If you’re fortunate enough to have time in your travel itinerary for exploring the Birmingham area, you’ll go home richer for the experiences and the memories. From classic Southern attractions such as canoes and paddle boats at Oak Mountain State Park and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, to the scenery, culture, and history of the region, there’s something to delight the business traveler, the vacationing family, or the couple on a romantic getaway. Local Attractions Here are just a few of our favorite attractions and things to do. We’d be happy to help you select some favorites of your own when you arrive. |
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Golf
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Riverchase Galleria With four anchor stores — Belk, Macy’s, JC Penney and Sears — more than 200 specialty shops, including the LEGO Store, and over 30 eateries and restaurants, the Riverchase Galleria is the largest mall in Alabama. Connected to The Wynfrey Hotel, the Riverchase Galleria is a city under glass with the world’s largest skylight. |
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Verizon Wireless Music Center Located at Oak Mountain, this venue hosts musical entertainers in every genre. There is something there for everyone, no matter what kind of music you like. Outdoor venue, parking fee included in the price of the concert ticket. Parking lot gates usually open 2-1/2 hours prior to show times. Food and beverage service is available when the gates open. |
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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a “living institution” that offers a self-guided tour through the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s and the human rights struggles of today. This institute captures the drama of the countless individuals, both well known and unknown, who dared to confront racial discriminations. The Institute chronicles the roles that Birmingham and the South played in the civil rights movement and serves as a forum for understanding the universal problems of racism. Self-guided audio tours of historic Kelly Ingram Park, just across the street, are available through the institute. Admission Charged. |
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The Birmingham Zoo With nearly 1,000 animals on display, the Birmingham Zoo offers fascinating observation and interaction with the animal kingdom on over 100 acres of wooded land. Visit the Alligator Swamp, enjoy a view from the Zoo train, or spend time in the Junior League of Birmingham-Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Admission Charged. |
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Birmingham Botanical Gardens feature 67 acres of glorious nature including the spectacular Southern Living Gardens. The Botanical Gardens offer everything from beautiful Southern wildflowers to a Japanese Garden, complete with bonsai collection and an authentic Japanese Teahouse. Free Admission. |
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Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame The Jazz Hall of Fame exhibits memorabilia in the historic, art deco Carver Theatre. Within the Carver, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame displays numerous exhibits of musicians with Alabama ties, such as Erskine Hawkins and Sun Ra, who made international contributions to the world of jazz. Free Admission. |
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Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Located in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the Sports Hall of Fame pays tribute to sports heroes with ties to the state of Alabama. This beautifully designed exhibit gives visitors a look at the careers of Alabama sports legends such as Paul “Bear” Bryant, Jesse Owens, and Willie Mays. Renowned throughout the country as one of the most attractive state showcases of its type, this three-story 30,000 square-foot structure features a 75-seat Bryant-Jordan Theater and over 4,000 items of fascinating memorabilia. Admission charged. |
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Birmingham Museum of Art The Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest municipal museum in the Southeast and one of the finest regional museums in the country. It houses a permanent collection of more the 21,000 works of art from many cultures, especially European, American, Asian and African. The museum is also home to the largest museum collection of Wedgwood china. In 1993 the Museum completed a major expansion/renovation by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes of New York. One particular area of interest is the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden. Free Admission. |
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McWane Science Center At the McWane Center, science becomes an adventure for all ages and on a grand scale. The museum offers a hands-on, creative examination of the worlds around us in a renovated department store housing 150,000 square feet of educational science equipment and a 42,000 square-foot IMAX theater. McWane Center offers education, exploration and entertainment for visitors of all ages. For the very young, there is “Just Mice Size”, where everything is oversized. For the older children, there is a “Challenger Learning Center”. The McWane Center offers something for everyone. Admission Charged. |
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Alabama Adventure Water Park Formerly Visionland, Alabama Adventure features a theme park and water park. There is a wave pool that generates four-foot-high waves and has a real sand beach. In addition to new rides in the existing theme and water park, the plans calls for an indoor water park, a sports complex, interactive water play area and more exciting attractions. Located 16 miles southwest of Birmingham. Admission charged. |
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Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is a 32-acre blast furnace plant where iron was made for nearly 100 years. Now a museum of history and industry, the site preserves an extraordinary collection of buildings, industrial structures and machinery. Sloss is the only 20th century blast furnace in the country that is being preserved and interpreted as a museum. Sloss hosts a wide variety of concerts, festivals and conferences. Closed on Mondays. Free Admission. |
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Vulcan Park Vulcan Park is home to the world’s largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. Located atop Red Mountain, Vulcan Park tells the story of Birmingham’s past, present and promise for the future. The restored monument has an outdoor observation balcony overlooking the City. The 10-acre park features a new visitor’s center with interactive exhibits and new walking trails with interpretive sites. Admission Charged. |
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Aldridge Botanical Gardens Aldridge Gardens features hydrangeas and other native plants and attracts visitors from worldwide to the central Alabama area. The 30-acre botanical garden has a seven-acre lake in the middle of the property with a walking trail around it, and its first garden is laden with many different varieties of hydrangeas. The signature flower of Aldridge Gardens is the Snowflake Hydrangea, a lush white flower developed and propagated by noted nurseryman Eddie Aldridge. Free Admission. |
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The American Village Located just south of Birmingham in Montevallo, Alabama on Highway 119. Bring your imagination and sense of adventure to the Revolutionary American Village. The American Village welcomes the general public during regular hours and groups and schools by reservations. They are a unique facility for customized special events, weddings, receptions, office retreats, and corporate picnics. Call 1-877-811-1776 to reserve space. |
