Top 17 Best Things To Do While On Vacation In Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and the state’s economic and cultural hub. It is also home to several fascinating museums and historic sites. It gained international recognition for the crucial part it played in the civil rights movement after becoming known first for its steel industry.
As a result, there are numerous monuments in the city that refer to the movement and the rallies, marches, and demonstrations that were held. Yet more fantastic museums explore subjects including science, the city, motorsports, and anything from art to aircraft.
The Magic City boasts a lot of beautiful parks and green spaces to explore, despite the fact that many rusted old industrial sites can still be seen here and there. Investigating Birmingham’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene, as well as the city’s abundance of fantastic restaurants and nightclubs, are additional things to do.
17.) Southern Museum of Flight
The interesting Southern Museum of Flight is conveniently located near to the city’s international airport. Nearly one hundred airplanes are housed in its enormous hangars, along with countless exhibits, engines, and pieces of machinery.
The huge museum was initially opened to the public in 1966 and is now one of the greatest institutions of its sort in the southeast of the United States. There are enormous models and artifacts to look through, and there is also the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame.
But without a question, the highlight must be the rows and chambers filled with dazzling jets and enormous bombers. The museum also houses a beautiful Wright Flyer replica in addition to its collection of commercial and military aircraft. Its amazing antique vintage airplanes are complemented by some amazing paintings, pictures, and films.
16.) Ruffner Mountain
Rugged Ruffner Mountain rises sharply to the northeast of Birmingham and is preserved as a part of a nature reserve. It is surrounded by suburbs, the airport is nearby, and there are many lovely trails and breathtaking views for visitors to enjoy.
The region was formerly home to both iron ore mining and stone quarries, but in 1977 it became a park. Since then, both locals and visitors come to the mountain covered in forests to unwind and experience nature.
You can see expansive vistas of the city and possibly even some local wildlife while exploring the fifteen kilometers of its beautiful pathways. Visitors to the visitor center can see raptors, snakes, and turtles up close and learn more about the local flora.
15.) The Summit
The Summit, a classy outdoor living complex with countless shops and restaurants, is located on the southeast edge of the city. The ideal location for endless shopping, its expansive website also features a cutting-edge theater where you can catch the newest films.
The open-air mall has grown significantly since it first opened in 1997, with nearly a hundred upscale stores and trendy restaurants dispersed around the property. Along with Apple and Levi’s, these also include Banana Republic, Lush, and Urban Outfitters.
After shopping for clothing, makeup, or electronics, you may treat yourself to a delicious lunch at one of the steakhouses or sushi bars. The Summit’s stunning outdoor location plays host to a variety of cultural events and festivals.
14.) Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park is situated in the center of the Birmingham Civil Rights District. Numerous protests and rallies took occurred here during the 1960s civil rights movement since it is surrounded by the 16th Street Baptist Church.
The modest park is now littered with a number of exquisite sculptures and moving monuments connected to the movement as a result of the significant role it played. Its Four Spirits statue, which honors the four little girls who died in the bombing of the baptist church and serves as a memorial, is very striking.
Additionally, it has memorial statues of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other movement leaders. It is known as “A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation.” Along with the church and art displays, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute also lines the area.
13.) Church of the 16th Street Baptist
The 16th Street Baptist Church is situated in one of the park’s famous corners. It was notable for acting as the administrative center of the civil rights movement in Birmingham and for being the first African-American congregation to form in the city.
The church and protesters were frequently the objects of police brutality and retaliation as a result of its numerous demonstrations and marches. Four young girls were tragically killed by a bomb set by Ku Klux Klan members on September 15, 1963, during a Sunday school.
Despite this, the church was reconstructed the next year as its members and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continued to fight for civil rights. You may explore the National Historic Landmark’s fascinating history, admire its magnificent architecture, and witness a stained-glass window that features a black Jesus.
12.) Railroad Park
Located in the heart of the city, the lush green Railroad Park is frequently referred to as “Birmingham’s Living Room.” It organizes numerous amazing concerts, cultural events, and festivals in addition to providing a wide range of entertaining outdoor activities.
