The Shoals is made up of four adjoining cities: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia and Sheffield. I never did really figure out where one city stopped and another one began, but I do know that there are some beautiful sights to behold when visitng this area of Alabama!
The first of our major Alabama Adventures trips was last year to Mentone, Alabama, in north-east Alabama.
Our second major Alabama Adventures trip took us to The Shoals, in north-west Alabama.
Accommodations at The Shoals:
If you want a first class place to stay, the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa in Florence is the place to be. We had a beautiful large room and just outside these doors was the pool. I loved that I didn’t have to walk through the halls in my swimsuit.
This hotel is fabulous. Everything. From the rooms, to the pool, to the lobby bar, to the towering restaurant 360 Grille. It was a hot weekend and kids of all sizes loved the pool with its water slide, cave and waterfall, the fountains and the wading pool. And if that wasn’t enough, there was also the splash pad.
Things to See at the Shoals:
The hotel sits right by the Tennessee River. You can see the Grille 360 in the distance right by the bridge.
From across the river, you can see the hotel’s towering restaurant, 360 Grille, on the left, and Wilson Dam on the right.
And did I mention that there is a beautiful natural waterfall right next to Wilson Dam?
With lush, vibrant green vegetation thriving in this perfect environment.
And just beyond this beauty, is another absolutely amazing, 80 foot tall waterfall that is just breath-takingly beautiful!
And then, right by the hotel, there is the Lock & Dam and the boats and barges that pass through the Lock from one side of the dam to the other. We stood on the bridge watching a tug load in several barges one night. Pretty fascinating stuff!
The tug is just leaving the lock.
The tug on the other side of the dam.
Mr. Menace, as you might imagine, sometimes gets into mischief. As we approached the smaller of the two waterfalls, we met some people leaving the area. They warned us that there were two small snakes near the small waterfall. Guess whose shoes came off immediately?
I am sure glad to have a fairly good zoom lens on my camera!
I want to leave you with this short video. You can almost feel the temperature drop and the cool mist hitting your face.
Great story on what looks to be a GREAT trip! The pictures look amazing! I look forward to Part 2!
Thanks Eddie. It was an unexpectedly FUN trip! We didn’t even get to hit all the places I had intended. Time to go again I guess. 🙂
I love to travel and finding places like the SHOALS is a treasure. Your description has me anxiously awaiting the next segment. I can never understand why folks leave the country when we have such treasure right here within our borders!
Well done, Nikki!
Yes, and for me, it all begins with Alabama! Thanks for stopping by Suz! 🙂
Looks like you had an amazing time! Love the splash pool..I would have been in there with the kids! We’re going camping this week and plan to see lots of waterfalls. We love waterfalls!
I know! Doesn’t that splashpad look FUN! I love camping, but Mr. Menace prefers to camp in a king size bed with a/c. 🙂 Have fun on your trip Amy. Can’t wait to read about it.
I am not familiar with this area of Alabama, but it certainly is beautiful!
It is! I am very impressed with The Shoals area. Thanks Michele.
What a beautiful hotel and area. I’m not that familiar with Alabama, even though my father-in-law was born and raised in Montgomery, AL.
My husband has lived here 63 years and there are SOOO many places that even he has never seen! It is my mission to correct that. And to share with everyone else what a beautiful state it is! Thanks for stopping by Carol! 🙂
What a beautiful, magical place that looks like it could be anywhere in the world.
Thank you fpr joining TOHOT!
And thank you for hosting! I am enjoying sharing this beautiful state with others! 🙂
Your photos are beautiful. The water coming out of the cave looks cold and so clear.
Thanks so much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend!
You are right Stacey! That water was cold! But with the 90+ temps that day, it was very refreshing. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
EEK the snakes! Snakes totally freak me out! But, the photos of your trip are beautiful
I don’t like snakes! ha! Thanks for viewing my vacation pictures Kallie. 🙂