Colbert County Tourism (original) (raw)
Unearth Our Fascinating Past
Discover the heritage of Colbert County, from Helen Keller‘s birthplace to the Belle Mont Mansion’s early 19th-century Southern elegance, and the LaGrange College Site Park, where history meets education. Along your journey, historic homes and churches offer a glimpse into the region’s architectural and cultural legacy, each with its unique story of community, faith, and craftsmanship.
Music That Moves You
Hear the iconic ‘Muscle Shoals Sound’, with visits to FAME recording studios, Muscle Shoals Sound and Cypress Moon Studios where legends like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones, The Oakridge Boys, The Osmonds, and many others recorded their hits. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame showcases hundreds of exhibits of Alabama artists and producers in all genres.
Embrace the Outdoors
Start your adventure with canyons, trails, and waterfalls. Fish for trophy bass, crappie, and giant catfish in Wilson and Pickwick Lakes, and spend the night under the stars at one of our inviting campgrounds. Golfers, challenge yourself on one of our championship courses. Birdwatchers, find ample opportunities to spot feathered friends. Cyclists, the Natchez Trace Parkway provides a scenic and historic ride.
An Evening with Lenny Leblanc
Join us for a spring evening with Lenny Leblanc, a Muscle Shoals original, and his band on Thursday, March 12 at the Ritz Theatre. The show begins at 7 pm and doors open at 6:30. Enjoy a mix of pop, country, and gospel favorites. Proceeds support the Ritz Theatre and the Sheffield Public Library. Presented in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.
All seating is general admission and first come first serve. Orchestra seating ($30) is downstairs, and balcony seating ($25) is upstairs. Handicap accessible seating is available. Please call 256 383 0783 to reserve accessible seating. Your receipt will serve as your ticket, though we will also have ticket holder information at will call. Tickets are also available for purchase in person at Colbert County Tourism and the Sheffield Public Library. For more information call 256 383 0783.
Where Music and Hospitality Dance Together
Welcome to Colbert County, where the hospitality flows like a sweet melody along the river, lakes, and streams. Here, every visitor is a friend we’ve been waiting to meet. Feel the warmth of our Southern charm, where every moment is an invitation to make yourself at home. From scenic landscapes to rich history, and the sweet sounds of our music-filled heritage, we invite you to explore, unwind, and create memories that feel like family. Come as guests, leave as friends – that’s the Colbert County way.
Explore Our Annual Events
There’s always something to celebrate!
Tailored Tours
We’re your go-to for creating a memorable itinerary. With over 40 years of experience, we offer one-stop planning services, including customized itineraries, exclusive meal events, group rates at hotels, local guides, warm welcome receptions, and efficient booking coordination. For a personalized exploration of the Muscle Shoals Area, get in touch with us, and we’ll craft an unforgettable journey for your group.
Your Sweet Home Away From Home: From Boutique Hotels to Cozy Cabins, We’ve Got You Covered!
Miracles, Music, and Much More!
Listen like a local
As You Plan Your Trip, Find Your Groove with These Curated Spotify Playlists. Experience that ‘Muscle Shoals Sound’ wherever you are!
We’re OPEN for Presidents Day. 🇺🇸
Got the day off? Let us help you spend it well.
Fun fact: Six United States Presidents have visited Colbert County.
From rail car speeches in Tuscumbia and Sheffield 🚂 to campaign launches at Spring Park and inspections of Wilson and Wheeler Dams, our little corner of Alabama has seen its share of history.
Andrew Johnson.
William McKinley.
Theodore Roosevelt.
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
John F. Kennedy.
Jimmy Carter.
Not a bad guest list. 🇺🇸
Happy Presidents Day from Colbert County Tourism.
#ColbertCounty #VisitColbertCounty #PresidentsDay #AlabamaHistory
#TheShoals #ExploreAlabama #VisitNorthAL #SweetHomeColbertCounty #HistoryLivesHere
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One of the most meaningful annual events in Colbert County is Oka Kapassa: Return to Cold Water, a celebration of Native American heritage held each September in Spring Park. 🌿
Tribes from across the country come together to share stories, music, dance, and traditional crafts. The weekend ends with a beautiful torch-lighting ceremony that honors the history and hospitality of early Tuscumbia. ✨
Oka Kapassa takes place every second Friday and Saturday in September and is recognized as an STS Top 20 event. It is a special experience for anyone who attends.
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL
#OkaKapassa #NativeAmericanHeritage #Tuscumbia #SpringPark
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Colbert County is for lovers.
History lovers.
Music lovers.
