City Cafe
Northport

Get your fried green tomatoes and sweet Southern tea at this "favorite with the residents of the Tuscaloosa area for years." Opened in 1931, the "little hole in the wall restaurant" is known for its low prices, huge quantities, and "homemade Southern foods." Depending what time you show up, the line might be "out the door, but it moves swiftly." The ever-changing menu is "definitely worth the wait" for its wide selection of entrees and veggies. After you get your fill, take a stroll through historic Northport, a suburb of Tuscaloosa.

Mentone ColorFest
Mentone

What began with just a bonfire in 1982 is now a celebration of all the various, fiery "changing colors of fall foliage." This "beautiful mountaintop festival" overlooks Little River and Little River Canyon, which is now part of the National Park system. The ColorFest takes place every year during the third weekend in October, and is a time when "local craftsman, dancers, and musicians can display their talent." On Friday night, be sure to listen to "campfire ghost-storytelling" at the "historic hotel." If you want to camp, DeSoto State Park offers cabins, and if you want to see the canyon, helicopter tours are available.

Shrimp Festival
Gulf Shores

Take a long beach weekend to enjoy the fall fruit of the sea during the second weekend in October. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan stepped in and thwarted plans for 2004, but the festival should be back and swinging for 2005. The "beautiful Gulf of Mexico" location with "white sandy beaches and friendly people" make this one of the "best fall festivals to attend." Pop plump shrimp into your mouth as you enjoy "great food, music, arts, and crafts." There's plenty of shopping and live music ranges from bagpipe bands to full orchestras to down-home blues. There are also age-appropriate activities for kids.

Halloween on the Square
Andalusia

Once a year, all the town's goblins, ghosts, witches, superheroes, and other assorted characters assemble on the main square for Halloween. It's a "wonderful family experience," and a safe environment for children to trick or treat because they close the square off to traffic in the early evening hours. Area merchants sponsor the event, and "everyone meets downtown to eat at local restaurants, and the kids go around to the businesses to trick or treat." Other fun activities include jack-o-lantern decorating contests, "bands playing," and "complimentary sodas" from the local firemen.

Palace Drug Store
Tuscumbia

The Palace Drug Store is a "restored drugstore from the turn of the century era." The soda fountain was installed in 1906, and the pharmacy still runs even though the "neat building" now also houses a restaurant and sandwich shop. Today, the shop is "famous" for its milkshakes, which are so big that it's "hard for one person to drink it all." The current owner "restored it to be like it was when he was dating his wife" during the 1950s. Other items on the menu include sandwiches, sundaes, and sodas. Everything is "oh so good," and you'll feel the nostalgia for days past.

Chez Fon Fon Restaurant
Birmingham

In busy Birmingham, who knew you could feast on French fare? Step into Chez Fon Fon for fun with French cuisine, including "some of the best food in town, like the brown butter trout, pommes frites, and chocolate-caramel tart." The service tends to match the decor: warm and gracious, which puts them "heads above the rest." The dining "atmosphere" includes "high ceilings and clinking glasses." You also have the option of sitting outside when the weather's nice, all "for a price that's fair." Some nights, the restaurant seems "on the cusp of being busy," but it always remains "enjoyable."

Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast
Magnolia Springs

In a region rich with river boats, outlet shops, and "abundant golf courses," this B&B provides an oasis of true Southern hospitality. Along the property, "huge oak trees canopy the road." The place is so anachronistic that it still receives its mail by boat! Stay here for a night, or just visit to enjoy nature. Sit on the front porch of the "beautiful, historic home" and watch the sun move across the sky to get a sense of "old South history." The location is within "walking distance of the Magnolia River" and "20 minutes" from the Gulf of Mexico. Read more.

Duchess Bakery
Cullman

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to this bakery located in the historic district of Cullman, a "small town" that was once a colony for German refugees. Amid the town's cottages and chapels, you'll find a bakery where the staff goes "above and beyond the call of duty to help their customers." But what matters most are the donuts, all so "light and sweet and warm." Every morning, they are made fresh with loving care and the result is a breakfast treat that is "unbelievably good." If you can't decide what you want, just ask the "gracious and helpful" staff. Whatever you choose, you'll find that "you can't eat just one."

Good Ol' Boys Restaurant
Auburn

It's not just the "good ol' boys" who appreciate the food at this restaurant that "only the locals know about." The town of Auburn is home to the University, and this restaurant is home to the "best steaks in town." Despite the "quiet" nature of the place, you'll find "fabulous-tasting" food that is also "extremely affordable as well." For example, you can get a 16 oz. sirloin for just $7.99. Perfect for a college student's budget. After your meal, chase it all down with a slice of the satisfyingly-sweet "blackberry cobbler a la mode," which is a "must."

Kozy's
Tuscaloosa

From the moment you walk in the door, "you feel like it's something special." Kozy's is a romantic place for food, wine, and jazz piano. The "elegant" decor includes "photos of movie stars." Take a pick off the "good wine selection" and then dig into the menu. Start off with a soothing bowl of crawfish chowder or one of the "especially-delightful" appetizers. For the main course, among the "steak and seafood specials," you can have anything from roast duck in apricot compote to bacon-wrapped scallops. Top it off with a raspberry truffle sundae while just "enjoying the mood." Read more.