There’s nothing like exploring a new city—whether I’m visiting a different country or just a few hours from home in Birmingham, I always love to try new spots and meet fresh faces. Last weekend, I made my way to Florence for a work trip and made plenty of time for fun in between. Florence is a part of the Quad Cities of Alabama, and it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend. Artsy vibes, charming downtown, plenty of delicious food. And bonus, there are tons of events. I was there for the Billy Reid Shindig, a popular festival with art, music and eats. Keep reading for my recommendations for where to eat and drink and what to do on a weekend in Florence!
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA
One of my favorite parts of any trip is obviously eating and drinking my way through the city. There were plenty of fun bites provided through the Shindig (I even had caviar for the first time!), but MK and I made sure to try different restaurants and coffee shops when we could.
RIVERTOWN COFFEE
Our first stop in Florence was obviously coffee—we got to the city around lunchtime, so we made our way to Rivertown to grab a bite and set up to work remote. I’d heard a ton about this cafe and absolutely loved my meal. I got a Bread & Butter turkey melt and one of the most flavorful bowls of chili as a side. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t my favorite cappuccino I’ve ever had, but the atmosphere + food more than made up for that.
ODETTE
Odette was by far one of the most recommended restaurants, and I was already familiar with Chef Kyle Ogden thanks to my day job. MK and I stopped by for dinner at the bar on Saturday night and treated ourselves to steak frites! The steak frites and dirty martini were excellent. We split two apps, and I loved the crispy brussels sprouts but would skip the toast personally.
SEÑOR TEQUILA
We only had queso and guacamole at this new spot, so I can’t speak to the rest of their food, but the queso and Coke Zero absolutely hit the spot on a day where I was exhausted with a headache. Señor Tequila does turn into a very loud club a night… maybe fun if you’re in college, but not ideal if you’re sleeping next to it like we were LOL.
TURBO COFFEE
I’ve had Turbo Coffee in Huntsville, but I was excited to try their flagship location! It’s in the base of the GunRunner hotel and just had good vibes all around. I went for an iced honey cinnamon latte and would ask for it half sweet next time. I’d definitely add this spot to your list if you, like me, are always on the hunt for your next cup of coffee.
THE CARRIAGE
MK and I loved this sweet wine and cocktail bar so much we went twice! The patio was the perfect spot to have a blood orange spritz before starting our Friday evening, and later in the night, it became much more crowded. They’ve got plenty of wine, but they also had cocktails which is always what I reach for at a bar if I can.
WHAT TO DO
WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN
This was one of the most charming downtown districts I’ve ever been to, and the weekend we were there had plenty of fun events. From UNA’s Homecoming Parade to an evening market, I think that no matter when you visit, you’ll find some fun event to watch. Their downtown area also has a few cute shops, like my friend Jess’s sister’s Stella & Goose! The flagship Billy Reid store is also in their downtown district, and I loved going in and out over the weekend.
CHECK OUT THE GUNRUNNER HOTEL
MK told me that the GunRunner Hotel had tons of national awards and that we should walk through it, and I’m so glad we did! They have a rooftop bar you can check out that was lovely, but even if you just grab a latte and walk through it to take in the ambience, I think you’ll leave wanting to overhaul your own home.
SPEND TIME AT MCFARLAND PARK
A Shindig Revival event took place at McFarland Park, and I absolutely loved it! It was a huge park on the Tennessee River, and next time I go to Florence, I’ll definitely make sure to plan at least an hour or two. It’d be the perfect place to picnic or bring a cup of coffee in the morning. Bonus: it’s totally free, so you don’t have to fish out cash to pay an entry fee.
VISIT MUSCLE SHOALS MUSIC SPOTS
Florence is part of the Quad Cities, so when you’re there, you’ll probably spend time in Florence and checking out the nearby cities. Muscle Shoals is best known for its music scene, from the FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Studio. I took a small tour of these once a few years ago, and I’ll be honest, I think they would mean a lot more if you were super into music or the music industry. But regardless, it’s a fun way to spend a little bit of time.
TOUR THE ROSENBAUM HOUSE
This is another stop I recommend if you’re looking for more of a “historic” or slightly more “educational” look at Florence. I didn’t get a chance to go on this trip, but I have in the past and really enjoyed ending a few hours viewing the traditional Frank Lloyd Wright house.
WHAT TO WEAR IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA IN FALL 2024
We were going for a very aesthetically driven event, and I knew there’d be a ton of media and influencers there, but even without that, I think there’s an artsy vibe to Florence! This is the perfect place to break out your patterned neck scarves or colorful maxi skirts.
Absolutely loved our trip, and I’m already itching to go back for a weekend!
Latest post: 4 Pinterest-Inspired Fall Outfits for Warm Weather
Related post: New York City Fall 2023 Travel Guide