Outdoor lovers.
Food lovers.
However you love, there’s a place for you here.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Colbert County Tourism. ❤️
Which one is your favorite?
#ColbertCounty #VisitColbertCounty #TheShoals #MuscleShoals #SheffieldAL
#Tuscumbia #NorthAlabama
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🐦💚 Love is in the Air… and So Are the Birds! 💚🐦
Join @landtrustnal for the Great Backyard Bird Count at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 1 to 3 PM.
Spend the afternoon counting birds as part of this global citizen science effort that helps researchers track bird populations before migration. We’ll show you how to use the Merlin and eBird apps or keep it simple with pen and paper. Binoculars, guides, and family friendly activities included.
Perfect for all ages and experience levels.
Register here: https://landtrustnal.org/event/great-backyard-bird-count-2/
Special thanks to The Joel R. Anderson Family Foundation for sponsoring this event. 💚
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Labor Day weekend always brings two of Colbert County’s most memorable traditions, and both are worth adding to your plans. 🇺🇸
Celebrate at Spring Park in Tuscumbia, home to the nation’s oldest labor union celebration. Enjoy the parade at 10 am, live music, and family friendly activities through 4 pm. It is free, relaxed, and set in one of the prettiest spots in the Shoals. 🌳✨
You can also experience the one-of-a-kind Coon Dog Labor Day Celebration at the Coon Dog Cemetery. This long-running event features bluegrass music, buck dancing, barbecue, and the famous liar’s contest. It is an STS Top 20 event and a true piece of local history. 🐾🎻
Both celebrations offer a mix of community, heritage, and fun. Come spend Labor Day in Colbert County.
📸 Photo credit: Mary Carton, Remembering Tuscumbia
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL
#LaborDay #CoonDogCemetery #SpringPark #AlabamaEvents
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We hope you’ve noticed that we’ve been sharing some of the annual events that make Colbert County special. One of the biggest each year is the @WCHandyMusic WC Handy Music Festival. 🎶
The festival returns toward the end of July and fills the Shoals with music in parks, restaurants, museums, and other local spots. It has grown into nearly 200 events across northwest Alabama and is regularly recognized as one of the top festivals in the state. 🎺✨
Make plans to experience the music that helped shape this region. 💙
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL
#WCHandyMusicFestival #MusicHeritage
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🐴 July brings one of the region’s biggest charity events with @SaddleUp Saddle Up for St. Jude, held the third weekend in July. The weekend includes horseback trail rides, concerts, auctions, demonstrations, and activities that support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It’s a tradition that draws visitors and riders from across the Southeast.
🎺 Later in the month, the W.C. Handy Music Festival, July 15–26, fills venues across the Shoals with live music in honor of the “Father of the Blues.” It’s ten days of performances, community gatherings, and celebrations of the music that helped shape this area.
More details coming soon!
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #SaddleUpForStJude #WCHandyFestival
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🎭 Summer evenings return to Ivy Green with @TheMiracleWorker The Miracle Worker, Alabama’s official outdoor drama. The 65th annual production takes place at Ivy Green and begins at 8 pm, with performances on June 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27, and July 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18. The play shares the powerful story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan in the very place it began. 🌿
🎉 The celebration continues with the Helen Keller Festival, June 25–28, bringing arts, music, food, and community events to downtown Tuscumbia. It’s one of the highlights of summer in Colbert County.
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #HelenKeller #IvyGreen #SummerInColbertCounty
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🎶 June is one of the busiest months of the year in Colbert County. The North Alabama African Heritage Festival takes place the first weekend of June, celebrating African culture through music, dance, art, food, and family friendly activities.
🚗 On the first Saturday in June, Spring Park in Tuscumbia fills with more than 300 classic and antique vehicles for one of Alabama’s largest antique and street rod car shows. It’s a full day of history, craftsmanship, and summer fun in the heart of town. 🌳
More details coming soon!
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #SummerInColbertCounty
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🍀 The second weekend of May brings the Belle Mont Mansion Celtic Fest on May 9, set on the lawn of one of Alabama’s most beautiful historic homes. World-class Celtic musicians, cultural demonstrations, and educational exhibits fill the grounds and highlight the connections between the Celtic British Isles and North Alabama.
It’s a great day to enjoy live music, learn something new, and take in the views at Belle Mont Mansion. 🎶🏛️
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #BelleMontCelticFestival
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📜 The first Saturday in May brings Recall LaGrange, a longtime event that honors the history of Alabama’s first state-chartered college and the town once known as the “West Point of the South.”
