What To Do in Red Bay, Alabama

Whether you’re waiting for your coach to be built or taking care of maintenance, as a Tiffin RV owner, you can look forward to some time in Red Bay, Alabama. And — when you get here — we encourage you to venture outside of your coach and meet your neighbors. Red Bay is a small, unassuming southern town, but there is no other place with a greater concentration of Tiffin RV owners gathered together in one spot.

Because of its unique concentration of Tiffin RVers, there’s tons of information exchanged about Tiffin coaches and RVing in general amongst owners. Even better, it’s not unusual for that information exchange to happen over a self-organized potluck dinner. These spontaneous gatherings bring Tiffin motorhome owners together just as Red Bay itself does.

Here’s our guide for your stay in Red Bay.

Red Bay and Tiffin Motorhomes

Red Bay is a small town in West Alabama. It got its name from its red clay and bay trees, which were both prevalent when the city was established in 1907. The Tiffin family has always called Red Bay home, so it made sense to build the company here. Unlike most towns its size, Red Bay receives visitors year-round from all over the country because it’s where we build every Class A motorhome and where our skilled technicians provide service. While it may not seem like there’s much happening in a quiet town like Red Bay, you might be surprised. Red Bay is a place full of history and Southern charm.

Places to Visit in Red Bay

As the official membership organization of Tiffin motorhome owners, the Tiffin Allegro Club is a stop you’ll want to make. At the Allegro Club facility, you’ll find brochures for things to do, see, and eat. You’ll also be able to get local recommendations, and if you plan to camp while in town, check out many of the best-rated RV parks in the area.

Plus, don’t forget to do a little shopping while you’re there. The Tiffin Allegro Store carries a selection of shirts, caps, and jackets with our embroidered Tiffin logo at discounted prices. Stainless steel mugs and all-weather carpets are also available.

The Allegro Club membership itself is popular among Tiffin motorhome owners for its social benefits and outdoor recreation opportunities like the club’s popular rallies. From coast to coast, rallies offer entertainment, seminars, prizes, games, and factory technicians providing minor repairs. These educational events create an environment where attendees can learn everything you can imagine about their Tiffin RVs. Seminars can include anything from an in-depth presentation on Tiffin’s chassis to learning how to set up your television and take care of your generator. Nationwide, local Tiffin Allegro Club chapters plan campouts and other get-togethers. Located at 902A Gates Street, you can contact the Allegro Club by calling (256) 356-8522. For the latest news and rally information, follow the Allegro Club’s Facebook page.

Next, consider stopping by the Red Bay Museum. Learn about when the town was founded, how it has changed over the years, and walk through intriguing displays showcasing items related to Red Bay’s past. Items include artifacts from the Bay Theater, the Red Bay Depot, and Native Americans from the area. You won’t be able to miss the entire floor dedicated to Tammy Wynette, a country music legend who called Red Bay her “home town.” Located at 108 4th Ave SE, the museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or you can visit by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students, and children under six are free.

It might seem strange to visit a cemetery, but Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is uniquely charming. Established in 1937 when Red Bay resident Key Underwood buried his faithful coon dog Troop, many hunters followed suit. Now more than 185 coon dogs from across the United States are buried here.

Walk around the site and view the variety of tombstones, interesting coon dog names, and epitaphs. On Labor Day, the friends of Coon Dog Cemetery host a celebration with entertainment including music, dancing, food, and a liar’s contest. The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, so be sure to check the cemetery’s website before planning to attend the 2021 Labor Day event. The cemetery is located at 4945 Coondog Cemetery Road in Cherokee.

A Tiffin addition that has quickly become a popular amenity and defining feature of the Red Bay experience is the Tiffin Hospitality Center. It’s an ideal homebase for visitors who are in town having their RV serviced. Located in downtown Red Bay, the space was once a classic, old-fashioned drug store.

Inside, there’s a gift shop and lounge area, Tiffin merch, local artisanal goods, coffee, and soda. There’s seating throughout the space, indoor and outdoor, and the center has now expanded to include two lounge areas: one is pet friendly, while the other is pet free. For those working remotely, the lounge offers free wifi and visitors often use the lounge as their office for the day.

