The first step to enjoying parent’s weekend is planning ahead! Especially when going to a school with over 40,000 students, adding parents to the mix can equal big crowds and long lines. The first part of the plan is finding out where your parents are staying, hotels can get very expensive for parents weekend so it helps a lot to check all resources including Airbnb and VRBO. If after checking all places to stay and they are all way out of budget, I would recommend choosing a different weekend than parent’s weekend to come visit The University of Alabama. Some of the most popular hotels for parents are Hotel Capstone (located right in the heart of campus), Embassy Suites, The Alamite, The AC, and Hotel Indigo to name a few. All of these hotels are also a great option if your parents are flying and do not want to rent a car. All of these hotels are centrally located near campus and are walkable to many downtown restaurants.
Another step to prepare for parent’s weekend would be to make any dinner reservations that are possible. One unfortunate thing about Tuscaloosa is that many of the nicer restaurants do not take reservations which can make it difficult to plan ahead. There are some that do take reservations though and it is definitely best to make those earlier rather than later because they can fill up super quickly when parent’s weekend is coming up. Two restaurants that I recommend that I know take reservations are Evangeline’s and Dillard’s Chophouse. Evangeline’s is an upscale restaurant with craft cocktails and great food that is located in Northport which is nice because it is a little bit farther than the restaurants on campus making it a bit less likely to hit traffic. Dillard’s Chophouse is an upscale steakhouse located right next to Druid City Social. Dillard’s has several fine wines and cuts and provides the ultimate dining experience with great wait service.
If there is one thing that Tuscaloosa is not short of, it is great restaurants, there are so many that it makes people want to come back! A few more upscale eateries that we recommend are River, Chuck’s Fish, Depalma’s, Sugo, Half-Shell Oyster House, Forte, and 5. River is located right on The Black Warrior River and offers upscale food and drinks as well as an open kitchen concept that allows you to watch the chefs as they prepare your meal. If it is a nice day outside, they have seating available on their porch which has a great view of the river, especially during sunset. River uses a lot of local food and resources which makes the dining experience even better. Some of my favorites at River are the pork skins and queso, the sausage board, and the filet. Chuck’s Fish offers a wide variety of food including pizza, sushi, steaks, fish dishes, and wonderful bread pudding. Chuck’s is known for their great food and drinks making it one of the most popular restaurants in town. Going to Chuck’s is a guarantee for a great meal. Depalma’s offers a fine dining experience of several authentic Italian foods including pizza, pasta, calzones, and more. Being a New Yorker myself, I would say that Depalma’s has the closest thing to New York pizza in Tuscaloosa. Sugo is a newer restaurant featuring Italian cuisine with many great pasta and entree options, my favorite being the chicken parmesan. Half-Shell offers a variety of seafood with a cajun flair that is bound to have you coming back! Recently Half-Shell has renovated making their upstairs a speakeasy like bar that is a great place to go while waiting for a table. Forte is a brand new restaurant located on the first floor of the Alamite hotel offering fresh local ingredients and an excellent dining experience. At Forte, there are seats that allow you to sit right near the chefs watching them cook and finish dishes and you can even have a chance to talk to them. If you are looking to get into a restaurant on parent’s weekend that does not take reservations, I would recommend waiting outside their door about 15-20 minutes before they open because especially at Chuck’s, about 5 minutes before they open, there will be a line of people out the door.
Another activity we would recommend for Parent’s weekend is the Tuscaloosa farmers market that is located on the riverwalk at the Tuscaloosa River Market. This farmers market offers several great local vendors, some offering produce, some cleaning products, jewelry, and more depending on the week. This is a great place to visit if you are looking to get immersed into Tuscaloosa culture and try some fresh great produce. Another option for an activity that is off the beaten path and away from the parent’s weekend crowd is the Antique vintage market that is located in Northport. This market has vintage just about everything like jewelry, clothing, decor, artwork and much more from a wide variety of vendors. This spot is a great option if you are interested in vintage items or antiques or are looking for some new decor for your house.
Another fun option for parent’s weekend is Pop Stroke which is a newer mini golf course right near campus that has food and drinks available as well. There are two separate courses that you can play on or do both if you have lots of time. Before you begin playing, you are instructed to download the Popstroke app which allows you to to order drinks and food that can be delivered to you while you are playing. Pop Stroke is a very family friendly place that you can get competitive at!
A must on parent’s weekend is taking advantage of time to walk around and see the campus. As years have gone on I still find myself admiring the campus and sharing with my parents new places that I have found. Taking a walk through the quad and near the student center at different times of the day helps give parents a glimpse of your college lifestyle and the beauty Alabama’s campus holds. Walking by all of the Greek housing can be very fun and show off some of the amazing architecture on campus. Walking from the quad then going to the strip is very easy if you are looking for a pick me up after the walk. Buffalo Phil’s is a great option for a chill lunch or snack especially on a football Sunday because of their many tv’s.
There are several good chill restaurants if you are looking for a quick bite to eat or a good place for a sports game or maybe if you do not have tickets to an Alabama Football game. To name a few there is WOB, Moe’s Barbecue, Taco Mama, and Rabbit Hole. WOB (World Of Beer) offers a wide selection of beer and cocktails and very good finger food and entrees. One of my favorites is their Barbecue chicken flatbread pizza or their very large german pretzel. Moe’s barbecue has many wonderful barbecue options and drinks too. Moe’s is perfect for a game because it is surrounded by TVs and there are many seats to fit a lot of people. Both Moe’s and WOB turn into bars at night that could be really fun places to bring parents that are looking to experience nightlife. Taco Mama is a well known restaurant in town for quick Mexican food and really good margaritas. Taco Mama has very customizable menu items that allow for nearly everyone to find something they like. Taco Mama also has a nice front porch that is a great place to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. Rabbit Hole is a fun indoor/bar with awesome food as well. Rabbit Hole often has live music in their front seating area and tons of outdoor seating and even nice lights at night.
Another great place for a parent’s weekend activity is Bowlero, a bowling alley that is located next to the University Mall. Bowlero is a very large bowling alley that can accommodate many people and has a large selection of games as well including pool. Drinks and food are available at Bowlero as well and can be delivered straight to your lane. Bowling is a great option if the weather is not so nice or you need a break from the heat. If you have younger siblings, places like Popstroke and Bowlero are good options for fun activities that the whole family can participate in that do not involve drinking.
In conclusion, with a bit of foresight and planning, you can ensure that Parents Weekend is enjoyable for both you and your parents. From finding the right accommodations and making dining reservations to exploring local markets and enjoying the campus, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this special weekend. By considering these tips, you’ll create lasting memories while giving your parents a glimpse into your life at The University of Alabama.