The pathways, ponds, and playgrounds stretch across several blocks in the downtown area, earning them their nickname from the two nearby rail lines. The park is beautifully designed, with flowerbeds, meadows, and wetlands, as well as tiny streams that meander through various locations.
You may sit on the lush grass, use the outdoor gym, and test out the skating bowls in addition to walking, jogging, and riding. The nearby cafes and restaurants offer some fantastic views of the city center and the passing train.
11.) Birmingham Art Museum
The outstanding Birmingham Museum of Art is home to one of the best collections in the Southeast. It is located in the city’s heart next to Linn Park and is renowned for its magnificent and varied collection of Native American, Asian, and African art.
Its vast resources are presently housed in a spectacular modern structure, which was built in 1951. Everything from paintings and photographs to drawings, sculptures, and decorative arts may be seen inside the spacious, light-filled galleries. There are rooms full of pottery and fabrics to examine in addition to masks, furniture, and ceremonial paraphernalia.
Make sure to take a stroll through the lovely sculpture garden outside after viewing the more than 26,000 pieces of art inside. In addition, you can visit the quaint cafe for a cup of coffee and browse the gift shop for trinkets.
10.) Pepper Place Market
The wildly popular Pepper Place Market is hosted every Saturday from April through December and is a bright and boisterous event. In the summer, more than one hundred farmers congregate in the downtown area to sell their items, but only a few dozen vendors set up shop there during the winter.
In 2000, there were only a few manufacturers in what is now one of Alabama’s biggest markets. Its rows of stalls, which are brimming with fresh produce, are a lot of fun to browse, and there are coffee shops and food trucks scattered throughout.
Along with all the locally grown vegetables, many people also sell homemade jewelry, artwork, and clothing. Street performers and fun children’s activities enhance the atmosphere.
9.) Alabama Theatre
The lavishly decorated Alabama Theatre is also situated in the center of downtown. The revered location, which was formerly a cinema palace, today presents amazing concerts, comedy shows, and screenings of great movies in its gorgeous theater.
The 1927 theater has a ton of showy decorations and elegant designs because it was constructed huge be Paramount’s flagship theater in the southeast. Along with its magnificent Moorish motif, this hotel also has an opulent lobby and a gold-glad theater with its original Wurlitzer organ.
You can sit and admire the exquisite building on display while taking in one of its world-class ballet, opera, or Broadway shows. The amazing old theater presents over 250 events annually, with something fresh and intriguing happening every time.
8.) Regions Field
Regions Field in Southside is unquestionably the place to go if it’s exciting athletic events you’re after. The Birmingham Barons, a Minor League Baseball team for the city, play their exciting home games in front of a small crowd at the compact venue.
The little ballpark, which was finished in 2013, was created to blend in with the nearby industrial structures. With the skyscrapers of downtown rising in the distance, it has a charming old world appearance and feel because of its brick and steel front.
Visitors can take in the field’s exquisite views from its comfortable seats, adding to the enthralling ambiance. Additionally, it offers top-notch dining and drinking options as well as play areas where you may toss a ball around before the batting starts.
7.) Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham Zoo, which is home to hundreds of rare and exotic animals, is located 10 minutes’ drive south of the city. You can view everything at its expansive complex, from ferocious lions and massive elephants to amazing rhinos, tigers, and Komodo dragons.
Since it originally opened to the public in 1955, families have long regarded it as a firm favorite. It is impressive enough that more than 550 animals representing more than 180 species are now housed in its roomy enclosures. In addition to the Flamingo Lagoon and Alligator Swamp, there are aviaries, reptile houses, and other themed locations to explore.
In addition to all of this, visitors may pet and feed farm animals, take leisurely camel rides, and watch breathtaking sea lion performances. Playgrounds, splash pads, picnic spots, a miniature railroad, and other amenities are also available.
6.) Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Another notable location in the city is only around the corner at the lovely Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Its calm walks, quiet ponds, and abundance of vibrant flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs make it a pleasure to stroll through.
