April 4, 2024 · Alabama ChaninVISIT THE SHOALS: A GUIDE
As guests come to Florence for upcoming workshops and for the Project Threadways Symposium, we wanted to share some of our favorite places in town—a kind of community guide for visitors, whenever your travels bring you to The Factory.
Alabama Chanin and The School of Making have been hosting workshops and events here in Florence for over 15 years, and we’ve built a community of connections to bring our guests the best of the city. Our team is here to help plan your trip and workshop experience from start to finish.
Stay
We recommend The Stricklin and Gunrunner, both boutique hotels downtown with easy access to restaurants and coffee shops. The Marriott Shoals Hotel is a bit further out, but still a short drive to The Factory. A number of charming Airbnbs have popped up close to downtown as well, including the Governor’s Cottage and Nonesuch Guesthouse.
Dine
Florence is lucky to have a handful of great cafés with breakfast options: All the Best, Rivertown Coffee, and Jack’s Place are a few of our favorites for brunch. Odette is a must for American farm-to-table cuisine, and we love Esther’s lunch plates and salads. It’s not uncommon to grab coffee at Rivertown, then go back for lunch sandwiches and wraps the same day. The Carriage and North Wood Social both offer lovely wine and small plates. Yumm has excellent sushi and Thai dishes, and Trowbridge’s is a local icon—a classic diner and ice cream shop. For live music and dining beneath a rocky overhang, visit The Rattlesnake Saloon.
Tour
The Shoals area is shaped by a vibrant culture of music, art, and history, and boasts a number of museums that explore those fields. Take time to tour the Rosenbaum House, a perfect example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian style of design and the only home he built in Alabama. Muscle Shoals famously birthed the “Muscle Shoals Sound” and still houses Fame Studios, where some of the greatest music of the last 70 years. Helen Keller was born and raised in Tuscumbia, minutes away from Florence; her home and birthplace, Ivy Green, is now a museum. Learn about our indigenous history at the Indian Mound Museum, and be inspired by the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, also known as Tom’s Wall. For local and national art, browse the exhibits at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center and Tennessee Valley Art Association.
Shop
When we’re not at The Factory, we love browsing the 7 Points Shopping District along North Wood Avenue, lined with thrift stores, bakeries, and antique shops. Stella & Goose and Studio 23 are beautiful art shops, and we like Parker Bingham for jewelry. Fellow Florence designer Billy Reid’s flagship store is a must-stop downtown.
Explore
The Tennessee River runs right through the middle of The Shoals community, and green spaces can be found on all sides. Visit Cane Creek Canyon, Wildwood Park, and Dismals Canyon for hiking, or take a kayak down Cypress Creek. The TVA Walking Trails and University of North Alabama campus are lovely spots for a more casual stroll. Plan a longer stay to experience the Sipsey Wilderness and explore Hidden Spaces.
It is always our pleasure to host guests in Florence, both longtime friends and new ones. Come visit for a Three-Day, Studio, or Patternmaking workshop here at The Factory. Private Workshops are also available, customized to explore hand-sewing, patternmaking, stenciling, design, and more.