Located in northwest Alabama, along the banks of the Tennessee River, sits the town of Florence. Florence has many great things to see and do, which makes it the perfect place to live or visit. According to Southern Living magazine, Florence is one of the “South’s Best Small Towns”, and you don’t want to miss it. There are many different reasons why Florence stands out among other Alabama towns, and here are our thoughts about one of the coolest small towns in Alabama:

  1. Florence has one of the best downtown areas in Alabama.

Downtown Florence Alliance/Facebook Florence’s downtown area has it all! Specialty shops, award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and so much more. For further information about Florence’s downtown area, click here.

  1. On the first Friday of each month, Florence hosts its popular “First Fridays” event.

Visit The Shoals/Facebook For information regarding this free public event, click here.

  1. Florence is home to Alabama’s oldest ice cream parlor and sandwich shop.

Brandon R./Yelp Founded in 1918, Trowbridge’s is the oldest business in Florence that’s still operating from its original location. It’s best known for its orange pineapple ice cream. 316 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. Florence is also home to the only two live lion mascots in the U.S. that are living on a college campus.

Visit The Shoals/Facebook Located on the University of North Alabama campus is the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat. You can watch the lions via “Lion Cam” here. George H. Carroll Lion Habitat, 650 Aderholt Way, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. If you’re a fan of music history, Florence is a definite must-visit! This historic town is the birthplace of the “Father of the Blues” and…

David Brossard/Flickr W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues,” was born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873. He was one of America’s most influential songwriters, and you can learn all about his life by visiting the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library. Mississippi Blues Trail – W.C. Handy Birthplace, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. …the “Father of Rock ‘N’ Roll.”

flickr/Mike Freeman Sam Phillips was born in Florence, Alabama on January 5, 1923. As the founder of Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, Sam Phillips is best known for discovering Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.

  1. Florence offers a truly unique dining experience. It’s home to the state’s only revolving restaurant.

management/TripAdvisor 360 Grille is an upscale, revolving restaurant that’s located atop Renaissance Tower. It offers an amazing view of the Tennessee River. For more information, click here. 10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. While exploring Florence, you’ll stumble upon many great pieces of architecture, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House.

Gino Zahnd/Flickr For information regarding this historic home, click here. Frank Lloyd Wright - Rosenbaum House Museum, 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. Florence, like all small towns, has that one special place that’s considered a local favorite.

Damon D./Yelp Staggs Grocery has been a Florence landmark since 1937. It’s best known for its delicious breakfast and mouthwatering burgers. 1424 Huntsville Rd, Florence, AL 35630, USA

  1. And finally, Florence hosts one of the largest running, all volunteer events in the nation.

Alabama Renaissance Faire/Facebook The Alabama Renaissance Faire, which takes place during the fall season, is one of North Alabama’s top tourist events. For more information, click here.

Have you ever visited Florence, Alabama? If so, what did you think? What were some of your favorite things to see and do? Share your thoughts with us! For a longer list of Alabama’s most charming small towns, click here.

Downtown Florence Alliance/Facebook

Florence’s downtown area has it all! Specialty shops, award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and so much more. For further information about Florence’s downtown area, click here.

Visit The Shoals/Facebook

For information regarding this free public event, click here.

Brandon R./Yelp

Founded in 1918, Trowbridge’s is the oldest business in Florence that’s still operating from its original location. It’s best known for its orange pineapple ice cream.

316 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Located on the University of North Alabama campus is the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat. You can watch the lions via “Lion Cam” here.

George H. Carroll Lion Habitat, 650 Aderholt Way, Florence, AL 35630, USA

David Brossard/Flickr

W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues,” was born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873. He was one of America’s most influential songwriters, and you can learn all about his life by visiting the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library.

Mississippi Blues Trail – W.C. Handy Birthplace, Florence, AL 35630, USA

flickr/Mike Freeman

Sam Phillips was born in Florence, Alabama on January 5, 1923. As the founder of Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, Sam Phillips is best known for discovering Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.

management/TripAdvisor

360 Grille is an upscale, revolving restaurant that’s located atop Renaissance Tower. It offers an amazing view of the Tennessee River. For more information, click here.

10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Gino Zahnd/Flickr

For information regarding this historic home, click here.

Frank Lloyd Wright - Rosenbaum House Museum, 601 Riverview Dr, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Damon D./Yelp

Staggs Grocery has been a Florence landmark since 1937. It’s best known for its delicious breakfast and mouthwatering burgers.

