Not all outdoor activities involve balls, bicycles, and sneakers. Our real estate agents find reading even more enjoyable out in the fresh air and sunshine. National Book Lovers Day is Sunday, August 9th, so grab a book and head out to one of these scenic reading spots around Tuscaloosa.

1. Faucett Brothers Park - 13040 Eugenia Faucett Dr., Northport, AL 35473
   Faucett Brothers Park is a living memorial to the legacy of five men who made major contributions to the community around Northport homes for sale. In the early 1900s, the Faucett brothers operated thriving retail operations that boosted the area's agricultural and economic development. One of their descendants donated 80 acres of wooded land to the Parks and Recreation Authority (PARA), which officially opened Faucett Brothers Park in 2005. 
2. Tuscaloosa Riverwalk - 2710 Jack Warner Pkwy., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
   Located alongside the southern bank of the Black Warrior River, pet-friendly Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is a scenic oasis in the city's downtown area. The 4.5-mile paved trail is lined with some benches, picnic tables, and gazebos where you can settle in with a good book. If you want a bite to eat, the Riverwalk provides easy access to restaurants and shops. The park is open 24/7, with plenty of street lamps keeping the trail well-lit.
3. Hurricane Creek Park - 7005 Old Birmingham Hwy., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
   Readers of the Tuscaloosa News once named Hurricane Creek Park as one of the "Seven Wonders of Alabama." The 250-acre property known as the M-Bend, a reference to the adjacent section of Hurricane Creek, was established as an undeveloped, automobile-free preserve just minutes from Tuscaloosa homes for sale. Relax on one of the homemade benches or take a break to explore native plants and aquatic wildlife found in the park. Hours are dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
4. Van de Graaff Arboretum & Historic Bridge Park - 3231 Robert Cardinal Rd., Northport, AL 35476
   Unlike other carefully maintained green spaces run by PARA, Van de Graaff Arboretum & Historic Bridge Park is a rustic, semi-primitive "nature park." The main attraction is the 1882 King Bowstring Bridge, a section of Alabama's oldest iron bridge that once spanned the Black Warrior River and now crosses Mill Creek. Classic porch-style swings overlooking freshwater ponds offer a welcome serenity. Overnight camping is available, but day use is free of charge from 6 a.m. - dusk.
5. Queen City Park - Jack Warner Pkwy. and Queen City Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
   In the 1930s, Queen City Park was one of the public works projects brought to life under the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA). In addition to facilities for tennis, baseball and swimming, workers constructed nature walks featuring stone paths and bridges. In 1992, the pool and pool house were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Stop in at the on-site Tuscaloosa Public Library and check out a book to read on one of the benches along the wooded hiking trail. Queen City Park is open daily from dawn until dusk.

Real estate contracts and inspection reports aren't exactly reader-friendly, but we can walk you through them, so you don't miss a thing. For dedicated and experienced help buying or selling a home in Tuscaloosa, contact us at Hamner Real Estate.