This Little-Known City Rivals Nashville With An Epic Music Scene, Delicious Southern Food, And More

When you think about great U.S. cities that are known for their musical heritage, you might think of Nashville, Memphis, or Detroit. These iconic musical hotspots have earned their spot on any great American rock and roll road trip. However, there are plenty of other lesser-known cities that have just as much musical gravitas, but without the crowds of tourists.

One such legendary musical city is pretty small and unassuming, but if you love rock and roll or blues, you need to know about it. Located in northern Alabama, the small city of Muscle Shoals has a music provenance that’s stood the test of time. Home to two incredible recording studios, there are few musical legends that haven’t stopped by this tiny city over the years.

Given the proximity to Memphis and Nashville, this studio hotspot is the perfect addition to any southern music road trip. But what can you see and do in Muscle Shoals? Which superstars have recorded in these studios over the year? Where are the best places to get some classic Southern food? And what’s the best way to reach this underrated home of rock and roll and blues? Let’s dive in and find out more.

The Little-Known Music City Worth Visiting

Located on the Tennessee River in the far north of Alabama lies the city of Muscle Shoals. This small city might not be on your radar like Nashville or Memphis, but it’s just as important to music culture from the 1960s all the way to modern times. Home to two incredibly famous music studios, FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, it’s where some of the biggest acts in the world have recorded their hit records.

The original studio was FAME Studios, which moved to Muscle Shoals in 1961. Some of the jaw-dropping acts that were recorded here include The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Cher. However, in 1969, the session band for FAME, The Swampers, decided to open their own studio down the road, the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. It’s since been called the “Abbey Road of Alabama”.

When the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio opened, the first ever artist to record there was Cher. This was quickly followed by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Fast-forward, and the legendary studio still records icons such as The Black Keys, Lana del Rey, Alicia Keys, and more.

This musical heritage, combined with the beautiful waterfront area and an abundance of local festivals, makes it a perfect stop on any southern road trip. Of course, this being Alabama, you know that you’re going to get some delicious Southern cuisine along the way.

What Can You See And Do Around Muscle Shoals?

Luisa P. Oswalt/Shutterstock

Of course, one of the best things to see and do in Muscle Shoals is to visit the iconic music studios. Nowadays, both FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio offer guided tours, delving into the history and impact of these amazing spots. These need to be booked in advance online, as the studios are still in use, so you need to stick to the designated times and days.

On the outskirts of Muscle Shoals, you can also find the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, with its own auditorium, exhibits, and walk of fame. Given how many iconic musicians have passed through this town, it’s well worth checking out. You can also pay tribute to the “Father of Blues” at the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum, and Library.

Away from the musical heritage, there’s plenty to see in what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Alabama. For those of you who prefer exploring the great outdoors, the imposing Wilson Lock and Dam is a feat of engineering that needs to be seen to be believed. If you’re after a relaxing stroll or a spot to sit with a picnic and while away the hours, check out McFarland Park. Here you’ll find walking trails and even a small beach area, perfect for chilling out and soaking up the sun.

How To Get To Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Muscle Shoals, Alabama USA July 22, 2023 the welcome sign to Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Shutterstock

Due to its location, the best way to explore Muscle Shoals is as part of a wider road trip. The city is actually on the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway road trip route. This historic route snakes through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, and spans 444 miles, so there’s a whole lot to explore along the way. You can do this route in around two weeks to try to enjoy the various stops.

Muscle Shoals Town Details

• Population: 17,409
• County: Colbert County
• Founded: 1923
• Closest Major City: Huntsville, Alabama (75 miles east)

Alternatively, you can combine a visit to Muscle Shoals with a trip to Nashville and Memphis for a music city triple whammy. Nashville is 2 hours and 20 minutes by car from Muscle Shoals, and Memphis is 2 hours and 45 minutes away. This means it’s ideally located for a musical long weekend trip. Of course, traditionally, you’d head down to New Orleans afterward, where you can get a direct train from Memphis to the Big Easy.

Muscle Shoals is part of “The Shoals” area, which includes Florence, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield.

For those interested in flying into the region, the closest airport is the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, which is three miles from Muscle Shoals. However, it’s a limited regional airport with routes from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Charleston. For more international and domestic routes, the next closest major airport is Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which is a two-hour drive away.

The Best Time To Visit Muscle Shoals

Sheffield, Alabama USA The Historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio 
Luisa P Oswalt / Shutterstock

The best time to visit Muscle Shoals tends to be in the fall months. That’s because the humidity and temperature in the summer are super high in Alabama. By comparison, the average temperatures in Muscle Shoals in the fall are 50-70°F. This makes it a lot more comfortable to wander around the city and explore the outdoor spaces like the Wilson Dam.

October is also when ShoalsFest is held. This is a huge music festival in McFarland Park that brings the city’s musical heritage to the forefront. If you’re thinking of visiting during the festival, book your accommodation in advance as the city tends to fill up quickly.

Another good time to visit is in the spring. Similarly, the temperatures are cooler, so it’s a good time to walk around. There are also fewer crowds during this period, so it can be easy to get on studio tours and check out the city’s hotspots.

Alabama
Shutterstock

Population

5.04 Million (2021)

Founded Date

December 14, 1819

So, if you’re looking for a little-known music city to visit, check out Muscle Shoals in Alabama. With two hit-making studios and beautiful outdoor spaces, it’s a great road trip destination.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}