Birmingham, Alabama, is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It was born out of the iron and steel industry, and remnants of those humble beginnings are carefully preserved at places like Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and Vulcan Park & Museum.
Birmingham is also notable for its prominent role in America’s Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century. History buffs might benefit from a visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which gives visitors an intimate look at that momentous time in American History.
These days, Birmingham features a vibrant and bustling arts and entertainment scene. Birmingham’s nightlife is lively, and outdoor recreational facilities and top-tier restaurants are a dime a dozen.
If, for some reason, you think that Birmingham is just about BBQ and fried pies, remember that the city is home to what’s been called the ‘Oscars of Dining’ with James Beard Foundation Award Winners and nominees.
If you’re planning a visit to this city, you’ll also want to check out it’s many live music venues, where historically, some of the greatest contributors to the world’s of jazz, blues, and rock ‘n roll music have played.
Birmingham is also host to dozens of antique shops which have been featured in high-end lifestyle magazines all across the nation. Numerous art galleries and museums such as The Birmingham Museum of Art house an impressive collection of artistic works from diverse cultures around the globe.
With it’s mild climate, Birmingham draws in lovers of the great outdoors to play golf on the states Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Other outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and mountain climbing are also quite popular.
There is no better time than now to get out and explore the Birmingham area. In this video, you’ll learn what we believe to be are the best things to do in Birmingham and attractions to experience next time you’re visiting what’s been called ‘The Magic City’.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
On August 14, 1967, this 33,000 square foot facility first opened it’s doors. Since then, over 5,000 sports artifacts and pieces of memorabilia have been added to it’s collection. Over the past 50+ years, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame has honored some of the greatest sports figures in the nation. Some of these celebrated athletes include Jesse Owens, Bart Start, Mia Hamm, Willie Mays, Bo Jackson, and Alice Coachman Davis.
The museum is opened from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and is closed on the weekends. Tickets are fairly inexpensive, starting at $5 for adults with discounts being offered to senior citizens, students, and groups of 10 or more.
Sixteenth Street Baptist And The Civil Rights District
On Sunday September 15, 1963, the unthinkable happened when the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. Sadly, the blast resulted in the deaths of four young girls. This heinous act of hate helped bring a nation together and ultimately played a significant role in ensuring the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
The church was subsequently rebuilt and reopened in 1964 with the help of generous donors from all around the world. Today it is an integral part of the Birmingham Civil Rights story and is a major tourist destination.
A guided tour of Birmingham’s most significant Civil Rights Landmarks in the city’s Civil Rights District is perhaps the best way to see Birmingham’s major sites while learning all about the crucial role that it played in the fight for equal rights. A few of the most visited sites on this tour are the Sixteenth Street Church, Boutwell Auditorium, Kelly Ingram Park, and the sight where the Freedom Riders were attacked in 1961.
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Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Here we have a beautifully maintained museum featuring a top-notch collection of motorcycles of all shapes and varieties. On the lower floor you’ll find a collection of automobiles which you can view from above, but that section is accessible by invite only.
The museum is situated on a vast, well-manicured and beautifuly landscaped property that features a world-class motorcycle racing track complete with an observation bridge and decks. Even if you aren’t the biggest motorcycle fan, the building and experience of moving through time and space will likely give you a newfound appreciation of the design, engineering, and beauty of these fantastic machines.
Birmingham Civil Rights Museum
Tracing it’s roots back to the Civil Rights era of the late 1950s and 60s, this historic museum documents the fearless advocates for justice and equality that played a part in changing the course of American History.
The long, violent, and emotional struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled within these walls. From the oppresive Jim Crow Laws of the 1800s to the Freedom Riders, sit-ins, and demonstrations of the 60s, The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum leaves no stone left unturned.
McWane Science Center
Visitors to this Science Center and museum are given the chance to experience the world through adventures in science and interactive exhibits suitable for guests of all ages. It’s one of Birmingham’s top family attractions both for locals and tourists alike. You’ll get a chance to learn all about a wide range of topics from the dinosaurs to the age of space exploration. Hands-on exhibits feature motion, light, and sound and guests both young and young at heart will find many exciting things to see and experience.
