public Library (Tuscumbia)

Cook Museum of Natural Science (Decatur) - natural science museum where kids can explore, interact with, and learn about nature; very hands-on

Local Festivals

W.C. Handy Festival (Florence, July) - week-long celebration of the “Father of the Blues,” with tons of live music, discussions, and food; fun for the whole family

Helen Keller Festival (Tuscumbia, August) - celebration of national hero Helen Keller, who was born and raised in Tuscumbia; annual production of “The Miracle Worker” play

Watermelon Festival (Russellville, August) - music, contests, entertainment, pageant, arts & crafts, 5k run, antique car & truck show, tractor show, and watermelon

Alabama Renaissance Faire (Florence, October) - family-friendly festival celebrating the 12th-mid-17th centuries, with lots of costumes, activities, and turkey legs

Arts Alive (Florence, May) - local arts and crafts festival featuring hundreds of artists from across the Southeast

Other

Lion Habitat at UNA (Florence) - come see Una and Leo at their home on the campus of the University of North Alabama

King’s Drive-In (Russellville) - watch a movie like the old days at a local drive- in movie theater

Newton’s Blueberries (Florence) - pick fresh blueberries for the fam

Trowbridge’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop (Florence) - founded in 1917, this downtown Florence staple is a step back in time