Welcome, you finally made it to Tuscaloosa! Now that you (mostly) know your way around campus and have ordered all your books, here are a few things to do outside of class. Whether you’ve been to campus a million times or you just got here, these are some things you need to experience if you are going to live in Tuscaloosa.

Summer Snow

After you are done walking and sweating on your way to class, hop on over to the little snow cone shack Summer Snow to cool off. It is only a short drive from campus and the cheap prices are made for Alabama students. With dozens of flavors that you can mix and match, everyone can find a favorite flavor, plus if you have a big sweet tooth you can get cream on top!

The River walk

If you don’t have a car and want some fresh air, the River walk is the place to go. Just down the hill from Lakeside and Presidential, the trail is 4.5 miles along the Black Warrior River. For exercisers the path is nice to run or walk on, or if you just want to relax there are plenty of places to sit or set up your eno. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic and escape the busyness of campus.

Taco Mama

When you start to get tired of dining hall meals, drive down the strip and get some Taco Mama. The adorable little Mexican restaurant has endless options of build your own quesadillas, taco salads, burritos or just get some yummy chips and salsa. The line is always out the door, but the queso will make your day.

Lake Nicol Cliffs

Are you and your friends tired of campus? Then grab a towel and pile in a car to Lake Nicol. During away game weekends and in the spring when it warms up, everyone will start going to the lake to take a break and swim. To get to the cliffs you have to drive about 30 minutes off campus and climb up a hill to get to the good views, however if you bring snacks and good company it is always a fun time.

Dreamland (the original location)

If you like barbecue and aren’t afraid of back roads, get some friends and head out to Dreamlands. The popular restaurant was started in Tuscaloosa in small shack out past Walmart and has stayed busy ever since. On game days you can find it filled with football fans, but if you go on week nights it is more calm. The atmosphere of tradition and the great ribs will make you dream of coming back.