Nestled in the historic shoals region of Alabama, Tuscumbia offers more than a quiet weekend vacation in a small town.

A trip to the town seems to send visitors to a different world. Whether it is in the backyard of Helen Keller’s childhood home or a quirky restaurant tucked inside a mountain cave, a weekend in Tuscumbia is the perfect balance of history, culture and adventure.

Tuscumbia’s population is approximately 9,100 but the broader “Shoals” area, which includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Florence, boasts a population of 155,000.

Start your trip with a tour at Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller and the first home built in Tuscumbia. Built in 1820, the Southern architecture-style home, situated on what was once a 600-acre plantation, is still home to much of its original furniture, decor and artifacts that date back to Keller’s time.

Tours of the home are given Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a look into what life was like for Keller as a blind and deaf child. Hostesses like Lynn Weaver, who has worked at the home for more than two decades, go far beyond the home’s history, diving into the details of Keller’s life, from the mischievous childhood pranks to the pivotal moment she learned to communicate.

“It’s really a very unique experience,” Weaver said. “It’s like stepping back in time because we have so much that’s still original. It still surprises me when I’m walking up and looking in the little building at those things that were Helen’s.”

Weaver said the home draws visitors from across the globe who want to honor Keller’s impact on the treatment of disabled people. The home can easily see 200 tour groups a day during June and July when “The Miracle Worker,” a play about Keller’s life, is performed on the grounds at Ivy Green each Friday.

After Ivy Green, take a five-minute drive south to downtown Tuscumbia, which features specialty shops and locally-owned eateries. Stop by the Palace Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop to grab a sweet treat before walking through Spring Park down the street.

Well worth the short drive to Florence, the Stricklin Hotel offers modern accommodations inside a historic building renovated in 2017 to house multiple businesses along with the hotel.

The first floor of the building is home to Big Bad Breakfast, which was opened in 2008 by James Beard award-winning chef John Currence. In the basement of the building, The Boiler Room offers an upscale gaming experience with bowling, arcade games and late-night eats and drinks. Room service from both establishments for hotel guests only adds to the stay.

For an authentic southern breakfast, start one morning at the Too Fat Sisters restaurant. Known for its down-home dishes like country ham and eggs or their signature biscuits and chocolate gravy, the cozy diner is the perfect place to fuel up for the day.

Next head to Cane Creek Canyon nature preserve, open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend.

Originally the backyard of locals Jim and Faye Lacefield, this roughly 700-acre property features 15 miles of well-maintained trails, more than 10 waterfalls and a perfect view of the Freedom Hills. The Lacefields, who purchased the first 40 acres of the land in 1979, began developing and expanding the property with the goal of maintaining its diverse habitats.

The preserve, now managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama, is easily accessible for hikers of all levels and families.

After hiking the hills, satisfy your appetite at The Rattlesnake Saloon, one of Tuscumbia’s most popular attractions and one of the country’s most unique dining experiences. Situated inside a cave, each night visitors are driven down a steep hill to the restaurant in the Saloon Taxi (an extended cab pickup truck).

Jack Eady, who drives the taxi on the weekends, said he takes hundreds of visitors down to the saloon each Saturday with a line of diners waiting in the parking lot to head down. Most visitors, he said, are out-of-towners drawn by curiosity.

“It’s more of people travelling for vacation and people passing through,” Eady said. “They want to see what it’s like when someone talks about a restaurant in a cave. That draws attention.”

Even during an Alabama summer, the cool cavern creates a comfortable experience that includes live music and beer after 6 p.m. on the weekends. While you can’t go wrong ordering any burger on the menu, don’t miss out on the appetizers, especially the loaded haystacks (loaded fries) or snake eyes and tails (fried jalapeno slices and green beans).