There is a hidden treasure in and around the city of Northport. Come and explore the town with me. Enjoy the pictures!

I have never met anybody that don’t like the old downtown Northport. The place draws people to take a break from the sterile-looking everyday establishments. The downtown is located off the Greensboro bridge (US 69) and is accessible from both the city of Tuscaloosa and Northport.

The old downtown is an approximately quarter of a mile section of Main Ave at the intersection of Main Ave and 5th Street. It is a tree-lined narrow street surrounded by antique stores, art galleries, a barber’s shop with the barber pole, café and pastry shops, a Shakespearean-theme restaurant, hardware stores, lots of other unique small businesses that thrive for decades, and not to mention the incredible artists’ studios.

Walking along the street of the old downtown gives one a sense of going back to the simpler time, where there was more pleasure in life than stress. It also creates the more familiar vision of a neighborhood close by.

Everything is at a walking distance, or a shout away ;) Visitors take their time when they are in the old downtown, feeling no hurry to get back to the hustle and bustle of life. It is nice to sit down and have a nice hot cup of coffee during winter time, or a glass of sweet tea in the summer, and watch the world go by in the Old Downtown Northport.

I have never met anybody that don’t like the old downtown Northport. The place draws people to take a break from the sterile-looking everyday establishments. The downtown is located off the Greensboro bridge (US 69) and is accessible from both the city of Tuscaloosa and Northport. The old downtown is an approximately quarter of a mile section of Main Ave at the intersection of Main Ave and 5th Street. It is a tree-lined narrow street surrounded by antique stores, art galleries, a barber’s shop with the barber pole, café and pastry shops, a Shakespearean-theme restaurant, hardware stores, lots of other unique small businesses that thrive for decades, and not to mention the incredible artists’ studios. Walking along the street of the old downtown gives one a sense of going back to the simpler time, where there was more pleasure in life than stress. It also creates the more familiar vision of a neighborhood close by. Everything is at a walking distance, or a shout away ;) Visitors take their time when they are in the old downtown, feeling no hurry to get back to the hustle and bustle of life. It is nice to sit down and have a nice hot cup of coffee during winter time, or a glass of sweet tea in the summer, and watch the world go by in the Old Downtown Northport.

I went to this annual Kentuck Art Festival in Northport, AL. Local as well as inter/national artists were showcasing their masterpieces. The festival took place in Kentuck Park, about a mile down Old Downtown Northport. I enjoyed looking at beautiful paintings, crafts, pottery, and photographs. I especially loved the installation arts.

I think the best way to savor the great art is to enjoy the pictures from the festival, and let the art speak for itself. Enjoy! :)

I like this restaurant. Not only because it serves the best authentic Japanese food in town, but also because it does not seem americanized. Yes, there is still entertainment, where the teppanyaki chef gets the guests involved in catching bits and pieces of food thrown to by the chef. But at least the food is way much better than other Japanese restaurants. The restaurant is located on 1223 McFarland Boulevard North East at the criss-crossing of Northport and T-town. It sits next to the Little Pepito's. The inside of the restaurant is fairly small. There are only four teppanyaki burners. Up to eight people can sit around a burner. During a busy night, the line can get very long. But don't worry, you can wait to get a seat while sipping on a sake, or a Kirin or Sapporo. I am not too crazy about getting involved with all the entertainment over the teppanyaki chef show. I'm a bit shy .. (yeah right). I just don't want some corn kernel or a whole egg landing on my face. thank you ;) I usually order steak and shrimp with fried rice, miso soup and shrimp sauce. The shrimp sauce -- listen this is very important -- the shrimp sauce is killer. It's a fantastic condiment for the steak and shrimp or other ingredients.

City Café is located in Old Northport, AL, among cute local stores that are far from modern, chain-looking business establishments elsewhere. The menu is a five-day choice – every day choice of vegetables is different. Fried catfish, mashed potatoes, fried okra, green beans, fried green tomatoes – all Southern style. Friendly servers. It has a diner feel in it, where everybody from any kind of occupations, choice of attire, and age is welcome. Nothing like drinking ice tea in the hot summer in the South. Closed on weekend. Expect a long line during lunchtime (11:30-1:30). Price: very affordable. I paid for about $5 for the whole lunch with endless sweet tea refills. Do tip the server well, though. They deserve it ☺.