The LaGrange Living Historical Association hosts living-history demonstrations, music, crafts, and guided tours that help share the story of the community that once stood on the mountain. It’s a meaningful way to experience the past and spend a spring day in a beautiful setting. 🌿
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #RecallLaGrange
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🌤️ April brings the 22nd Annual Swampers 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk on April 11, supporting the Shoals Civic League and drawing runners, walkers, and spectators from across the area. 👟
Throughout the month, free guided walking tours take place each Saturday through historic Tuscumbia and Sheffield. It’s a great way to enjoy the spring weather 🌷 and learn more about the stories, landmarks, and people that shaped both communities.
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #SpringInColbertCounty
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🚜 Northwest Alabama Farm Toy Show
📅 February 13–14, 2026
We’re starting our 2026 event highlights with a longtime favorite in Sheffield. Each February, the @northwestalabamafarmtoyshow brings together vendors, collectors, and families for a weekend of shopping, display competitions, and hands on fun. What began as a small gathering has grown into a winter tradition that people look forward to year after year.
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #FarmToyShow
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✨ Starting the Year on a High Note ✨
Nothing sets the tone quite like a smile from Percy Sledge, Leighton native and Muscle Shoals music legend. That’s the spirit we’re carrying into 2026. We’ll be highlighting our annual events for the year over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out.
#SweetHomeColbertCounty #Alabama #AnnualEvents #VisitNorthAL #ShoalsAL #PercySledge
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🌿 New Year New Adventure
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is open Friday through Sunday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with trail access until 3. Sign in at the visitor station when you arrive.
This 693-acre preserve southwest of Tuscumbia was cared for by Jim and Faye Lacefield, who later donated it to the Land Trust of North Alabama. The trails lead to waterfalls, cliffs, and some of the most scenic views in the county.
There are easy paths near the top and tougher hikes that drop into the canyon, so you can choose your pace. Pack a snack and enjoy one of Colbert County’s most beautiful spots. 🌞
#CaneCreekCanyon #ColbertCounty #VisitNorthAL #GetOutside #SweetHomeAlabama
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✨ Did You Know
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio earned its first big hit in 1969 with R. B. Greaves’ “Take a Letter, Maria,” which climbed to no. 2 on the charts and became the studio’s first gold record.
That same week, the Swampers were working with Greaves by day and hosting The Rolling Stones by night. The Stones spent three nights in the studio and cut three tracks that later appeared on Sticky Fingers: “Brown Sugar” “You Got to Move” and “Wild Horses”. 🎶✨
#SheffieldAL #MuscleShoalsSound #RollingStones #MusicHistory #ColbertCounty #SweetHomeAlabama #VisitNorthAL
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This year has been a strong one for group travel in Colbert County, and last month reminded us why we love hosting visitors. We welcomed an international group from the United Kingdom with our friend and longtime partner, Linda Malia of Travelling Time. They spent the week enjoying our music, food and the places that make this area special.
They stayed at Coldwater Inn, rode with Starship Coach and visited spots like FAME, Muscle Shoals Sound, the Hall of Fame, Ivy Green, the Handy Home, the Indian Mound Museum, Toms Wall and the Coon Dog Cemetery. They heard live music, ate well and even had a private evening at Cypress Moon.
Group tours make a real difference here. These visitors stay longer, explore more and support the local businesses we care about. We are grateful they chose to spend time in Colbert County and we are excited to keep that momentum going into the new year. 🎄✨
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🎄 On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… twelve reasons to shop local! Local shops. Local restaurants. Local experiences. Thank you for choosing to spend your time and dollars right here in Colbert County. Wishing you a Merry Christmas from all of us. ❤️🎁🎄
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🎄 On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… eleven artful finds! Stop by the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art gift shop for prints, ornaments, books, and pieces made by local artists. And a quick reminder, today December 23 is the last day to shop the Winter Art Market, so it is a great time to pick up something one of a kind. 🎨✨
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🎄 On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… ten trails worth exploring! Give the gift of fresh air with a visit to Cane Creek Canyon. Pair it with a water bottle, hoodie, or a plan to spend a day on the trails. It’s a good reminder that some of the best gifts do not need wrapping. Just a reminder, it is only open on the weekend, Friday through Sunday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with trail access limited after 3. It is open major holidays except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Please sign in at the visitor station when you arrive. 🌿🥾✨
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🎄 On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… nine sweet treats! Pick up something from places like The Palace Ice Cream Shoppe, or another local favorite. Cookies, desserts, or a gift card for something sweet are always a good idea this time of year. 🍪🍨
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