Places to visit in Birmingham, AL.
Aside from its famous Civil Rights history, Birmingham is a city that is rich in culture, sports, and outdoor activities. With its abundance of parks, nightclubs, and restaurants, there is no lack of things to do in Birmingham.
To make the most of your vacation in Birmingham, Alabama, there are some great things to do that you won’t want to miss. For starters, several museums and historic sites are a must-see. These include the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, the Southern Museum of Flight, and the McWane Science Center.
The Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo, located in Birmingham, Alabama, is the state’s most visited not-for-profit attraction. With a collection of 250 species of animals, it offers a variety of educational and recreational opportunities. Visitors can also take part in programs aimed at conservation and preservation.
In addition to its extensive animal collection, the Birmingham Zoo also features a large amount of land dedicated to playing areas, including a splash pad in the summer and a zip line. Its newest exhibit will highlight the Komodo dragon.
One of the most famous exhibits is the Bird Aviary. Guests can feed lorikeets in the aviary and see the aviary’s inhabitants at close range.
During the late 1940s, a group of Birmingham Junior Chamber of Commerce members helped to establish a zoo. They purchased a tract of land on the south side of Red Mountain. As the zoo’s collection grew, the city began seeking a permanent site.
Various master plans were proposed, but funding never materialized. By the 1990s, it was clear that significant improvements were needed.
A new Front Entrance Complex was built. This includes a new entrance, restrooms, a membership office, and a large gift shop. Also, a sensory room and a learning center have been added.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a beautiful 67-acre natural oasis located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama. Its mission is to promote a passion for plants and nature.
Aside from the beautiful landscape, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens also offers educational programming and special events. The gardens are open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk. There are more than ten thousand plants in the gardens, including wide varieties of roses, shrubs, and trees.
Visitors can learn about the plants at the Blount Education Center and the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall. The gardens also have a gift shop. One of the highlights of the gardens is the Japanese garden.
While visiting the gardens, visitors can enjoy the many walking paths. Some of the paths are paved, while others are dirt. Most paths have a gentle slope.
The garden also features 30 outdoor sculptures. In addition to the Japanese and formal gardens, visitors will find a variety of other gardens. This includes the Kaul Wildflower Garden, a vegetable garden, and a traditional tea house.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is excellent for birds during the warmer months. You’ll see waterfowl and shorebirds, along with warblers and other songbirds.
The gardens are a perfect destination for an afternoon out. They offer free admission and are a great way to spend the day outdoors. The gardens are great for families. Children will love the children’s play area, and the Crape Myrtle Garden features a swing that children can use.
Vulcan Park and Museum
Vulcan Park and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, features a 10-acre urban green space that offers spectacular views of the city. The city of Birmingham owns the park, and the non-profit Vulcan Park Foundation operates it. It is a beautiful place to picnic, enjoy a guided tour, or even hold a wedding or other special event.
Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti, the statue stands 56 feet tall and weighs more than 100,000 pounds. It is the giant, cast-iron statue in the world. The sculpture was created to commemorate the city’s iron heritage.
Aside from its beauty, the Vulcan statue was also built to promote the city’s iron industry. At the 1904 World’s Fair, it was awarded the Grand Prize. Since then, the statue has become a symbol of Birmingham.
McWane Science Center
The McWane Science Center is located in downtown Birmingham. It is a non-profit organization that offers science education and hands-on exploration of the world. It was founded in 1998 due to the merger of two science centers.
The McWane Science Center is part of the revitalization of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The facility is located in a historic department store building that Loveman once owned. This building has been renovated to house the science center.
In addition to the museum and IMAX theater, the center also features an aquarium. There are more than 50 aquatic species on display.
The center offers a 280-seat IMAX Dome Theater and an interactive exhibit floor. Also on display are large-scale art installations and scientific demonstrations.
Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain State Park is a beautiful place to spend your time. It is located near Birmingham, Alabama, and is the largest state park in the state. With its many recreational activities, the park is perfect for family vacations.
The park is ideal for camping and has several lakes for fishing. There are also 50 miles of hiking and biking trails. A wildlife center provides nature exhibits and educational opportunities. You can buy fishing and hunting licenses online.
The park was developed as a state park in 1927. In the 1930s, the National Park Service acquired an additional 8000 acres. As a result, one of the area’s most extensive tracts of undeveloped land was purchased.
Today, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities. In addition, some of the best mountain biking trails are located in the park. So whether you’re interested in a relaxing hike or a thrilling race, the park has something to please everyone.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a museum of automobiles in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded by Birmingham businessman George Barber, the museum is dedicated to the history and interpretation of motorcycles and motorsports. It is home to the world’s most extensive collection of vintage motorcycles.
The museum features bikes from 220 manufacturers. It is located on 740 acres of rolling hills east of downtown Birmingham.
There is also a 2.38-mile race track at the park. Visitors can watch restorers work on motorcycles. This makes the museum a popular place for visitors to come and learn about motorsports.
The Barber Museum is located at Barber Motorsports Park, a world-class racing facility. The museum’s collection includes motorcycles from 16 countries.
In 1994, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum became a non-profit organization. A year later, the organization hosted the first-ever Vintage Festival.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
If you’re looking for things to do in Birmingham, Alabama, Sloss Furnaces is a great place to visit. It’s one of the city’s many historical landmarks and provides an exciting glimpse into its rich industrial heritage.
The Sloss Furnace was the world’s largest manufacturer of pig iron until the 1970s. During its time as a blast furnace, it produced more than one thousand tons of pig iron daily.
Although it closed its doors in 1971, the Sloss Furnace has been preserved as a historic site. Visitors can now tour the blast furnace and learn about the city’s industrial history.
In addition to being a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces is also home to an interpretive museum. This site is free to visit and welcomes self-guided tours.