Having been established in 1963, it has expanded greatly and currently offers thirty themed gardens to visit. Some are wild and free, with bogs, woodlands, and desert regions lining up beside sparkling lakes, while others are home to lovely roses and irises. The stunning Japanese garden also has a Torii gate, rock sculptures, and water elements.
Along the kilometers of winding natural trails, more than thirty breathtaking outdoor sculptures can be found. There are exhibits on the local flora at the garden center and library, and there are seminars and workshops ongoing.
5.) Sloss Furnaces
You may find the Sloss Furnaces’ dramatic smokestacks and rusted equipment by strolling just a little distance northeast of the city center. It now houses an art and culture center and offers tours of the amazing old industrial complex, which is a National Historic Landmark.
The enormous factory’s enormous blast furnaces produced countless tons of pig iron between 1882 and 1971. Visitors can now stroll among the rust-colored machines, see vintage machinery, and take pictures of their distinctive shadows and shapes against the dazzling blue sky.
The history of the facility and the slaves and employees who made the pig iron are all revealed throughout the excursions. Along with concerts, neighborhood gatherings, and festivals, the educational center hosts a number of exhibits and seminars in metal arts.
4.) McWane Science Center
The outstanding McWane Science Center is located in the heart of the city and is a fascinating and enjoyable destination. There are plenty of activities, experiments, and a huge IMAX to check out in addition to the interactive exhibitions on four floors.
Thousands of thousands of artifacts and specimens are kept inside its old structure for viewing. Some exhibit rooms concentrate on dinosaurs and fossils, while others examine the local environment and Native American civilizations. In the aquarium’s excellent touch tank, you may pet baby sharks and stingrays.
There are other sections where visitors can experiment and build items, as well as play areas and climbing frames for kids. Additionally, you may enjoy thrilling science shows, view movies on the big cinema screen, and stop by the cafe for a cup of coffee.
3.) Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The outstanding Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located in the same-named downtown area, is just one of the city’s numerous must-see attractions. Its interpretive exhibits, which are located on one side of Kelly Ingram Park, show the hardships the movement faced in the 1950s and 1960s.
The “living institution,” which was founded in 1992, and its cultural research center examine the past, present, and future of the civil rights movement. From the city’s history of segregation and the Freedom Riders to the bombing of the nearby 16th Street Baptist Church, multimedia exhibits cover it all.
These difficult topics are clarified by old photographs, old recordings, and individual interviews with movement participants. Before visiting some of the other significant historic sites nearby, visitors can also learn about current human rights issues.
2.) Vulcan Museum and Park
The Vulcan, the tallest cast iron statue in the world, stands atop Red Mountain and dominates its surroundings. The iconic image and symbol of Birmingham illustrates the significance of the iron and steel sector to the growth of the city.
Its imposing pedestal, which was originally built in St. Louis, Missouri, for the 1904 World’s Fair, is now situated within verdant grounds about 10 minutes south of the center. It features Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and the forge, in a stunning posture and is 56 feet high.
Along with taking pictures of the magnificent figure, you may climb to the top of the tower’s observation deck to take in breathtaking panoramas of the city. Make sure to visit the interactive museum that explores the history of the statue, the city, and the state after you’ve strolled along the park’s gorgeous walks.
1.) Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Due to its incredible collection, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum should not be missed even if you have no interest in motorcycles. Visitors can browse more than 1,600 magnificent motorcycles and cutting-edge racing automobiles at its gleaming facility on the eastern outskirts of the city.
George Barber, a former race car driver and later a collector, founded the museum in 1994, making it the biggest of its sort in the entire globe. Never-ending motorbike makes and models are presented in an artistic and cool style on nearly every square inch of its five storeys. A total of more than 200 brands are represented, from Suzuki and Zimmerman to Honda and Kawazaki.
You may watch automobiles and motorcycles race around the track right outside on a magnificent racetrack. If they so choose, dedicated motorheads and thrill seekers can also ride a bike around the course.
