OUTDOOR GETAWAY

THE SHOALS PART 2

By Kathy Fox

Withsummer in full swing, it’s time to get out, explore, and soak up the rays and fresh air. Whether you are an avid golfer or simply enjoy a relaxing walk meandering park trails, the Shoals in North Alabama offers an impressive list of appealing outdoor activities for the entire family. With its temperate climate and a convenient 75-mile drive from Maury County, visitors will find remarkable biking, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and golfing options at every turn to make for an inspirational and memorable getaway.

THE GUNRUNNER BOUTIQUE HOTEL

310 E. TENNESSEE S TREET • FL ORENCE, AL 35630 • (855) 269-4724 • gunrunnerhotel.com

The GunRunner Boutique Hotel, a hideaway in plain sight, awaits your arrival. This unique boutique hotel is located in the heart of downtown Florence, Alabama, and is within walking distance of many bars, restaurants, and historical attractions. For some retail therapy, Billy Reid’s flagship store and other boutiques are only two blocks away and the University of North Alabama’s campus is also within walking distance.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

The smoke-free hotel features 10 spacious luxury suites each uniquely designed to celebrate the music, fashion, art, and history of the Shoals area. The Billy Reid room, pictured, is named after Billy Reid, the critically acclaimed fashion designer who makes his home in Florence, Alabama. This suite reflects the spirit of his work and the unpretentious style of his brand featuring amenities such as a steam shower, an 18-foot private balcony, a Bluetooth sound system, a king-size bed built by Reid himself, and so many other luxurious comforts.

For guests looking to renew and rejuvenate, the GunRunner Medical Spa in the hotel offers a variety of relaxing spa and medical services. From massages to injectables, facials to CoolSculpting, or waxing and nails, the GunRunner Medical Spa understands the importance of self-care and self-love for guests who want to pamper themselves while receiving the highest level of skincare treatments available.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

HIT THE COURSE!

The Shoals is a golfing hot spot offering the perfect setting for golfers to enjoy a round. Here are a few of the top courses to golf near Florence, Alabama, beginning with The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals, which is set alongside the scenic singing Tennessee River and features two 18-hole courses. Blackberry Trail Golf Course, set in a beautiful wetland, offers 18 holes as well as an on-site pro shop, snack bar, and grill. “The General” at Joe Wheeler State Park, set within a game sanctuary, presents 18 holes of challenging play on rolling hills with river views and plenty of wildlife sightings. Cypress Lakes Gold & Tennis Club in Muscle Shoals offers 18 holes, 15 with water features, and an on-site pro shop with many other amenities.

With its growing popularity, the Shoals features five disc golf courses located at several parks in the area. Disc golf, formerly known as frisbee golf, offers another way to enjoy scenic views and rolling hills in the Shoals. McFarland Park and Veteran’s Memorial Park in Florence, Alabama, Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama, and Gattman Park in Muscle Shoals, all offer disc golf courses with a nominal fee, if any, to play.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

Veteran’s Memorial Park also has four outdoor pickleball hard courts and contains a memorial to the war veterans of Florence and Lauderdale County. In 2020, Brush Creek Park, located near Waterloo, Alabama, introduced the newest disc golf course in the Shoals. Located along the picturesque Tennessee River, the 18-hole course winds through the park and is over a mile long!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

EXPLORE THE WATER!

A great way to enjoy the striking scenery of the Shoals and soak it all up is to spend some time around the sparkling water. Especially when the weather heats up, it’s a great way to stay cool. Whether it is recreational fishing, kayaking, or boating, the Tennessee River and area lakes offer a range of outdoor water activities.

The Tennessee River flows through the Shoals and Pickwick Lake, Wilson Lake, and Wheeler Lake were created by a series of dams on the river. These fishing hot spots are loaded with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, saltwater stripe, sauger, and bream. Drop your line in the rivers, lakes, and creeks and explore the variety of terrain and challenging fishing experiences. The Florence Harbor Marina is only five minutes from downtown Florence and can take care of any boat rental. If you prefer to kayak, reach out to Beardo Outdoors for daily rentals.

For a relaxing day on the water, a guided cruise offered by Wheeler Lake Scenic Cruises will be delightful. General public and private tours take passengers along the scenic coves and bluffs of Joe Wheeler State Park, the spectacular lower section of Lake Wheeler, and Wilson Lake. There are different tour durations. On the four- and eight-hour trips, passengers will be guided through the Wheeler Dam lock twice, spend time sightseeing around the beautiful Wilson Lake, and stop for lunch at Swampers Bar and Grille at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa

HIKING, BIKING, CLIMBING & MORE!

For those looking to escape everyday life, exploring the natural wooded beauty of the Shoals is the answer. The Shoals boasts inspiring hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, and outdoor adventures waiting to be discovered.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

Shoal Creek Preserve, just north of Florence, Alabama, is 300 acres of woods, waterfalls, creeks, and bluffs. Experience 4 ½ miles of terrain for hiking, mountain bikes, and trails for horses. The natural beauty is unrivaled. The TVA Trails are suited for every interest and experience level. With more than 180 miles of trails for hiking, walking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, there is something for everyone. Some trails lead to fishing holes and campsites, one horse trail, and there are trails that lead to hunting grounds during the season.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

Grab a pair of binoculars and hit the North Alabama Birding Trail to peek into the wildlife. A delight for bird watchers with 397 bird species seen in Alabama including woodpeckers, hummingbirds, cranes, and even large roosts of bald eagles. A quiet morning walk will turn into hours of discovering the natural habitat of the trails.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

DOWNTOWN FLORENCE STROLL

Two blocks from the GunRunner Boutique Hotel is the historic Wilson Park with its majestic fountain. The park, first designated as a Public Walk in 1818, officially changed its name in 1924 to honor the former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson after his death. The park showcases beautiful landscaping, benches to enjoy the surroundings, and the Wilson Park Fountain in the middle of the park.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

The park is the site for numerous events and festivals during the year including the W.C. Handy Music Festival, which will be held July 21 – 30, 2023. Mark your calendar for this fun event and join in the celebration promoting the legacy of the Father of the Blues and Florence native W.C. Handy!

SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 28-29, 2023

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE—LAUDERDALE CVB

In addition to year-round outdoor activities, October brings the Alabama Renaissance Faire. Florence is known as the “Renaissance City,” and hosts the faire the fourth weekend of October in Wilson Park. Enjoy authentic Renaissance food, costumes, and music.

VISIT ALRENFAIRE.ORG TO LEARN MORE

Start planning your next getaway today and enjoy the great outdoors and the Hit Recording Capital of the World. For additional information visit TheShoalsAL.com and follow them on social media at @visittheshoalsal or visit the FlorenceLauderdale Visitor Center located at 200 Jim Spain Drive in Florence to get maps, brochures, and your singing river swag from The Shoals Shop.