My SIL, BIL and 9 yr old nephew and 6 yr old niece are coming to visit next week and I'm in need of good suggestions for what to do. I have a 2 yr old, so activities for 9 and 6 yr olds is completely out of my league and we're relative newcomers to AL.

They have never been to the South before and are thinking about day trips or even taking a day or two to go somewhere else in the region (maybe Atlanta).

Any suggestions for things to do - in Tuscaloosa, nearby or even regionally - would be MUCH appreciated!

McWane Center and the zoo in Birmingham! Both are great places for kids.
The aquarium in Atlanta is also wonderful, but it was also EXTREMELY crowded & hard to get through when we went about a year ago.
Older kids also seem to like caverns, and Desoto caverns aren't too far away.
I think I went when I was a kid, but I can't really recall those particular caverns, so I can't give a personal recommendation. But I have taken preteens to some caverns in Marianna (Florida) and they always love them. So did the adults, actually.
But elementary school boys also seem to like Moundville (an old indian site) and I've heard there's some shell digging/ outdoor fun place around here, too, but I can't think of the name.
I also think that the quad and the river are great (and free & close-by) places to just hang out. You know, bring a frisbee & some bikes or have a picnic...
Hope you and your family have fun next week!
ps - I'm a transplant, too!
I lived in Dothan most of my life, then we moved to Tuscaloosa in September of 2006. I've never been this far from family, but so far I like the area. How about you?!

I've been trying to think of something for the past couple of days--been trapped in house with sick child--but I really can't think of anything in Tuscaloosa for that age outside of picnics and such. If it were warmer, a trip to the lake or something would be nice. A boat ride, maybe? A basketball game? Gymnastics meet?

I've been to DeSoto caverns--a long time ago on a field trip. I wasn't all that impressed, but the kids enjoyed it(4th grade???). If I'm not mistaken, they had a maze--but it was in a cornfield... too early for that.

Chattanooga is a good trip w/aquarium and science museum, look out mountain, rock city, etc. It's a 3 hour drive.

New Orleans might be interesting (haven't been there since Katrina). The aquarium, children's museum, open air market, and Riverwalk are all easily w/in walking distance of each other, and you can take a boat ride to the zoo--Or used to be able to do that. It's a 5 hour, straight-shot drive. Very easy to do.

Beach--4-5 hours away. Still cool, though. Wouldn't be able to swim.

In Mississippi, there is a place called Sharks Tooth Creek. I have never been there and always wanted to go, but my older kids were never interesed. I have a sneaky suspicion that it might be a waste of a day's driving.

Sharks Tooth Creek! That's the name of the place with the shells! Thanks, FunnyMummy.

I just remembered... I was mistken about Desoto Caverns Maze. It was a permanent wooden maze. Fun.