I am fairly certain we have all had moments in the day where we feel bored out of our minds. Maybe you have run out of shows on Netflix, you’re trying to nap and can’t fall asleep, or you want to take a study break but aren’t sure what to do with your free time. It's true that Tuscaloosa is considered a small university town by most but I can assure you that there is still plenty to do when you’re bored on a fall afternoon. Here are some ways to cure your boredom:
1. Get dessert
In my opinion, this is the best thing to do when you’re bored, and Tuscaloosa has plenty of places you can go. Edible Arrangements, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Steel City Pops, TCBY and Orangeleaf are just a few. My personal favorite is Steel City Pops, a gourmet popsicle store located downtown. I typically order the traditional chocolate, but they also have a pop with a cookie inside that is hard to beat. You also can’t go wrong with a scoop of cookies ‘n cream from TCBY.
2. Take a stroll along the riverwalk
If you’ve driven along Jack Warner Parkway, I’m sure you have caught a glimpse of the Black Warrior River. The path alongside the river provides beautiful scenery for a walk, run, bike or rest in your hammock. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset on a warm night.
3. Explore downtown
Downtown Tuscaloosa has plenty of restaurants, bars and shops for when you’re bored and your parents (finally) send you money. My personal favorites are Mellow Mushroom Pizza, DePalma’s and (as aforementioned) Steel City Pops. Downtown is also a great place to take a stroll and people watch.
4. Visit Snow Hinton Park
Another great place to take a walk is Snow Hinton Park, which is just steps away from the University Mall. Although the scenery is quite as lovely as the trail along the Black Warrior, it is more of a flat terrain for running. The grounds also have a giant climbing structure that can be used by people of all ages. If studying has you stressed and you want to pretend to be a kid again, this is definitely the place to go.
5. Shop at Midtown Village
If you’re bored and want to drop some serious cash, head to Midtown Village. Midtown is almost directly across from Snow Hinton Park, and you really can’t miss it if you’re driving down McFarland. Some of its stores include: Nike, Altar’d State, Francesca’s, Kinnucans, Barnes and Noble and Alumni Hall. It also offers restaurant choices, which include: Bob’s Victory Grille, Starbucks, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Longhorn Steakhouse.
I’m going to stop naming restaurants now because it’s making me hungry.
6. Visit the animal shelter
This is my absolute favorite thing to do when I’m bored. Between the hours of 12-4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, you can take out a dog and play with them for happy hour. It melts away the stress from hours of studying and you’re their hero because they get to leave their cage for a while. The only downside? If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love every time. I also recommend getting there pretty early because the dogs go fast.
7. Take a trip to the lake
There are four lakes that I am aware of in the Tuscaloosa area: Lake Nicol, Lake Harris, Lake Tuscaloosa and Lake Lurleen. Nicol and Harris are smaller lakes that don’t allow watersports and have stricter boat rules, but they do offer beautiful scenery. Lake Lurleen is a part of a state park that offers hiking, swimming, small beaches and boating. Lake Tuscaloosa offers 177 miles of shoreline for swimming, fishing and boating. All of these places are fabulous ones to take in a sunset or study in solitude. Some of these areas do charge fees to enter or park, however the fees are typically small (under $10).
8. Roam the old Bryce campus
Before the University of Alabama purchased all of this part of the campus, it belonged to Bryce Hospital. This hospital opened in 1861 and was first known as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane. The hospital has since moved and the university has plans to revamp the land that once was the hospital grounds. If you are fascinated by the dark past of mental facilities in America like me, you will love looking at all of the eerie old buildings and the beautiful trees that dot the acreage. You can also Google Bryce Hospital and read up on its history as you go. I would advise against trying to enter any of the buildings without permission, though, as it could lead to prosecution if you’re caught.
