MUSCLE SHOALS – At just around an hour drive away is one of America’s best kept secrets: Muscle Shoals.
It has been the subject of documentaries, it’s the Motown and Sound City of the south, the birthplace of American legend Hellen Keller (okay, that’s technically Tuscumbia, but it’s next door) and America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a building there (okay, that’s Florence, but trust me, it’s really close, too).
Firstly, the music history in this place is ridiculous. The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Glen Fry, Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Aretha Franklin, seriously, it’s insane. Some of those artists’ fans would travel all the way around the world to see a place where they recorded, and you only have to drive about an hour.
Muscle Shoals is something more Alabamians should take pride in, but you can’t take any pride in it if you have never experienced it, so start with a visit.
While there, visit the FAME studio (the home of many of the aforementioned famous artists’ recording sessions), the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum and Hellen Keller’s birthplace and home which was built in 1820.
There are several places to stay, but the option I suggest is the Joe Wheeler Lodge. Check it out at http://www.alapark.com/joe-wheeler-state-park. This is the chance for you to experience and see all those things you hear about a few times a year, and a nice alternative to the seemingly more mainstream visits to Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta.
Of course, if visiting museums is not your cup of tea, then there is a more laid back approach to The Shoals. Sit on the deck of a room overlooking the Joe Wheeler State Park, hit the links with a trip to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail or just visit some of the renowned restaurants in the area. (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g30728-Muscle_Shoals_Alabama.html)
If you are looking for a weekend getaway that is simple and has the potential to be one of the best times you’ve ever had only an hour from your home, pack your overnight bag and head to The Shoals.
