I have some good memories of going there as a kid. The restaurant (Renaissance Grille) probably wasn't great, but all I cared about at the time was chicken fingers anyway. The view is great, but something I think a local appreciates a lot more ("Look! I think that's our house!"). I really never understood why the "cheaper" restaurants at the top weren't successful, as much as the Shoals likes our casual-dining experiences. Seems like "Logan's on a Stick" would be at least as successful as Logan's on the Ground.
There were three big problems with the Tower from the start, as I see it. One, there should have been an observation deck for people who only wanted to take in the view and not sit down for a meal. I've always heard there is a top floor designed for this purpose but never used. Second, though it does offer a great view of Wilson Dam, I think it would have been much better off located near downtown Florence and closer to the main flow of traffic.
Finally, I think not having a permanent museum was indeed the worst thing that could happen. I know for a while there was some sort of aquarium located in the bottom, though I never got a chance to go. Living here in Chattanooga, I look at what the Tennessee Aquarium did for this city and wonder what something like that could have done for the Shoals. If that concept (on a larger scale) had went into the Tower originally it would have predated the TN Aquarium, which opened in 1992. Who knows, the "Alabama Aquarium" could have set off a, dare we say, "renaissance" for Shoals' tourism.
Now it's just an overpriced restaurant and spa that the majority of us can't even afford to use during an economic slump. Thanks, local leaders. I'm glad we re-pay you by continuing to vote you in every election.