1424 Huntsville Rd, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Alabama Renaissance Faire/Facebook

The Alabama Renaissance Faire, which takes place during the fall season, is one of North Alabama’s top tourist events. For more information, click here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Florence, AL, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Coolest Small Towns in Alabama September 23, 2021 Tori Jane What are some fun hidden gems in Alabama?   Alabama is a much more interesting, fun place than most folks tend to give it credit for. As long as you know where to look, you’re sure to find something to love in this beautiful state, no matter what your interests are. Some of the best hidden gems in Alabama that you should add to your bucket list ASAP include the awe-inspiring natural bridge in the appropriately-named Natural Bridge, AL, and the epic Bangor Cave, which is just as spooky as it is amazing. We also really love the Rosenbaum House, which is the only structure in the entire state built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the strange-but-wonderful Ave Maria Grotto is a beautiful and bizarre park with over 100 tiny replicas of famous, historic buildings. There are plenty more; for a fuller list, check this article out – you’re sure to fall in love with the weird side of ‘Bama.   What are the must-visit small towns in Alabama?  Alabama isn’t exactly famous for its awesome small towns, but maybe it should be. This little state is home to tens of dozens of small, medium, and large towns, small cities, and a smattering of big ones, too. Some of those small and medium little towns are pretty groovy; our favorites include Guntersville, in northern Alabama, which is a wonderful hotspot for bald eagles and natural beauty, and Muscle Shoals is world-famous and a must-do. Cullman is interesting, as it’s a unique blend of Native American, German, and Civil War history you can’t pass up on learning about – plus, a lot of the old buildings are still there, which is pretty cool. Mentone, Alabama is known for its incredible beauty. We also really love Athens, one of the oldest cities in the state; it’s home to more than one world-famous festival, so be sure to check out any events going on should you visit.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Coolest Small Towns in Alabama

September 23, 2021

Tori Jane

What are some fun hidden gems in Alabama?   Alabama is a much more interesting, fun place than most folks tend to give it credit for. As long as you know where to look, you’re sure to find something to love in this beautiful state, no matter what your interests are. Some of the best hidden gems in Alabama that you should add to your bucket list ASAP include the awe-inspiring natural bridge in the appropriately-named Natural Bridge, AL, and the epic Bangor Cave, which is just as spooky as it is amazing. We also really love the Rosenbaum House, which is the only structure in the entire state built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the strange-but-wonderful Ave Maria Grotto is a beautiful and bizarre park with over 100 tiny replicas of famous, historic buildings. There are plenty more; for a fuller list, check this article out – you’re sure to fall in love with the weird side of ‘Bama.   What are the must-visit small towns in Alabama?  Alabama isn’t exactly famous for its awesome small towns, but maybe it should be. This little state is home to tens of dozens of small, medium, and large towns, small cities, and a smattering of big ones, too. Some of those small and medium little towns are pretty groovy; our favorites include Guntersville, in northern Alabama, which is a wonderful hotspot for bald eagles and natural beauty, and Muscle Shoals is world-famous and a must-do. Cullman is interesting, as it’s a unique blend of Native American, German, and Civil War history you can’t pass up on learning about – plus, a lot of the old buildings are still there, which is pretty cool. Mentone, Alabama is known for its incredible beauty. We also really love Athens, one of the oldest cities in the state; it’s home to more than one world-famous festival, so be sure to check out any events going on should you visit.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Alabama is a much more interesting, fun place than most folks tend to give it credit for. As long as you know where to look, you’re sure to find something to love in this beautiful state, no matter what your interests are. Some of the best hidden gems in Alabama that you should add to your bucket list ASAP include the awe-inspiring natural bridge in the appropriately-named Natural Bridge, AL, and the epic Bangor Cave, which is just as spooky as it is amazing. We also really love the Rosenbaum House, which is the only structure in the entire state built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the strange-but-wonderful Ave Maria Grotto is a beautiful and bizarre park with over 100 tiny replicas of famous, historic buildings. There are plenty more; for a fuller list, check this article out – you’re sure to fall in love with the weird side of ‘Bama.  

What are the must-visit small towns in Alabama? 

Alabama isn’t exactly famous for its awesome small towns, but maybe it should be. This little state is home to tens of dozens of small, medium, and large towns, small cities, and a smattering of big ones, too. Some of those small and medium little towns are pretty groovy; our favorites include Guntersville, in northern Alabama, which is a wonderful hotspot for bald eagles and natural beauty, and Muscle Shoals is world-famous and a must-do. Cullman is interesting, as it’s a unique blend of Native American, German, and Civil War history you can’t pass up on learning about – plus, a lot of the old buildings are still there, which is pretty cool. Mentone, Alabama is known for its incredible beauty. We also really love Athens, one of the oldest cities in the state; it’s home to more than one world-famous festival, so be sure to check out any events going on should you visit.