You can read our blog spotlighting the Hospitality Center to find details on gift shop apparel lines the store carries, along with featured, locally-made products unique to the area. Keep up with what’s new at the center’s gift shop and lounge by following their Facebook page or call (938) 223-7023. The Hospitality Center is located at 102 Fourth Avenue.

Next, head about 20 miles north to the Rattlesnake Saloon.This place is built inside a cave! (Yes, you read that right.) The same family has owned the land since 1916, and in 2009, they built the Rattlesnake. A visit to this establishment promises to be an experience like no other. The whole family will be able to enjoy delicious fixings, Southern hospitality, and live music inside the earth at the “watering hole under the rock.” Located at 1292 Mount Mills Road in Tuscumbia, it’s open Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. February through November and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. April through September.

If you love the outdoors, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is a must. This is a beautiful 444 mile-long parkway that winds through picturesque parts of Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. There are many ways to enjoy this National Park—you can hike the trails, bike the parkway, or drive between mileposts used to help you locate attractions along the Trace. We recommend starting at the Colbert Ferry Park, located approximately 40 miles from Red Bay in Cherokee, Alabama.

Less than 40 miles from Red Bay, you’ll find Helen Keller’s Birthplace. Immerse yourself in the world of Helen Keller. Learn about her life and accomplishments while exploring her childhood home. Stand where Helen stood when her teacher Anne Sullivan pumped cold water into her hands and spelled “w-a-t-e-r” into her hand for the first time, sparking Helen’s passion for improving the lives of blind and deaf people around the world. If you happen to be in the area in June, be sure to check out the Helen Keller Festival. The next event is set for June 23-26, 2022. Located at 300 North Commons Street West in Tuscumbia, the house and museum are open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last tour starts at 3:45 p.m. daily.

Where to Eat in Red Bay

When it comes to restaurants, Red Bay has its own offerings, but visitors can also venture just across the state line to nearby Belmont, Mississippi. Between these two neighboring towns, visitors will find anything from fast-food burgers and fries, subs and sandwiches to Mexican food, cafeteria-style meat-and-three, BBQ and plates of fried seafood and hushpuppies.

Now, if you’re looking to try a beloved treasure of the Deep South, then the chocolate gravy is what you came for. Order a plate of biscuits and chocolate gravy at one of two family-owned restaurants in Belmont: Sparks Drive Inn or the Ole Country Store.

If you’d like more detail on restaurant choices while visiting Red Bay, stop by the Tiffin Allegro Club. They’ll have a list of restaurants on hand along with sample menus.

Grocery and Food Markets

A good option for lunch is the Piggly Wiggly of Red Bay. Now you might be thinking, “Piggly Wiggly for lunch?” Yes! Their deli & bakery is home to one of the best hot bars in town (some say the fried chicken is just like your grandma used to make). With new entrees and sides available every day, you’ll find something to love every visit. Piggly Wiggly is also a favorite for breakfast thanks to their fresh-baked doughnuts. Piggly Wiggly is located at 518 4th Ave SE.

If you’ll be visiting Tiffin for an extended period of time, we recommend checking out the Big Star Grocery for all your grocery and dining needs. The store offers a variety of fresh options including salads with homemade dressing, ready-to-cook casseroles, fresh-baked cornbread muffins, delicious BBQ (smoked daily), and homemade pies. If you stop by, make sure to try their famous Pimento Cheese. They also make their own BBQ white sauce! Big Star is located at 406 4th St. SW and is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Dollar General Market is a full-size grocery, and Red Bay’s store was among the first of its kind to open when Dollar General entered the grocery business in 2013. The Dollar General Market is located on 212 4th Ave. SW, and is open Monday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Other Honorable Mentions

Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Swamp Johns
Rosenbaum House
Fame Recording Studio Tour
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Tour
Elvis Presley Birthplace
Redmont Country Club
Shiloh National Military Park
Dismals Canyon
Tishomingo State Park