While we usually don't feature chain hotels, the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence, Alabama, is unlike any other from the brand. Located next to the dams of the Tennessee River, the hotel is inspired by the music and people of Muscle Shoals. The contemporary design has the best of everything, from the restaurant to the spa and outdoor pool facility. The hotel … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa
Alabama
Small Town Saturday: Guntersville, AL
Named for founder John Gunter, the town originally known as Gunter's Landing was settled in 1848. John Gunter was the wealthy owner of a salt mine and married a local Cherokee woman to solidify his land holdings. Many of the local residents worked for the nearby cotton mill. The town now has less than 10,000 residents and brings in fishermen for Lake Guntersville. … [Read more...] about Small Town Saturday: Guntersville, AL
Small Town Saturday: Fort Payne, AL
Founded in the 1800s, the area now known as Fort Payne was home to a thriving Cherokee community until their removal. The town was named for Major Payne, who built the internment camp for the Native Americans. The completion of rail lines between Birmingham and Chattanooga increased the population. The band Alabama hails from Fort Payne and a number of attractions are … [Read more...] about Small Town Saturday: Fort Payne, AL
Classic Eats: Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue
Classic Eats is a series about old-school and beloved Southern dining establishments. Do you have suggestions? Leave them in the comments. It is a well-known fact that the culinary route to many North Alabama hearts goes through Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue in Decatur, Alabama. The Baby Boomer crowd can remember when Big Bob himself, standing 6' 4" tall and weighing nearly … [Read more...] about Classic Eats: Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue
Road Tripping from Atlanta to Huntsville
As I prepared for my trip to a conference in Huntsville, I was excited to plan my route through the back roads of Georgia and Alabama. The mountainous region is underrated when it comes to travel destinations, but well worth visiting. I've made this trip a few times and am excited to share some of my favorite road trip stops. I took I-75 north to 140 to 27 to 48, which … [Read more...] about Road Tripping from Atlanta to Huntsville
