Stacey at the fountain in downtown Florence, Alabama.

The region called “The Shoals” is actually a cluster of four Alabama cities spanning two counties, tucked right near the Tennessee line next to the Tennessee River. Like Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Florence, Tuscumbia and Sheffield are Music Cities in their own right with their historic recording studios that have created and produced an endless list of hit records with their famous “Muscle Shoals Sound” . With it’s rich history in all genres of music, quaint downtown areas and several other historical sites, and being just a 2+ hour road trip from Nashville, it is the perfect getaway. My family and I packed a lot in our three days in The Shoals, staying in Florence and exploring all four cities.

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama

Stacey and the famous Muscle Shoals sign in front of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

We toured Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield and Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals. Theses studios created so many great hit records from the Rolling Stones (Wild Horses, Brown Sugar), Aretha Franklin (I Never Loved A Man), Paul Simon (Love Me Like a Rock), Wilson Pickett (Mustang Sally), Bob Seeger (Night Moves, Old Time Rock & Roll) Bob Dylan (Gotta Serve Somebody) and so many more in all genres including rock, country and rhythm & blues.

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio control room.

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Many famous artists and musicians played these pianos.

Muscle Shoals Studio’s invoice for “Wild Horses” recorded by the Rolling Stones.

Fame Studio A with the original white Wurlitzer piano.

Fame Studios memorabilia and instruments played by several of the famous artists who recorded there.

The office of the infamous Rick Hall, owner of Fame Studios, with it’s original furniture, gold records and green carpet. Hall was responsible for bringing many famous artists to Muscle Shoals and creating the Muscle Shoals Sound with the amazing group of musicians he brought together, called The Swampers who went on to open Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

Our next stop was Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s birthplace and childhood home in Tuscumbia. The pristine white home, the second house built in the oldest of the four cities by her grandparents, still contains much of the original furniture, rugs and even clothing worn by Helen and her mother. This is where Annie Sullivan, her teacher, came to live with her. The water pump is still behind the house where Annie taught Helen the word “water” and she learned that everything has a name.

Helen Keller’s birthplace and childhood home in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

The actual water pump behind the house where Annie Sullivan taught Helen Keller the word, “water”’ and she learned everything had a name. It was a break through moment for her and opened her life to all she accomplished later, including graduating from college.

The room in the cottage next door to the main house where Helen Keller was born.

The famous bronze of Helen Keller at the water pump, her braille typewriter, braille books, photos and other memorabilia are in a bedroom in the back of the house.

Another must see is the Rosenbaum House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in Alabama, that was built in 1940 and is an example of his Usonian style homes. Custom furniture, much of it built-in, was constructed onsite for the home. The large windows and use of natural materials connects the indoors to the outdoors. The cantilevered roof is also distinctive to the Usonian style. It is located on a quiet residential street in Florence, Alabama across the street from Stanley Rosenbaum’s parents’ home which is still there. Tours are offered and no reservations are required.

The Rosenbaum House designed and built by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in Florence, Alabama. This is actually the back of the house where guests entered the home from the street and the Rosenbaum’s entered from their carport.

The living room in the Rosenbaum house with furniture designed by Wright and a wall of windows with a long wall of book shelves on the opposite side leading to Mr. Rosenbaum’s study.

The garden outside the Frank Lloyd Wright designed addition completed in 1948 which added another 1,084 square feet in a second L-shape.

The quaint downtown areas and historic districts with restored homes, boutiques, and restaurants were quite nice to stroll around. The flagship store and headquarters of international fashion brand, Billy Reid, is located in historic downtown Florence. Odette, with it’s farm influenced menu with southern and international influences and bright bar is located right next door. We enjoyed a delicious meal there and our server was friendly and very helpful with the menu.

Flagship store of designer and Florence, Alabama resident, Billy Reid.

We enjoyed a delicious meal at Odette in downtown Florence, Alabama.

A delicious dinner in the 360 Grille, a revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Tower in the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa with a breathtaking view.

We also enjoyed a delicious meal in the 360 Grille atop the Renaissance Tower in the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa. It is a revolving restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Tennessee River and surrounding Florence countryside. With a sophisticated ambiance and impeccable service, I highly recommend it.

We had a very enjoyable stay at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa in Florence during our three days in the Shoals. It is a dog friendly hotel so our two pups got to join us! The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating to our every need, and we were pleased with all our meals.

Of course I had to sit in the big rocking chair in downtown Florence.

Tennessee has so many places to explore, and The Shoals area is a hidden gem. It is on the southern border of what is referred to as Nashville’s Big Backyard and is only a 2+ hours drive just past the Tennessee / Alabama border and an easy scenic drive. We thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you will check out this historically and culturally rich area!