The top floor of the science center is where traveling and seasonal exhibits from other museums are put on display. Special events are also held here from time to time and there is also a fascinating exhibit that demonstrates the relationship between art and technology.
The lower floor features a fun and engaging interactive aquarium exhibit with living aquatic creatures. Visitors can also experiment with what happens when they make waves on an eroding shoreline, learn about salt marsh organisms, and explore the riveting tale of water and what it means to all life on Earth.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are contained within a park that spans an area of 67 acres. Here you will also find a center for horticultural education. Immediately after arriving through the Queen’s Gates, visitors will come face to face with the glass conservatory which sits behind the Formal Garden.
Most of the gardens are divided up into different categories based upon plant type. These segmented regions are referred to as the Gardens of Collections. One of these is dedicated solely to rhododendrons, another to roses, and still yet another contains a variety of lilies, irises, and hostas.
The Gardens of Nature features specimens of local plant life. The Garden of Culture, on the other hand, is home to a broad range of flora, each of which represents various styles of designs.
Railroad Park
Located in the middle of downtown, The Railroad Park is practically an oasis of green space and sparkling water features. If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city or if you just want to escape the heat for a bit, this is a perfect spot to go have a picnic.
The park spans an area of 19 acres and includes plenty of lawn space, towering trees casting shade, fragrant flowers, and a handful of streams and ponds. Railroad Park also has a small lake and several trails perfect for walking or running. The ¾ mile Rail-Trail offers some phenomenal views of the city as well.
Younger visitors will appreciate the fact that Railroad Park is home to two playgrounds. There is also a skate park where teenagers can often be found. Make sure you check the park’s website to see if any events or concerts are planned during your visit, as they often are during the warmer months.
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is home to 950 different animals – of those represented here are numerous endangered species. During the day, guests can catch a variety of live shows and events, including the sea lion show and reptile feedings.
Meet a giraffe up close and personal before taking a ride on the Red Diamond Express, And if you want to see the behind-the-scenes operations of the zoom and meet some of it’s resident animals and keepers, visitors can purchase an animal encounter pass.
Hundreds of butterflies representing more than 20 local species can be seen at the zoo’s botanical exhibit. And for guests with younger children, the Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo is dedicated to the urban and rural animals found in Alabama.
Southern Museum Of Flight
This museum features a variety of exhibits and numerous examples of historic aircraft. The indoor part of the museum makes use of giant life-sized dioramas to illustrate various topics. Quite a few of these are related to the history of aviation in the armed forces.
Some of the most notable exhibits include one that features Korean War Jets and another that chronicles the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Children can enjoy some educational playtime in the Little Pilots Playroom, and older kids will appreciate the Experimental Aviation Association Classroom, where young, aspiring engineers can test out their ideas using Legos, Mega Blox, and Knex.
For teens and adults, the museum offers fully functional flight simulators where you can learn to fly with the help of a real flight instructor.
The outdoors section of the museums gives visitors a chance to walk amidst planes including and early-model commercial plane that was once used by Delta. The Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame can also be found here.
Pepper Place Market
Every Saturday from 7 am to noon, more than a hundred vendors converge at Pepper Place to offer up their handmade goods and fresh, homegrown produce. The market is the perfect place to shop for a unique art piece or a hand-crafted jewelry item. Guests will find a wide range of in-season produce and animal products as well as baked goods, canned items, and specialty treats like chocolate.
Iron City
This is a general admission standing room venue that allows you to upgrade your admission by reserving a table in the mezzanine. Their schedule of events, shows, and concerts is constantly changing – as are the ticket prices – so you’ll want to check out upcoming events on their website before venturing out. Iron City was the winner of the 2018 Nightclub & Bar’s “Live Music Venue of the Year” in the United States and was rated as the “Best Music Venue in Birmingham” 5 years in a row.
Well, that about wraps up our rundown of the top sights and attractions to be found in Birmingham, Alabama. What did you think about our list? Disagree with anything or think that maybe we missed something critical? Let us know in the comments.
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